Just Built My New PC....Any Help Setting Up?

[Kale D]

Im just waiting for the new PC to arrive, should be next week sometime. I think its a pretty good setup but im not a very experienced computer guy. So i was just wondering if anyone had any tips for me as far as setting things up. Mobo settings, video card changes, overclocking tips, etc.

Any help at all is appreciated.

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 x2 4600+ (Socket AM2)

MOBO: MSI K9N Diamond w/ DualDDR2 800, Audigy SE 7.1 Audio, Dual GB Lan, SATA II

Memory: Mushkin HP2-5300 High Performance Blue Series DDR2 2 GB

Hard Drive: Seagate 320 GB Barricuda 7200 SATA II 16 MB cache w/NCQ

Optical Drive: Pioneer DVR-111D 16x16x8 Dual Layer DVD+/-/RW-

Video Card: EVGA GeForce 7900 GS KO 500mhz 256 MB PCI-E

Case: Antec SLK-3000B Black Super Mid

Power Supply: Mushkin HP-550 Enhanced 550watt Modular Power Supply

Heatsink: Zalman CNPS9500 AM@ Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler

 

[NuAlphaMan]

I'm not an OCer so, I can't help you there. You can do a search in ATF to find a guide on OCing. I remember seeing one around here somewhere.
1. Make sure plan out your cable management. There is a guide you use here. This will help with airflow in the case.
2. Make sure you install your parts outside the case, it makes your life easier.
3. Once it's up and running, check your temps to make sure your case and cpu are cool.

Other than that, you should be good to go!

Nice PC by the way.

 

[Baked]

Aweful choice on the PSU there.

 

[wpshooter]

My advice is to read all of the manufacturers manuals for all of your components.

My advice is to read all of the manufacturers manuals for all of your components.

My advice is to read all of the manufacturers manuals for all of your components.

And then you will be ready to start.

Good luck.

 

[Kale D]

Originally posted by: Baked
Aweful choice on the PSU there.

Really? What wrong with it. Im all ears.

 

[GrumpyMan]

The Good....

Modular
Nice cables
Nice miror-like finish
The Bad....

Voltages not very stable
Totally failed crossload tests
The Mediocre....

No PFC
Mediocre efficiency
Lots of ripple, even during middle-load testing

 

[Kale D]

Ok, so because im not up on PSU.

Could you breakdown what you said.

How will this affect my PC?

Unstable voltages, what will that affect?

Not sure what crossload tests are.

Ripple?

I mean, its not too late to change the PSU, i just ordered it today from a local place, i could change it. My budget for my PC was $1700 (Canadian) this setup is at $1690.

The PSU was $79. I would like to stay at that price range if possible. Any other suggestions?

 

[Kale D]

The crossload shows that a computer with a minimal load on the 3.3V and/or 5V rails is going to wreak havoc on the 12V rails and the excessive ripple on the 12V line makes me contemplate potential long term effects on peripherals.

This is the only thing that worries me a bit.

I dont want the PSU to screw up the rest of my PC.

 

[Baked]

Understanding all the concepts and terminologies of what a good PSU and what's a bad PSU doesn't change the fact that you picked a bad PSU. If you want module PSU, get the Corsair HX520W. No module, the Enchance ENP-5150GH. PSU is the most crucial component in a system. If you get a bad PSU, every component in the system will go down with it. It's that simple.

 

[Kale D]

Ok i appreciate your input.

As i want to try and stay relatively close to the same price ive found thats gonna be tough.

I found these 2 PSU that seem like they have got some decent reviews but i havent found any in depth reviews on them.

Any advice on these 2.


Enermax Liberty Modular Power Supply, 500W

OCZ 600W GameXStream Power Supply w/ Quad +12V