First PC Build

[DanManIt]

This is going to be the first time I'm building a PC. I already have the parts picked out and I want to know if there was any suggestions or if any of the parts aren't compatable.

Case - CoolerMaster Centurion 5 $50
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16811119077

Power Supply - Antec SmartPower 2.0 500W $64
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16817103937

Motherboard - ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe $158
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16813131517

Video Card - XFX GeForce 6800GS $195
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16814150118

Processor - AMD Athlon 64 3700+ $233
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16819103539

Ram - Corsair 1 GB XMS $100
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16820145450

Harddrive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 250GB SATA $110
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16822148111

DVD Burner - NEC Burner $38
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16827152058

 

[Ricemarine]

your links do not work...

1. Get a DFI Ultra-D (unless you really want to SLi)
2. Antec NeoHE 500w just in case
3. Isn't the Coolermaster Centurion 530 about the same price?
4. Get 1 stick of G.Skill DDR500 ram. 1GB stick.

 

[Bobthelost]

Ok.

Case= fine your choice
PSU= Excessive, fortron 400W is fine, 450W if you want SLI in the future
Motherboard = Excessive unless you are SURE you'll go SLI, i doubt you will with a 6800GS.
Video card = nice enough.
CPU = Good CPU, but you can get opterons and overclock very, very easily for half the price.
RAM = Bad choice budget RAM doesn't affect A64s much, you would get better performance for gaming if you bought 2gb of cheap RAM.
HD= Good if you want the waranty, but the deskstar 7k250 is a little faster, your choice.
DVDRW = Not a bad choice at all.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
2. Antec NeoHE 500w just in case
4. Get 1 stick of G.Skill DDR500 ram. 1GB stick.

What the hell? There's no point in wasting money on the RAM when it's not going to be used at a high enough FSB to warrant it, also the 10% difference between top of the line and budget is not economical in the slightest here!

500W for a rig that won't break 250W!? Are you trying to waste money here?

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
2. Antec NeoHE 500w just in case
4. Get 1 stick of G.Skill DDR500 ram. 1GB stick.

What the hell? There's no point in wasting money on the RAM when it's not going to be used at a high enough FSB to warrant it, also the 10% difference between top of the line and budget is not economical in the slightest here!

500W for a rig that won't break 250W!? Are you trying to waste money here?

1. PSU is the most important part of a system. 250w eh. Well let's see... 500w X ~75% efficiency (depending on temperature, efficiency LOWERS...), is around 375w OR LOWER. So... pretty much I am giving the guy some headroom to overclock (since first time builders later on would usually like to overclock slightly or at least 400 MHz.).

This also gives him some headroom to upgrade later on. With a 6800gs, the least I'd accept is the forton 450w. Any higher video card, or 400+ mhz overclocking, I'd take the Antec NeoHE 500w anytime. This is NOT wasting money.

So if you'd like to question my thoughts. By all means do so. But I will back it up.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
1. PSU is the most important part of a system. 250w eh. Well let's see... 500w X ~75% efficiency (depending on temperature, efficiency LOWERS...), is around 375w OR LOWER. So... pretty much I am giving the guy some headroom to overclock (since first time builders later on would usually like to overclock slightly or at least 400 MHz.).

Efficency drops when run at higher temperatures, however the reputable PSU makers rate thier PSUs @ 50*C. Fortron is a reputable PSU maker. So even though i'll play along, it's wrong from the word go.

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
This also gives him some headroom to upgrade later on. With a 6800gs, the least I'd accept is the forton 450w. Any higher video card, or 400+ mhz overclocking, I'd take the Antec NeoHE 500w anytime. This is NOT wasting money
So if you'd like to question my thoughts. By all means do so. But I will back it up.

Headroom? Yes, headroom indeed, let's run with your numbers as if they meant anything, with a 400W PSU he'd get 300W usable power, and thus be able to upgrade to an FX60 with a 1900XT and a couple of HDs chucked in for good measure before he runs out of juice.

Look at the review of the FX60, that's the power drawn from the wall.
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2668

235W or so at full load from the wall

Guess even i gold plated that earlier estimate didn't i?

Read this : http://www.silentpcreview.com/article265-page1.html

400W is enough for any non SLI A64 system that isn't swimming in HDs.

 

[DanManIt]

So would having a DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D ($130) and the Kingston ValueRAM 2GB ($164) be good choices? I'll also look into both of the PSUs that were recommended.

 

[DanManIt]

I also found Patriot Signature 2GB ($156) with timings of 3-4-4-8 and it also included a heat spreader, which the Kingston value ram did not.

 

[Bobthelost]

Probably, the DFI is a top notch board and no mistake, but there are some problems with it, for a start you are best advised to check the RAM compatability (DFI website is a good place to start) and also best if you don't buy a seasonic PSU as there have been compatability issues with them.

Heatspreaders aren't all that good ime. Not worth worrying over. The timings would be more important.

Look into it, check the other recomended rig threads that are floating around to see what they go with. People tend to assume they need far more power than they really do.

 

[PEEONPENGUINS]

I heard that some better computers are going to come out around 2010. Might be faster and have more RAMS

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: PEEONPENGUINS
I heard that some better computers are going to come out around 2010. Might be faster and have more RAMS

I remember being 12, good days...

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Headroom? Yes, headroom indeed, let's run with your numbers as if they meant anything, with a 400W PSU he'd get 300W usable power, and thus be able to upgrade to an FX60 with a 1900XT and a couple of HDs chucked in for good measure before he runs out of juice.

ROFFLES... w/e. you say.

Forton has an efficiency of 65%-70%. so that 400w would equal around 270w.
And... they don't rate their psu's at 50 C. so pwned much?

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
ROFFLES... w/e. you say.

Forton has an efficiency of 65%-70%. so that 400w would equal around 270w.
And... they don't rate their psu's at 50 C. so pwned much?

It is a 400W PSU which means that it is rated to supply 400W not draw it from the wall you illiterate gibbon.

But hell, since a FX60 doesn't draw 275W you're still talking ****** aren't you.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
ROFFLES... w/e. you say.

Forton has an efficiency of 65%-70%. so that 400w would equal around 270w.
And... they don't rate their psu's at 50 C. so pwned much?

It is a 400W PSU which means that it is rated to supply 400W not draw it from the wall you illiterate gibbon.

But hell, since a FX60 doesn't draw 275W you're still talking ****** aren't you.

Rofl. it draws at max around 140 watts.
Now add in the video card and other necessities.
Doubt a 400w psu would actually give 400w...
Oh well. hope the banstick touches you

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Headroom? Yes, headroom indeed, let's run with your numbers as if they meant anything, with a 400W PSU he'd get 300W usable power, and thus be able to upgrade to an FX60 with a 1900XT and a couple of HDs chucked in for good measure before he runs out of juice.

ROFFLES... w/e. you say.

Forton has an efficiency of 65%-70%. so that 400w would equal around 270w.
And... they don't rate their psu's at 50 C. so pwned much?

Really? Almost all PSU manufacturers and resellers rate theirs at 25C. I believe Fortron rates its at a higher rate, but it could depend on the power supply.

That Fortron 400W is more than enough for any non-sli system. Also, the effieiciency you listed is about average for the industry. But most Fortrons have a better efficiency than that. I'd trust a 400W Fortron over a 400W unit from any other company outside of PCP&C.

If you want to build a non-SLI system, a 400W Fortron is the perfect choice. If you want to throw in $10 more, the Fortron 450W might be even better.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine

Rofl. it draws at max around 140 watts.
Now add in the video card and other necessities.
Doubt a 400w psu would actually give 400w...
Oh well. hope the banstick touches you

Copied from the review
System power consumption under full load: FX 60 225W

System power

400W PSUs from fortron do supply 400W, as do ones from PCP&C, Seasonic, Enermax, OCZ.

You don't know anything about this topic do you?

PS: You want a link to where they DO rate thier PSUs with an operating temp of 50*C?

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: DanManIt
So would having a DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D ($130) and the Kingston ValueRAM 2GB ($164) be good choices? I'll also look into both of the PSUs that were recommended.

Stick with the asus. DFI is good, but not for the beginner. No useful documentation(the manual is sparse enough to be printed on a 3x5 index card).

heatspreaders are usless on ddr ram. get the $150 2gb g.skill (1gb x2) value ram.

also, bob is right, though i dont want ot get into a shouting match, a 400w psu from fsp group supplies 400x, and draws somewhere near probably 500 something from the wall.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953

many people waste excessive amopunts of money on psus when a much lower model will fit just fine. The FSP group psu here si good to 34A on the +12 rail which is massive. You wont hit the cap unless you have sli and a oced psu.

If dont dont feel comfortable with that, get tihs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

either way, It's more than you need.

A amd64 at max TDP draws ~89w(single core)(on the 5v and 12v rails mostly)
2 sticks of ram draws 10-14w(5v rail)
a hdd draws anywhere from .5 to 1.5amp per hdd on the +12v rail and similar on the +5v rail
a 6800gs should take no more than 70w[more likely 55-60w](the infamous fx5950ultra took no more than that)
a DVD burner takes about 1-1.5a 12V rail
A motherboard on average uses 38w or so total split on the 3.3,5, and 12 rails
usb devices use .5A per unit max on the 5V rail.

os technically,
you could have
1 amd64
1 raptor 10k rpm hard drives
2 optical drives
sli 6800gs
motherboard
creative xfi sound card
wireless card
and 8 devices drawing max power from your usb ports at the same time

on the fsp 450w.

edit: wow raildogg took the words right out of my mouth. That's what I get for taking the time to type.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: Ricemarine

Rofl. it draws at max around 140 watts.
Now add in the video card and other necessities.
Doubt a 400w psu would actually give 400w...
Oh well. hope the banstick touches you

Copied from the review
System power consumption under full load: FX 60 225W

System power

400W PSUs from fortron do supply 400W, as do ones from PCP&C, Seasonic, Enermax, OCZ.

You don't know anything about this topic do you?

PS: You want a link to where they DO rate thier PSUs with an operating temp of 50*C?

They supply under their rated wattage. nuff said. PSU efficiency = electricity taken in vs electricity actually used.
and... I just don't care anymore... So yes. blab away all you want. If his rig has problems, your fault.

 

[Bobthelost]

I'm off to write out "i must learn to control my temper" a hundred times.

Mwmorph is probably better at this than i am. Listen to the man!

 

[DanManIt]

How does value ram do on overclocking?

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: DanManIt
How does value ram do on overclocking?

no effect. amd64s run valuieram just fine in a divider. performance hits will be there but are generally small(~7-9% for winrar, ~1-7% for gaming) and iti s usually a better choice ot buy a better video card thna to have some crazy oc ram.

 

[DanManIt]

Would the ASUS A8N-E motherboard be a good replacement to the SLI-Deluxe one I have in the original post, since I don't plan on going SLI?

 

[bamacre]

I'd squeeze some, and replace the 6800 GS with a 7800 GT. Even if it means you leave your cpu at stock. You'll get MUCH better gaming performance with a better video card over an OC'ed cpu. Get Corsair VS ram, cheaper mobo, even dip to a 3500+ cpu to get that 7800 GT in your budget.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

if you waant sli look fet the DFI infinity NF4 sli.
its a dfi so very good for OC and also stable and is cheaper

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: DanManIt
Would the ASUS A8N-E motherboard be a good replacement to the SLI-Deluxe one I have in the original post, since I don't plan on going SLI?

sure. Asus actually tend to be good ocers and the sli premium i think got the highest oc at 12x multi anandtech ever tested(255mhz X 12)