Need help with my new school computer

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
O

omnizzle

Member
Jun 19, 2007
28
0
0
I'm in the process of building my first computer. I've picked out my parts and need to know if everything is okay. I'm not really sure what to do in terms of hard drive technology (SATA and all that business) and power supplies, so any info would be great.

-Kingston 2GB DDR2 PC2-6400
http://shop4.outpost.com/%7BaacwfznVZjw5zbzaW28xEg

-ASUS P5WDG2-WS PRO Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Server Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131039

-Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115003

-MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256EZ HD GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Silent Heatpipe Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127287

-POWMAX CP808PL-1 Beige Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811145046

-LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827106049


My budget is under $1000. I also plan on overclocking it a bit, so I'm not really sure what to do in terms of CPU and case cooling. Any help would be great.


 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
81
Wow, is there a particular reason you chose that motherboard?

I'd like to say more, but I'd like to get an answer to that question first.
 
O

omnizzle

Member
Jun 19, 2007
28
0
0
I chose it because it was one of the cpu/motherboard combos on newegg. Of the few there were, it seemed to be the best option. I know its probably not the absolute best choice for OCing, but idk. If anyone can suggest a better option for around the same price as the combo ($483 USD including a $35 discount).
 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
81
Originally posted by: omnizzle
I chose it because it was one of the cpu/motherboard combos on newegg. Of the few there were, it seemed to be the best option. I know its probably not the absolute best choice for OCing, but idk.
Click to expand...

Ok, ditch that motherboard combo. :D

I would recommend the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 motherboard. Much cheaper, and very good overclocker.

Now that you have saved some money here, ditch the 8600 GTS card, and get an 8800 GTS card. If you game at less than 1600x1200 (or 1680x1050) then you can get the 320MB version, otherwise, try to squeeze in the 640MB version if that's possible.

In fact, try this...

Antec NSK 4400 Mid Tower Case
$70.00
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4814040

ENERMAX Liberty ELT400AWT ATX12V 400W Power Supply
$80.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817194002

Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
$129.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=322342

Intel Core 2 Duo E4400
$138.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/....jsp?ProductCode=80868

STT DDR2-667 2GB (2x1GB)
$62.83
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=T6UX2GC5

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB Serial ATA
$88.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=101457

LITE-ON Black 20X DVDRW SATA
$33.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827106070

eVGA 640MB 8800 GTS
$379.00
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...84290fe68c16de423d4967

You can get that E4400 up to 2.4Ghz easily, and with the stock cooler and 667mhz memory.
 
K

KermitM42

Senior member
May 22, 2007
271
0
0
Originally posted by: bamacre
Originally posted by: omnizzle
I chose it because it was one of the cpu/motherboard combos on newegg. Of the few there were, it seemed to be the best option. I know its probably not the absolute best choice for OCing, but idk.
Click to expand...

Ok, ditch that motherboard combo. :D

I would recommend the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 motherboard. Much cheaper, and very good overclocker.

Now that you have saved some money here, ditch the 8600 GTS card, and get an 8800 GTS card. If you game at less than 1600x1200 (or 1680x1050) then you can get the 320MB version, otherwise, try to squeeze in the 640MB version if that's possible.

In fact, try this...

Antec NSK 4400 Mid Tower Case
$70.00
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4814040

ENERMAX Liberty ELT400AWT ATX12V 400W Power Supply
$80.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817194002

Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
$129.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=322342

Intel Core 2 Duo E4400
$138.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/....jsp?ProductCode=80868

STT DDR2-667 2GB (2x1GB)
$62.83
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=T6UX2GC5

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB Serial ATA
$88.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=101457

LITE-ON Black 20X DVDRW SATA
$33.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827106070

eVGA 640MB 8800 GTS
$379.00
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...84290fe68c16de423d4967

You can get that E4400 up to 2.4Ghz easily, and with the stock cooler and 667mhz memory.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
get a nice CPU cooler though if you're OC from 1.8 to 2.4.
maybe the zalman 9700 or something to that effect.
 
O

omnizzle

Member
Jun 19, 2007
28
0
0
Do you think I could keep the case/ power supply I listed on there? Also, the e4400 seems kind of older technology, and since I'm not an "uber hardcore gamer" (though I do like to play games a lot), is it better to do the e6600/ geforce 8600gts combo, or the e4400/8800 gts combo? The fact that I've heard you can OC the 6600 to over 3.1 ghz easily appeals to me.
 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
81
For gaming, the video card is much more important than the cpu.

It really comes down to what other apps you use other than gaming, and how cpu intensive they are. A C2D at 2.4Ghz is still very fast.

The case and power supply in your original post are junk.
 
O

omnizzle

Member
Jun 19, 2007
28
0
0
alright, sounds good i guess. Is 2.4Ghz the max safest speed for a e4400? Also, I really only need about 120gb of hard drive space... any suggestions for a cheaper price?
 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
81
Originally posted by: omnizzle
alright, sounds good i guess. Is 2.4Ghz the max safest speed for a e4400? Also, I really only need about 120gb of hard drive space... any suggestions for a cheaper price?
Click to expand...

The E4400 has a 10x multiplier (10 x 200mhz = 2Ghz). You can get the fsb up to 266 easily, so 2.66Ghz, which would basically be an E6700 with 2MB cache. That may call for an after-market cooler though.

As for a hard drive, 250GB is a sweet spot as far as GB/$.

Outpost.com usually has a good deal, but not at the moment. You can keep an eye out...

http://shop4.outpost.com/searc...=0&to=24&order_by=p03a
http://shop4.outpost.com/searc...=pDisplay&from=0&to=24

The last deal I saw was a Seagate 400GB for $80 shipped. But it's a dead deal as far as I can see. If you can't wait for a deal, maybe this will suffice...
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...?ProductCode=101220-12
 
M

MarcVenice

Moderator Emeritus <br>
Apr 2, 2007
5,664
0
0
e4400 isn't outdated :p It will serve you just fine for a long time, if oc-ed to 2.4-2.6 ghz, but won't cause many problems at 2ghz either :p GPU is definately the most important thing for gaming. And many ppl seem to be able to hit 3ghz with an e4300-e4400, with a good cooler though. I bet 2.6-2.8ghz is doable on a ac7 pro. And theres really no reason not to get 250gb or 320gb, versus 120gb. You WILL need it in the future.
 
O

omnizzle

Member
Jun 19, 2007
28
0
0
Do you guys think I could get the e4400 up to 2.4 ghz with the stock cooler? What is a good cooler for under $50?
 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
81
I've actually used the Mambo case. It is plastic, and the door is kinda flimsy. It's up to you really, but a good case can last you through a few computers.

What kind of monitor will you be using?
 
O

omnizzle

Member
Jun 19, 2007
28
0
0
I'm not actually worried about using the case for more computers, since if I decide to build later on, I'll probably just get a new case. Does the Mambo have good air flow?

As of now, I'll probably be using a 17" CRT I bought 2 years ago, but I will upgrade later.
 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
81
Not really. There is only one fan, in the rear. If you want to OC that cpu, I'd suggest a better case.
 
Y

yosuke188

Platinum Member
Apr 19, 2005
2,726
2
0
Some of the cheap Rosewill cases at Newegg are fine.

I would suggest buying a Fortron PSU, they are cheap but reliable.
 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
81
I would get the Enermax Liberty I linked to above. It's of better quality, and offers more amperage on the 12V rails, where the video card will draw its power.
 
E

ExPFC Wintergreen

Member
Jun 19, 2007
37
0
0
I'm no expert, but I have a P180 and it's really nice. It usually retails for around $130, so that is a great price. I'm not familiar with the other cases mentioned here, but this one is probably quite a bit bigger and heavier than most. Its unusual configuration also makes it more difficult to build in according to many people, but I just used it for my first system build and had no problems. You also need a power supply with long cables. There are tons of reviews for it that are very helpful.
 
A

aCynic2

Senior member
Apr 28, 2007
710
0
0
Originally posted by: omnizzle
One last thing: I found this deal on Fry's and was wondering if it was better than the other Antec.

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4843800
Click to expand...

That is a very good deal. I bought P180 silver for $130 or so so that deal on Fry's is very good!

I should add the caveat that mine has some very nice cable management facilities, such as included cable tie down on the underside of the raised mother board plate (it's a plate, not a tray). When the cables had to go high, I fed them underneath the mobo plate and through a couple slots up high in the case. This kept the bay reasonably open for air flow.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom