First build

[Bioapb]

Hello everyone,

So I'm a newb, and would therefore like some input on my first attempt to build a computer. Here are the answers to the questions from the FAQ to give you an idea of what I am shooting for.

1. This build will be used for gaming, surfing the net, email, etc. I don't do anything (besides gaming) that is particularly demanding (no video editing, etc). I am not looking to build a godly gaming machine but I would like it to be able to run modern games (RTS mainly) decently and be able to handle stuff that will come out for the next couple of years.

2. My budget is ~$1000

3. Buying parts in US

4. No particular brand preference as long as everything is compatible, reliable, and within budget

5. I will be recycling a DVD R/W drive. thats it

6. I have been doing a fair bit of reading here and elsewhere to learn as much as I can about doing this

7. no overclocking

8. System will be built within the next 2-3 months

Build as follows:

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L LGA 775 Intel G31 MicroATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W

RAM: A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
5-5-5-18 1.8V

GPU: PALiT AE/48500+T352 Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Case: Bgears b-Envi-nw BG01206 Black Aluminum / Plastic MicroATX Desktop Computer Case

PSU: PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, cUL, CE, CB, RoHS

Sound card: Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface (optional)

OS: Vista Home Basic 64 bit

CPU Fan: Rosewill RCX-Z300 92mm Ball CPU Cooler

Please give me some feedback/advice and feel free to raise any concerns you have regarding components/compatibility issues/whatever.

thanks folks,

APB

 

[Ruger22C]

You will have to get a cheap CPU to flash that MOBO to support the wolfdale.
I believe the 8800GT 512 is equal to 4850, but cheaper. Take a look.

Try to get an X-Fi card instead of Audigy. Such as XtremeMusic

 

[DSF]

PSU: The silencer series of PSUs are not as quiet as their name would suggest. For a quality 500W PSU, the Antec Earthwatts is tough to beat at $60 with free shipping.

Motherboard: If you're buying a MicroATX motherboard because you need the compact size of a MicroATX case, fine. Otherwise, I would consider buying a full-size motherboard that gives you the option of running four sticks of RAM in case you want/need to in the future.

HDD: That hard drive is a generation old. Seagate's newest generation drives are the 7200.11 series. Honestly though, it's tough to beat the value of the WD Caviar 640GB which is $90 on Newegg right now.

CPU Fan: Since you're not overclocking, an aftermarket cooler isn't really necessary unless you're worried about about hushing the computer as much as possible.

@ Ruger: How do you know for sure about the BIOS flash? Gigabyte's support website lists the E8400 as being supported since BIOS F4, and they're on to at least F5 at this point. I would say there's a decent chance that he doesn't have to flash, but it's not a guarantee.

As far as the 8800GT, the 4850 is a bit faster.

 

[DaveSimmons]

8. System will be built within the next 2-3 months

Intel G45 chipset motherboards will be out by then.

Price shopping months ahead is a waste of time, prices will change by September - Octoboer.

 

[DSF]

DaveSimmons brings up a good point, I didn't catch that. Keep tabs on hardware/pricing developments and start a new thread when you're actually ready to purchase.

 

[Bioapb]

Originally posted by: DSF
PSU: The silencer series of PSUs are not as quiet as their name would suggest. For a quality 500W PSU, the Antec Earthwatts is tough to beat at $60 with free shipping.

Motherboard: If you're buying a MicroATX motherboard because you need the compact size of a MicroATX case, fine. Otherwise, I would consider buying a full-size motherboard that gives you the option of running four sticks of RAM in case you want/need to in the future.

HDD: That hard drive is a generation old. Seagate's newest generation drives are the 7200.11 series. Honestly though, it's tough to beat the value of the WD Caviar 640GB which is $90 on Newegg right now.

CPU Fan: Since you're not overclocking, an aftermarket cooler isn't really necessary unless you're worried about about hushing the computer as much as possible.

@ Ruger: How do you know for sure about the BIOS flash? Gigabyte's support website lists the E8400 as being supported since BIOS F4, and they're on to at least F5 at this point. I would say there's a decent chance that he doesn't have to flash, but it's not a guarantee.

As far as the 8800GT, the 4850 is a bit faster.

Hi DSF,

Here is my rational for some of the things you mention.

PSU: I chose the one I did because of wattage, price, and because it has a single 12V rail. According to PCP&C (bias maybe?) the single rail is a desirable feature.

MOBO: I want mATX just because I want something small. I know the amount of RAM is limited to 4GB but I figure that will carry me for a couple of years and by the time I need to upgrade the Nehalem architecture will be mainstream and I will need a
new board anyway to support that and DDR3, which will become the standard on Nehalems coat tails.

CPU fan: Seems most people agree intel stock coolers are lousy so I want to be sure everything is adequately

 

[DSF]

You may want to read this sticky in the PSU forum about single and split 12V rails. Contains some interesting information about what is and isn't marketing BS.

As far as the CPU cooler, the stock one isn't necessarily lousy, but it's not a world-beater. It's what you'd expect from a stock heatsink - it cools the CPU well enough to protect it at stocks speeds. Most of the complaints come from the push-pin mounting mechanism, so if that's what you're trying to avoid you'll either need to make sure that your cooler of choice using a different mounting method, or you'll need to buy a bolt-through kit.

 

[DaveSimmons]

The stock HSF on the E8400 works very well at stock speed. With motherboard fan control it's very quiet durning normal 2D work, and still more quiet than your video card cooling during heavy gaming.

The push pins are fine if you follow directions and look at the back side of the motherboard to see the white and black pins have both pushed through.

I was going to buy a Zerotherm Zen if I didn't like the stock cooling, but I have no plans to now.

 

[Bioapb]

Given the build specs I have above could anyone speculate about what size PSU I need? I think 500W is enough but could I get away with less?

DSF - The PSU you mentioned above is nice but it recently jumped up $30 in price and the shipping is no longer free. Any other suggestions?

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: DSF
HDD: That hard drive is a generation old. Seagate's newest generation drives are the 7200.11 series. Honestly though, it's tough to beat the value of the WD Caviar 640GB which is $90 on Newegg right now.

agreed that you should go for a 7200.11

the 750gb seagate 7200.11 for $110 on Newegg is a better value than the 500 GB 7200.11 for $85, if you can spring the extra $25.

the WD DSF mentioned is a good alternative as well; better gb/$ if you like WD over seagate.
personally i like the seagate since it has 32 mb cache and a better warranty.

 

[Bioapb]

Could anyone comment on whether this PSU will be adequate for the above build:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139003

 

[DSF]

It should be fine.