Help me finalize my first build

[Barfo]

1. Gaming, general usage, email, web, normal stuff, and some video and audio encoding

2. $500-550 not counting the video card, though I'd much prefer it to be 500, or less if possible

3. USA, Newegg

4. I'm leaning towards Intel and ATI right now because I perceive them as more bang for my buck, but you're free to convince me otherwise

5. I'll reuse everything except motherboard, processor, RAM, case and GPU

6. Yup, I've been lurking these forums, newegg and other sites for a couple of weeks now

7. I might do a mild OC in 6 months or so if I deem it necessary. nothing extreme though

8. Hopefully I'll order the parts within 3 weeks

9. Upgrading from a P4 3.2 GHZ, 2GB RAM, Geforce 7900 GT, hoping to see some awesome performance improvements



Ok so these are the parts I've come up with, I'd appreciate feedback on compatibility or better deals:

Processor: E8400 I think this is the best choice right now, good performance, ok price and overclockable. $164.99

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 This is a great deal but I don't know if I'll be able to OC to 3.6 GHZ with this, thoughts? edit: RAM's fine, thanks smithrwon $49.99

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L I really don't know much about motherboards, but this has a good price and is recommended in one of the stickies, if it lets me attach all the normal stuff and 4 HDs and is durable I'm happy, I've also seen the Asus P5Q mentioned a lot, but that one's pricier, any advantages in choosing it over the Gigabyte? $84.99

Case and PSU: Coolermaster Case + 550W PSU combo don't know much about cases and PSUs either, will this let me house my 4 HDs and HD 4850 ? same for the PSU, I assume it's enough for what I want to run, I plan to update the GPU with another midrange card with similar power requirements, maybe drop a quad if they get cheap. edit: it appears PSU is a Cooler Master Real Power Pro 550w, SLI certified, so I should be safe with it right? $99.99

GPU: Radeon HD 4850, might be a bit overkill (I game @1280x1024) but it'll probably last me 2+ years, I don't know which one to get, anyone know of a good deal on one?


edit: added prices and PSU info

 

[disports]

400 fsb x 9 (multiplier) = 3.6 GHz. It'll happen. Very easy to do.

Your build is fine. Just make sure the PSU is good.

 

[Boobs McGee]

You can combo that CPU with THIS mobo for the same price before MIR (15 bucks) and get an extra slot with crossfire support, fancier cooling, etc.

I have the 8400 with the GA-EP45-DS3L myself and running @3.6. It was a pretty nice upgrade from my single core opteron.
The memory will get you to 3.6 without overclocking the ram at all. You will be at the rams rated speed @ 3.6.

For the PSU, check the hot deals forums. There were a couple of pretty nice deals posted there.

 

[Barfo]

Originally posted by: smithrwon
400 fsb x 9 (multiplier) = 3.6 GHz. It'll happen. Very easy to do.

Your build is fine. Just make sure the PSU is good.

The RAM is settled then, the PSU is a Cooler Master 550w, SLI certified, is that enough for my build?

Originally posted by: Boobs McGee
You can combo that CPU with THIS mobo for the same price before MIR (15 bucks) and get an extra slot with crossfire support, fancier cooling, etc.

I don't plan on using SLI or Crossfire ever and I don't think I'll need any extra cooling, any other advantage the P5Q would have over the GA-EP45-DS3L?

Originally posted by: Boobs McGeeFor the PSU, check the hot deals forums. There were a couple of pretty nice deals posted there.

I'm trying to find out if the PSU/Case combo I found is good enough, if not I'll head there :frown:

 

[disports]

550 W should be fine for your build.

 

[mylittlepony]

I've built two systems recently using some of those components.

For my own system, I'm using a Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3L with an E8400.

Overclocks OK, but seems like Gigabyte's Northridge tends to be a bit on the hot side. Other than that, great board, easy to setup.

I built my friend a system with the Asus PQ5 with a Q9550 Quad in the Coolermaster Case you have.

Setting up the PQ5 is a little weird with the ExpressGate software....initially, it kept booting to that. Seems to work fine, now.

A big video card should have no problem fitting in that case. The 3.5 drive bays are arrange longitudinally, so you have even more clearance that with a standard arrangement. The cable management is really nice to, and it was easier to get all of the little case connectors plugged in (probably a little easier than the Gigabyte).

Temperatures on this system are significantly cooler than mine, though this case does have lots of fans and openings....having the PSU at the bottom probably helps too.

If I have to do it again, I'd probably go with the Asus over the Gigabyte, if only for the cooler Northbridge.

Oh, here's one little "Gotcha" for this case if you haven't already heard about it.....the screws for mounting the motherboard and whatnot are not in a bag, but rather already screwed into the side corners of the 5.25 drive bay area.

 

[disports]

Originally posted by: mylittlepony
I've built two systems recently using some of those components.

For my own system, I'm using a Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3L with an E8400.

Overclocks OK, but seems like Gigabyte's Northridge tends to be a bit on the hot side. Other than that, great board, easy to setup.

I built my friend a system with the Asus PQ5 with a Q9550 Quad in the Coolermaster Case you have.

Setting up the PQ5 is a little weird with the ExpressGate software....initially, it kept booting to that. Seems to work fine, now.

A big video card should have no problem fitting in that case. The 3.5 drive bays are arrange longitudinally, so you have even more clearance that with a standard arrangement. The cable management is really nice to, and it was easier to get all of the little case connectors plugged in (probably a little easier than the Gigabyte).

Temperatures on this system are significantly cooler than mine, though this case does have lots of fans and openings....having the PSU at the bottom probably helps too.

If I have to do it again, I'd probably go with the Asus over the Gigabyte, if only for the cooler Northbridge.

Oh, here's one little "Gotcha" for this case if you haven't already heard about it.....the screws for mounting the motherboard and whatnot are not in a bag, but rather already screwed into the side corners of the 5.25 drive bay area.

About the Express Gate software, you can disable that in the BIOS which I have done.

 

[Barfo]

I'm getting the Asus because the Gigabyte is out of stock, oh well, seems better built and runs cooler.

Originally posted by: mylittleponyOh, here's one little "Gotcha" for this case if you haven't already heard about it.....the screws for mounting the motherboard and whatnot are not in a bag, but rather already screwed into the side corners of the 5.25 drive bay area.

This just means I have to look for them inside the case right? I'm a noob pc builder.

 

[disports]

Yeah. Don't worry, it's easy peasy to put together a computer.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: barfo
I'm getting the Asus because the Gigabyte is out of stock, oh well, seems better built and runs cooler.

NOOOOOOO I was ganna buy that mobo this friday when I get paid......crap

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Anyone worrying about NB temps with your traditional motherboard position (cards on bottom) do like I have done and put an small 80mm fan on top of the vid card and direct it towards the NB heatsink.