Did I Make Good Choices for My New Build ?????

[bigbowler1]

Hello All...

I went shopping at Newegg.com and this is what I bought for my 1ST I repeat 1ST Custom Built PC.

**** TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD RETURN BECAUSE OF A BAD CHOICE AND WHAT I SHOULD REPLACE IT WITH ****

■CPU - Intel Q6600
■Motherboard - DFI LP DK P45-T3RSB PLUS LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX
■Video Card - POWERCOLOR Radeon HD 3870 X2 1GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR4 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported
■RAM Memory - CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
■Hard Drive - HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
■DVD/CD Burners - 2 LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE
■Power Supply - COOLMAX NW-650B 650W ATX12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready
■CPU Fan/Heatsink - XIGMATEK EP-CD901 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
■Computer Case - Rosewill R6426-P BK ATX Mid Tower Case

I am wondering if this will be a good fast pc for the next 5years and then update the CPU then???

I am going to use this pc to rip and copy 2 DVD's at once if possible, also I have my own web site so Ill use alot of adobe and dreamweaver to build my website.

Also I wanna plug cable into this pc to watch my cable on my PC while I work....what more do I need to do that?

 

[golden_inferno]

well im kinda new to but if you want to run the new windows coming out in a year, you will need a new mother board and processor. also because of that you will alsoo need ddr3 ram
so i7 rocessor, x58 motherboard, and ddr3 ram
i know this because i am build my first pc here in 2 weeks

 

[Shadow703793]

^ WRONG! Windows 7 will run on any current generation hardware (Phenom/C2D/C2Q,etc).

 

[Shadow703793]

@OP: Get a DDR2 board, DDR3 is completely unneeded unless doing some serious OCing (ie with TECs,etc). Then get a 4870 or 4850 in CrossFire. Also you never mentioned gaming. If you arn't gaming any card above a 9600GSO is a waste. Also get rid os the PSU. It is cr@p. Get a quality PSU from Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, or OCZ. I recommend the Corsair 650TX, 750TX or PC Power & Cooling 610 or 750.

 

[knotknut]

Today

PC Power & Cooling 610 Watt Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply
$199.99Your Price: $89.99With Promo Code EMCBCAEBB
$54.99 After $35.00 Mail-In Rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL120408&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL120408-_-PowerSupplies-_-L1B-_-17703005

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

 

[boner]

you should get two 500 GB HDD's to have windows (or any other OS that you want install) and your data.

 

[jalpaugh1978]

Today

PC Power & Cooling 610 Watt Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply
$199.99Your Price: $89.99With Promo Code EMCBCAEBB
$54.99 After $35.00 Mail-In Rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL120408&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL120408-_-PowerSupplies-_-L1B-_-17703005

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

can't go wrong here. I too suggest dropping the 3870x2 and going with a 4850 or 4870 if you're a gamer. I think they make 1gb version of both, right???(i know stupid question, just havent looked to much a gpu's in a while lol)

 

[Shadow703793]

^Yes there is a 1GB version.

@OP: Swap out the HDD for a WD 640GB AAKS.

I bought for my 1ST I repeat 1ST Custom Built PC.

Hold on a sec there. If this is already bought why do you ask? You should ask BEFORE buying!

 

[bigbowler1]

Hello everyone....Thanks for the replies...

I still am not sure what way you guys are directing me as if this is going to be a great PC.

Daily Activites on this PC will be:

DVD Shrink - To Rip DVD
Nero 9 - Writing to DVD
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and ImageReady
Dreamweaver
Limewire
WarCraft
Dawn of War
Web Browsing
Text Documents
AVG Free Version
AIM
Yahoo Messenger
Web Caming
Watch and Capture my Cable thru my PC

What parts are not good that I bought?

Thanks so much once again!

 

[shortstuff_mt]

What parts are not good that I bought?

I'm sorry, but I'm going to be brutally honest with you. The only two things I'd keep are the CPU and case.

The P45 chipset motherboard is a good start, but not the DDR3 version. I'd return it for a high quality Gigabyte or Asus board. This board is awesome:

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358 $136.99 - $20 MIR

I'd also get some high quality DDR2 800 RAM. This is about the best DDR2 800 RAM you can buy:

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 $49.99

The next thing to do is ditch that previous generation 3870x2 card for either a current 4850 or 4870.

Hitachi drives are ticking time bombs. Pick up a quality Western Digital or Seagate drive. This is a great drive for a low price:

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284 $109.99

You should return those IDE DVD burners for the SATA version. There is no need putting a big IDE cable in a new build.

The PC Power & Cooling 610W PSU knotknut linked to is a much higher quality unit than that Coolmax POS.

If you're going to get a Xigmatek cooler, this is the one to get:

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003 $36.99 - $10.00 MIR

You should also pick up the retention bracket if you can find it in stock.

XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019 $8.49

I know that's just a new build, but I told you I was going to be honest with you. Too bad you didn't come asking for advice BEFORE you bought all the parts.

 

[Shadow703793]

^True.+1

 

[kubes]

ya short stuff is right on. Something you also might want to consider to save yourself a few bucks since you really arn't doing any top end gaming is to consider a 9600 or a 4650/4670 graphics card.

I also noticed your two burners are both IDE burners. Changes those to sata burners.

 

[Lurker87]

I thought Newegg was quite strict on returns? At the very least, won't there be a 15% restocking fee? Should ask about your choices before you buy.

+1 on ALL of shortstuff's suggestions.

 

[bigbowler1]

Thanks guys ill check out the parts you list that I should get instead.

WHY GO WITH DDR2 NOT DDR3???

NewEgg will return with no 15% Restocking Fee if the customer rep allows it.

Keep posting im open to all ideas.

Thanks

 

[shortstuff_mt]

DDR3 is not a good investment unless it's for an i7 build. The Core2Duo chips aren't very sensitive to RAM speed. DDR3 offers very little speed improvement for a much higher price. The build-in memory controller on the new i7 chips is able to utilize the potential of DDR3 RAM, but not the P45 chipset and Core2Duo chips.

 

[bigbowler1]

Thanks for the info guys...my parts came in today.

I think I will like the Motherboard, CPU, Memory, Hard Drive and Case

I am leaning towards...

I may not like the DVD Burners b/c there not SATA but will that make a difference in ripping and copying DVD's in the future DL ones?

Also the VIDEO Card is probley wrong b/c there are millions of them out there and i cant deside which ones would work best and longest for me....I would be a gamer if I had a good PC , and I do alot of graphics, as I have my own .com...

As for the DDR3 memory and the i7 CPU...My motherboard runs core 2 duo and Quad Core processors 1333/1066 FSB so why would my motherboard not be a good choice with the CPU and Memory I bought.

Thanks so much.

 

[Shadow703793]

^ Just get any SATA 2 DVD RW, dosen't make much of a difference.

YOU DO NOT NEED DDR3!

 

[kubes]

DDR3 for a core 2 duo is only useful if you plan on doing extreme overclocking ( >4ghz ).

DDR3 that is dual channel (in most cases) is dangerous for the new i7. This is because their voltages are above 1.65. So if your buying ddr3 for future upgrades this is a bad idea as well.

If you buy ddr3 ram this means you have to buy a board that supports it. This will cost more.

So here's the math:
DDR3 + MB that supports DDR3 + CPU = slight increase
over
DDR2 + MB that supports DDR2 + CPU = great value.

You might get a 5% increase with the ddr3 setup, but it'll also cost you at least and extra $200 more. I don't think that small increase is worth the extra money.

shortstuff said it perfectly that core 2 processers are not very senstive to the ram speed.

We can only give you advice on your build, not build it for you. If you do not think we are giving you quality answer to your questions that's ok. We are just here to help.

 

[bigbowler1]

thanks guys for the wealth of knowledge!

I am going to return my motherboard, dvd burner, ram memory, and video card.

LMAO

Im going to get:

Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX
Memory - G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 900 (PC2 7200)
DVD Burners - SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F

What do you guys think about them parts?

Also I need help picking a Video Card. I will be gaming now that I have a real PC. War Craft, Dawn of War and Tom Clancey Games.

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Those are much better choices. I really like this GPU:

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801 $239.99 -$15.00 MIR

What PSU did you end up with? The whole system is nothing without a decent PSU. Coolmax is not a reputable PSU manufacturer.

 

[bigbowler1]

Ok guys I returned the following:

Hard Drive
Motherboard
Memory
Video Card
Power Supply

I have these items in my cart right now all I have to do is click checkout

1. DVD Burners - Two SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA - Link
2. Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
3. Video Card - XFX GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported
4. Power Supply - RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 730W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Modular LED
5. Card Reader - Rosewill RCR-102 52-in-1 USB 2.0
6. Memory - Kingston HyperX 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
7. Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX
8. Case Fans - One Rosewill RFA-80-BL 80mm 4 Blue LEDs LED and Two Rosewill RFA-120-BL 120mm 4 Blue LEDs
9. Monitor - Acer H213H bmid Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen 16:9 LCD

Is this a better decision?

Thanks alot guys.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The DVD burners and hard drive look good. Everything else could definitely still improve.

1. Samsung optical drives are a good choice.
2. Nice HD choice there.
3. The 8800GT is a pretty old GPU. I would pick up at least a 4850. Pick one from this list: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000048%201068310557&Description=4850&bop=And&Order=PRICE
4. Raidmax PSU's are worse than the Coolmax you had originally. You have been given links for some nice quality PSU's. Avoid Raidmax PSU's! Stick with a quality unit from Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, Antec, etc... This has already been linked above, but here it is again: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005
5. I'm sure that will work fine.
6. The G.Skill RAM linked multiple times above is much better than that Kingston RAM. DDR2 1066 RAM with 5-5-5-15 timings at 2.2v is not a good indication of quality RAM. What made you change your mind?
7. That's a nice board, but you should really spend a few extra dollars and get the UD3P board. Again, what made you change your mind? You seem to be going backwards on some choices here.
8. I'd try to avoid 80mm case fans at all costs. They are very loud. It looks like the case comes with an 80mm rear fan, but it also looks like it has holes to support a 120mm fan.
9. Nice choice. I like the full 1080p resolution.

It seems that you don't like the advice given so far. Good luck! A lot of people giving advice here have built many systems and know from personal experience what works and what doesn't.

 

[Shadow703793]

^+1 for every thing he said. esp on the PSU.

@OP: Note that #of Watts do NOT mean better performance/quality.

 

[kubes]

So many people try to skim on the PSU and get burned. Not only do they end up having to replace their psu in a short periode of time, it damages other components in the system. Ussualy adds up to a nice repair bill.

 

[Shadow703793]

^EXACTLY