My First Home-built Computer... Plz Tell me Whats Up?

[Marktoloba]

I've never done this before... But this is what I have so far...
Case (No PSU)
PSU
Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
1GB Ram Kingston
Geforce 6800
Samsung Monitor
Seagate 200GB SATA HD
Keyboard
Mouse
Logitech Speaker System
Floppy Drive


Note* Already have a Plextor DVD Burner

Please if you could check out my system so far, rate it... provide recommendations, and helped me with my missing parts... I'd be very grateful...

Thanks

 

[MrTeeny]

The only thing i see missing is an operating system.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

most decent gaming rig for this price point that I've ever seen in a while....compared to other posts asking for same opinion.

 

[Porter21]

looks like it will be a beast.

 

[blackinches]

very nice system.

good luck on getting that motherboard. blackinches has been trying to get the same board to no avail. who know how long its going to be out of stock.

 

[Marktoloba]

thx, And ill be going with Windows XP

 

[raildogg]

nice carefully chosen components, great performance for a reasonable price.

 

[Marktoloba]

Also, when I get this gear, it should all be compatible right?

 

[ts3433]

You can save a bit of money by going with an Antec Sonata or Performance Plus AMG series case. Both include high-quality Antec TruePower PSUs (380W in the Sonata, 430W in the Plus1080AMG and PlusView1000AMG). These should sufficiently power your system. If you don't want to change the case, I would personally get something a little higher quality than Thermaltake (like Antec, Enermax, Fortron, or Seasonic), but you will likely be fine.

Have fun with that Winchester--you can get a fair bit of free performance out of one easily (OCing is easy and you won't fry anything as long as you don't do something so stupid it defies common sense--newer processors have thermal protection and integrated heatspreaders for a reason, which is so they don't go up in smoke at 300 Celsius like a Palomino), even with stock cooling.

 

[Marktoloba]

thanks... I like the case but can you refer me to a nicer PSU? I know I'd at least like to have 400W. Any suggestions would be great

Thanks again

 

[Marktoloba]

and 400W should be enough right?

 

[ts3433]

Wattage, schmattage... the measurement is so abused and methods for determining it so nonstandardized and varied from manufacturer to manufacturer it means nearly nothing. Amperages are what matter. That True380 is enough to power pretty much any single-GPU (other than 6600GT SLI), single-CPU system with a moderate number of hard drives.

 

[Marktoloba]

I want enough power not to have to upgrade anytime soon... the best for under 80 would be a good recommendation

Thx again

 

[ts3433]

That is enough power to not have to upgrade anytime in the foreseeable future, assuming you don't add 3 more hard drives....

If you absolutely will not under any and all circumstances use the Sonata's True380S for some reason, this is a bit over your budget, but has very good amperage ratings. The 350W version has only three amps less on the 12V rail and no other differences.

 

[sniperruff]

i'd get a quiet case, made with aluminum if possible.

by no means my antec big tower is a bad case... but now i wish they have sonata's or something like that 2 years ago... quiet and smaller.

 

[ts3433]

Aluminum's really only necessary if the rig's going to be moved around a lot or if the look of it is preferred... any improved heat conduction by the aluminum is negligible, and the lighter material will usually vibrate more than steel, resulting in increased noise levels. (Using plastic to dampen noise, like in Antec's upcoming P180, is another solution.)

 

[Marktoloba]

well could you find a list links to some nice cases that you prefer... I want a black cases B/c all my other gear is black. Anything that looks nice... and can still get the job done

 

[shoRunner]

thermaltake(enlight) is not that bad of a brand. i'm using their 420watt in my system with a64 system with 3 hard drives 2cdroms and a radeon 9700pro, and my voltages are always within spec. actually it has the exact same output voltages and amps as the 480...
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=17-153-006&DEPA=0

 

[Marktoloba]

would it be worth upgrading my motherboard to an SLI? Look at this price on Ebay!!! Its save $60 from newegg! Would the extra little bit be worth it... I really wanted the SLI and if I can get it this cheap then why not! Tell me plz whats I should do?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...amp;fromMakeTrack=true

http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=13-131-517&depa=1

 

[Marktoloba]

Can anybody help me with this motherboard thing?

 

[KayKay]

if you trust the ebay seller (looks like they have good rating) and you want to take a chance, go with that (watch out for shipping and insurance, thats like 35 bucks right there)