My 1st PC Build

[Rapidfire600]

Hi guys, I am relatively new to the whole concept of constructing your own computer. I have watched several tutorials and have been convinced it is the way to go. Since it is my first time constructing my own computer I would like your opinion on my build of choice. This system is intended to be future proof and leaning towards a gaming rig set up.


Motherboard: Core 2 Quad processor Q9650 BOX goods + P5Q-E (CPU+Mobo)
RAM: Patriot PSD36G1333KH (PC3-10600-2GBx3)
Graphics: WinFast GTS250 512MB
Hard Drives: Western Digital Caviar WD10EADS
Optical Drives: Liteon /Pioneer
Case: Antec 183 / Cooler Master CM 690 (RC-690-KKN2-GP)
Power Supply: Antec CP-850 / Antec Earthwatt EA-650
CPU Cooling Fan: Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283V

I am not sure if this is all the parts that are necessary for my computer to work. Oh and I should mention that I live in Japan so some parts, if googled, may only show up on japanese websites.

 

[AKM880]

What is your total budget?

 

[Dustpuppy]

Need a copy of windows if you don't already have one. Also don't forget thermal paste (Artic silver etc) for the heatsink.

Also the P5Q-E is this what you're talking about ? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131296

That mobo uses DDR2 1200 can't use DDR 3 with it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%20105243140%201052427322&name=DDR2%201200%20(PC2%209600)

or better yet download the manual from asus and check the supported memory list if you want to take it easy.

 

[logainofhades]

If you want some future proofing then go AM3 or i7. LGA775 is a dead end.

 

[Rapidfire600]

If you want some future proofing then go AM3 or i7. LGA775 is a dead end.

Core i7-920 BOX goods + Asus P6T: is this an example of a i7 cpu+mobo combination? It is only slightly more expensive, about $50 USD more than my original cpu+mobo combination

 

[logainofhades]

yea that is a fairly common and popular i7 combo.

 

[Rapidfire600]

What is your total budget?

I am estimating my total budget to be around 120,000 Yen which is equivalent to about $1220 USD.

 

[Rapidfire600]

Need a copy of windows if you don't already have one. Also don't forget thermal paste (Artic silver etc) for the heatsink.

Also the P5Q-E is this what you're talking about ? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131296

That mobo uses DDR2 1200 can't use DDR 3 with it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%20105243140%201052427322&name=DDR2%201200%20(PC2%209600)

or better yet download the manual from asus and check the supported memory list if you want to take it easy.

Yes that is the correct P5Q-E
what is the difference between the DDR2 and DDR3?
Is this the thermal paste that you are referring to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 835100007?

I just hope all the components are compatble with one another so that it actually turns on and performs with minimal problems
any suggestions regarding changes in the build would be appreciated, unless the build I am going with is already good enough

 

[jitpublisher]

Well, DDR2 is DDR2 and DDR3 is DDR3.
They are different types of memory, as in not the same, as in 1 will not work in the other slot.

 

[Dustpuppy]

The difference between DDR3 & DDR2 in non technical terms is 5% framerate in games. Technically DDR 3 has twice the memory bandwidth as DDR2. However, on i7 systems they can be run in tri channel mode instead of dual channel effectively giving another 50% in performance on top of their other gains.

If you go for a core i7 build then the memory you selected will work fine. If you change it you'll want to make sure you get 1.65v or lower ram again.

 

[Devastator_uk]

DDR3 does not have twice the memory bandwidth than DDR2, and the same frequency they would have the same bandwidth, so for it to be twice as fast as DDR2-1066 (PC2-8500) you would need a DDR3-2133 (PC3-17000), which I don't think exists yet.

 

[Dustpuppy]

DDR3 does not have twice the memory bandwidth than DDR2, and the same frequency they would have the same bandwidth, so for it to be twice as fast as DDR2-1066 (PC2-8500) you would need a DDR3-2133 (PC3-17000), which I don't think exists yet.

Incorrect and partially correct. DDR2 at 266mhz is 1066, DDR3 at 133mhz is 1066, at 200mhz it's 1600, ie twice the bandwidth per clock. The 1066 is akin to a calculated effective mhz and so comparisons can be made across memory standards by it. Suggesting that ram at 1066 is equal to 2133 is like saying X=2X which is fine in C but makes for a bad grade in algebra.

 

[geofelt]

Core i7-920 BOX goods + Asus P6T: is this an example of a i7 cpu+mobo combination? It is only slightly more expensive, about $50 USD more than my original cpu+mobo combination

If you want a quad, then the i7 and a P6T is the way to go. It is a MUCH more capable cpu. I think it is well worth the $50 difference.

For gaming, get the best vga card you can afford. A GTS250 is good, but something like a GTX275 is more appropriate to a i7 system.

Be certain that your dvd burner is a SATA(not ide) model. cabling is much cleaner.

With 6gb of ram, you need a 64 bit OS. Vista home premium 64 bit is good. You might want to use windows-7 64 bit initially instead. In October when the official release is available, you will have to do a clean install again. No upgrade will be supported.

For performance reasons, I would use the WD caviar black 1 tb drive instead.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

Get a small tube of thermal grease. AS-5 or MX-2 are good.

Antec psu of 600 watts and over are good. Corsair, Seasonic, PC P&C are also quality units.

A case is a personal choice, both are good. I suggest you download and read the manuals first and see which one makes more sense to you.
Download the motherboard manual while you are at it also.


---good luck----

 

[Gpops]

I built my computer and actually built several for my family ,all for under $600 each from ebay for the parts. mine is: Mainboard : Unspecified 939Dual-SATA2
Chipset : ULI M1695
Processor : AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ @ 2400 MHz
Physical Memory : 2048 MB
Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT
Hard Disk : MAXTOR (320 GB)
DVD-Rom Drive : SONY DVD RW AW-Q170A
Monitor Type : LCM-19v7 - 19 inches
Network Card : Acer Labs Incorporated (ALi/ULi) ULi M5263 Fast Ethernet Controller
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 Service Pack 3
DirectX : Version 9.0c (September 2009)
The motherboard is an Asrock but I also use Asus boards 939 socket. They work great for gaming. I like the AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800 but it has become more expensive as they are very popular now. I got mine for under $50 now they are well over $100 and up to about $300.

 

[AKM880]

+1. If I were to buy quad, it would be i7.

 

[Dustpuppy]

Gpops that's a nice old build. Unfortunately the time of Socket 939 is well past. The 4800 x2 for socket 939 is no longer in production and it's the fastest chip for Socket 939 outside of the opterons. That's probably why the price is going up on them.

Not to be harsh but if you're interested in gaming why did you use a 9400GT? That might run something from '03 well but that's it.

 

[AKM880]

+1, the 9400GT is more of a multimedia HTPC card.

 

[Rapidfire600]

Does anyone have experience with the Coolermaster CM 690? If so, would my indicated fan + the asus P6T motherboard fit inside the case?
Otherwise I would probably go with the Antec 183 case and stick with the Earthwatt 650. The antec CP-850 is a bit expensive for a psu.

 

[Gpops]

I was just saying that you don't have to spend a fortune on a computer to play games. Unless your rich and have plenty of money to blow. I don't and I enjoy playing games but on a smaller budget.