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I need some help with my first build

A

Alex C

Senior member
Hi,
I'm new here, I've been trying to find a good computer forum for a while and a friend told me about this one and I've already learned a lot just browsing old threads.

I've decided to build myself a PC. I'm not much of a gamer, I'd like to get more into it, but for now an entry to mid level computer will be good enough. I also do a bit of photoshopping and music recording/editing, as well as the usual school work and internet browsing. I've put together a list of the parts of been thinking of using, but I don't know if it's complete.

Here's the components list so far:
Case: RAIDMAX Smilodon ATX-612WBP (with 500W PSU) - $75 with m/rebate
CPU: Core 2 Duo E8200 (2.66GHz) Retail - $175
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L (P35) - $60 Open Box
Memory: Corsair XMS2 PC2-6400 2x2-GB - $66.50 with m/rebate
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB SATA 3.0 Gb/s - $65
Video Card: Asus Radeon 4850- $165 with m/rebate
Monitor: Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1 - $220
CD/DVD-ROM: Samsung SH-S223F 22X SATA DVD Writer
OS: Windows Home Vista Premium 64-bit- $110 OEM
Total= $963.5+mouse and keyboard

I can provide links to any of the components you aren't familiar with.

The parts I'm not really sure about are the motherboard, CPU, and the monitor. I'm not sure if I want Crossfire capabilities, I was thinking of upgrading the MB but I'm not sure. I'm trying to keep the cost around $1,000 but I'd can go as high as $1,200 if I have to. I'm I forgetting anything? Any other comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Don't buy an open box motherboard, it can be missing parts like the metal IO shield (plate with cutouts for all the connectors).

If you aren't planning to overclock more than 20% you can get the Gigabyte P43 motherboard, otherwise look for a "closed box" P35.

Spend an extra $15 for the E8400 at 3.0 GHz, that's a good deal on the speed bump.

Otherwise it looks like a nice setup, except that I'm not sure I'd trust it to the RAIDMAX's PSU. You might wait for others to answer, or ask about RAIDMAX in the PSU forum.
 
Smilodon isn't a very good case and the power supply it comes with is crap so if you do get it expect to replace the psu.
Wait a couple of weeks and Intel will cut prices (7/20). Also, e8200 only has 8x multiplier while e8400 has 9x so overclocking would be easier with the e8400 (or e7200 with a 9.5x). If you are overclocking, get a nice heatsink like Xigmatek S1283 or OCZ Vendetta 2.
Good MB but realize that open box means it doesn't come with any accessories (cables, back panel, etc.)
Hard drive: there's a 500GB for just $75. Also 640gb and 750gb are now under $100.
Video Card: check in hot deals section as there are codes for 4850 to bring them down to $145-$150 AR.
 
As usual Dave is on the mark. Upgrade the CPU to E8400 and ditch the case or aleast the PSU in the case. If you want a good case/psu combo in the same price range look at the Antec Sonata III, you can find deals in the $75-85 range, it's plain looking black case but has a quality PSU. Everything else looks good, You've obviously done your homework
 
I'll check out that Antec case. I didn't like the looks of this one too much anyway, but I thought the layout was neat. I think I'll probably upgrade to the e8400 and a bigger HD as well. I'm going to go with a closed box Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L that I saw mentioned in another thread. Thanks guys, keep the advice coming.
 
Thats a great mobo I have one and it was an easy setup and solid as a rock and overclocks easily. If you want a larger harddrive look at the WD6400AAKS, it and the 320gb that you linked are the newest and fastest technology in drives and utilize the largest platters in the industry (320gb) the one you linked is a single platter drive and the 640 is two platters, these new drives benchmark so close to the 10k raptor drives that it doesn't make sense to pay a premium for the ratptors anymore
 
I took some of your advice and switched a few thing, here's my new list:

HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $89
Case: Antec Sonata III with 500W Power Supply - $125
MB: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L- $89
GPU: Radeon HD 4850- $165
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz- $189
Memory: Corsair XMS2 PC2-6400 2x2-GB - $66.50
Monitor: Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1 - $220
CD/DVD-ROM: Samsung SH-S223F 22X SATA DVD Writer- $27
OS: Windows Home Vista Premium 64-bit- $90 OEM
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro- $32.00
Total= $1092.50 +shipping, tax, mouse, and keyboard

I'm away for the summer, so I probably won't be able to start until August. How much is likely to change by then? Will I have any trouble finding any of these components, or will better things in the same price range be available? Should I order this stuff now and have the post office hold it for me (can I even do that)? You guys have been a great help, thanks a bunch.
 
Well the intel price cuts should happen before the end of July so the E8400 will be a tad cheaper, it also gives you time to look for deals, the Sonata III seems to have deals every few weeks( I think Frys just had one).

No major new stuff coming out that I know of except the 4870x2, and you shouldn't have any problems finding these components in August, I would wait until you return to order.
 
In general, if you're not building till August, don't order till August. If you come across a good deal on the Sonata between now and then, then go for it.
 
Originally posted by: Alex C
I took some of your advice and switched a few thing, here's my new list:

HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $89
Case: Antec Sonata III with 500W Power Supply - $125
MB: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L- $89
GPU: Radeon HD 4850- $165
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz- $189
Memory: Corsair XMS2 PC2-6400 2x2-GB - $66.50
Monitor: Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1 - $220
CD/DVD-ROM: Samsung SH-S223F 22X SATA DVD Writer- $27
OS: Windows Home Vista Premium 64-bit- $90 OEM
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro- $32.00
Total= $1092.50 +shipping, tax, mouse, and keyboard

I'm away for the summer, so I probably won't be able to start until August. How much is likely to change by then? Will I have any trouble finding any of these components, or will better things in the same price range be available? Should I order this stuff now and have the post office hold it for me (can I even do that)? You guys have been a great help, thanks a bunch.
Click to expand...

We'll see come August, but I'll tell you, for the price that is one great looking list today.

 
Thanks guys, I'll hold off on ordering anything until I'm home unless I can get a good deal on the case. A few of the reviews for the 4850 said it runs really hot and they had use an aftermarket fan or cooling unit. Should I order one ahead of time or wait to see if it's a problem? What kind of fans should I look at for that? I'm thinking of adding another HD later on, but I'm not sure how much stuff the 500W PSU can support, would another HD be too much? Thanks.
 
Looks like a good deal to me, even includes upgraded fans and an Artic Freezer CPU cooler. Looks like shipping is about $30 so factor that into your bidding
 
Aside from the obvious question of dings/scratches on the case, you want to make sure you get all the associated hardware that came in the box. It would be awfully frustrating to be ready to install a second hard drive only to find out you don't have all the pieces you need at hand. I would also ask him about the condition of the PSU specifically, since he doesn't mention that in the auction from what I saw. If you have access to a PSU tester, I'd bring it with you when you pick the case up.

On the whole, it looks like a pretty good deal.
 
The case is up to $100 now, is it still worth it for a used one?

I forgot I'll need some kind of wireless card, I live a few houses away from campus and can use their internet inconsistently with my laptop. Is there a card that has particularly good range, or an antenna or something that would allow me to get consistent internet?
 
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