- Jun 13, 2011
- 13
- 0
- 18,510
Hello forum.
This is my first build and I’m actually as excited as a kid in a candy store. There’s no rush to get this build done as I’m actually looking forward to the experience of placing a computer together(with the help of the fine people here at the forums) than to actually use it…but want to be blown away when I use it. Like a “WOOOOAH I built this..I actually built this!” type of blown away. Then I would like to take the next step and begin experimenting with overclocking.
Approximate Purchase Date: 2 months from now.
Budget Range: $600-$800
I know this is a vague budget but I’m in the mindset that I want to make a good build for my needs that does not break the pig but if I need to go a bit higher to stay “future proof” or to make sure I’m getting the best out of all my components, so be it.
Before: Rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Moderate gaming, HD video viewing(?) Media Storage, College(Yes, blame my youth for having my priorities mixed up,lol), Photoshop.
Parts Not Required: Speakers, Monitor, Video Card, OS, Hard Drives, Keyboard and Mice.
Video Card: Evga GeForce GT 430 1 GB DDR3(01G-P3-1430-LR)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg or another site that is cheaper but reliable. Sadly Amazon isn’t in the computer parts business..
Country of Origin: USA
Parts Preferences:
Already have:
Antec Three Hundred Illusion $54.99
Interested in :
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 $115
Mobo
ASUS M5A88-V EVO AM3+ $129.99
I'm looking at the M5A88-V with the assumption that AM3+ will still be viable down the line and allow me to upgrade to a good CPU years from now.
But if this mobo isn't right for me, please let me know.
PSU
I don't have one specific in mind because this is the area that I really don't want to get wrong. I'm not sure if I modular power supply for a first build, less wires does provide better airflow..but would it be worth the extra cash in my case?
Then there's the fact that my power supply has to be bottom mounted and I've read that not all PSU like that. The of course comes the Ws and quality which I'm leaning towards Corsair 500W but should I go 650 to be safe? So, if someone could point me in the right direction here, I would appreciate it and I'll do the research from there, I don't want to give the impression that I'm lazy.
One DVD/CD burner drive-This would be more looking for one that matches the case well than anything. Any recommendations are well-come.
One Blu-ray burner to be able to back-up my media. I currently have two 500GBs
Overclocking: Yes, I would like to try this but not to the point I will be using water cooling and tubing. I’m willing to go as far as air cooling will take me. So I'm assuming I'll need a coolmaster not only on the CPU itself but perhaps one on the side of the case(case comes with four fans but can accommodate 5.
SLI or Crossfire: No.
Monitor Resolution: 1440x900
Additional Comments: Man, where should I start. Though I am looking at AMD, I’m not strictly trying to build a AMD build. I’ve actually had little experience with AMD but their aggressive pricing for Mid level builds have me looking their way. I would like to go Intel but I just don’t have the cash they are asking for without making sacrifice somewhere else in the build…but this is my first build, you guys would know more that I. I guess the main thing I want out of this build outside of the enjoyment of building it, is flexibility to upgrade when necessary. I would like it to last me three to four years by upgrading parts when necessary and avoiding a situation as“your mobo has a 945 chipset, so no you cannot have all of your ram regardless if you’re on x64. Take your 3.25 and like it!”..don’t want that. I also would like input if 5.25 bay fan control with screen would be a good addition to control the fans on the antec case(and achievable for someone’s first build) or if that slot would be better used for a media card reader. Well, I guess that is….like I said, Kid and candy store.
If I need to answer some more questions, ask away. If I did something wrong in this post, I apologize now and I will fix it when it's brought to my attention.
Guides that I checked out:A Guide to Choosing Computer Parts -By Proximon which was extremely helpful.
This is my first build and I’m actually as excited as a kid in a candy store. There’s no rush to get this build done as I’m actually looking forward to the experience of placing a computer together(with the help of the fine people here at the forums) than to actually use it…but want to be blown away when I use it. Like a “WOOOOAH I built this..I actually built this!” type of blown away. Then I would like to take the next step and begin experimenting with overclocking.
Approximate Purchase Date: 2 months from now.
Budget Range: $600-$800
I know this is a vague budget but I’m in the mindset that I want to make a good build for my needs that does not break the pig but if I need to go a bit higher to stay “future proof” or to make sure I’m getting the best out of all my components, so be it.
Before: Rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Moderate gaming, HD video viewing(?) Media Storage, College(Yes, blame my youth for having my priorities mixed up,lol), Photoshop.
Parts Not Required: Speakers, Monitor, Video Card, OS, Hard Drives, Keyboard and Mice.
Video Card: Evga GeForce GT 430 1 GB DDR3(01G-P3-1430-LR)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg or another site that is cheaper but reliable. Sadly Amazon isn’t in the computer parts business..
Country of Origin: USA
Parts Preferences:
Already have:
Antec Three Hundred Illusion $54.99
Interested in :
CPU
AMD Phenom II x4 955 $115
Mobo
ASUS M5A88-V EVO AM3+ $129.99
I'm looking at the M5A88-V with the assumption that AM3+ will still be viable down the line and allow me to upgrade to a good CPU years from now.
But if this mobo isn't right for me, please let me know.
PSU
I don't have one specific in mind because this is the area that I really don't want to get wrong. I'm not sure if I modular power supply for a first build, less wires does provide better airflow..but would it be worth the extra cash in my case?
Then there's the fact that my power supply has to be bottom mounted and I've read that not all PSU like that. The of course comes the Ws and quality which I'm leaning towards Corsair 500W but should I go 650 to be safe? So, if someone could point me in the right direction here, I would appreciate it and I'll do the research from there, I don't want to give the impression that I'm lazy.
One DVD/CD burner drive-This would be more looking for one that matches the case well than anything. Any recommendations are well-come.
One Blu-ray burner to be able to back-up my media. I currently have two 500GBs
Overclocking: Yes, I would like to try this but not to the point I will be using water cooling and tubing. I’m willing to go as far as air cooling will take me. So I'm assuming I'll need a coolmaster not only on the CPU itself but perhaps one on the side of the case(case comes with four fans but can accommodate 5.
SLI or Crossfire: No.
Monitor Resolution: 1440x900
Additional Comments: Man, where should I start. Though I am looking at AMD, I’m not strictly trying to build a AMD build. I’ve actually had little experience with AMD but their aggressive pricing for Mid level builds have me looking their way. I would like to go Intel but I just don’t have the cash they are asking for without making sacrifice somewhere else in the build…but this is my first build, you guys would know more that I. I guess the main thing I want out of this build outside of the enjoyment of building it, is flexibility to upgrade when necessary. I would like it to last me three to four years by upgrading parts when necessary and avoiding a situation as“your mobo has a 945 chipset, so no you cannot have all of your ram regardless if you’re on x64. Take your 3.25 and like it!”..don’t want that. I also would like input if 5.25 bay fan control with screen would be a good addition to control the fans on the antec case(and achievable for someone’s first build) or if that slot would be better used for a media card reader. Well, I guess that is….like I said, Kid and candy store.
If I need to answer some more questions, ask away. If I did something wrong in this post, I apologize now and I will fix it when it's brought to my attention.
Guides that I checked out:A Guide to Choosing Computer Parts -By Proximon which was extremely helpful.
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