First Build - Comment.

[tailwind]

After reading numerous reviews and posts i've decided to build my first PC. I'm trying to keep cost down and stay under $1,200 (which i'm slightly over atm), lower if possible. Any tips or better/cheaper choices?

I'll probably end up going with Vista 32-bit, maybe 64-bit, and a Dell 3007WFP. Also probably go with more ram in the future depending on which OS i go with.

Case - Antec P180B
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16811129017

Motherboard - MSI P6N SLI Platinum
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813130081

Video card - EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16814130071

PSU - Corsair CMPSU-620HX 620w power supply
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16817139002

Processor - Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16819115003

Ram - Crucial Ballistix 2GB DDR2 800 PC2 6400
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16820146565

HD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3500630AS 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16822148136

Optical drive - Lite-ON 20x DVDr DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16827106055

Thanks in advance.

 

[D1gger]

That looks good, but I would suggest that Vista 64-bit still isn't ready for prime time unless you have specific applications that can utilize the extra memory addressing. Many drivers still don't support 64-bit, and most applications simply don't take advantage.

I bought the full retail upgrade version of Vista Ultimate and it came with both 32-bit and 64-bit. I installed 64-bit version first, but had some grief with drivers so I re-installed using 64-bit. This was in February so things have probably improved some since then.

I am now building my systems with 4GB of memory to provide some future proofing, but 2GB is plenty at this time.

 

[tailwind]

That about sums up what i've read about Vista 64 bit, so i'll probably just end up going with the first choice of 32-bit. Thanks for confirming.


P.S. This will be used for gaming, mostly WoW, EQ, and some more video intensive stuff.

 

[toughwimp11]

going for sli in the future? if not, you could save some money by getting a p35 or something similar

 

[WildHorse]

tailwind,

Looks like a really nice computer you'll be building there!

If it was me, I'd want at least 2 hdd's, just personal preference.

Instead of 1ea 500GB Seagate Barracuda, if me, I'd buy 2ea 250GB. I'd be too uncomfortable with risk of total loss if the 1 big HDD dies, although that's only a very remote possibility.

One hdd for C: (OS & applications, including games), D: (My Documents & E-mail), and E: (Downloads, Software installation suites, movies, music), and then on the other HDD have F: (which is your Acronis (Acrionis Secure Zone) backup of everything from C:, D: & E:.

Those Corsair PSU's have a good reputation, but maybe you could get by just fine with a smaller one in order to save a bit? 620W could be more than plenty!

 

[jkresh]

if you went with the e6550 instead of the 6600 you would save about 50$ though if you plan on overclocking the 333mhz bus (8x multiplier vs 9 for the e6600) might be an issue with your board (though you should still be able to get over 3ghz with a good hsf).

 

[tailwind]

Thanks for the replys alll.

In the future I plan to get another HD and more ram, I've considered a 320 gig HD. Maybe I need to rereview my HD choices.

As for SLI, I don't know if I plan on it in the future, but never know, so I went with the SLI board.

Thanks again.

 

[tailwind]

After reviewing things, I don't see myself using SLI any time soon. So i'll probably end up going with this board instead.

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128050

Thanks for the input all.