Hello. I'm a new guy that's trying to build a computer for the FIRST TIME. I read some magazines of Maximum PC to find

[weezarrgh]

Yeah I have a budget of $1500 (doesn't include tax!) and i would like to know if this computer set-up is good enough for you enthusiasts out there. This will be the first of many computers i will build. All these parts are pulled from Microcenter and Fry's (I can't get any from NewEgg or any other site because my dad hates internet shopping!):

LanParty nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939 ATX Motherboard
AMD® Boxed Athlon 64 Processor 3500+ (2.2GHz) 90nm
Corsair 1GB PC3200 400MHz 2-64x64 XMS Pro TwinX Dual-Channel DDR 184Pin
PX-716A 16x Double Layer DVD±RW Internal ATAPI/E-IDE Drive
Samsung Combo 16x52x24x52 DVD-ROM/CD-RW Internal Drive
CoolerMaster Centurion 5 ATX Case
Western Digital 250GB hard drive from uncle
X-Connect 500 Watt ATX 12V Titanium Black Power Supply
56K V.92 Internal Modem
Already have monitor, mouse, and keyboard

I have read that you guys have had high standards for power supplies, so I was wondering if the X-Connect is reliable or not.

Also, please look at each component and write to me if it's a good choice or if I forgot something. If not, I highly value the input you'll give me.

Seacrest OUT!

 

[musgrattios]

DFI= super awesome, most people here will tell you to get an AMD 3000+ and overclock it, which I highly recommend (I'm clocking my winnie 3000 to 2.4 right now, much faster than 2.2), RAM good, everything good etc. until PSU. I have never heard anything really good about X-Connect. There is a PSU buying guide sticky, if you are interested. If you want a good recommendation, there is an Athena 500w PSU at newegg(I know you said no internet shopping, but maybe you can find it somewhere else; if not, don't worry- there are lots of good ones out there. Oh, and I agree with you about internet shopping... Except for newegg. They have a better reputation and better customer support than Fry's, Best Buy, etc.) Anyways, it is an ATX 2.0, and has 28v on the 12v rail(most important aspect of a PSU). Good luck, and welcome to Anandtech Forums.

 

[mechBgon]

Welcome to the Forums What video card did you have in mind?

I would pick up an Antec TruePower 2.0 if it were me. A few days ago it was me and I did get one, in fact I picked the 480W unit to go with my new Socket939 setup. No modular cables, I'm on the "more meat, less rice" plan. :evil: 3-year warranty too, from a company that'll probably still be here in 3 years. *cough*

When you are building, you will probably want to crank the memory voltage right on up to 2.8 volts for that combo before you get going.

Looking at the rest of your spec, I would get a Lite-On DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive rather than the Samsung if it were me, had a couple of Samsungs that were troublesome in the past. Also be aware that if one of your drives comes with an OEM burner software such as Nero, the OEM bundled Nero will probably freak out and refuse to burn to the other burner, so just be aware of that.

If you want to review the building process, I have a computer-building guide here that could help with some of the details. It finally has a Socket939-installation page, thanks to my recent purchase. Beelions of photos, no advertisements

 

[pkypkypky]

why do you need 2 burners?

 

[aGreenAgent]

Get the Venice core, SSE3.

 

[bREwIn dOdgEr dUDe]

PSU - x-connect good, stable, safe... seasonic very good, quiet & 24-pin ATX connector (super tornado 400w) with 120mm fan...
DVD Burner - go single burner - nec 3520a or benQ dw1625 (with lightscribe)
Hard Drive - IF your uncle's 250gb WD hard drive is IDE consider purchasing a SATA HD 7200rpm at least 120gb (samsung very quiet), use the WD (If its IDE) as storage/backup...

since you can't buy on-line consider PC Club

very nice mobo...O & gO Venice...

 

[musgrattios]

Yes- go single burner if you can. What video card? And yes, Athena will be around. They rely on a lot of server PSUs.

 

[weezarrgh]

ok, i'll axe the samsung cd burner. thanks.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: musgrattios
Yes- go single burner if you can. What video card? And yes, Athena will be around. They rely on a lot of server PSUs.

FYI, I was taking a little jab at Ultra, not Athena

 

[GfW]

One burner and one ROM drive make it a whole lot quicker copying disc to disc ... cheaper than 2 burners too.

 

[sourceninja]

I wouldn't go with Corsair ram. I've heard too many horror storeis with that motherboard and corsair ram. I'd suggest OCZ, G-skill, Geil, or Patriot.