Building a rig, first-time in awhile

[Jadis]

So the last desktop I built used an Athlon XP 1800 and that was 6...7 years ago?
I've been doing a lot of searching, surfing, reading, and doubling-back on what I want. Basically my goal is a system for gaming, watching videos, and photo editing. Mid-range I guess? Not top-of-the-line... but I want it to be quick

Here's what I've picked out. All suggestions/comments are welcome. Thanks for reading this. I won't be buying all the parts from newegg, I will be looking for the cheapest on the web, but I'm linking to newegg because they are purdy pictures

Case: Antec 900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec 900

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EP45 DS3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128344

PSU: Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Vid Card:EVGA 512-P3-N873-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130376

HDD: 500 gb SATA (Hitachi/Seagate/WD) 16 mb cache, 7200 rpm

Monitor: Acer 22" 5ms widescreen LCD

I think.. that's it... Random things like dvd-writer/sound card I already have. I'll also be getting an Arctic Cooler Freezing Pro 64 for the cpu cooler.

 

[groo]

I'd consider a bigger HDD

I'd get a 4850 instead of a 9800GTX+, I think its a better card and gives you the crossfire option if somewere down the line you decide you want it.

I've personaly recieved 2 bad Gigabytes in a row, I don't know if they are letting quality slip, or its just bad luck on my part.

I'd personaly get an 80plus PSU, it'll pay for itself in a relativly short time.

I've picked up 2 acer 22" from newegg, with zero messed up pixels.

I'd get Vista 64 if you need to pick up an OS

 

[Jadis]

Thanks for the tips Yeah, maybe I will go with a 640 gb HDD, but down-the-line, I will get another HDD also.

I've been reading a lot of posts on here suggesting ATI over nVidia and the 4850/4870 especially. Maybe I will get a 4850..

Don't know about gigabyte's quality. My choice was between them and asus and gigabyte seemed a bit cheaper with the same reviews? Dunno..

About the PSU: Yes, I just found this deal, I am considering it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

Good to hear about those acers!

And I do need vista. Bleh. Forgot to factor that into my budget! Oh well

 

[dokk2]

ATTENTION JADIS::::I believe that the 64 pro is for AMD cpu's you need the Arctic Cooler 7pro,,which is for Intel cpu's ,,check it out at,,,, frostytech.com..i think that they are identical,,just that one is for amd and the other for intel they attach differently,,intel uses those silly plastic pins....

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I would definitely consider the 640GB WD drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

The issue isn't so much capacity as speed. The 6400AAKS seems to be the fasted 7200 RPM drive on the market - and only $85

+1 for the PC Power & Cooling PSU. You could also consider this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

You can't go wrong with either

+1 also for the 4850 - especially on the P45 chipset. That will allow the option for crossfire in the future as was mentioned earlier.

I have used Gigabyte boards on my last few builds and have not been disappointed.

 

[Jadis]

Haha thanks dokk2

Ok then. Let me post a reply in a few minutes with my updated list of parts. I like that corsair PSU.

 

[groo]

Can't say enough about PC P&C customer service. I got a "new" one off ebay that turned out to be bad. the jackass told me tuff luck, PC took care of me no charge. just sent in mine, they sent one back.

 

[Onus]

The last few PSUs I've bought I've chosen 80+ with Active PFC; either Antec Earthwatts or Enermax Liberty. Those are supposed to be good, but PC Power & Cooling and Corsair should be even better.
Although I usually buy LCDs from a brick and mortar store so I can return one with even a single dead pixel, I bought my 22" Acer from Newegg and it was flawless.

 

[Jadis]

Hmm. Let's say I had the below system and would later like to add 1 or 2 more hard drives. I probably won't be crossfiring btw.. really not sure. I'm not that into gaming so I don't think I would justify buying another 4850. Anyway, would 610 W be sufficient? Or should I go with a 750 to be safe?

On another note, should I go with a E8400 or the E8500? I read somewhere (dont remember where) that they were the same, and if you overclockied the 8400 to be the 8500's specs, it would be the exact same thing.

-$50 Free shipping - Antec Three Hundred Case
-$110 - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45
-$190 - Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W
-$110 - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready
-$85 - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
-$70 - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
-$165 - VisionTek 900241 Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported
-$25 - ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
-$200 - Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support

 

[timaahhh]

Gigabyte used to be kind crappy with ok support but awefully high failure rating I wanna say around 1 in 10 of there boards my store sold came back. Now they are turning into what Asus was in the 2003-2007 era. High quality, high performance, low failure, low cost, iffy support but not aweful.

 

[Jadis]

Im looking at / comparing these 2 PSUs. Both are reputable brands right? I believe 600W would be good for my needs. I plan on getting another HDD on down the road, but I prob wont do crossfire (though maybe... who knows).

Im assuming the corsair is much better, but the OCZ is $40 cheaper and if it's fine for what I need then why waste money?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341001

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Really the only difference between the E8400 and E8500 is the multiplier. The E8400 has a 9x multiplier and the E8500 has a 9.5x multiplier. The extra .5x multiplier may help with overclocking. I guess you have to decide if the extra $20 is worth it. Adding hard drives in the future should not affect your PSU decision. HD's draw so little power it doesn't really matter. I'm running 3 HD's, a 1Ghz+ OC, 4x1GB sticks of RAM, an overclocked GPU, a TV tuner card, 3 case fans, and 2 optical drives on a 520 watt Corsair power supply with no problems at all.

 

[dirtmountain]

Of the 3 PSUs you've been looking at, i'd go with the 610watt PC Power and Cooling at $90 after rebate. The OCZ if you really need the extra $20 for your budget. All 3 are good choices for your build if you may eventually crossfire the 4850. Excellent build btw

 

[Jadis]

thanks for the advice: im now questioning my motherboard choice. i started looking at MSI boards but didnt see anything i really wanted. is that gigabyte i chose a nice board? what else could i look for in a board without spending $100+ more? are there any boards that are about as decent as that gigabyte but cheaper? i suppose you shouldnt skimp out on the mobo, hehe

 

[Onus]

If I were buying a socket 775 board tomorrow, I would probably choose Gigabyte, Biostar, or Asus. I would not buy MSI, and I would avoid any SIS or VIA chipset like the plague.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

If I was going to buy a motherboard today I personally would get the GA-EP45 DS3R. That's just personal preference though. You could look at the Asus P5Q Pro or something like that.

edit - I also would avoid MSI.

 

[Jadis]

Alright then I'll stick with my original instincts and go with the gigabye ga-ep45 ds3r thanks for the advice people.

 

[Jadis]

Ordered all the parts! Can't wait to post a build thread Thanks for the help all