Building first PC. Please give advice about the parts I've chosen.

[Buttons]

This is my first post BTW...

I'm considering building a gaming PC, and I've compiled a newegg wish list of the parts I would hope to build it from.

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVe...WishListNumber=7408168

There is the link.

As requested in the sticky: (mostely useless info here, you may skip)
1. Used for gaming, and other general PC uses (word processing, etc) and some 3D rendering, but this is a minor secondary use.
2. Budget is $2000.
3. Building this in the USA.
4. I've heard Intels are the better for right now, and I've always used nVidia. I'm open to suggestions in this area, particularly articles or other evidence beyond a simple opinion. But feel free to give you opinion anyways.
5. Starting from NOTHING, no parts owned will be used in this completely new computer.
6. As for previous searches, I have looked into the debatable areas, AMD vs Intel, Q6600 vs E6850, etc. I've some knowledge of what's needed to build a PC, but I've never actually done it, so I'm really hoping for some personalized advice since I'm so new. I will read any articles you may suggest.
7. I've always stuck with default clock speeds. I am considering overclocking that Q6600 though.

About 4 years ago I possesed the BOOK knowledge to pass the A+ exams, but I lack real world exp. (I was in HS, and read a A+ book in a few weeks and the school paid for my exam.) None the less, I do have a basic understanding.

Any advice on that proposed system is much appreciated. Especially pointing out any obvious flaws, like "you don't have a motherboard" or "you'll need a bigger power supply."

Lastly: Those 2 drives will go into a RAID 0. Will I need any aditional hardware to do that?

Thanks.

PS - Is now the best time to build a new PC?

 

[jkresh]

I have a couple of comments.

1. why are you using a uatx g33 board, get a board based on the p35 chipset, it will overclock better, have more expandability and you arent using a uatx case so there is no reason to go for such a small board.
2. You could save about $140 by going with ddr2 800 (pc6400) instead of the ram you chose. Your ram would make overclocking slightly easier but you can overclock with ddr2 800 and the differnece in speed for 3x the cost is about 5%.
3. Raid 0 has minimal speed beenfits for most apps, and while its fine to use it you might be better off just getting a new bigger/faster drive. Also if you are going to use raid 0 then you need to have a 3rd drive for backup as raid 0 greatly increases the chance of drive failure and data loss (if either drive fails you loose everything).
4. As to "best time to build a new PC", there is no such thing, there are always newer/better things coming right around the corner. Phenome will be out in a few months, as will Penryn (both will be somehwere around 10% faster clock for clock then current core 2 quads). Ati/nvidia should have new cards that can really handle dx10 out within 6months (maybe 3 months), ddr 3 will be cheaper.

Basically there is no best time to build, build when you need it (ie your current machine is int performing well enough anymore) and just make sure there is no major release within 1-2months, anything thats 3months or more out is not worth waiting because in 3months there will be something else that is 3 months out.

One thing to do is to buy an evga graphics card as they have a 90 day step-up program (if a new card comes out within 90days you can exchange your card for the new one and just pay the difference).

 

[Aznguy1872]

As jkresh as suggested, get pc 6400 ram. Preferrably the Crucials Balistix as they overclock very well. For monitor, you might want to take a look at the Samsung 226W as I've heard many good things about that monitor. The rest looks pretty good. Also yea you should stick with a P35 board for overclocking sakes.

 

[Buttons]

Thanks, I've selected a P35 mother board from GIGABYTE (any opinion here?), and selected the Crucials Balistix for ram. I also did some more research and switched the case to the Antec P180B.

Further advice is still welcome, but I feel much better about it now that I did earlier.

 

[jkresh]

gigabyte makes solid boards but you are still looking at a really cheap board (no onboard raid, so if you want raid you need an add on card, no onboard firewire...). After cpu/gpu (and in some cases power supply) the motherboard is probably the most important part of the build (in some ways it is the most important), it is one of the most aggravating to change (as everythign is connected to it) and while its no longer as important in terms of performance as it was a few years ago it is still one of the biggest factors in overclocking and in ease of setup. You dont need to by a $300 monster, but spend a bit more on your motherboard and it will make things easier (and allow for simpler upgrades in the future).

One example of what you are missing (outside of raid,firewire) is that board only has 1 x16 slot, so if you want to buy a high end raid card (which would use an x4 or higher slot) it wont work, and you also cant install a second gpu (even if arent into sli/crossfire you might still want a second gpu for multiple monitor support or something else...)

 

[togenshi]

Ill just list my suggestions:

1. Get the 64-bit version Vista. Its alot faster than 32-bit.
2. Look into the ASUS p5 motherboard range. You might be able to find one that is built for vista. Asus provides motherboards with onboard rams to use with vista's readyboost etc,etc.
3. Once you determine your motherboard, look on the site's recommendation for ram and decide from there
4. Dont bother with raid. More trouble than its worth. Just get 2 large capacity hdd and you wont be dissappointed.
5. Got anti-static mats? Ill would hate to fry my gear.

 

[s44]

Get the single platter Seagate drive instead of the WD. Or the terabyte Hitachi if it fits your budget.

Also, get Vista 64 instead of 32.

Also, since you're not doing SLI that 700W Toughpower may be overkill. It won't hurt you, of course. (Alternately: Corsair 550VX for $80AR -- good deal -- or 620HX for $150AR.)

Oh, if you're considering OCing, you might as well start the system off with a better heatsink. Saves you the trouble of removing the original, cleaning off the goo, reapplying, etc. Newegg has a good price on the Tuniq Tower, though it IS sort of monstrously huge.

 

[Buttons]

Changed cases, back to Antec Nine Hundred. Chose a better MB per jkresh's advice, with more PCI slots. Still debating on HDD; I hear bad and good about Seagate. Also chose another power supply based on its good reviews.

Thx for the static warning togenshi. 😉

jkresh, I'm looking at your advertised Q6600 @ 3.2 and thinking that sounds preaty good. Your advice is much appreciated.