First time builder seeks input

[KhanAlf]

Ok, very new at this so bear with me. Here are the components I am thinking about:

Amd Barton 2500+ Cpu : $85
Asus A7N8X Mobo : $87
Kingston 523 MB DDR PC3200(one stick) : $75
Case with p/s -undecided- : $150 (editted from $80)
BFG Asylum Geforce FX 5900 : $175
Cd RW : $50


Already have an OS and WD hd. I am undecided on a good case and ps combo and also if I should get two ram sticks to take advantage of dual memory. Any thoughts, input and criticism is welcome.

 

[CJP]

Coolermaster and Lian-li make good high end aluminum cases with slide out trays (a feature I like).

There's a more affordable case called the Sonata that seems popular but I forget who makes it.

Antec and Enermax make good power supplies.

Your system looks good just remember that the new batch of video cards are coming out soon. Even if you stick with the 5900 the price might be pushed down by the new stuff. Also 512mb ram is now kind of the minimum. It shouldn't cost that much to go to 1gb ram.

 

[ojai00]

Originally posted by: CJP
Coolermaster and Lian-li make good high end aluminum cases with slide out trays (a feature I like).

There's a more affordable case called the Sonata that seems popular but I forget who makes it.

Antec and Enermax make good power supplies.

Your system looks good just remember that the new batch of video cards are coming out soon. Even if you stick with the 5900 the price might be pushed down by the new stuff. Also 512mb ram is now kind of the minimum. It shouldn't cost that much to go to 1gb ram.

I believe it's Antec who makes the Sonata case...

 

[adams828]

dont' worry so much about dual channel. for the setup you're looking at, it won't offer a significant performance boost.

check out antec. they have some nice cases, along with good power supplies

 

[Achtung]

I definitely second the recommendation for Antec cases. Well-built, and easy to install components into them.

 

[KhanAlf]

I currently use an Enermax in my system and have had no problems for the past year. So this rig, I don't mind trying out Antec p/s. Question tho, do most cases come with the p/s as a package or should I just find two that I like and order seperately?

Also, any good case recommendations? I know Sonata's have been mentioned in quite a few threads, but any other well received models out there worth investigating?

Edit: Just checked out the Sonata from Newegg. Is it safe to say that an average case and 400ish p/s should run around $150 total? Safe to adjust my budge that way?

 

[KillaKilla]

Originally posted by: KhanAlf
Question tho, do most cases come with the p/s as a package or should I just find two that I like and order seperately?

I generally order them together, it's often cheaper

 

[KhanAlf]

Where do you find the "package" combos? Newegg.com?

 

[KhanAlf]

Another twist I see. Just hopped over to the Hot Deals forum and I see a computer with the following specs:

Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.8GHz with 533MHz front side bus
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
512MB Shared DDR SDRAM at 333MHz
FREE UPGRADE TO 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
FREE UPGRADE to Dual drives CDRW Drive and CD-Rom
1 year warranty.

I can add on an ATI Radeon 9800 for $200 making the grand total $600+ tax. I priced my home made system from newegg.com and came up with a total of $622. Which do you think is a better price/performance?

 

[clamum]

Just a question, do you think it's worth it to pay $150 for a case?

Slide out trays and all that stuff is nice, but really how often to you use something like that? Personally the only time I mess around with it is when I first build the system. You can get ATX mid-tower cases with 350W power supplies for $20. I have one like that (<$30) and it works fine for my AMD 2500+.

But if you're looking for more features and a name brand, that's cool.

 

[someone16]

You should get some good cas 2 pc3200 ram to go with it. Better than spender the money on the case.


As for the computer package, it seems like a good deal. It'll save the hassle too.

 

[billyjak]

Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.8GHz with 533MHz front side bus
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
512MB Shared DDR SDRAM at 333MHz
FREE UPGRADE TO 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
FREE UPGRADE to Dual drives CDRW Drive and CD-Rom

Very old Technology, shared video, means integrated graohics.
SDram will crawl on that setup.

The Athlon setup will be much faster.
I just built my Son the A7N8K Deluxe with a 2600 (better Buy)Barton, and 512 of Corsiar pc3200 LL Ram
It's very fast, stable and cheap to build.
I would go with the AMD setup.

 

[KhanAlf]

In retrospect, I wanna build the system myself. Just more fun that way -).
Any recommendations on a cheaper case and p/s package so I can get another 512 ram?

 

[rb56]

You mentioned the Sonata which comes with a 380 watt PS, it can be had for $105 shipped from NewEgg. That would give you $45 towards ram.
rb56

 

[everman]

The Sonata is geared toward people obsessed with the quietest case possible.
Slide out trays for the motherboard are meant for people who are always taking it out.

Personally, I would just get a good full tower case for around $60-80. Plenty of room to move around in, throw in quiet fans like panaflo L1As and you're set.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: americangigolo
Just a question, do you think it's worth it to pay $150 for a case?

Slide out trays and all that stuff is nice, but really how often to you use something like that? Personally the only time I mess around with it is when I first build the system. You can get ATX mid-tower cases with 350W power supplies for $20. I have one like that (<$30) and it works fine for my AMD 2500+.

But if you're looking for more features and a name brand, that's cool.

I used to agree with you but then a few years ago I bought a Lian-Li PC-60. It has seen 5 different motherboard/CPU combinations, and will probably see at least 4 or 5 more. It still looks as good today as the day I bought it. Looks a heck of a lot better than some $20 case that chops a finger or two up every time you open it to perform an upgrade.

A good case is worth the money. You can pick up a Lian-Li PC-60 (without power supply) for around $100.

In all reality how good do you think the PSU that comes with a $20 case is going to be anyway?

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: billyjak
Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.8GHz with 533MHz front side bus
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
512MB Shared DDR SDRAM at 333MHz
FREE UPGRADE TO 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
FREE UPGRADE to Dual drives CDRW Drive and CD-Rom

Very old Technology, shared video, means integrated graohics.
SDram will crawl on that setup.

Considering that he's going to add a 9800Pro to that spec, and that it's DDR SDRAM, not SD-SDRAM (so it won't crawl, it's the same memory type you use), I'd flip a coin.

Depends what you use it for, of course

 

[clamum]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I used to agree with you but then a few years ago I bought a Lian-Li PC-60. It has seen 5 different motherboard/CPU combinations, and will probably see at least 4 or 5 more. It still looks as good today as the day I bought it. Looks a heck of a lot better than some $20 case that chops a finger or two up every time you open it to perform an upgrade.

A good case is worth the money. You can pick up a Lian-Li PC-60 (without power supply) for around $100.

In all reality how good do you think the PSU that comes with a $20 case is going to be anyway?

I don't get cut or anything with the cheap cases I've bought... I suspect the PSUs aren't that great in them but have never had a problem with them. Right now it's running my 1.83GHz o/c 2GHz, 256RAM, 8RDA+, 120GB HDD AMD system fine. I've built other systems with these type of cases and they've ran fine, but that could just be my luck though! Hehe

 

[KhanAlf]

To sorta future-proof this system, would it be better to get a full tower or does a mid-tower allow enough room for expansion. I have always used a full tower myself but I also have 3 pci slots free atm. Anyone make any personal recommendations for an aluminum full tower case?

Edit: Looked at two sonata cases that came up on newegg's search. One is $90 and the other $67 but OEM barebones. I have two questions:

1. What does the latter option of oem barebones mean vs the "regular" $90?
2. Will a 380 p/s suffice for present day power consumption? The rig will already need to support a relatively solid video card and possible dvd-rw upgrades, maybe a sound card( you get the idea).

As far as investments go, I don't mind paying a bit more for a good looking case which will last several years and not loose it's shine. It's akin to buying a Coach wallet, more than you wanna spend but over the years of use you get out of it, it's very much a worthy investment not just a purchase.

 

[KhanAlf]

Also, another aspect, is the Sonata case easy to add fans to? I notice it only comes with one fan which I assume is for the powersupply in the rear. I assume I should add a dremel the to overall cost to the build? I dont want a tornado under my desk but I don't want the rig to shutdown due to heat buildup so I am thinking 2 fans on the side, one over the cpu blowing out and one over the vid card blowing in. Any recommendations for mid-powered fans and how much will two cost? And what is the going rate for a dremel? Thanks in advance for all the input, it's reassuring to get all this taken care of before I spend one dime.

 

[gsellis]

You have had good recommendations. I personally think the Chenbro Xpider case is too cool for words. P/Ss just screw in, so no big deal with an add-on. I like the Xpider, but I need room for 4-6 drives on my next box, so it is out (maybe the Chieftec Dragon).

Edit - Forgot, if you are budgeting $50 for a CDRW, why not spend $120 and get a firesale Pioneer A-06 DVD+-RW? Yes, 8X is out ($200), but 4x is speedy. DVD-R 2X and DVD+R 4x Maxell media is $2 a disk (box of 10) at WalMart.

 

[rb56]

Originally posted by: KhanAlf
Also, another aspect, is the Sonata case easy to add fans to? I notice it only comes with one fan which I assume is for the powersupply in the rear. I assume I should add a dremel the to overall cost to the build? I dont want a tornado under my desk but I don't want the rig to shutdown due to heat buildup so I am thinking 2 fans on the side, one over the cpu blowing out and one over the vid card blowing in. Any recommendations for mid-powered fans and how much will two cost? And what is the going rate for a dremel? Thanks in advance for all the input, it's reassuring to get all this taken care of before I spend one dime.

The Sonata comes with a 120mm fan for the rear as you stated and is setup to put another 120mm fan in the front which pulls air in over the HD's. I currently have mine set up with two. My system idle temp is about 32C. Even when encoding video the highest that I've ever got the CPU is 52C. That is with a Zalman HSF running @ 1650 rpm. If I kick the fan speed up it will stay in the lower 40's. With a good HS and fan I wouldn't worry about overheating. You can check my spec's in my sig. the PSU in this case purrs with the setup I have.

rb56

 

[KhanAlf]

Originally posted by: gsellis
You have had good recommendations. I personally think the Chenbro Xpider case is too cool for words. P/Ss just screw in, so no big deal with an add-on. I like the Xpider, but I need room for 4-6 drives on my next box, so it is out (maybe the Chieftec Dragon).

Edit - Forgot, if you are budgeting $50 for a CDRW, why not spend $120 and get a firesale Pioneer A-06 DVD+-RW? Yes, 8X is out ($200), but 4x is speedy. DVD-R 2X and DVD+R 4x Maxell media is $2 a disk (box of 10) at WalMart.

I took a look at the Chenbro Xpider and it looks like a solid case but it's a bit too flashy for my sedate taste(what can I say? I am a boring =P). As far as the dvd+-rw, I have three computers at home and if I were to get one, it would need to be external one for all three to share( I assume/hope this is possible for backup purposes).

rb56: Thanks for sharing your personal experience with the Sonata. I am leading towards that case because it is simple and functional. I will hold off on the dremel & accessories purchase until I put it all together and see if I need to put in more fans. Which fan do you use for the front of your case?

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: KhanAlf


As far as the dvd+-rw, I have three computers at home and if I were to get one, it would need to be external one for all three to share( I assume/hope this is possible for backup purposes).

Then a possibility would be the same drive and a IEEE 1394 housing (starts at $60). If you had Firewire cards/connections in each, presto. USB1.1 does not play well (2X CD write?). USB2.0 is good, but if you have other USB devices running, you have to be careful what you do during a write. Firewire is designed for streaming.

There are external drives offered as such, but they start around $250.

 

[KhanAlf]

gsellis : Hmm, for the cost of an external drive, I would prefer to hold off and get the next generation video card! That's just me tho. Thanks for the info!