First build

[jahajazz]

Hey, I currently using a HP a350n with a 2.8GHz P4 and a 6600GT and I have been waiting to build a new PC for about a year now. My budget is around $1450 and I'll be using this for gaming.

Internal components:

Mobo Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H $99.99
Thg liked it and here'shere's PCSTATS review.

Cpu Core 2 Duo E6400 $220.00

Gpu MSI RX1900 512MB $289.99 (AR)
I'm thinking that it will take awhile until DX10 gets a large game library so I can wait to upgrade to a new DX10 card for 9-12 months.

Ram CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 667 $199.99

Hdd Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA 320GB $94.99

Psu OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI $104.99 (AR)

OS Microsoft Windows XP Home w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista $89.99

Optical drives:

LITE-ON SHM-165P6S RTL $31.99

LITE-ON LTN-52S1S-05 $15.15

External components:

Lcd Acer AL1916Fbd $209.99

Case Sunbeam IC-ZORRO-SVBK $42.99

Speaker Logitech 5 watts 2.0 X-120e $19.99
Don't have room for a subwoofer, already have nice earphones.

Mouse Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 $24.99

Keyboard BenQ i100-Black $4.99
I didn't pick this board out for the price I just like its layout.

Total $1,455.02

Any other cables I would need?

What about partitioning?

I'm ready to buy, how does it look?

 

[pkme2]

Good luck on your new build.

 

[benplaut]

First of all, why did you pick that case? i'd go for something a bit more common like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119068

Second, the screen isn't very high resolution. Try this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824014105

Better mouse:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104178
even better:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104191

<edit>
Oh, and one more thing --
if you're going to be spending $450 on a GPU, just go ahead and get a 8800GTS. Seriously...

<edit2>
hehehehe... nice rebate

 

[caberguy]

Looks good, though I think you'd be better off with DDR2 800 RAM, there are a few options available at around the same price as the Corsair (OCZ, and G.Skill which uses Micron D9's). Also considering the excellent review of the Biostar TForce 965PT that the Anandtech editors just put up I'd at least take a look at it (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138037) , it's only $5 more than the Foxconn.

 

[acegazda]

If you aren't overclocking, that RAM is great!
You do not need 600w for that. Get a 400w quality psu w/~28-30 amps on the 12v rails, and you will be set.
I recommend either the enhance 5140gh or the modular enermax liberty, both high efficiancy and QUALITY components.
benplaut's mouse recommendations are good, though I would get a Dell 2007fpw if you can muster it... BTW what's your budget?
I would get a x1950 pro from powercoler (with the included arctic cooling accelero X2)
pkme2... you're soooo helpful
Welcome to the AT forums!

 

[jahajazz]

Ok the parts arrived from newegg today, and I have done everything except for the case connections, as I am unable to find out which side of the case cables is positive / negative. There is an upside down triangle with a letter s below it on each of the cables does this signify which side is positive / negative?

 

[Nohr]

The arrow/triangle should point to positive. If the LED or button doesn't work reverse the connector, it won't hurt (don't try this with other things like front USB connections).

 

[jahajazz]

Ok the pwr sw, hdd led, reset sw, and the speaker are all connected. the last connector I have is a pwr led which has a three pin socket however there are only terminals on the 2 outer sockets. I think that I should move one of the terminals over?

Also my case comes with 3 fans which all have three pin connectors on them with a peripheral converter. I currently have them connected to the power supply via the peripheral connector, do the fans need to be connected to the mobo? I only have one three pin fan connection on my mobo, so this would worry me.

 

[Nohr]

If you have the Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H from your first post, yes you will need to move one of the wires to the middle hole (according to the PDF manual's diagram, anyway). If you have a different motherboard you'll have to check the manual.

That Foxconn has two 3-pin fan connectors. One for the CPU fan and a second by the SATA connectors for a system fan. The main purpose of using the motherboard fan connectors is the ability to monitor the fan's RPM from within the bios or software in Windows. Some power supplies have special 4-pin connectors for fans only which will automatically control their speed based on the temperature of the unit. If you don't use the CPU fan 3-pin connector you may have to disable an alarm in the bios. Some motherboards will think your CPU fan has died and warn you.