First time build

[turtlejuice]

Approximate Purchase Date: now


Budget Range: 700 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, watching movies, web surfing. Photo and video eventualy

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country of Origin:US


Parts Preferences: Nothing particula but leaning towards amd


Overclocking: Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe


Monitor Resolution: best possible so i can upgrade tvs but 1080 on teh tv right now and unsure of monitor


Additional Comments:I will eventually upgrade to more ram and a bluray player.
Here is what i have assembled and I would like to know if this should work for all my needs.I couldnt figure out how to link to my wishlist since i'm under my secure line but i just posted it under first build. If their is another way please let me know so i can link it or whatever. Thank you for any input.

 

[turtlejuice]

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Model #RW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Item #:N82E16827135204 17.99




RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case
Model #:ATX-612WB
Item #:N82E16811156063 89.99




SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152185 64.99




ASUS M4A88T-M AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Model #:M4A88T-M
Item #:N82E16813131657 94.99



Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ...
Model #:TP-550
Item #:N82E16817371020 69.99 w/ 50 dollar instant rebate




A-DATA Gaming Series 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1600GB2G9-CG
Model #:AX3U1600GB2G9-CG
Item #:N82E16820211450 22.99x 2 _45.98




HIS H687F1G2M Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Model #:H687F1G2M
Item #:N82E16814161349 214.99

combo'd with: combo price:334.98


AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
Model #:HDZ955FBGMBOX
Item #:N82E16819103808 139.99




GRAND TOTAL w/ shipping and after instant rebates:730.66 with $35.00 in mail in rebates.

 

[turtlejuice]

Okay this is sort of more a question. I was looking at another motherboard that stated it was for phenom IIx4. But this one just says it is for the phenom II series nothing about cores or anything. So is the motherboard compatible with the 955, and also is the power strong enough for everything i have listed. I'm really just trying to get an ok that this will be a working machine. Everything seems like it should last a few years minus the exception of wanting to add a blue ray player and adding ram asap to at least 8. I hope it will be a kick ass machine just looking for last minute input and help. Sorry i cant be on here more but i have read lots of other builds and lots of reviews on products, but work alot so dont get the time to get on here and discuss this stuff and i'm in a hurry to get my new computer Hope to see some positive input when i get up. .......I hate working third shift :/

 

[WR2]

Hello TJ;

ASUS M4A88T-M is compatible with the X4 955. It's on the CPU support list you find on the MB's website.
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=B9WLe5U9mVxNwNvL

 

[WR2]

What will you be using for a case?

A matched set of RAM. A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211409 Less expensive than 2 single sticks.

 

[WR2]

Just noticed the SMILODON case. $55 a/r

I think a 5400rpm HDD for a primary boot disk is a performance hit.
Getting a faster 1GB 7200rpm HDD for a boot drive is better overall choice. You can always upgrade with a 2nd HDD later on.
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s HDD $65

 

[batuchka]

955BE + HD 6870 + crossfire capable with USB/SATA 3.0?

$652AR

 

[turtlejuice]

Ok. I hadnt noticed the difference in speeds of the hard drives. But i went ahead and changed them. I'm even possibly considering going with a 500gb and using this for my OS mainly then i could upgrade later to save some money now. That should be enough for the time being, right? Also i looked at the motherboard batuchka recomended and i did notice it had 2 pci slots instead of the one of mine, only it didnt say anything about hdmi or high def. I know mine only has one but how much do i really need that other one when it has a built in video added to the 6870 i'm getting. One final concern i have as i near hitting the purchase button! The ram i have been looking at and have listed is 1600. Will i be able to run my system with this ram with no overclocking initially? I'm sorry for all these questions but you guys are the experts and i'm just trying to enjoy a possible new hobby. Your time is greatly appreciated.

 

[turtlejuice]

Also that power is enough right? its 550w.

 

[WR2]

Asrock Extreme3 has no HDMI/DVI, etc because the board itself has no video output like the 880G board has. You'd get your HDMI output from the HD 6870 video card.

Asrock Extreme3 does have the option to run 2x video cards in CrossfireX. ASUS M4A88T-M does not.
1920x1080 resolution is the 'break point' where a 2nd video card starts to make sense for current and future games. Having an option to upgrade is a personal choice.
For many the option to sell a video card and use the proceed to buy a Next Gen video card is the solution to new games needing more power.

For a single HD 6870 a 550W PSU in plenty of power including room for future growth and upgrades. For two 6870s a bump in the PSU (like the XFX XXX 650W model PSU) would be needed.

 

[turtlejuice]

Ok so I placed my order saturday afternoon and this is what i finally ordered:
1

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
Item #: N82E16819103808
CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

$139.99


1

Rosewill RTK-001 Premium Anti-Static Wrist Strap
Item #: N82E16899261001
Standard Return Policy

$5.99


1

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Item #: N82E16827135204
Standard Return Policy

$17.99


1

HIS H687F1G2M Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
Item #: N82E16814161349
VGA Standard Return Policy

$214.99


1

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136073
Standard Return Policy

$39.99


1

Standard UES2 Black Laptop Retractable Wire Management Silver/Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical 800 dpi Mouse
Item #: N82E16826281001
Standard Return Policy

$9.99


1

A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1600GB2G9-2G
Item #: N82E16820211409
Memory Standard Return Policy

$44.99


1

ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157198
Standard Return Policy

$89.99


1

hec X-Power Pro 600 600W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817339025
Standard Return Policy

$49.99
Shipping from NJ, USA


1

RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811156063
Standard Return Policy

$69.99


For a total of 673.66 as well as i recieve 35 dollars in rebates and a 10 dollar gift card, oh and i got a free mouse

Now since this is my first build i hope i am able to succesfully do it and will be reading as much as i can til i recieve it. I have an aptitude for learning so i hope to do more in the future even.

Any comments appreciated or any links to good techs for first time builders. Thank you.

 

[WR2]

Be sure to let us know how things work out.

Here is a Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC
Look over the forum's "System won't boot" checklist to see what some of the common build errors and how to avoid them.

While you're waiting you can download the online version of the motherboard manual and start getting familiar with it.
Asrock 870 Extreme3 website

 

[turtlejuice]

Ok i got my case yesterday and my parts will be arriving today. I am downloading a ubuntu operating system and was wondering with my system should i download the 64 bit version and i plan on downloading 10.04. Should i download 10.1 or should i go with the long term supported version? Also i was watching a vid on youtube and the dude put a 900 watt power supply for a 5770 card and a pcu one step above, a 965 instead of my 955. I only got a 600 watt powersupply and feel as if its not going to work. Can someone ease my mind on this?

 

[turtlejuice]

Ok so i've read the ratings for the cards and i should be good. I'm gonna do the build in the morning after work and am just looking for any last minute advice or anything you can tell me what not to do. I've seen everyone does stuff in different orders so i'm just wondering if their is any order that will mess something up or anything bad noob mistakes i should watch out for. Also i looked for the power necesities for my gpu and it says you need a min of 2 4 pins for the power and my power supply has a 4 pin and a 6 pin. does that mean it will work or do i have to find a power supply that specifically has 2 4 pins.

 

[WR2]

I only got a 600 watt powersupply and feel as if its not going to work. Can someone ease my mind on this?

Your new system might use 300watts during a hard gaming session. If you overclock your CPU and GPU a an average amount you might reach 400watts.

 

[WR2]

There are the two PCI-e power connectors on your video card. Both use a 6 pin PCI-e power cable.

 

[WR2]

2 4 pins for the power and my power supply has a 4 pin and a 6 pin. does that mean it will work or do i have to find a power supply that specifically has 2 4 pins.

Your card needs 2x 6 pin PCI-e adapters.
Your Hec PSU has 1 6 pin and 1 6+2 pin PCI-e adapters.

6 pin and 6+2 pin adapters should look something like this:

 

[turtlejuice]

Sweet. Thanks for clearing that up for me. As long as I don't plug in the power cord, can I really do the build in any order. I'm just worried about messing up my new expensive parts, but I have been reading the manuals and will through the process. What has me stuck now are the drivers for the mobo. I planned on using 64 bit ubuntu. Did I make a planning error ,in buying a mobo that only works with Windows? I hope not cause I don't want to wait again for a new mobo and I'm pretty sure I can't afford Windows atm.

 

[WR2]

You'll need to get into the Ubuntu forums and and check for hardware compatibility.
Im using the LTS in a multi-boot setup but I havent checked for drivers for the newer hardware lately.

 

[turtlejuice]

Ok i know i've said this before but today is the day. its the first day i've had off work. I checked on the ubuntu forums and a guy said the kernels for the drivers should be loaded on the ubuntu disk so i hope it works or i'lll be buying windows today :/ Even though i probably should anyways? This is kind of a last call for any last minute advice to a newbie on his first build or the direction of a how to tek or vid that just blows others out of the water with good information. I appreciate everyones help with my decision and hopefully i'm not on here trouble shooting all day tomorrow why my computer still wont work :/ By the way this site is great and i will use it for all future needs!

 

[WR2]

I had thought that Ubuntu would be up to date with this hardware. But good that you got it confirmed.

Here is a Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC
Look over the forum's "System won't boot" checklist to see some of the common build errors and how to avoid them.

-> The usual advice; read the manual / install guide; look at the parts, read the manual again and if everything makes sense and looks right - then go ahead with the install.

While you're waiting you can download the online version of the motherboard manual and start getting familiar with it.

At some point you might want to do a dual boot setup with Windows and Ubuntu. Windows / Ubuntu Dual Boot

Be sure to let us know how things work out.

 

[turtlejuice]

Ok i'm to the final point. All my components are in and connecting all the wires is confusing me. I have to have all the grounds right? if i put a plug in backwards and try to plug it in and one of the connectors to the power button is backwards will it fry my computer?

 

[WR2]

Take your time and be certain. It's not likely it's a high power connection so you won't fry the computer. Best to get it right though.

Is the only question the one from the case power button to the front panel header on the motherboard?

 

[WR2]

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[WR2]

The orange wire of the power button should go in the header marked PWRBTN # and the white wire in the GND just to the right.


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