How is this Vista AM2 Build

[leglez]

Ok this build is for Vista Premium. I am going with AM2 because Conroe is too expensive right now, and I have heard AM3 will work with AM2 mobo's so I won't have to upgrade a lot next upgrade.

Case - Cooler Master Centurion 5 - $84.99
CPU - AMD 4200+ X2 AM2 - $185.00
RAM - Corsair XMS2 2GB (2x1GB) - $182.00
Mobo - Asus M2N-E - $94.99
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 320GB - $94.99
Video Card - eVGA 7600GT - $179.99
Power Supply - Hiper 580W - $99.99
DVD - NEC ND-3550A - $28.99
Monitor - ViewSonic VA1912wb - $208.99 * 2 = $417.98
Keyboard/Mouse - Logitech Cordless Internet ProLogitech Cordless Internet Pro - $25.99

Total - $1,317.91

Total Left To Spend - -$17.91


Uses -
Image/Video Editing
Web Design
I have never really played PC games before because I have never had a nice enough PC but I would like to try it out
Web Browsing
Recording/Watching TV shows
Listening to music, watching movies off the HDD
MultiTasking, normally have ~15 programs open at a time

 

[Lord Evermore]

You could go with an X2 3800+ and overclock it, save 30 dollars and more than likely be able to get it up to at least the level of the 4200+, but no guarantees. Obviously for the editing clock speed is helpful to you.

I also don't see that you really need the 7900GT. You could save over 100 dollars there with a 7600GT. Perhaps I'm underestimating what your other uses might do with 3D power, but gaming would still be nice with a 7600.

The power supply is probably also slightly overkill. You could save 20 to 40 dollars and still get a PSU that ought to be capable of powering that system easily.

 

[leglez]

I want to keep the 4200+ because I have never overclocked before and just want to keep it stock for a couple months until I learn more about overclocking. How is that power supply the Antec?

 

[Lord Evermore]

Check for other threads, Antecs seem to be getting a bad name around here now. As far as the specifications go it's plenty powerful enough, but people seem to be saying their quality has gone downhill (they used to be considered awesome).

I can't really suggest specific power supplies, I don't sit around swapping out PSUs just so I can go on forums and mouth off about them. There are lots of power supply threads in GH and the Cases & Cooling forum though.

 

[Operandi]

Antec PSU :thumbsdown:, Thermaltake case :thumbsdown:, other then that it looks good.

 

[Lord Evermore]

What's wrong with the case? Provide some feedback. Like with the CPU, he may have his reasons for liking that case, so if you just don't like the looks of it that's one thing, if you know from experience that it wobbles and rattles, that's another.

 

[myocardia]

Antec makes good cases, but they don't even make their power supplies. They "farm" it out to someone else, and they don't last, and they have low rails, especially the most important one, the 12v. But an Antec case: Sonata II, or even better, the SLK3700-BQE and one of these power supplies: 580 watt Hiper or 500 watt Enermax Liberty or 520 watt OCZ or 500 watt Seasonic, and you'll be set. If you have to cheap out on something, make it the case, not the power supply.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: myocardia
Antec makes good cases, but they don't even make their power supplies. They "farm" it out to someone else, and they don't last, and they have low rails, especially the most important one, the 12v. But an Antec case: Sonata II, or even better, the SLK3700-BQE and one of these power supplies: 580 watt Hiper or 500 watt Enermax Liberty or 520 watt OCZ or 500 watt Seasonic, and you'll be set. If you have to cheap out on something, make it the case, not the power supply.

All of which are excellent PSUs, but massive overkill. Get yourself a 400/430W one, if you want budget then theres a 450W FSP for around $50 on newegg, as good as it gets for budget PSUs that one.

TT cases are bling over quality, generally all ripoffs of other designs. Having said all of that my old XaserII isn't too bad. I won't buy another but it's up to you.

 

[Lord Evermore]

FSP 400W $37

That one's somewhere in the UPS system on it's way to me now, and my system is going to be virtually identical now that you changed the video card. I considered it overkill for my needs but cheap and quality. Of course it ain't pretty by any stretch.

 

[leglez]

Has anyone had a bad expierence with the FSP 400W?

I want a case with a window, so I don't really want those 2 cases suggested. I looked and could only find 2 antec cases with windows, and didn't like either of them. I want a mid tower or full tower case, with at least 3 HDD slots, preferably 4. I want at least 2 5" bays, and at least 2 3" bays.

Also any suggestions for a 19"+ LCD monitor under $200?

 

[Zinthar]

Originally posted by: leglez
Has anyone had a bad expierence with the FSP 400W?

I want a case with a window, so I don't really want those 2 cases suggested. I looked and could only find 2 antec cases with windows, and didn't like either of them. I want a mid tower or full tower case, with at least 3 HDD slots, preferably 4. I want at least 2 5" bays, and at least 2 3" bays.

Also any suggestions for a 19"+ LCD monitor under $200?

For the LCD: I just went for a 20.1" widescreen for $330 from Viewsonic. They have 4:3 and widescreen 19" models at $190 and $220 shipped, respectively, on Newegg.

Check this out for the Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119108

I almost went with that case but instead opted for a cheaper (and windowless) Cooler Master, the Centurion 532 (which was $61 shipped after rebate).

 

[leglez]

Ok everything is updated how does it all look?

 

[Lord Evermore]

Hmmm. What's the difference between the 7600GT CO and the 7600GT KO? They are identical PCBs (except for a sticker) but different coolers, and the breakout cables for the component video are different, but all the specs are the same. The KO is 14 dollars cheaper before and after rebate.

Actually, looking at the specs from eVGA, the KO is actually clocked a little higher on GPU and memory.

 

[Gautama2]

Get the KO, it has a larger and much quieter hsf.

 

[leglez]

Ok updated

 

[Lord Evermore]

I still want somebody to tell me why there are two versions with such slightly different clock speeds, with prices that don't even align with their speed differences.

 

[leglez]

I won't have the full $1,300 until the end of Novemeber. So should I wait until then to buy this? Or should I buy the parts when I have the money, and upgrade this PC and then just transfer the parts from this PC to the new one?

If I go with the second one I was thinking of buying them in this order:

1: Keyboard/Mouse $25.99 reason - Current keyboard/mouse on this computer are the ones that came with the computer
2: Video Card $179.99 reason - I have onboard video and need this for better graphics on the new monitor
3: 1st monitor $208.99 reason - I have a 17" CRT that came with the computer
4: Power Supply $99 reason - I have the one that came with the computer and it is around 300Watts
5: 2nd Monitor $208.99
6: HDD $94.99
7: DVD $28.99

And then after all that is purchased I would purchase the following in the following order:

1: Case $84.99
2: Mobo $94.99
3: CPU $185.00
4: RAM $182.00

So which way should I go?

 

[leglez]

Bump any suggestions on how I should purchase it?

 

[leglez]

Up

 

[cmdrdredd]

To purchase I'd buy all the components at the lowest prices from reputable retailers. If Mwave is cheaper than newegg on memory get it there, if zipzoom fly has a sale on a motherboard get it there etc.

 

[leglez]

Sorry here is what I was asking

Originally posted by: leglez
I won't have the full $1,300 until the end of Novemeber. So should I wait until then to buy this? Or should I buy the parts when I have the money, and upgrade this PC and then just transfer the parts from this PC to the new one?

If I go with the second one I was thinking of buying them in this order:

1: Keyboard/Mouse $25.99 reason - Current keyboard/mouse on this computer are the ones that came with the computer
2: Video Card $179.99 reason - I have onboard video and need this for better graphics on the new monitor
3: 1st monitor $208.99 reason - I have a 17" CRT that came with the computer
4: Power Supply $99 reason - I have the one that came with the computer and it is around 300Watts
5: 2nd Monitor $208.99
6: HDD $94.99
7: DVD $28.99

And then after all that is purchased I would purchase the following in the following order:

1: Case $84.99
2: Mobo $94.99
3: CPU $185.00
4: RAM $182.00

So which way should I go?