First time Building my own PC - need help

[hkg36]

Hey everyone,

My dell just died on me, while plugging my usb external drive it gave an electric discharge which grilled my mobo :S

Therefore, I've decided to build my own PC, after spending a week reading specs forums and company's website, I am still undecided and registered to this forum for help.

The role for this computer is mostly gaming and I won't OC since I'm noob with hardware and I can't afford to buy anything else. Also I will use single card (no sli or crossfire)

Config:

Case: Antec Sonata III with PSU 500w included
Extra front FAN: Zalman ZM-F3 120MM

Motherboard: I really need help with this one, I was going for an ASUS P5Q-PRO but I've read that ASUS is getting less reliable. So I was thinking to go for GIGA EP45-DS3 but I'm really not sure. (I also came across the P5K but it's only 10$ less)
I don't need WIFI or dual graphic card slots. Any recommendation?

Processor: I was going for a quad, but for almost half the price I can get a E8500 (350$ vs 185$). And I've read that most games are set up for quads anyway.

Memory:CORSAIR TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF or TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX?
(Personal choice I only trust Corsair Ram only it's more pricey)

Harddrive: Seagate barracuda 7200.11

Graphic card: I forgot to mention I already have a evga 7900gs, I know this will be my bottleneck but I'm waiting for prices to go down. I might go for the HD 4850 or 9800 gtx once the prices fall.

Thanks for your help

 

[hkg36]

I meant most games aren't set up for quads

 

[slayeron444]

Go for a 4850... they prices don't need to fall! It will be such a huge upgrade from a 7900gs and you can get them with mail in rebates.... you will be dropping like 150-160 on it is all!
and for a MOBO to go with it, I would suggest something allong these lines...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128347

 

[slayeron444]

I meant most games aren't set up for quads

I knew what ya meant haha. I would go for a E8400 instead of the quad... cheaper and if you feel brave you can try and OC it

 

[hkg36]

Thanks for the quick reply

why ep43? isn't ep45 better?
what's the difference between p35 p43 and p45 northbridge?
does it improve performance? the price difference is only 20$ so I could get a p45? or it's not worth it?

also for the RAM what do you recommend?

cheers

 

[dirtmountain]

The biggest difference in the p35 and the p43/45 is the PCIex16 2.0 graphic card socket in the 43/45, it's fully backwards compatible with PCIex16 1.0, it just offers twice the bandwidth. The P43 is not as good an overclocker as the P35 or P45, but more than adequate for most people. The Antec Sonata case is a great case with a quality power supply, but it leans more towards being a quiet case rather that a cool (lots of fans) case.

 

[jthorn]

+1 all of the above responses. Only thing I would add is I am surprised you cannot find Q6600 for less than $300. It can be OC'd nearly equal to E8400. Although dual is fine for the next 1 - 2 yrs, you may wish you had gone quad after that. Also, I have not read about troubles with ASUS relative to any other mfg. They may not be the high end choice, however, ASUS offers a nice P43/P45. Some boards can be had for cheap, and those dont include crossfire capability, but I think all ASUS boards can do mild OC or better.

edit

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

 

[Onus]

Since that case isn't renowned for cooling, when you do upgrade your video card, get one with a dual-slot cooler that exhausts its heat. I haven't looked today, but I don't think there are any dual-slot 4850s yet.

 

[hkg36]

Thanks for the advice,

Case:For the cooling issue, I've thought of installing the Zalman ZM-F3 120MM as a front fan. do you think that would solve the problem?
Now you get me hesitating, what would you recommend?

Mobo: for 20$ I can go from a p43 to p45, now the only question is to go for a Giga ep45 ds3r or the Asus P5Q pro (both same price; around 135$)
Also I don't plan on having dual cards so the double pci*16 isn't necessary.

For the RAM since I'm not planning on OC, I'm looking for the most stable system. What would you recommend?

 

[Wanker79]

Don't bother with the 1066 RAM. Unless you're going to do some serious OCing, 800 is plenty. Technically, if you're not OCing at all you only really need 667 RAM to hit 1:1 with the 1333 FSB of the E8500. But 800 is so cheap right now that there's really no reason not to get it (and it'll still leave you room to do some moderate OCing if you ever decide to give it a try).

 

[pcgamer12]

Go with the Gigabyte EP45. If you can find a EP45 DS3L, it'd probably be a little cheaper but won't offer RAID. Do you need RAID? I hear it's a headache.

 

[hkg36]

OC is so attractive, I might give it a shot in a year or so to keep up with new games,

so far with all you advices this is what I came up with

Case: Undecided (probably Antec Sonata III with an additional fan)

Mobo: Giga EP45T-DS3R

Processor: Intel Duo Core E8500

RAM: DDR2 800mhz What brand?and what clock? is TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX 5-5-5-15 good enough/too much?

Hardrive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500 gb

What's RAID?

Thanks

 

[pcgamer12]

For memory, look at Crucial, Corsair, Mushkin, Kingston, etc. All good brands, especially Crucial.

 

[hkg36]

Ok, what about the clock? does it matter? what does it change?

and what's RAID for?

Thanks a lot I'm really new for hardware

 

[pcgamer12]

RAID is using 2 or more hard drives to increase performance or data striping. The performance RAID is basically, SLI or Crossfire for hard drives, you do know what they are, right? RAID for performance will improve read and write speeds. You don't lose any hard drive space in performance RAID.

RAID data mirroring is having all data written to both hard drives for data redundancy. It's mostly used for sensitive data that cannot be lost due to hard drive failure. You effectively lose half the space in data mirroring mode.

 

[hkg36]

I don't plan on using two harddrive for now, but it seems interesting.

As for the watts, since I'm only going to use 1 graph card, do you think 500w is enough?

And for ram clock I don't understand, most people recommend low latency but a 4-4-4-xx is less expensive than a 5-5-5-xx, why is that?

 

[Wanker79]

Voltage is also pretty important when you're comparing RAM. Check out this thread. It cleared up a ton of stuff for me.

And for a single GPU, 500W should be good enough.

 

[pcgamer12]

RAM pricing is awkward, that's why. All you need to know is tighter timings (lower numbers) means the RAM is faster than RAM with looser timings (higher numbers).

 

[Onus]

Yes, Mushkin RAM has become my preferred choice, as it is always good to go at 1.8v.

 

[Wanker79]

RAM pricing is awkward, that's why. All you need to know is tighter timings (lower numbers) means the RAM is faster than RAM with looser timings (higher numbers).

But that doesn't necessarily mean that the tighter timing is better RAM. If you're trying to compare 4-4-4-12_2.3V to 5-5-5-18_1.8V, you're comparing apples to oranges. It's like trying to say a E2180 OC'd to 3.1GHz is better than a stock 2.9GHz X6800. While that E2180 is technically the faster of the two, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's better.

 

[hkg36]

Thanks all,
Now I get it (at least I think I do) I'll probably get that Mushkin memory.

Last thing now is to get a good case,

any opinion on the Sonata III? as I said above, I've heard it's not the best for cooling so I was thinking of installing a Zalman ZM-F3 120MM as a front fan.

 

[Wanker79]

Just know that if you're not going to OC the ram at all, pcgamer is correct the tighter timing is better than looser timing. It's basically like you're buying factory OC'd ram. But if you get relatively tight timings listed at 1.8V, that'll leave you room to up the voltage (thereby lowering the timings or upping the frequency) on your own.

Until yesterday (when I read ausch's post) I had very little understanding of all of this, so if I'm wrong someone please correct me.

 

[Shadow703793]

My recommendations:

Q6600 (if doing video editing or things like that) or E8400 (gaming,etc)

P45-DS3L (not doing CrossFire) or P45-DS3R ( RAID and CrossFire) if on a really tight budget a P35-DS3L ($80 or so). All the boards mentioned OC very well. If you do get any of the EP series boards above DO NOT install the DES software. Stay away from DDR3 motherboards or DDR2/DDR3 combo motherboards (ie. P35C-DS3R)

2*2GB DDR2 800 (from Corsair, Crucial, Patriot, G.Skill or other good brand). Don't get DDR2 1066, those 1066 RAM have compatibility issues.

Corsair 450 (if single card below a 8800GTS power requirement); Corsair 550/PP&C 610 (single 4850/4870) ; Corsair 750TX/ PP&C 750 (if doing 4850/4870 CrossFire). DO NOT skimp on the PSU. By skimping I mean getting low Watts and/or low quality PSUs.

See : http://www.xtremesystems.org/FORUMS/showthread.php?t=108088
for a list of good PSUs (Tier 2 and above). You should also check out the PSU reviews at http://www.jonnyguru.com/
Don't base PSU quality on the number of Watts.

A 500GB+ 7200.11 HDD(s), which are almost as fast as the old Raptors.

If you plan to OC on get a XIGMATEK S1283 (not 100% sure if it will fit the Antec Sonata)

For quiet case fans look at Scyth or Yate Loon.

 

[Wanker79]

I've been meaning to ask this, but didn't feel it warrented it's own thread. Is there a noticable difference between the 7200.10's and 7200.11's? Or are the 7200.11's just the default suggestion because they're newer than the 7200.10's?

 

[hkg36]

RAM Mushkin HP PC2-6400 2x2gb check $79.99
Processor Duo Core E8500 check $195.99
Mobo Gigabyte EP45-DS3R check $133.99
Harddrive Seagate Barracuda 500gb 7200.11 check $72.99

482$ plus a 150$ upgrade for my graphic card TBD (I currently have a 7900gs) = 632$ + case and PSU (100$?) = 732$ not bad?


From what you say shadow, If I'm planning to get a 4850 I should get a Fan and case separately
I don't plan on OC yet but I'll give it a shot in a year or so.

I need your opinion for the case and PSU,

For the case I found those two:

-Coolermaster CM 690 $72
-Antec Nine Hundred Mid Tower Gamer Case 900 ATX $92

the CM 690 should be good enough right?

For the power supply (based on shadow's advice):

-PC Power & Cooling silencer 610W $79.99