a noob needs your input on his first ever build.

[MrChewyBiteEms]

hey, guys. i'm building my first ever rig and am in need of some expert opinions before i pull the trigger.

to make this as straightforward as possible:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing. this computer will be used mostly for ripping CDs and DVDs (yeah, yeah. i know), surfing the internet and compiling some large-ish c/c++ projects for school (not to mention the occasional dabbling with homebrew game development) in hopefully a lot less time than it currently takes me on my 7+ year old compaq presario. basically, i just want the biggest bang for my buck in terms of performance.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread $700 tops

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture. i'm not interested in using an AMD processor. other than that, i've no specific brand preferences.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. an old 200GB PATA HD.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. yeah. sure.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. i would like to be able to overclock my system, but it's not a major issue for me.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it? within the next couple of weeks.

here's a wishlist i made on newegg.com with the parts i'm going to use:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishL...ishListNumber=13037887

1 G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail
Model #:F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ
Item #:N82E16820231098
Return Policy:Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
In Stock

$79.99 -$40.00 Instant $39.99
1 ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #😛5Q Pro
Item #:N82E16813131299
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
Mail-in Rebate

$139.99 -$20.00 Instant $119.99
1 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Model #:BX80562Q6600
Item #:N82E16819115017
Return Policy😛rocessors (CPUs) Return Policy
In Stock

$189.99 $189.99
1 SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #:100225L
Item #:N82E16814102719
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
Mail-in Rebate

$129.99 -$10.00 Instant $119.99
1 Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:ST3250410AS
Item #:N82E16822148262
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock

$59.99 $59.99
1 APEVIA ATX-CW500WP4 500W ATX Power Supply

APEVIA ATX-CW500WP4 500W ATX Power Supply - Retail
Model #:ATX-CW500WP4
Item #:N82E16817148027
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail-in Rebate

$39.99 $39.99
1 COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:CAC-T05-UW
Item #:N82E16811119068
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$54.99 -$5.00 Instant $49.99
1 ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T

ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail
Model #😀RW-2014L1T
Item #:N82E16827135156
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$39.99 -$5.00 Instant $34.99
Subtotal: $654.92

 

[Roguestar]

Use the formatting from the sticky, it helps us see easily you needs and constraints.

If you're just using it for basic browsing and home office needs, check out the Dell outlet. You'll also get an OS and warranty with it.

You're seriously buying a quad-core for "surfing the internet, compiling C++ and ripping DVDs"? Everything you are buying, aside from hard drive and amount of RAM, is massive overkill. You're buying the last generation's best Radeon card even though you don't play cutting edge games?

If you want a decent all-round system with the option to play some games, firstly read the system builders' sticky, then consider this setup:
P35/45 intel chipset board
Intel E5200 CPU
2GB RAM
500GB HD
Radeon HD 4670 GPU
~400W PSU

Otherwise you're spending way more than you need to fulfil your PC needs.

 

[MrChewyBiteEms]

"Use the formatting from the sticky, it helps us see easily you needs and constraints. "

alrighty. i tried to address all the issues raised in the "NOTICE - PC builders.." thread, but i wasn't aware that that was an actual template that we were supposed to be using. my mistake.

i'll go ahead and edit my previous post.

"If you're just using it for basic browsing and home office needs, check out the Dell outlet. You'll also get an OS and warranty with it.

You're seriously buying a quad-core for "surfing the internet, compiling C++ and ripping DVDs"? Everything you are buying, aside from hard drive and amount of RAM, is massive overkill."

uh, dude, don't worry about "massive overkill". it's fine with me so long as it's within my budget. no disrespect intended, but if all i wanted was a dell then i would've just gotten one.

my whole point in posting here was to see how i can make this thing better given the budget constraints i have to work with. i'm aware that most of what this system will be used for can be done on a less powerful rig (obviously...) but i am not interested in a less powerful rig.

as i've already mentioned, i'm not hardcore about PC gaming or overclocking, but i'd still like my system to be powerful enough to attempt either should i ever decide to do so. basically, i would like to get the most bang for my buck in that regard. that's why i'm asking for advice.

of course, i'm new to all of this, so maybe that's just a ridiculous request. i seriously don't know if it is.

 

[Roguestar]

Fair enough. The sticky is just a template to aid people browsing the forums to help you, I find that it means your thread will more often have more good replies if it's easier to help us help you 😛.

If you're just concerned about getting the best you can get on the set $700 budget, then here goes:

- Consider the Radeon HD 4670 instead of the 3870, it can run most games at 1680*1050 but is nonetheless hella hella cheap.
- Not getting 4GB of RAM is a missed opportunity at today's prices, grab yourself the G.Skill 4GB DDR2-800 off newegg for ~$80.
- The Asus P5Q Pro is a good board but the Gigabyte EP35-DS3L is $20 cheaper IIRC.
- Western Digital 640GB Caviar hard drive.

 

[Zepper]

Hey Mr. Chewy,

I'd be looking at an Antec Earthwatts PSU - you can get a decent powered one for about the same as the Apevia after frequent rebates and or deals. They are a whole lot better than Apevia. And I'd second Rogue's vid card suggestion unless the price puts it out of contention.

Ruling out AMD is never a good idea. Considering price/perf, you can come out way ahead.

re. RAM, if you plan on using a 64-bit Win OS, then I'd go with 4GB myself considering the prices. If 32-bit OS version is for you, then buying 4GB will only net you 3GB usable. I'd maybe look into 2x1GB and 2x512MB if the price came out ahead - otherwise get 4 and waste 1 (maybe the 64-bit OS version is in your future so the other 1 could be picked up).

I don't care much for the CAC-5 case with only an 80mm fan in front. Check the Rosewill R6A (or R6X) models if you aren't using one of the 10.5" long vid cards - otherwise look at the R5600 models which have 11" of measured card space (my review here: http://www.techimo.com/reviews...roduct.php?product=431 -also mentions the R6A). These almost always have some deals going on some models. I don't think any of the other Rosewill ATX models are near these in quality/value and Casitude (r) score. Mostly all of the R6A and R5600 series are 5-egg rated by buyers, not just by me.

.bh.