Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > New/First Build.. Checking if it is Yay! or Nay..
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HMF   09-29-2008 at 03:13:50 PM

Hey there everyone.

I am currently planning a new build for the coming weeks. I am super excited, as I havent ever built a rig from scratch before, and my current one is aging badly.

So, since I have never done this before, I just wanted to check and ensure that the components I am choosing are good choices, and wondering also if there is anything that I may be able to save money on.

I will be running one vid card for now, but plan on adding another for crossfire around christmas.

Anyway, these are the components:

Case - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case -$159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] =haf%20932
I like the case. Good reviews. Not too expensive.

PSU - ZALMAN ZM850-HP 850W - $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] an%20zm850
Excellent PSU. Great reviews also. Need a solid PSU to run crossfire.

MoBo - ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - $288.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131284
Wanted to go with an X48 board due to wanting to crossfire. Want dual x16 PCI slots.

CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 - $319.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=q9450
Quad core for multitasking, future games that will utilize it. Great little overclocker.

Heatsink - ZALMAN CNPS9500 - $41.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835118003
I plan on overclocking. Nuff said.

Video Card - SAPPHIRE 100243-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB - $299.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102795
Excellent video card. Plan on adding another in the near future.

RAM - OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 - $127.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227289
RAM is super awesome.

HDD - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM - $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218
Unsure about HDD's at the moment. Is this a good choice? Please let me know if there is something else that I should perhaps look at.

DVD Drives - 2x LG Drives - 28 bucks each
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136153
I can get these where I work for cheaper.

??Sound Card?? - ASUS Xonar D2 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz - $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6829132001
Not sure if I even need a sound card. I'm leaning towards no at this point. But if I do purchase one, this is the one.

OS - Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium - $329.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116205


Is there anything that I am forgetting?

Does this all look compatible and whatnot?

Are there any changes that I really should make?

I am open to pretty much anything. I like the components that I have picked out, but if they are truly bad decisions, please inform me as to why, and what would be a more suitable choice for my needs.

Thank you so much for your time, in advance. I appreciate all of the input that you guys give to other new builders. :)

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huron   09-29-2008 at 03:32:05 PM
- 0 +

You won't need DDR2 1066 unless you are really pushing that CPU. You can get DDR2 800 and be just fine.

The build looks nice. Good choices.

Reply to huron
HMF   09-29-2008 at 04:21:11 PM
- 0 +

DDR2 800? K. Thanks.

I'll make the change. :)

Reply to HMF
auscanzukus   09-29-2008 at 04:28:21 PM
- 0 +

What's the use of the pc? How much overclocking if any?

Reply to auscanzukus
mexpedip   09-29-2008 at 04:32:51 PM
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make sure the DDR2 800 is @ 1.8v and look for the lowest timings.

skip the osund card unless you are planning on using this as a high end entertainement system. otherwise the onboard is more then good enough for 95%/most (I just made up that number);) applications.

The OS you chose is a 3-pack. Here is the link to the single license for $229 less.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by mexpedip on 09-29-2008 at 04:37:00 PM
Reply to mexpedip
HMF   09-29-2008 at 04:34:41 PM
- 0 +

It will primarily be a gaming rig, however I plan on using it shortly after christmas for some sound mixing as well as video editing and whatnot.

Reply to HMF
HMF   09-29-2008 at 04:35:53 PM
- 0 +

mexpedip wrote :

make sure the DDR2 800 is @ 1.8v and look for the lowest timings.

skip the osund card unless you are planning on using this as a high end entertainement system. otherwise the onboard is more then good enough for 95%/most (I just made up that number);) applications.



Do you have any specific suggestions as far as RAM goes?

Reply to HMF
mexpedip   09-29-2008 at 04:41:29 PM
- 0 +

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146731

Reply to mexpedip
HMF   09-29-2008 at 04:43:38 PM
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Awesome. Thank you very much. :)

Reply to HMF
stoner133   09-29-2008 at 05:41:24 PM
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If you going to be doing video editing and sond mixing I would double your memory to 8GB, buy two of the Mushkin kits.

Reply to stoner133
bigmjh   09-29-2008 at 07:51:02 PM
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The Intel Q9550 is essentially the same price and a little faster - 2.83GHz vs 2.66GHz ... might want to switch. Compare them here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115042


Message edited by bigmjh on 09-29-2008 at 07:52:00 PM
Reply to bigmjh
Shadow703793   09-29-2008 at 08:02:51 PM
- 0 +

Swap PSU to a Corsair 750TX or a PC Power & Cooling 750. Much better quality than the Zalman. If in doubt on these 2 PSUs; PM Zorg.

Swap fan to a XIGMATEK S1283 (+ bolt in kit) or a Sunbeam Core.

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 Reply to Shadow703793
dirtmountain   09-29-2008 at 08:15:53 PM
- 0 +

Just a note, some people have said it's a good idea to have 2 different manufacturers if you're going to have 2 DVD burners. Sometimes one burner can't read a specific DVD, but another manufacturers will. It should have no effect on price, but may give you an option if a CD or DVD isn't being read.

Reply to dirtmountain
Shadow703793   09-29-2008 at 08:22:03 PM
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^True. For example, you won't usually run in to DVD RAM but it's a good idea to have a drive that will read them.

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 Reply to Shadow703793
Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   09-29-2008 at 08:28:43 PM
- 1 +

+1 for the Xigmatek S1283 and retention bracket.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233019

This comes from the owner of a ZALMAN 9500A. The Zalman is a nice cooler, but the Xigmatek should cool a little better and be quiter.

Reply to shortstuff_mt
Shadow703793   09-29-2008 at 08:34:29 PM
- 0 +

^Yup. For more details see:
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

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 Reply to Shadow703793
HMF   09-30-2008 at 03:44:02 AM
- 0 +

Done and done.

I like that heatsink. Very nice.

Im kind of iffy about the PSU's however.

The Zalman has received very very good reviews. I know that PCP&C is a solid choice also, but is 750 W enough to power what I plan on putting in this rig?

Reply to HMF
HMF   09-30-2008 at 02:44:08 PM
- 0 +

Could anyone comfirm for me whether or not a 750 W PSU will be adequate for my needs?

Reply to HMF
Shadow703793   09-30-2008 at 03:11:25 PM
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^Yes, it will be enough, even for 4870X2 CrossFire.

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 Reply to Shadow703793
HMF   09-30-2008 at 03:30:28 PM
- 0 +

Awesome. Thanks.

Ill grab one of those then also.

Thank you very much for your suggestions and advice. I really appreciate it. :)

Reply to HMF
ke7diz   09-30-2008 at 03:55:27 PM
- 0 +

That hd is a solid choice.
The only faster hds are the velociraptors (or SSD) you may be able to make use of the speed with video editing http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136296 180 fore 150gb
but the one you got is a good buy

Reply to ke7diz
HMF   09-30-2008 at 08:30:16 PM
- 0 +

Yeah I think that I'll stick with the one I picked out...for now. ;D

Reply to HMF
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