My Very First Build. Primarily gaming...Suggestions?

[dante sly]

First off, my first post here, love this forum. Glad to be a part of TH finally!

I'm taking the dive into my first build ever. I have a decent amount of knowledge as to what I'm doing, but I also have assistance when (because I know I will) screw up.

Purpose: Primarily gaming & Multimedia
Budget: Originally under $600, however willing to go up to $800 (All I have to spend at the moment...)

CASE:
Antec 300 Mid ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

PSU:
PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

MOBO:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 Wolfdale 2.66GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132

GPU:
ZOTAC ZT-98XES2P-FCP GeForce 9800 GTX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500039

HD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262

MEM:
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231144

OPTCD/DVD:
SAMSUNG Black 22X Combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

Total: $760
TOTAL after Rebates: $670

However for the rebates, they all end Oct. 31. So I'm looking to buy a set up this week, before Friday. So I'm coming down to the wire...

I appreciate any advice.

 

[RetroDude]

Replace your 9800 GTX with this HD 4850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127370 ,

And for your Optical Drive replace the samsung with this Pioneer burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129032

I ahd that exact samsung drive and it stopped reading discs 4 weeks after install. This has happened to many others too.

 

[geofelt]

What you have will be ok. But, here are some additional ideas:
1) Look at the gigabyte EP45-DS3l , it is a bit cheaper
2) Look at a vga card from EVGA. They currently will ship you far cry 2 if you buy one of their cards. They have good support and the "step-up" program if the rumored 55nm cards should appear within 90 days.
3) Get 4gb(2x2gb) of ddr2-800 ram. Don't pay more for faster ram or better timings. It really does not help much +1fps? Here is why 4gb is good:
http://www.corsairmemory.com/_appnotes/AN804_Gaming_Performance_Analysis.pdf

For what it's worth, I like my samsung burner because it is very quiet, and I have had no problems with it.
---good luck---

 

[RetroDude]

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145015 this is excellent stuff, saves you a few extra bucks.

Total save about $35 i think.

 

[eklipz330]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

ddr2 800 2x2 for $70, the best it can get atm....

+1 for the 4850, you are getting a cf mobo... it can be the best descision

with your case, this psu has $10 discount... you'll save ALOT of money with your case + this psu combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

 

[dirtmountain]

If you go with the E7200 you can get the combo deal that knocks $25 off the cost of your choice of motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052

Absolutely go with a HD4850 graphic card. Cheaper after rebate, performs better, can be used in crossfire on your choice of motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272

with the money saved get a Western Digital SATA 640GB hard drive at $75, it's faster and more than double the storage.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

 

[eklipz330]

wow lol everyone revised your build almost completely

antec 300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=antec%20300

antec 650watt psu [combo deal ends 10/31]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

e7200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052

gigabyte ud3pl[proc/mobo comobo= $25 discount]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

g. skill ddr2 800 2x2gb cas 4 @ 1.8-1.9v

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

asus top 4850[i think its a weekend deal]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272

WD 640gb hdd

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

$665 WITHOUT MIR
[$615 after] wow lotta money saved, with better performance

with that extra money, you could even pick up a 4870 0_0 thats up to you though
scratch that, a better processor with aftermarket cooler?

 

[spidy]

I'd think the limiting factor on this would be the CPU by a long shot, everything else will last for a while. you can always upgrade later though.

 

[dante sly]

Wow lots of love for the 4850. It's really that much better huh. Well Im certainly saving at least a solid 50$ or more with that set up above (you forgot the cd/dvd hehe). As long as i can run the new Call of Duty coming out on max settings im happy. Originally i actually was looking at the 2.53 Wolf...but. I suppose i could try my hand on OCing...never done that before.

Say I went with the CPU i had on my list...? Or other ideas. I deff want intel though.

 

[dante sly]

Also if i go with the 4850...should i be worried about getting extra fans?

In other words...would this be something to consider?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

 

[dirtmountain]

Stick with the 300, it has excellent cooling. The difference between the E7200 and the E7300 is minimal. You'll really want to do a simple FSB overclock, you can probably do it with the stock cooler. and yes, the HD4850 is that much better, cheaper and keeps that crossfire option alive.

 

[aeiouandxyz]

If you're worried about heat from the vga card, get a dual slot model. The fan will push a lot of the hot air from the card out the back of the case. The Antec 900 is a good gaming case because of the excellent airflow through the front and out the back + it has lights =D.

 

[dante sly]

Okay. Here's what I have rigged up. I may buy today, for the GPU money off. So....

CASE:
Antec 300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

PSU:
Antec EA 650 W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

[case + psu combo]

MOBO:
Giga UD3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo Wolf 7300 (2.66)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132

GPU:
Asus 4850 (cuz you guys convinced me haha)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272

MEM:
GSkill 2 x 2GB 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

HD:
250GB Sea
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148261

CD/DVD:
Sticking with the Samsung
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

EXTRAS:
2x Scythe 120mm fans for the front
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185006


Further ideas?


PS thanks for point out the 4850 cuz i read a lot on them in the past hour, would go with it if i had known.

TOTAL about $670 w/ MIRs

 

[shortstuff_mt]

It's looking good. I would really take the advice on upgrading the HD to the WD6400AAKs, however. It's a much faster drive, more than double the capacity, and only $25 more.

 

[dante sly]

Hm. Alright. Thanks.

Anything else. I think if it stands, im gonna purchase all of it today this afternoon.

 

[dante sly]

Here's the updated system:

CASE:
Antec 300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

PSU:
Antec EA650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

MOBO:
Giga EP45 UD3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

CPU:
Intel Wolf 7300 (2.66)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132

GPU:
Radeon HD 4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272

MEM:
GSkill 2x2GB 800

HD:
WD 6400AAKS 640GB

OPT:
Samsung cd/dvd
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

OTHER:
Scythe 2x 120mm fans to make the Antec 900 without lights hehe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185006

 

[ioneyes]

Well..I just bought this same configuration after reading this thread with a few small add-ons such as larger CPU cooling unit, 2nd 250GB Hard Drive and more memory. I also got the BenQ 24" GTG monitor and a Canon Pixma MX850. Can't wait to start building this baby. Hope all goes well since this is also my first build.

 

[dante sly]

ioneyes. I just PMed you.

I just bought the list as well.

Thanks to all for your help!