My First Build

May 26, 2012 9:28:26 PM

Hey guys,

I've always wanted to build my own computer and now I've finally gotten around to attempting it. The short version on my first ever build is: I want it to be fast (but I don't do computer gaming), I want it reliable, and I want it to be a little easy on my wallet (but there's no need to substitute cheap-o parts when a normal part will do). Also, it's going to be a mid-tower because I'd like a desktop and I don't want it as tall as me! And, it's most likely going to run Windows 7. So with that in check, I was looking at parts for the computer and I found myself following Intel parts because of the reputation they have with non computer guys. But the parts were so expensive that I started searching for AMD parts because I'm lead to believe they are just as reliable and as fast? But so far here is what I have:

Processor: $120
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I was looking at an eight core AMD but the reviews on Newegg say that it's just a 6 core basically and it runs too hot temperature wise, so I went right back to quad-core.

Motherboard: $61
ASRock 770iCafe AM3+ AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

My only concern is that this motherboard is not compatible with the processor because when I look at the details tab of the motherboard, it says the CPU Socket Type is AM3+ but it says the CPU type is Phenom II so I'm completely confused as to whether or not it'll fit. Also, I see nothing in the details of the product to suggest it has cooling involved.

RAM: $47 x 2 (I want 16GB)
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

And, I also found this, but I can't seem to see the difference other than that it is an "X" series.

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Internal Hard Drive: $75
Western Digital Caviar Green WD3200AZRX 320GB IntelliPower 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Now, I've always had a good experience with Western Digital, but I'm open to suggestions if you guys have a better one.

Power Supply: $75
XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Computer Case: $55
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Video Card: $65
PNY VCGGT4301XPB GeForce GT 430 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I don't know much about video cards, so please give me all the feedback you can on them.

Now that's all I have so far. I've heard that I might need even more cooling? If anyone could enlighten me that would be great! But the motherboard product description is leading me to believe it comes with an internal modem and sound card, but if I'm wrong please tell me! So is there anything else that I'm missing guys, anything that's not compatible, or just anything you guys want to help me with? Thanks in advance!

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elayman

May 26, 2012 9:31:17 PM

What are you planning on doing with it? Just surfing the web and email? If so, you can stick with an i3 or i5 processor and use integrated graphics with no discrete video card. Also, why do you want 16GB of RAM? It's not necessary unless you're doing lots of video editing and stuff like that.

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Dishin Nutrition

May 26, 2012 9:38:47 PM

elayman said:

What are you planning on doing with it? Just surfing the web and email? If so, you can stick with an i3 or i5 processor and use integrated graphics with no discrete video card. Also, why do you want 16GB of RAM? It's not necessary unless you're doing lots of video editing and stuff like that.

I work on a Citrix system to do my work on the computer which seems to really slow down the computer when it's being used. Also, I'll be doing some video and picture editing and was looking for something that is reliable but very quick and powerful. I'm just trying to build a very fast PC so that it can handle anything that I throw at it.

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Dishin Nutrition

May 26, 2012 10:02:18 PM

But if I just put in the dual sticks of RAM so it's only 8GB (2x4GB), would the computer still run well? And how would I be able to upgrade later on if I felt the need to do so?

And as for parts I already have, I have the mouse, keyboard, speakers, and monitor. Just looking for the tower and parts itself, not anything else that plugs into it.

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elayman

May 27, 2012 1:13:46 AM

I think it really boils down to your budget. I'd recommend this setup but it is a lot more than your setup -
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
CPU: If you want some great multi-tasking power: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Or this is a great substitute - just doesn't have the extra threads: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... (I'd recommend you get an SSD to store your OS and a few main applications since it's WAY faster to boot and load applications than a harddrive)
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
CD/DVD Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
GPU: (better than the 430 you listed, but not that great for gaming - but you said you aren't gaming) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... (I like corsair>XFX and there's a sale)
RAM: (same as one you listed - this is fine) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

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Dishin Nutrition

May 27, 2012 1:23:17 AM

elayman said:

The Motherboard link and the first CPU link are the same links. And I was thinking of buying a SSD to put as my OS drive, but was thinking more like 80GB because I already have a 1TB HDD. Now that I've been exploring my options, I'm going to try to build as close to a $400 set up as possible, but I would rather have speed over anything else (such as a GPU because like I said, I'm not a gamer and that can always be upgraded). I was looking up maybe going AMD instead of Intel but, I'd like to hear what you have to say.

I was considering going with this AMD processor and just putting on an aftermarket heatsink:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

What do you think? And can you help me pull this build down into the $400-500 range? Thanks!

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Dishin Nutrition

May 27, 2012 1:24:14 AM

Also, I was thinking of maybe looking for a window side panel case just out of personal preference but price matters more than the window. And at what point does the number of 5.25 and 3.5 inch bays matter?

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