Building a computer from scratch. Need some advice

[DerelictDev]

Im finally about to start building my new computer.
So far this is what i got

Primary monitor - Hyundai L90D
(Although ive seen this sexy sexy LG L1780Q 17in and L1980Q 19in but its a bit expensive and contrast is only 500:1 and 400:1 not tyical 700:1 so im not really sure about it)
Secondary - VP171B (My current lcd)

A64 3000+ Venice (Maybe 3200+)
I was going to go straight for a 3700 but then after reading all this OC mumbo jumbo and seeing how alo of cores can hit 2.6GHz on air, ill stick with this to save money and OC it, ill of course need help from you guys OC'ing it ;p.
Either

Epox 9NPA+ Ultra
(DFI Lanparty Ultra) - Secondary


2 GB of memory (2 X 1gb sticks)
OCZ Platinum

Hard-drive
Hitachi T7K250
Seagate 7200.8 NCQ - Top choice so far
Samsung HD160JJ
DiamondMax 10


PSU - Seasonic S12 430Watt

Case - Antec P180

Sound card - Keeping my Audigy 2ZS

Video card - Managed to get a trade for my current X800XL AGP for an X800XL Pci-e plus $40 cash so ill stick with that and upgrade in a couple months.

CPU HSF - XP-90 or should i get the XP-120 though its freaking big
VGA HSF - ATI Silencer 5

Pioneer 109 flashed to a09 - Currently have it and im keeping it
And a Lite-On DVD-rom

Other Crap
Saitek PC illuminated Keyboard - Already bought
MX518 mouse - Already Bought
Logitech® Z-2300 - Bought


Ive also already bought some rounded IDE cables for the optical drives, a sleeving kit, and some cable ties.

 

[DerelictDev]

Bump up for some advice from you guys. Specifically
CPU, MOBO, RAM BRAND, SPEAKERS.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I think you have a really good system going.

If you're already planning on getting a $125 seasonic, ewiz has the 600watt seasonic for that much last time I checked.
I have a 430watt seasonic and like it a lot. I'm sure that would be just fine for your system too, but there's nothing wrong with getting a beefier PSU.

I haven't heard the I-Trigues, but I know the z-2300s are very powerful for the money. If you could afford a little more on speakers some other options to look at might be Promedia 2.1s or Swan m200s.

I think you'd notice the difference more in music, but if you like boomy bass the Logitechs might be the better choice for you.

I don't know if a raptor would be worth it. With newer "standard" drives getting very respectable speed against it, it might not be a great investment.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Logitech Z-2300 for your speakers. The problem with 1 GB modules is that you have to go pretty high in prices to keep the CAS latency under 3. I don't reccommend 3 as thats to high. i reccommend 2.5 or 2. I would reccommend OCZ Platinum for $270. Pricey, but it should overclock pretty well if you're into that. Also For the best upgradeability for the future I would really try for a MOBO that does SATA-II. An run all your HD's on that. Thats why I would reccommend running the Epox MOBO

 

[DerelictDev]

YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Look like a pretty good investment and if they are really better than the z-2300 ill buy them.
I also think ill stick with the 430Watt, i just want seasonic for its quietness.


thecoolnessrune
Your right about the ram being a bit pricey but ill take your advice on it and thanks for the tidbit of info on the Epox, i think ill stick too that.


Any other info guys? Thanks

 

[suicidalpigeon]

i have klipsch 2.1's an they are hawt.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: DerelictDev
YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Look like a pretty good investment and if they are really better than the z-2300 ill buy them.
I also think ill stick with the 430Watt, i just want seasonic for its quietness.


thecoolnessrune
Your right about the ram being a bit pricey but ill take your advice on it and thanks for the tidbit of info on the Epox, i think ill stick too that.


Any other info guys? Thanks

I've only heard Klipsch promedias briefly myself, but most signs point to the Klipsch being the better option in this general pricerange unless you want more bass. I had Logitech z-560s for a few years and really enjoyed them for the money, but they could have been better.
If you use the search function to look around you'll find a good number of heated threads about speakers in this general pricerange (most of the time Logitech vs Klipsch) with plenty of other opinions.

I've very happy with how quiet my 430watt seasonic is.

 

[totalcommand]

What will this computer be used for?

 

[cantbprince]

Epox 9NPA+ Ultra
(DFI Lanparty Ultra) - Secondary


2 GB of memory (2 X 1gb sticks)
OCZ Platinum

Main HD - 74gb raptor
Sec. HD - Samsung Spinpoint

PSU - Seasonic S12 430Watt

Case - Antec P180

Sound card - Keeping my Audigy 2ZS

Video card - Managed to get a trade for my current X800XL AGP for an X800XL Pci-e plus $40 cash so ill stick with that and upgrade in a couple months.

CPU HSF - XP-90 or should i get the XP-120 though its freaking big
VGA HSF - ATI Silncer 5

I'm pretty much building the same system but here is what i have come up with:

Mobo - DFI lanpart UT nf4 Ultra-D
Processor - AMD ATHLON 64 3700+ S939 SAN DIEGO 2.2GHZ 1MB L2 CACHE 90NM
Ram - OCZ GOLD VX EL PC3200 1GB 2X512MB DDR400 CL-2-3-3-8 184
PSU - OCZ 520w
- OR S12 by SeaSonic
Case - ThermalTake Shark
Video Card - X800xl by Sapphirre


i noticed you mentioned that the 3700 doesn't overclock as well ???? which cpu should i pick then? and as far as the mobo goes why is epox as compared to DFI... i thought dfi would be a better board..because of all the features and Oc'ing power

 

[cantbprince]

ohh and i am thinkign of a Dell UltraSharp 2005FPW 20.1-inch

 

[amplemind]

Asus A8N SLI Premium Motherboard. A64 3000+ Venice Core. Corsair Ram.

GL.

 

[DerelictDev]

Originally posted by: cantbprince
I'm pretty much building the same system but here is what i have come up with:

Mobo - DFI lanpart UT nf4 Ultra-D
Processor - AMD ATHLON 64 3700+ S939 SAN DIEGO 2.2GHZ 1MB L2 CACHE 90NM
Ram - OCZ GOLD VX EL PC3200 1GB 2X512MB DDR400 CL-2-3-3-8 184
PSU - OCZ 520w
- OR S12 by SeaSonic
Case - ThermalTake Shark
Video Card - X800xl by Sapphirre


i noticed you mentioned that the 3700 doesn't overclock as well ???? which cpu should i pick then? and as far as the mobo goes why is epox as compared to DFI... i thought dfi would be a better board..because of all the features and Oc'ing power

I was going to buy a 3700+ as well but ive since then read up alot about the cores and learned that if im lucky i can be one of the many that have been able to OC the Venice 3000+ to around 2.7Ghz on just stuck air cooling. If thats true (Which im hoping for) then for the price ~140 and its performance being above even the 3700+ its much more worth the $$$.

About the mobo, Anandtech just had a review on both the Epox and DFI and Epox came out the winner in overclockability and as the top guy mentioned it has SATAII so i think ill choose that.
http://anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2465&p=28

Originally posted by: totalcommand
What will this computer be used for?

It'll primarly be used for gaming CS:S and BF2, and general apps, MS word, excel etc.


Should i get the XP-90 HSF or the XP-120? Will the diff. in temps matter too much.

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Logitech Z-2300 for your speakers.

I have the logitech z-2200 speakers (predecesor to z-2300) and they absolutly rock...logitech has an awesome year warrenty if you ever have problems with your speakers. Never have a need to turn them up very much b/c they are very powerful. I managed to get mine for about $60 after reabate last summer

just ordered the ePoX board myself with the ewiz deal on the 3000+

 

[nombrecinq]

Is Seasonic better than Antec?

 

[DerelictDev]

Originally posted by: nombrecinq
Is Seasonic better than Antec?

I currently had an Antec 380S Watt True power PSU. It has been a rock solid PSU and i completely recommend it. The only reason im buying a Seasonic now is because its one of the top in terms of how quiet it is and one of the only PSU's with an efficiency rating of 80% or higher.


On another note im really stuck at cross-roads between the sexy LG monitor and the Hyundai and i cant make my mind up about the speakers!! Grr someone help!

 

[cantbprince]

I was going to buy a 3700+ as well but ive since then read up alot about the cores and learned that if im lucky i can be one of the many that have been able to OC the Venice 3000+ to around 2.7Ghz on just stuck air cooling. If thats true (Which im hoping for) then for the price ~140 and its performance being above even the 3700+ its much more worth the $$$.

Is there any chip numbers or serial numbers or anything that can track those chips that are good Oc'ers?

 

[cantbprince]

About the mobo, Anandtech just had a review on both the Epox and DFI and Epox came out the winner in overclockability and as the top guy mentioned it has SATAII so i think ill choose that.
http://anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2465&p=28

I couldnt' find the part where the Epox cam out on top... i believe the ending of the article called it a dead tie...

 

[bob4432]

i would go the dfi lanparty if you plan to do some o/cing and some ocz ram, they have the best tech support in case you have a problem and there are a couple of their employees around the boards that will help you out quick.

go 3000venice because you can easily hit 3200 speeds and save some $$$

also would go the xp90 since it does better in the reviews i have read vs the xp120 (i know it sounds weird and i personally didn't believe it until i read the review, but it is true) and the xp90 doesn't have that much of a problem since it is not as big.

other than that, looks good

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: DerelictDev

Originally posted by: nombrecinq
Is Seasonic better than Antec?

I currently had an Antec 380S Watt True power PSU. It has been a rock solid PSU and i completely recommend it. The only reason im buying a Seasonic now is because its one of the top in terms of how quiet it is and one of the only PSU's with an efficiency rating of 80% or higher.


On another note im really stuck at cross-roads between the sexy LG monitor and the Hyundai and i cant make my mind up about the speakers!! Grr someone help!

Any chance of you going to a local electronics store and listening to some different speakers to hear what you like?

 

[DerelictDev]

Ehh well either way i already bought the z-2300 on Newegg for 112 shipped? or somewhere around there. So next, onto the monitor!

 

[furballi]

RAM...Corsair VS or Kingston Valu RAM. The Kingston will run at the same settings as the Corsair. Kingston is good up to about 281MHz FSB. Corsair is 275MHz. Both with 5:6 memory divider.

I'd go with a quality 500w PSU from Enermax or Fortron (<$80).

 

[DerelictDev]

I dont plan to really OC the memory, thats always made my system unstable in the past. I just want to get decent latency, good quality sticks thatll run 1T smoothly.

Also would anyone know of a good pair of headphones (no mic) that'll be suitable for gaming (quasi-surround sound)?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: DerelictDev
I dont plan to really OC the memory, thats always made my system unstable in the past. I just want to get decent latency, good quality sticks thatll run 1T smoothly.

Also would anyone know of a good pair of headphones (no mic) that'll be suitable for gaming (quasi-surround sound)?

I'd suggest not getting a set of headphones that says it's 5.1

Just get a quality pair of headphones for your budget and use the Audigy2's headphone surround mode.

(search for headphone or headphones and you'll get tons of threads with suggestions for any budget)

 

[DerelictDev]

Ive changed my mind from Anandtechs reviews of the newest hard-drives with SATAII and NCQ and alot of them have better performance than the raptor for much cheaper. Now i just have too choose one from the bunch.

What do you guys think about the primary lcd? LG or Hyundai?

 

[50]

Originally posted by: furballi
RAM...Corsair VS or Kingston Valu RAM. The Kingston will run at the same settings as the Corsair. Kingston is good up to about 281MHz FSB. Corsair is 275MHz. Both with 5:6 memory divider.

I'd go with a quality 500w PSU from Enermax or Fortron (<$80).

Value RAM??!?? What are you smoking? I would never put any of that stuff in the same room as the rig he is building. BTW anyone who needs value ram for a regular non gaming PC check out CC this week they have Kingston DDR333 512 mb for 17 dollars AR.