My first machine :D

[CarltonJudge]

Hey guys! first post, first PC. Just so you know, I'm 14, and I have shared some crappy PC (with my sister) for most of my life (448MB's of RAM, intel celeron 1.6GHZ, 40GB HDD) so, with a loan from dad and about $300 saved cash, I decided to get a PC! I have always wanted my own --good-- machine, and now my dream has come true! BTW I've had a friend helping me this whole time, who knows everything about pc's, he's built them before too. He's the guy who told me to get the hell off dell.com and get on newegg - and build it myself. So yeah here's my stuff!

CPU- intel core2duo E8400, 3GHZ, 6MB L2 cache.
Mobo- ASUS P5QL PRO - Intel P43 NB, Intel ICH10 SB, 1333 FSB.
vidcard- XFX GeForce GTS 250, 512MB GDDR3, 256bit, 2200MHz MC, 1836MHz SC, 738MHz CC.
HDD- WD cavier "Blue" 5000AAKS, 500GB, 7200RPM.
RAM- G.SKILL 2x2GB DDR2 800, dual channel kit.
And a cheapish 650w PSU (ill upgrade later), LG flatron W2241s 22" widescreen LCD, and wireless keyboard/mouse.

so yeah, I'm pretty damn happy! It's running windows XP 64bit.
It's running everything I've tried so far at max settings, 1680x1050 (Cod:WaW, Cod:Modern warfare, Lineage 2, combat arms)
so yeah tell me what you think!
P.S. Do you think this setup is good enough to do some 3d modeling and animating? (using autodesk 3ds max) because I would really like to get into some of that stuff.

 

[dirtmountain]

Grats on the new system! You should be happy with it and your friend who helped you out. It'll be fine for the 3D modeling and animating, it'll be slower then the top end systems, but still good.

 

[boulard83]

DONT get a CHEAPEST PSU ...........

the psu is that BASE of you system.

 

[gkay09]

^That is a pretty good setup you have...And yes like dirtmountain said, it'll be fine for 3D modelling and animating for now...
And maybe within a year, save some cash for a Core2Quad like the Q9550/ Q9650 as the Quad-core CPUs would help improve the performance...

 

[Helloworld_98]

any reason for XP64 over vista64?

 

[xthekidx]

As soon as is possible, swap out that PSU for something that is known for good quality. Low quality cheapo PSU's are liable to fail, and when they do they can take out everything inside of your PC and you will have a big paperweight. With a GTS 250, all you would need is a decent 500-600w PSU. Look at these for good high quality options:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703016
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151056
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194043
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

 

[gkay09]

^+1

And actually even this PSU can power your rig just fine...
Antec EA430 - 80+ Certified 430W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006

 

[xthekidx]

^+1

And actually even this PSU can power your rig just fine...
Antec EA430 - 80+ Certified 430W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006

Not quite, not enough connectors. You need 2x6 pin connectors, that PSU only has one. I'd go with an ~500w PSU.

 

[gkay09]

^ The GTS 250 requires only a single 6 pin...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150357
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gts_250_us.html

Here are the photos of the GTS 250, clearly showing a single 6-pin input...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=14-125-268-S04&ISList=14-125-268-S01%2c14-125-268-S02%2c14-125-268-S04%2c14-125-268-S03%2c14-125-268-S05%2c14-125-268-S06&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16814125268&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=GIGABYTE%20GeForce%20GTS%20250%20GV-N250OC-1GI%20Video%20Card%20-%20Retail

 

[xthekidx]

^ The GTS 250 requires only a single 6 pin...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150357
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gts_250_us.html

Here are the photos of the GTS 250, clearly showing a single 6-pin input...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=14-125-268-S04&ISList=14-125-268-S01%2c14-125-268-S02%2c14-125-268-S04%2c14-125-268-S03%2c14-125-268-S05%2c14-125-268-S06&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16814125268&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=GIGABYTE%20GeForce%20GTS%20250%20GV-N250OC-1GI%20Video%20Card%20-%20Retail

brain fart...i guess i was thinking gtx 260

I would still think that a 500w psu would be nice though, it would give headroom for overclocking ect, but you can get by with that antec psu.

 

[gkay09]

^ Yup 500W would be the sweet spot...but that EA430 is better than some cheapo PSU and that PSU is about $55 with Free Shipping...
Here are few options from OCZ, that has Mail-In-Rebates with Free Shipping...
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

 

[boulard83]

+++

Its a better futurproof buying to go straight with a Good 500W psu and a GTS250. With a 500W hes still able to upgrade the GPU later with newer release.

 

[CarltonJudge]

hey thanks a lot guys, I think ill get a OCZ 600w PSU, for ~$70.