First time computer builder

[mostlyconfused]

So, I've decided to build my own computer. Right now, I have a dell laptop with vista that has caused me nothing but problems, so my main goal is to have a computer that 1) Runs XP 2) Will support any gaming or media I can throw at it 3) Will fit in my budget of about $1000 usd

This is my first time ever trying to build a computer, and I'm not the brightest crayon in the box when it comes to technology; though I know how to follow directions and use a screwdriver. Also, I've been learning a lot about computer components the last few days, but I'm sure there's some kind of serious error in the parts I've put together, so any input at all would be greatly appreciated.

Here's what I have so far:

cpu: $275 Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041
*product reviews say its beastly. I want something I can expect to perform for a few years.

mobo: $50 ECS G31T-M(1.0) LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135063
*none of the mobo's on newegg seemed to have "great" reviews. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something that works well and is compatible with everything else I have

ram: $23 Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134488
*recommended in another thread

case: $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119047
*looks cool?

psu: $90 CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
*recommended in another thread, good product reviews

hd: $80 Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283
*good product reviews, dependable (I had a major hd crash on my laptop and don't want to have this happen again)

dvd drive: $25 Pioneer Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129023

cooler: $32 ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

graphics: $180 XFX PVT88PYDF4 GeForce 8800 GT 512MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150252

Right now, I'm looking at about $800, but w/o keyboard, mouse, speakers, audio card (do I need this?), floppy (do I need this?), and monitor.

Monitor is a big priority, I watch a lot of movies and TV on my computer and want a decent size so I can watch from the couch. Not beastly big or anything, just not tiny either. I also want good resolution. For this reason, I also want decent performing speakers.

Please tell me what you think, as I said before, there's got to be some compatibility problems here I couldn't begin to fathom, especially with spacing, as I've maybe seen the inside of a computer twice.

 

[Proximon]

Some adjustments are needed for sure

Let's set a budget for the box and everything in it.

So you want say a 24" monitor? The larger your monitor the bigger the video card you will need, and the more PSU you will need.

 

[mostlyconfused]

Ahh, perhaps I was a bit misleading. I have a 15.5 inch laptop screen..and I think 24 inches might be bigger than my TV. I'm thinking something like 20 or 21 would be fine. I want something, maybe 200 to 300 dollars. Can I find something worth buying in that range?

Also, I didn't specify earlier that I can get free xp and office through my school, so no os costs.

 

[Proximon]

OK so the G31 motherboard is out. That's a dinosaur.


Gigabyte UD3R
People give motherboards bad reviews on newegg because they have no clue how to choose one or what to do with it once they have it.


G.Skill 4GB RAM

Xigmatek CPU cooler
Thermal paste

Combo: Antec 300 case and EA500 PSU
You want a well cooled case. Add some blue fans in the front and it will look cool
Blue Yate Loons
ASUS 4870 This would be the card you need at the minimum for what you want to do. Will play all games at high settings on the following monitors.

Acer 20" 1680x1050
OR
Acer 22" if you can afford it. Same resolution so no problem with the graphics card.

 

[Proximon]

If you can spend more, speak up. We could make improvements from there.

 

[nickhoff]

You can find a nice 22" monitor on sale somewhere for 199.99 to 249.99$ if you shop around.

 

[mostlyconfused]

So here's what I've got now. Any problems here? Also, I'd like to be able to hook an xbox up to the monitor, what would I need to do that?



gpu: ASUS EAH4870

hd: Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

case: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

dvd drive: Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-116DBK

monitor: Acer H213H bmid Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Full HD 1080P Widescreen 16:9 LCD Monitor

pcu: Antec EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V

ram: G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB)

mobo: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

cpu: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield

cpu fan: XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound

grand total, with shipping: $1,155.96


I'd really love to shave down the price a little more, but if you think this will last me quite some time (4 years at least with maybe minor adjustments), I maybe can handle this price. When I say 4 years, I don't mean top of the line or anything, but a solid performer. Also, I'm not completely opposed to overclocking, but I want to keep safe, nothing too ridiculous will overclocking harm the longterm performance of my machine? Also, keeping in mind longetivity, would it be better to downgrade now and maybe upgrade later rather than try to guess what will still be working well years from now?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I would ditch the IDE DVD burner. For the same price you can get a 22x SATA burner.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=lg+22x+sata&x=0&y=0

 

[SpinachEater]

If you are looking to shave a few $$ off or end up with an over all better system for your budget, I would look into the Phenom II x4 940 and an AMD 970 chipset mobo. That thing does quite nice if you plan on overclocking. You can take that extra money saved and then beef up your GPU to something new like an ATI 4890 or NV GTX275 ....or just pocket the cash and do a 4870.

Check out this review
http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-phenom-ii-x4-920-and-940-review-test/1



Board = 133.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128384

Chip = $225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471

Guess that doesn't save you too much...maybe $20 or so.

 

[Proximon]

Yeah and to get equal performance you have to use 1066 RAM, pretty much evening out the cost between the two builds.

Things would be easier if we had some more choices for AMD motherboards. We need a new budget chipset that can overclock and is stable.

I would say the build looks fine. All quality parts, good cooling, enough PSU to power any future card.

 

[mostlyconfused]

so, while searching newegg, I found this comparable pc (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229063). Besides some minor differences, this pc seems to be very similar, and might be a bit cheaper. Can someone explain the differences here, would I be better off getting this pc or going with my build above?

 

[Proximon]

Let's see... a significantly slower processor, an inferior no-brand PSU, an unknown motherboard... those are the main points.

I can build that one for about $650 I think.... yep, confirmed.

 

[jsc]

You should be able to OC the Q9550 to 3.4 GHz. easily with the Xig cooler. You need to factor that into your calculations, especially if you are building a computer for games.

Sound card - use the onboard sound. Then if you feel you need better sound, add a sound card.

Whatever you decide to order, take a look at the "new build won't post checklist"
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/page-261145_13_0.html
before you build. Especially if you are a first time builder, it may prevent some basic mistakes.

Spreading heat compound on a "direct contact" style cooler is a little different from the regular coolers:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=5

 

[SpinachEater]

The prebuilt takes all of the fun out of it...you won't get that fresh out of the box new hardware smell experience! In the price you are paying them labor costs to build it you know....

BTW, it is a gigabyte mobo but they don't specify which one on the page...most likely the cheapest one possible.

The 940 is right on the 9550's heels for gaming. Look at the Crysis benches...940 is only 3 FPS behind 9550. Granted, in other games like FC2 the gap widens to ~10 FPS but if you weigh in the performance / price ratio and overclockability, it is a good little chip.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3492&p=18

I am not trying to swing you either way. The 9550 will overclock a lot better than the AMD and is the faster CPU at the end of the day. For a tight budget though, weigh your options for how much performance you get for your money.