First time poster/computer builder

[Ariste]

Hey everyone. This is my first time posting here, and after endless suggestions from countless people around the web, I've finally decided to take the plunge and attempt to build my own gaming PC. However, this being my first time, I am sure that there are some things that I have completely screwed up or, at the very least, need to improve upon. Here's what I've got planned so far:


Case/PSU
Thermaltake XaserV Series WinGo Full-Tower Case + Antec 550W Power Supply w/ 2 Fans

-$188.00 total

Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-K8NSNXP-939 w/ nForce3 Ultra Chipset, Socket 939

-$232.00

CPU
AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 2.2GHz/512KB L2 Cache, Socket 939

-$498.00

Hard Drives
2x 36.7GB Western Digital Raptor 10,000RPM SATA Drives (RAID-0 format)

-$226.00 total

GPU
EVGA nVidia GeForce 6800GT w/ 256MB GDDR3

-$435.00

RAM
1GB (512MBx2) Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series DDR PC3200 (Twin Pack)

-$253.00

DVD/Floppy Drives
NEC 8x Dual Layer DVD +/- RW Drive + Sony 1.44MB 3.5 Inch Floppy Drive

-$96.98 total

Monitor/Speakers
ViewSonic G90FB 19" PerfectFlat CRT Monitor + Logitech X-620 6.1 Speakers

-$268.00 total

Keyboard/Mouse
Logitech Cordless MX Duo

-$75.00

OS
Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/ Service Pack SP1a

-$141.00

Total- $2467.73


That's what I'm thinking about right now. The difference between the sum of the components I have listed and the total is due to wires, case lighting, and some software. As I said before, this is my first time doing this, so I'm sure that there is room for improvement with this setup. For now, I have 2 main questions.

First of all, I have been doing some research into RAID-0. What I have failed to come up with, however, is the real world benefits of a RAID-0 array. How much faster is the 2x36.7GB Raptor in RAID-0 setup that I have currently than a single 74GB Raptor drive? Also, how difficult will it be to set up RAID-0 as a first time computer builder? Would I be better off going with a single HD for my first build?

My second question is about sound cards. Would it be worth the 140+ dollars for a decent sound card? Or will the onboard sound be good enough with the motherboard I have selected? I have no experience with this, so I have no idea what kinds of differences a sound card makes to a computer.

Besides these questions, I'm sure that there are other things that could be improved with this setup. Along with the two questions I have asked, any advice about the system would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,


-Ariste

 

[MDE]

Case: Fugly IMO, but should be solidly built.
PSU: A bit overkill perhaps, a 400W Antec should be fine.
Motherboard\CPU\RAM: Looking fine, but a bit on the expensive side for my tastes.
Video: A winner IMO, but if you can manage to get a BFG card, grab one.
Hard Drives: I'd get a single 74GB Raptor, a RAID isn't really all it's cracked up to be. Sure it's faster but not by much. It is easy to set up.

Dump the floppy drive and the system looks like a winner. You'll probably want to grab a Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS for about $85.

 

[nick1985]

looks good except fot the fugly case. oh, and i would get like a 120 gig drive for storage.

 

[SuperPickle]

Welcome to AT
I agree pretty much with MDE. You might want to consider an aftermarket cooler for your CPU. The stock one will be functional, but with the kind of money you're putting into this box, and extra ~$40 or so would be worth the effort for better performance at lower noise levels.

 

[biostud]

Hard Drives: I'd get a single 74GB Raptor, a RAID isn't really all it's cracked up to be. Sure it's faster but not by much. It is easy to set up.
Dump the floppy drive and the system looks like a winner. You'll probably want to grab a Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS for about $85.

 

[mrwxyz]

ya, dont bother raiding those two raptors, just get a 74gb one.

also, the OCZ enhanced bandwith series i hear work really well with A64 systems, since ur going for premium memory u might want to check it out.

and ya, 550 is excesive.

 

[FlameDeer]

Ya go for single 74GB Raptor (even cheaper then 2 x 36GB)
Try to avoid RAID-0 for PC as mention by Anand at HERE.

 

[Oyeve]

You could get a 250gb 8meg cache SATA 7200rpm drive cheaper than the 2 drives you posted,

 

[mechBgon]

Welcome to the Forums Wow, you have a great handle on the FuseTalk code for Post #1, no editing even

Regarding the rig... you might also check out Viewsonic's P-series 19". It's not a lot more money but may offer improved resolution / refresh-rate options.

 

[Tostada]

You really have no reason to get a 550W PSU unless you're running dual CPU's and/or more than four 10,000 RPM drives. It's just a waste, and it'll actually use a little more electricity. I have an O/C'd Athlon with 4 x 10,000 RPM SCSI drives and a 360W Enermax PSU is plenty. If you want overkill, get an Enermax Noisetaker 420W, or an Antec True 430W, but 550W is just silly... and BTW, since you're already getting a nice PSU, you might as well get a quiet one. I don't see NewEgg selling the Antec S-models except with the silent Antec cases.

As others have said, 36.7GB Raptors suck compared to the 74GB ones. A single Raptor 74 is significantly faster than a pair of 36's in a RAID 0.

You're spending an awful lot on that system to have a completely average monitor. Personally, if it were my system, I'd be getting a 22" Trinitron/Diamondtron, or a 19" BenQ LCD. I would at least upgrade that 19" to a $250 Diamondtron.

Not trying to sound harsh -- those are very good choices you've made in general.

I don't see why people are saying the case is ugly. I personally don't go for windowed cases, but that's probably one of the best looking ones I've seen.

 

[Tostada]

Originally posted by: Ariste

DVD/Floppy Drives
Sony 8x Dual Layer DVD +/- RW Drive + Sony 1.44MB 3.5 Inch Floppy Drive

-$96.98 total

You said Sony but you linked to the NEC 2410A. If you're going to get the NEC, the one without Roxio is $3 cheaper... and Roxio is pretty weak.

 

[Juno]

Get the X800 instead 6800 one.

 

[Ariste]

Wow lots of replies really quick. I like this place

Originally posted by: MDE
Case: Fugly IMO, but should be solidly built.
PSU: A bit overkill perhaps, a 400W Antec should be fine.
Motherboard\CPU\RAM: Looking fine, but a bit on the expensive side for my tastes.
Video: A winner IMO, but if you can manage to get a BFG card, grab one.
Hard Drives: I'd get a single 74GB Raptor, a RAID isn't really all it's cracked up to be. Sure it's faster but not by much. It is easy to set up.

Dump the floppy drive and the system looks like a winner. You'll probably want to grab a Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS for about $85.

Heh, I like the way the case looks. At least it's solid, even if you think it looks like crap. As for the PSU, as a lot of you have been saying it's overkill:

The reason I went with a 550W is with the idea of "future-proofing" the system. I'm assuming that a year or two down the road, power requirements will keep rising. So if I want to put a new GPU in my system 2 years from now, I don't want to be limited by the PSU I chose 2 years ago. For the 20-something extra dollars, it seems like I might as well do it. Not a huge expense. If I'm wrong in the assumption that power requirements will go up, however, I would definitely go to a lower PSU.

Thanks for the advice on the RAID-0. I'll be going with a single 74GB Raptor thanks to all of your advice.

Originally posted by: Tostada
You really have no reason to get a 550W PSU unless you're running dual CPU's and/or more than four 10,000 RPM drives. It's just a waste, and it'll actually use a little more electricity. I have an O/C'd Athlon with 4 x 10,000 RPM SCSI drives and a 360W Enermax PSU is plenty. If you want overkill, get an Enermax Noisetaker 420W, or an Antec True 430W, but 550W is just silly... and BTW, since you're already getting a nice PSU, you might as well get a quiet one. I don't see NewEgg selling the Antec S-models except with the silent Antec cases.

As others have said, 36.7GB Raptors suck compared to the 74GB ones. A single Raptor 74 is significantly faster than a pair of 36's in a RAID 0.

You're spending an awful lot on that system to have a completely average monitor. Personally, if it were my system, I'd be getting a 22" Trinitron/Diamondtron, or a 19" BenQ LCD. I would at least upgrade that 19" to a $250 Diamondtron.

Not trying to sound harsh -- those are very good choices you've made in general.

I don't see why people are saying the case is ugly. I personally don't go for windowed cases, but that's probably one of the best looking ones I've seen.

I stated the reason I'm going with a 550W PSU before. As I said before, though, if I'm wrong in that assumption I would definitely go to a lower wattage PSU. Maybe something like this?

As for the monitor... what makes it average? I'm not saying that you're wrong, but what would make the Diamondtron you suggested better than the one I have selected? Would it make that much of a difference? I don't really want to spend 500 bucks on a monitor. Even though the system I have right now is pretty expensive, I really don't want to go too much above the cost that I have right now. Maybe the ViewSonic P95F+B 19" PerfectFlat CRT that mechBgon suggested would be alright?

And your right, it was the NEC one that I was looking at. I must have typed Sony in on accident. I will edit the original and fix it.

Thanks for your help everyone, I really appreciate it.

 

[Tostada]

I guess I just think of ViewSonic as an average brand... I didn't even notice that the P-series screens were AG tubes. That looks like a really nice one.

 

[Brickster]

Originally posted by: Ariste
Wow lots of replies really quick. I like this place

Maybe the ViewSonic P95F+B 19" PerfectFlat CRT that mechBgon suggested would be alright?

Thanks for your help everyone, I really appreciate it.

You should really consider a 22" monitor with an Aperature Grille. I bought the Philips 202P45 monitor for $580. You can get it here brand new (open box) for freakin' $400!!!! -
Philips Business 202P45 Display (New-Open Box)

The thing is AMAZING, and the colors are so vivid and beautiful. Brightness is only on 50% and is plenty. Check out the specs, and you will see this is a superior monitor, which has been recommended by Derek Wilson of Anandtech staff as a perfect choice for a high-end CRT monitor. Personally, I LOVE IT.

Also, GREAT specs. I bought the same processor, Video Card, and motherboard. Please PM me, or post and let me know how things worked out for you....I would be very interested.

Good choice on the 6800GT - most bang for buck.

Cheers,