First Time Builder -- Need Advice

[TheReaper]

Hello all,

I'm building my first system and would like to get feedback on the parts I've chosen from people who have a lot more experience in this than I do.

I'm trying to build a new gaming computer. Its by no means bleeding edge technology, but it'll replace my 2.2 GHz AMD 3700 that I have sitting at home.



Case:
COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Motherboard:
ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Graphics Card:
EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Power Supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

RAM:
CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

CD/DVD Reader:
Sony NEC Optiarc Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s

CD DVD Burner:
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R Burner

Any and all Advice that you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[johnyeah]

Your choices seem fine. Maybe another motherboard other than the 750i like a P45 and if you don't mind ATI, I'd get the HD4850.

Oh and just get a SATA DVD Burner, no point getting a new burner with legacy IDE interface.

 

[TheReaper]

Thanks for your reply!

Let me ask you, why should I consider switching Motherboards? Is that one unreliable? For the P45, which manufacturer is good?

Also, did you mean to replace the Sony Optiarc with a SATA version? How can I make sure that I wont run out of SATA connections for all of my input devices?

 

[johnyeah]

Okay first things first.

1. Your PSU has more than enough SATA power connectors. You might not have enough SATA cables that come with the motherboard (you'll need to check the packaging details), if not, just buy some more. You won't run out of SATA slots for all the input devices you've listed (there's more than enough connections even for future upgrades and additions).

2. You don't have to switch motherboards, except I prefer Intel Chipsets over Nvidia and Gigabytes EP45-DS3R is pretty solid and it's cheaper. Here's the link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128344&Tpk=ep45%20ds3r or you can combo it with ASUS P5Q Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299 if you're getting that PSU (even better deal).

 

[coleman]

i would personal go with a hd 4870 instead of the gtx 260 2 save a little bit of money, depends what you prefer. here is toms review if you haven't already seen it

 

[dallasjoh]

johnyeah gives good advice. Go with the Asus P5Q-Pro MB and HD4850 video card. Can't go wrong with that setup.

 

[roadrunner197069]

^ +1

 

[TheReaper]

Since I'm not well versed on the clockings of these new GPUs, are the 4870 and the GTX 260 about equal in power? I want something that'll last me a while.

And the Asus P5Q-Pro MB is reliable you said?

 

[johnyeah]

Pretty much regardless of what the benchmarks say. In terms of real life gaming wise, the HD4850 will last you about as long as the 4870 and the GTX260. What I need to know is what resolution you plan to play games at? Depending on your resolution, I'd choose differently.

And yes, the P5Q-Pro is reliable (if you get a DOA board, it's luck, it happens).

 

[TheReaper]

Ah. I wrote 4870 and meant 4850. Saving money is definitely a plus, and if it'll last me a good time, thats even better.

At the moment i'm using a 19inch monitor playing at 1280x1024. However, I hope to switch to a new 24 inch monitor sometime soon, after I have this rig built.

 

[johnyeah]

Yeah, the 4850 handles 1680*1050 fine (I'm assuming you're getting a 24" with 1680*1050, if it's 1900*1200 then I'd get a 4870).

 

[TheReaper]

Yeah I was planning on getting a 24 inch with 1900 x 1200. So I'm assuming from your advice that the 4850 does not handle that resolution so well?

 

[johnyeah]

At that high resolution, you definitely want to pitch in a couple more bucks for a the hd4870 or the gtx280, you can feel the difference compared to a 4850.

 

[TheReaper]

I appreciate your help johnyeah. I'll definitely will go with the 4870 and the Asus P5Q-Pro.

So with the Asus P5Q-Pro I have to switch Memory then, as its memory standard is DDR2 1200, and the one I chose is DDR2 800, correct?

 

[johnyeah]

It supports ddr2 800, don't worry about that part. I would get another memory though, preferably something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146692 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211188.

 

[johnyeah]

Just something I didn't mention before since you're a first time builder. Your system is capable of a significant amount of overclocking. Get a nice Fan/Heatsink like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019 and you're pretty set.

 

[TheReaper]

Whats the difference between those 2 Muskin sets of RAM you showed me? They look identical but one costs more than the other.

 

[johnyeah]

Slight differences in their timings. It's not a big deal, so choose to your own discretion.

 

[TheReaper]

Cheaper is better for me at the moment.

I really do appreciate all your help!

 

[johnyeah]

Well, once you made up your mind. Post the whole thing again, just in case I missed out on something.

 

[TheReaper]

Case: Cooler Master COSMOS 1000

RAM: mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

CPU: E8400

Mobo: ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

GFX: VisionTek 900244 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

CD/DVD Reader: ASUS Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A2T

CD/DVD Burner: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-04

 

[johnyeah]

MM, looks fine, Maybe you want to just get 2 Burner's instead? It's roughly the same money (doesn't really matter). Maybe add in the Xigmatek cooler that I mentioned earlier if you ever want to try overclocking a bit (it's easier and safer than you think). Check out the overclocking section of the forums.

 

[wah_gwan]

I dont know about the mobo.. Im a fan with gigabytes.. I love how they OC.

for the Video i would go 4870 .... Get a crossfire mobo also.... SLI.. just dosent make sence to me...

 

[johnyeah]

I dont know about the mobo.. Im a fan with gigabytes.. I love how they OC.

for the Video i would go 4870 .... Get a crossfire mobo also.... SLI.. just dosent make sence to me...

Gigabyte would be great, but value wise the CORSAIR CMPSU paired with the ASUS motherboard is a decent amount better. The P45 is a XF motherboard, in case you didn't see his newest post.

 

[TheReaper]

Thank you for all your help !

With my current budget, I think this build will work out great for me!