First Computer Build

pdaunt

Member
Jul 20, 2007
40
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COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

AVerMedia 7 95522 95995 9 PCI Interface AVerTVHD MCE A180 (White Box) - OEM

EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail

Logitech G5 2-Tone 6 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser Mouse - Retail

OCZ Vista Upgrade 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Chennel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2VU8004GK - Retail

MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail

Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

I already have a DVD RW drive and im getting the creative xtremegamer fatal1ty and keyboard from best buy

other then that, is every thing here compatible with each other and are there any weak links in the system like for example, is the graphics card to powerfull or motherboard to weak.

o i just saw that thread
well i would like to keep it under 2k US.
buying from newegg
i am going to use this as a gaming computer and media pc
would like to add a 2nd video card for sli in the future
like to use intel and nvidea anything else really doesnt matter

about to buy just waiting for a pay check to clear

Thanks
 

Drexl

Member
Aug 25, 2007
111
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0
You shouldn't have to use two power supplies. They won't really fit in the case anyway. Replace them with one Corsair 620hx and it should suffice.

Read up on that monitor. There's a bit of a panel lottery going on where the quality varies, and you won't know which one you will get.

If you want to use all 4GB of that memory, you'll need the 64-bit version of Vista. Check to see if that TV card has the proper driver.
 

pdaunt

Member
Jul 20, 2007
40
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Two power supplies? i dont know what your talking about i have one corsair

i did read up on the monitor and even looked at it at best buy

and the memory if im going for 64bit are there any problems running games like bf2 on 64bit and is there any thing besides vista i need to change to run 64bit (yes im a noob at 64bit)
 

Drexl

Member
Aug 25, 2007
111
0
0
Sorry, the way it was worded I thought you had two PSUs on there (I thought EPS was some obscure brand).

The thing about that monitor is that there are different versions (S, A, C, maybe others, with the S supposedly being the best but hard to find now) manufactured by different suppliers. The S version was the earliest version, and that's the one that got evaluated in most of the reviews, then the A and C versions (not made by Samsung) came later. When you purchase it, you don't know which one you'll get unless you can get them to open it for you and check. I have the A version myself and it's a nice monitor regardless of what you end up with, but I just wanted you to be aware that there are different versions.

I'm a noob too at 64-bit and it's working fine for me so far. Then again, I don't play modern games on the PC (since I'm more of a console gamer) so I can't comment on those. The process of installing and setting it up is really no different than it is for a 32-bit OS, and many 32-bit applications will work. Just be sure to get the appropriate drivers - all of the items you have listed will work.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
61
I think it is a MUCH better idea to get a P35 motherboard, and forget about SLI. SLI is not an upgrade path.
 

pdaunt

Member
Jul 20, 2007
40
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0
please explain how sli isnt an upgradable path.

im just trying to make it so the computer is some what up on the technology in the future because im not the one who buys a new computer every 2 to 4 years. i guess what im trying to say is that the ablity to easly upgrade the thing is very important to me and i just figured that the gpu would probably be the first to fall behind so adding a second card would just balance it out, i think...
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
61
Originally posted by: pdaunt
please explain how sli isnt an upgradable path.

im just trying to make it so the computer is some what up on the technology in the future because im not the one who buys a new computer every 2 to 4 years. i guess what im trying to say is that the ablity to easly upgrade the thing is very important to me and i just figured that the gpu would probably be the first to fall behind so adding a second card would just balance it out, i think...

There are a few reasons. The main one being that a new card is going to be faster than two of your older ones. SLI doesn't double your frame rates, nowhere near it really. The second reason is the need for higher wattage running the two cards.

A third reason is that newer cards not only offer more performance, but usually newer features. Imagine someone in your shoes two years ago who wanted to do the same with a 7800 GT card, if he now added a second card, he'd be missing out on DX10.

SLI is also not nearly as stable as running a single card, drivers are not up to par.

Lastly, Intel's chipsets are better than Nvidia's.

SLI is really only an option if you plan on running the two high-end cards right off the bat, it is definitely not something to look at as an upgrade option down the road.


I also would make other changes. For one, I would ditch the Raptor. I'd then change the cpu the the Q6600 which will last you much longer as apps become multi-threaded.

You should post the prices of the other items as well. I bet you can do much better, especially if you are doing all your shopping at the Egg.

Are you overclocking?
 

pdaunt

Member
Jul 20, 2007
40
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overclocking sure at a safe amount, yea thank you for explaining that makes sense now. so let me just rework it and ill repost it with prices.

now what motherboard and psu do u recomend then since sli just throws everything off
 

pdaunt

Member
Jul 20, 2007
40
0
0
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $49.99

SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail $319.99

Open Box: AVerMedia 7 95522 95995 9 PCI Interface AVerTVHD MCE A180 (White Box) - OEM $75.48

EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $371.99

OCZ Vista Upgrade 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Chennel Kit Desktop Memory Model - Retail $235.99

Logitech G5 2-Tone 6 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser Mouse - Retail $43.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail $129.99

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM $111.99

Total with shipping and monitor exteneded warranty $1,405.00
 

pdaunt

Member
Jul 20, 2007
40
0
0
thanks for the quick reply, wow only a hundred bucks jees what a take

what about a hard drive i heard that the raptor was very quick but u said to take it out any others that could suit my needs
 

pdaunt

Member
Jul 20, 2007
40
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0
wow thanks i just added all together and u saved me $150 wow plus a nice 350 gb hard drive the final total was 1857.84 those two other sites a belive are free shipping thanks so much
 

mrblotto

Golden Member
Jul 7, 2007
1,639
117
106
Definitely ditch the Creative Labs card. Just do a google search for 'creative labs squeal of death' and you'll know why............
 

pdaunt

Member
Jul 20, 2007
40
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0
well i searched it thank you for the heads up but ive looked at some of the articles and well 2 of them are dated march of 2002! and there isolated incidents and if something is wrong with it i think where it was more wide spread i dont think creative would be making more of them. well this might be wrong but im getting a Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card not a audigy which are the problem i guess.

one more thing i was think about that 10,000 rpm hard drive well i would like one of those but the space doesnt really matter since i would only use it for games and vista so is there a decent and cheap 10000rpm drive out there
 

pdaunt

Member
Jul 20, 2007
40
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0
I finally got all the parts last night and just one word can describe it "WOW" this thing is amazing. I put all the parts in the case plugged it all together and ran the first time!! Installed vista worked like a charm (so far, knock on wood). Boots up vista faster then my old computer did with xp. Having a little trouble with the TV tuner but I think it?s a motherboard thing. O and bf2, plays on all the high settings, video and audio, with no lag what so ever. Yet to try out company of heroes can?t wait.
Thank you so much for ur help in this build. it was a great experience and had tons of fun doing it. ill try to persuade all my friends in to building a computer b/c I think it?s so much cheaper. thank you again for the help and suggestions. Especially bamacre for finding those great deals.

PS i did end up getting the 320gb 7200 rpm