First time PC Builder - almost ready to build

[SFVR6]

Hey people,

So now that I've decided to go with:

Soyo SY K7 Dragon+
350watt+ Psupply
Plextor internal CD/RW
Lite On DVD ROM

Not sure what case to go for yet. I wanted to go with a nice black case but doesn't seem like there are much choice out there. Also if I want all my bezel covers black that can add unecessary costs. So a cheap beige will prolly have to do.

My question is with the little things like heat sinkers, fans, coolers.

What fans and coolers do I need to make sure I have to complete the assembly. Does the CPU come with a cooler and should it be upgrade? I want to make sure all corners are covered in this area so when I assemble, all the things that need to be cooled, are cooled.

Can you guys shed me some light on the not so obvious nick-nacks that I need to make sure I have? I'm getting real close at this point on slapping down the dough to get all my components.

oh and thanks!

 

[AkumaBao]

See if you like this one. So far I've had no complaints what so ever. You might not like it, but thought I would would throw that out there.

 

[AkumaBao]

Oh, here's a link of just black cases.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< Hey people,

So now that I've decided to go with:

Soyo SY K7 Dragon+
350watt+ Psupply
Plextor internal CD/RW
Lite On DVD ROM

Not sure what case to go for yet. I wanted to go with a nice black case but doesn't seem like there are much choice out there. Also if I want all my bezel covers black that can add unecessary costs. So a cheap beige will prolly have to do.

My question is with the little things like heat sinkers, fans, coolers.

What fans and coolers do I need to make sure I have to complete the assembly. Does the CPU come with a cooler and should it be upgrade? I want to make sure all corners are covered in this area so when I assemble, all the things that need to be cooled, are cooled.

Can you guys shed me some light on the not so obvious nick-nacks that I need to make sure I have? I'm getting real close at this point on slapping down the dough to get all my components.

oh and thanks! >>

Well, if you don't plan on adding anymore 5.25" devices, get a Lian-Li PC-31. Otherwise, get a Lian Li PC-61; the Lian Li cases come with fans for the case. If you want an all black face, buy your CD-RW, floppy, DVD, etc. from here. Your northbridge will already be cooled, but your CPU will not be. I suggest a ThermoSonic ThermoEngine because it's very cheap ($13) and nearly as effective as the best. Attach it to the cpu carefully with the thinnest possible layer of Arctic Silver II or Nanotherm. BTW--make sure to get an Antec PSU (Enermax is good, but their warranty isn't and sometimes their PSUs have voltage flucuations more than you'd want).

 

[amdskip]

try this pic from newegg

The case is marketed by enermax but made by chieftech, antec also markets this case under the antec name.

try this link for the newegg page

It is $99 + $15 to ship which is a heck of a deal. I'm getting this case wednesday when my order comes from newegg


The case has a door to cover the cdrom's etc. so you do not have to worry about the color of them

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< try this pic from newegg

The case is marketed by enermax but made by chieftech, antec also markets this case under the antec name.

try this link for the newegg page

It is $99 + $15 to ship which is a heck of a deal. I'm getting this case wednesday when my order comes from newegg


The case has a door to cover the cdrom's etc. so you do not have to worry about the color of them >>

That looks like an Antec SX1030, which is an outstanding case. Don't get it from newegg, you can find these things at much lower prices from pricewatch.com or pricegrabber.com. Yeah, the Antec line of cases is very good, they're made of plastic unlike the aluminum Lian Lis.

 

[Slogun]

Actually the HSF is one of the most important components (not trivial). It was one of the things I had to put the most research into before building my recent systems. You want something quiet, cool and not too expensive. The first two criteria are not easy to meet. You can see from my signature what I am currently using. I've also had great success (pretty quiet, fairly cool) with a GlobalWIN WBK68 at less than half the price ($22) of what's in my signature.
I don't believe you stated what CPU you are planning on.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< Actually the HSF is one of the most important components (not trivial). It was one of the things I had to put the most research into before building my recent systems. You want something quiet, cool and not too expensive. The first two criteria are not easy to meet. You can see from my signature what I am currently using. I've also had great success (pretty quiet, fairly cool) with a GlobalWIN WBK68 at less than half the price ($22) of what's in my signature.
I don't believe you stated what CPU you are planning on. >>

The Vantec FCE-6030D is in the mid $20s and offers 0.58 C/W, which is very good--especially for an aluminum heat sink. This is nearly as good as the top Alphas and Swiftechs, only the OCZ Dominator is significantly ahead of this.

 

[amdskip]

don't buy it from newegg my a$$

cheapest by far and beats all of pricewatch

$99 + $15 INCLUDES an ENERMAX power supply

$45 + $15 will get the case without a power supply, cheapest on pricewatch is $58 + shipping

:disgust:

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< don't buy it from newegg my a$$

cheapest by far and beats all of pricewatch

$99 + $15 INCLUDES an ENERMAX power supply

$45 + $15 will get the case without a power supply, cheapest on pricewatch is $58 + shipping

:disgust: >>

Personally, I'd rather have a bundled Antec PSU instead of a voltage deviant Enermax. I found one with an Antec PSU on Pricegrabber for $76 plus shipping. Hence, don't always run to newegg.

 

[AkumaBao]

Yeah, a Lian-Li would be nice, but $200! Too much money, but a great case!

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< Yeah, a Lian-Li would be nice, but $200! Too much money, but a great case! >>

Then there's always Antec.

 

[Kipper]

<< What fans and coolers do I need to make sure I have to complete the assembly. Does the CPU come with a cooler and should it be upgrade? I want to make sure all corners are covered in this area so when I assemble, all the things that need to be cooled, are cooled. >>



If you're buying retail processor packages, they always come with heatsinks. OEM's, however, do NOT. If you're not going to overclock, the retail HSF will do you fine and perform well. When you start to overclock, however, it will suck and you'll have to upgrade your HSF combo. Up to you. Also consider the fact that the retail processor comes with a 3-year manufacturer warranty as opposed to the OEM, which usually has a 30-day seller's warranty.



<< Plextor internal CD/RW >>



Plextor is great and a great brand, but I've heard on the peripherals and hot deals forums that the Lite-On 24x surpasses the Plextor 24x at certain tests, and is cheaper, to top it off. Lite-On 24x is available for around ~$100 at NewEgg.

Lastly, to finish off your cooling, depending on the case you buy, you'll probably want to pick up a few case fans (80mm). Panaflo L1A's, I've heard, are good, but mostly case fans can be anything. Hot deals forum has a massive thread with great fan deals - you could pick up 4 of these suckers for ~15 or so, I think.

 

[optimistic]

<< I don't believe you stated what CPU you are planning on. >>


[/i] >>

The Vantec FCE-6030D is in the mid $20s and offers 0.58 C/W, which is very good--especially for an aluminum heat sink. This is nearly as good as the top Alphas and Swiftechs, only the OCZ Dominator is significantly ahead of this.[/i] >>



I have used the Vantec FCE-6030D. And its a good quiet performer for under $20. But note: I swaped the stock delta 7000rpm fan with a 4800rpm fan.

 

[kjacobs]

As madcow said, the retail CPU comes with an approved heatsink. I bought the Antec 635 which has the power supply so I know it is good to go. I think the 635 is a work of art!

Good luck to you! I enjoyed reading people's opinions here and then bought at Newegg, Provantage.com, and mwave.

Ken

 

[LOWDRAG]

AkumaBao !!!!!!!!!!!!

That case looks pretty sweet.

How many fan's you have running inside it besides the one on the side it comes with?
Is it alluminum? Or is that just the color/picture that gives it that look?

 

[virtuamike]

SVC gets most of my business when it comes to cooling needs. An SVC Goldengate with fan, grill, and some Arctic Silver II (this is a must buy) will run you about $30 shipped, that'll be plenty to cool your CPU. If you want case fans they also have a very nice 80mm YS Tech that does 48.5cfm@36.9dBA, very good ratio of performance to noise, will set you back another $7.99 for each one you buy. They'll outperform anything that Newegg carries including the adjustable Enermax.

 

[Grendel99]

If you aren't overclocking, you don't need all these high performace coolers. If I were you, I would suggest picking up a RETAIL Processor. It comes with a HSF and a 3 year warranty. So you are all set with your CPU/HSF. Also the Enermax BLACK, 10-Bay, Enermax 330W P-4 PS, Server Tower Case that amdskip suggested is a great case. And once again if you are not overclocking the powersupply will do an excellent job. Good Luck to you on whatever you buy!

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< If you aren't overclocking, you don't need all these high performace coolers. If I were you, I would suggest picking up a RETAIL Processor. It comes with a HSF and a 3 year warranty. So you are all set with your CPU/HSF. Also the Enermax BLACK, 10-Bay, Enermax 330W P-4 PS, Server Tower Case that amdskip suggested is a great case. And once again if you are not overclocking the powersupply will do an excellent job. Good Luck to you on whatever you buy! >>

I don't trust enermax PSUs. The voltage deviation is too great--Antec and Top Power make the best PSUs. Anyhow, the Vantech 603D is very cheap and offers fine performance. You'll save by getting an OEM CPU and a Vantech 603D over a retail CPU.