1st time builder needs some hand-holding.

[hamakua boy]

Hello all, (first post).

I have decided, after a lot of research and risk assesment, that I want to build my own system.

I have read the "Hardware and system guide for new users" sticky, I have aslo lurked the forums off and on for about 3 years now. I finally have the time and spare cash to attempt this type of venture. I have researched and narrowed down my plan. I just ask some of you, the more expearienced to look over what I have and inform me of any obvious pit-falls I am totally missing.

Mother Board: My hardest decision was definately the mother-board. I am balancing quality/life expectancy with cost. I was on the fence about the Soltek K8T-Pro because of it's inability to run 4 dimms @ 400. I see that has been fixxed with the BIOS update 1.4. I have little or no intention of over over-clocking so the whole 250 FSB cap doesn't effect me in this generation of technology.

Video Card: I want PCIe but have no desire to delve into SLI. I don't plan on using a display any larger than a 17inch LCD. So the first (cheapest) NVidia 6600GT that had DVI out and was SLI compatable (at time of post from Newegg) is the Leadtek. I bother with SLI so I may be able to sell it a little easier when I wish to upgrade to another single PCIe Video card.

CPU: I am going With an AMD Athlon 64 3200 512 (939 socket). I plan on upgrading later when the better chips come down in price.

Ram: I am looking at 512x2 Corsair double pack @ ~ $87. Once again, I do not plan on overclocking for a while, and if I do, it will be very limited. I know "higher quality" ram, for the most part only really effects OC'ers, But for normal, stock run of the mill gaming. Is it good enough?

I plan on running a TV tuner card off of a PCI slot. I also am trying to avoid getting a floppy drive all together.

Case: I figured it would be the thing that needs the least amount of upgrading so I am looking towards a Lian-li PC-65. From what I have read their price is relative to their quality. Can some point me towards other simple looking, good cooling, and well built cases? I only read Lian-li as the top dog, I would like to see who their closest competators are. I like simple looking cases. The fewer doors and design extravigances, the better, I don't want an animatronic dragon protruding from the front waiving a flag with "133T" written on it.

PSU: Dillema... I read article upon article. I read the guide, and read through AnandTech's Cooling & Case section, read about the "poor lableling" in some combo/PSU cases. Ok. Buy PSU seperately, but how much is too much? AMD's .pdf states.

" Compute the wattage for component power usage, multiply by .8 (to calculate 80% of the wattage for the devices) and add the wattage requirements of the processor. Always verify that your power supply is adequate both overall and for the 3.3V and 5V circuits. "

The main problem is most of the devices I am purchasing do not easily identify what their consumption is. I don't mind spending money on a good PSU. I just don't want to be spending more on the PSU than any other componant.

So far, I am looking at the " OCZ ModStream 450W" with my view cast on the horizon for future upgrades.

I think that's it. I already have 2 Segate Hard drives, one 200GB and one 80GB.

Mother Board: Soltek "SL-K89Pro-939"
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512kb L2. (939 Socket)
Video Card: Leadtek NVIDIA GeForce 6600GT (128mb, 128-bit, DVI out) -SLI support.
Ram: Corsair Value Select 512x2. DDR PC 3200.
Hard Drive: 200GB & 80GB 7200 RPM ultra ATA Segates.
CD/DVD Rom: Sony 52x32x52x16 Combo Drive "CRX320E" -OEM
Case: Lian-Li "PC-65"

So, guys, Thanks in advance for any advice. Let me know if I have missed anything or if I should alter something that conflicts... I am new to all of this, but I don't want to wait another week to fine-tune and order stuff. I was going to use the stock retail fan for starts, I am especially not worried since the Case I am planning to get looks to have great ventelation. I plan on getting one or 2 more fans. I also wish to change the heat sink down the road, maybe with the change of a chip once I get everything working.

My one worry is that with buying everything in one go, troubleshooting if something is defective will be a PIA. I would have posted this in a newbie's, but couldn't find one. Once- again, thanks.

Also: I own a Powermac G4 (watches the crowd disperse post-haste) so the PC will primarily be a gaming machine.

Sorry for the length.

-Hamakua Boy

 

[RobCur]

i love building pc, the only thing thats stopping me is lack of money

 

[StyleMechanics]

For my first build I used this Kingwin case.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-170-012&depa=1

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Welcome to AT

(you too StyleMechanics)

Looks like a great start on your system.
I recently (a couple days ago) got a Soltek K8Tpro and a 3200+ 939

The Soltek board has been fine so far.

I bought 2x512mb of Kingmax, but it failed memtest. Yesterday I ordered a 2x512mb pack of Corsair vs and it should be here in a couple days.

You videocard choice looks great. At the ~$175 to $200 level, the 6600gt is the card to get.

I also got an NEC DVD burner when I upgraded. At only $52 I couldn't resist.

If I was getting a new case today, a Lian-Li PC-65 would be high on my list. It looks great and the quality is there.

For powersupply an OCZ would be a good option. I just got a Seasonic 430 and it has been working great. It's so quiet I can't even tell it's on. There's a nice deal on one as eWiz right now for about $75 if you're interested.

Check out mechbgon's system builder's guide too.

 

[Ike0069]

The choices you have made seem very good. Value RAM is definitely what you want. If you don't mind spending the money and you like the look, that case is very good.
As for the PSU, there are better PSU's for that price (although it's still a very good PSU), but they aren't modular. If you really want modular, then you made the right choice.
I would suggest you get a DVD burner instead though. The NEC 3520A would be a good choice.

 

[Macro2]

I would suggest you get a DVD burner instead though. The NEC 3520A would be a good choice.

Other than that, good choices.

 

[hamakua boy]

Hi RoboCur and Style Mechanics.

Thanks YoyoYohowsDAjello, I'll be keeping an eye out to see how you fair. I'll Check out the guide. Also glad you sort of caught the semi-budget idea of the system. It started out as a $600 cap... But I had to make huge sacrifices in one area or another. at this point I only feel that I am giving up quality in the optical drive department, and maybe memory.

Ike0069, Thanks. No, I don't mind spending the money as if I upgrade later on I plan on keeping the case and the PSU the longest. I am liking the Modular aspect of the PSU however you mentioned that there are better ones for the same price... Your suggestions? Also, in your opionion, who do you think is the closest "High quality competator" to Lian-li?
I Only plan on burning media on the mac I own, however I will take your suggestion under advisement. *smirk* after all, it's only $20 more (and as I am guessing we all know, this is how it goes from $600 to $800, I'll probably cave ang get an NEC-thanks Macro2 and Ike).

So other than the memory, you guys don't see any glaring conflicts that I would miss? And it's ok not to get a floppy? (I know, typical mac person, right?) Also, the PSU I have picked out, how do you think it will survive future upgrades? How large is my margin?

Thanks all, you are awesome.

 

[fuentefan]

 

[fuentefan]

One of these would be cool

 

[Mrvile]

Building comps is weird. I started with a 100 dollar cap. It went to 1200. Then to 1800. I ended up spending about 2k for this thing (plus another 200 on the recently purchased water cooling) but it's worth it Good luck!

Oh btw, I bought a black floppy drive for like 7 bucks and I never use it (the cable takes up too much room). I just leave it in the workshop and plug it in whenever I need to use it (I think I did once to flash the bios or something) but it's nice to have one around.

 

[Ike0069]

ENERMAX EG425P-VE SFMA 2.0 $76
Antec TRUEPOWERII 430 Watt $89
Fortron Blue Storm 500W $90

All have at least 30A@+12V. Seasonic is also a good brand and most likley the quietest of the bunch, although their +12V Amps are lower than the others in the price range.
Of course none of these are modular though.

As for cases, I've never used a Lian-li, but their reputation is unmatched. Personally, I just go for a case that I like the looks of, uses 120mm fans, and having a filtered intake is a big plus.
So IMO, case choice is all about prefernce of looks, and budget. Like I said, if you like it and don't mind spending the money, get it.

 

[hamakua boy]

One more Quick Q. then I think I am done. I have read somewhere on these forums, but to clarify, Power sources, for newer systems no longer need -5v nor -12v leads? These are for older systems, correct?

The Enermax you listed does not indicate that it comes with these two. Just checking.

Thanks all once again, I will probably order later tonight after I figure this out.

 

[nageov3t]

I have 4 sticks of that ram and have never had any problems / failures with them.

I'd recomend sucking it up and getting a floppy drive, though unless you're tight on space, it's less than $10. you may only need it once, but it'll end up being for something mission-critical (drivers for a windows install, fixing dll files, etc).

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: hamakua boy
One more Quick Q. then I think I am done. I have read somewhere on these forums, but to clarify, Power sources, for newer systems no longer need -5v nor -12v leads? These are for older systems, correct?

The Enermax you listed does not indicate that it comes with these two. Just checking.

Thanks all once again, I will probably order later tonight after I figure this out.

Yeah, don't worry about -5 or -12.

All the powersupplies listed will work fine.

 

[hamakua boy]

YOyoYOhowsDAjello, Very cool, Thanks for the reply. And thank you all. I am ordering this morning. *Big deep breath*.

 

[imported_ceefka]

There is a comprehensive thread about PSU's : the ultimate do I need a 20/24 pin PSU? etc...

It turns out that MSI uses -5v for its Diamond board, the on board 24/96 Creative SB in particular. So only if you are planning on a MSI Diamond you'd have to look out for -5v, which would require a PSU like the Tagan 480 U-22. Other than that I agree with YOyoYOhowsDAjello, -5v is obsolete. Good god, how did you come up with that nick?

 

[hamakua boy]

Thanks Ceefka,

I Ordered 90% of the parts today. I am going to now go track down a decent LCD, but I can use my mac 1024x768 for a bit while I do so.

As for the name, "Hamakua" is the name of the north east coast of the Big Island. -Used to live there as a kid.