Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > Need advice on my first build
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kasper673   12-09-2008 at 06:37:58 AM

I've been reading through the forum and could use some advice on my first build. No plans to overclock and I'm just looking for good all-round performance. I've chosen the below so far, unsure of the graphics card, prefer a card in the $150-$200 range. Any opinions or advice on any of the below would be very helpful. Thanks!

Case:
Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower

Operating System (already own):
Windows XP Pro

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache

CPU Cooler:
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

Memory:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s

Video Card:
Possibly a NVidia 9800GTX or ATI 4850??

Monitor (already purchased):
LG L226W
1680x1050 Resolution

Motherboard:
ASUS P5Q SE PLUS LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX

Power Supply:
Antec Earthwatts EA500 500W ATX12V

DVD Burner:
Samsung 22x SH-S223Q

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V3NOM   12-09-2008 at 07:42:48 AM
- 0 +

4850, WD6400AAKS instead of that 500gig... apart from that pretty solid build. unless you want to get a S1283+bracket for higher overclocking

Reply to V3NOM
chookman   12-09-2008 at 07:53:32 AM
- 0 +

I just about cant go past what you have there...

My only real suggestion would be to find a WD Black version of your 500gb your AAKS listed is blue i think the black is AALS fair bit faster.

------------------------------ "This thread made me strap on my lolerskates and head for my roflcopter."
 Reply to chookman
Rwayne   12-09-2008 at 07:56:57 AM
- 0 +

You may want to consider this HD4870 by Sapphire for $189 after $10 rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102810

It should offer you a good speed increase and it is also cheaper than some 4850's.
The after market cooling on this model is really nice also.

BTW...I just built a PC with a Antec 300 case. It is a great bargain. You won't be disappointed.
The only thing I did not like about the case is that it DID not come with any front fans.
You may want to pick up this 4-pack of 120mm fans from Cooler Master.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103052


Message edited by Rwayne on 12-09-2008 at 08:05:36 AM
Reply to Rwayne
Rwayne   12-09-2008 at 03:00:54 PM
- 0 +

PsykhiqZero brings up a good point.

The Antec Earthwatts 500 is a good power supply but that price is really bad. It should be way cheaper than that. I swear I saw it for $50 something last month. You could get a much better power supply than that Antec 500 for $89.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Rwayne on 12-09-2008 at 03:02:48 PM
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shortstuff_mt   12-09-2008 at 03:19:21 PM
- 0 +

I'd swap the RAM for this model:

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/Prod [...] 6820231209 $49.99

You said you have no intention of overclocking, so DDR2 1066 RAM is pointless. Might as well save $10. You're still getting very high quality RAM for cheap.

Reply to shortstuff_mt
xblackjackx   12-09-2008 at 10:18:11 PM
- 0 +

Well this Power Supply is on sale right now at Newgg for 30 bucks cheaper than the power supply you chose and its got an extra 150 watts. Same power supply though.

If you are not going to be overclocking, this RAM will be just fine for you. That is 15 bucks back in your wallet.

Asus motherboards are not my favorite, however, they make a good product. I have had great luck with Gigabyte, but that is just a personal pref.

As far as a video card, you will be happy with any of the following, ATI 4850, 4870 (512 or 1G), 9800 GTX, GTX260(which have actually gone down quite a bit in price, saw one the other day for $199). I started with the 4870 1gig and I ended up RMAing it for a GTX260-216 because of driver issues with my build. I don't ever regret it. The GTX260 just seemed to work.

Reply to xblackjackx
V3NOM   12-10-2008 at 11:07:25 AM
- 0 +

yer, personally i prefer gigabyte boards to Asus but its really a case of watever floats your boat i guess...

btw blackjack, 4870 prices have now dropped too: $199 for 512 and $239 for 1gig

+1 for the 260 partly out of fanboism, partly out of respect to CUDA, which will soon be obsolete with OpenCL though :(, and partly out of overclocking/less heat.

i mean it uses the same heatsink as the GTX 280 so its gotta run pretty cool!

Reply to V3NOM
kasper673   12-10-2008 at 03:15:07 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for all of the input! I ended up going with the alternate memory, addtnl case fans, the 650 watt corsair ps and a Evga GTX 260 that I found w/ Far Cry2 for $200. Hope the build goes well. Thanks

Reply to kasper673
Rwayne   12-10-2008 at 04:48:07 PM
- 0 +

Let us know how it turned out.

Reply to Rwayne
Rwayne   12-12-2008 at 06:32:11 PM
- 0 +

Rwayne wrote :

PsykhiqZero brings up a good point.

 

The Antec Earthwatts 500 is a good power supply but that price is really bad. It should be way cheaper than that. I swear I saw it for $50 something last month. You could get a much better power supply than that Antec 500 for $89.

Just as I thought. Newegg now has a $30 promo code for the Antec EarthWatts 500W PSU bringing it's price from $89 down to $59.

 

Use promocode:
EMCBCBCAD

 

The thing is that $59 was it's normal every day retail price just a few weeks ago. Now they are trying to make it look like it is a GREAT LIMITED HOLIDAY SALE to get people to buy it at the price it was before.

 

Shame on you Newegg.

 

http://promotions.newegg.com/NEema [...] n.net#more


Message edited by Rwayne on 12-12-2008 at 06:34:03 PM
Reply to Rwayne
kasper673   12-22-2008 at 07:06:03 PM
- 0 +

Other than needing to make a few tweeks to the bios the build went very smoothly and I'm up and running! I need to swap out the 140mm Antec fan for something quieter, probably a Yate Loon D14SL-12 and then I'll be all set.

Thanks!!

Reply to kasper673
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