Need some help building my first computer

[slayer202]

I've decided to build my next computer, and need some tips/advice. I have pretty much decided on a mobo, processor, and video card. feedback would be good. next on my list is deciding on what kind of memory I want. DDR400 PC3200, other than that I am not too sure. I think I am willing to spend about $250 for 2 gigs, unless a more expensive 1gig would be better? keep in mind I don't think I mind buying from ebay.

other than that I just need a case and power supply, and of course a hard drive. I am looking for about 200-250 gigs of storage, SATA as decided by the motherboard. not sure what exactly to look for, hope to spend under $100. case shouldn't be a problem, just want something simple. power supply I don't know what to look for except a 500 or more watt.

Any help is very appreciated.

 

[slayer202]

stupid me, forgot to list what I have on my list so far:

Asus A8V-E SE Via Socket 939 ATX Motherboard
Amd Athlon 64 3500+ or 3700+
BFG GeForce 6800 or 7800 GT OC 256 MB GDDR3

 

[slayer202]

Morning Bump

I am really clueless to what memory I should get. help is appreciated. also, what are the popular uses for a raptor drive? just for booting up or for gaming also. how big is the performance upgrade to a normal SATA drive. would I need to do anything special to use a raptor drive and then a SATA for various other things

 

[overst33r]

That is an old motherboard, i suggest a DFI Lanparty Ultra-D or an Epox 9NPA+Ultra. Are you looking to overclock? If so then the 3000/3200 Venice would be the best selection, if not then you have chosen well (3700 Sandiego). As for the RAM, since A64's have an integrated memory controller, low latency memory doesn't really help as much as one would hope 5% is the usual gain. So i advise you to stick with value ram from any reputable manufacturer such as Corsair, OCZ, Crucial...
The video cards you picked have a big performace difference, although if you want to play the latest on high detail, you might wanna spring for the 7800GT.

For the hard drive, seagate would be your best bet, you can find a 250GB for $100. Althogh i suggest you look for ones that have MIR's for better value. For example, i got my Hitachi 160GB for $40...

 

[TraumaRN]

Advice dont get the raptor drive it's not worth the price...

Try something like this out

160GB is plenty unless you want more then look to seagate or whatnot, i have the 200GB version of that HDD in my computer runs great and I swear to you in 2 months of having my new rig I haven't heard it spin up once it's that quiet.

This Epox mobo is the same I have also recommended, or you can get a DFI lanparty board as suggested above, they both overclock about the same, however the DFI is better for more extreme overclocking and such.

Stick with the 7800GT it's the better buy right now, look to some other brands as well, evga comes to mind, search newegg they have some sweet deals on 7800GT's right now.

RAM wise just like mariok said find some decent ram from OCZ, Corsair, Crucial

 

[GamerExpress]

I agree competely with the other two posters, The Epox or the DFI boards are the direction you want to go in for a MOBO. I would go with the 3700+ San Diego unless you don't want to spend that much, if not go with a 3000+ Venice. I would spring for the 7800 GT but not the BFG version, I would go with the EVGA. Ram I would go with the above suggested. I would check out some of the new 7200.9 Seagate drives for a HDD.

 

[slayer202]

great. that helps a ton. ill look into the evga card.

whats wrong with the motherboard though. I don't think I plan to overclock, and it seems to have everything I need. I probably won't update the system for a while, if ever, so I don't need extra pci-e slots or sli capability. Anything else I am missing out on from a better board?

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: slayer202
great. that helps a ton. ill look into the evga card.

whats wrong with the motherboard though. I don't think I plan to overclock, and it seems to have everything I need. I probably won't update the system for a while, if ever, so I don't need extra pci-e slots or sli capability. Anything else I am missing out on from a better board?

PCIe is the future...don't buy something that will be obsolete in a year or so...plus the NF4 chipset is newer, more stable, and has better features than the ViAKT800. Also, it is priced above the Epox and depending where you look also above the DFI. Other than that i dont think anything is wrong with that mobo.

I highly suggest you look at some review done by anandtech in the past about the parts you are getting. Maybe they suggest an alternative or some obvious problems with some of the parts. It's always good to hear a lot of opinions before you buy something, especially computer parts.

 

[Meuge]

I'll add my vote for the EPoX motherboard.
Forget any single-core Athlon64 above 3200+. If you're going to spend more than $200 on a CPU, get dual-core.
Get 2x1GB of RAM

 

[slayer202]

Well if I go x2 i would have to spend probably an extra $100 correct?

What is the difference between that epox MB vs. the one I posted, im not really sure.

 

[gorbs]

thermaltake makes good power supplies. the rig your building sounds real nice but without a real good power supply it will run like crap! i picked up a 480 tru-power for 100.00 bucks last year and it has been rock steady since. my 2cents. have fun with it.

 

[slayer202]

sounds good. 480 watt sufficient for my setup?

and can someone please explain the differences in the MB i listed and the epox one. thanks

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: slayer202
sounds good. 480 watt sufficient for my setup?

and can someone please explain the differences in the MB i listed and the epox one. thanks

The asus is limited by AGP, no PCIe so that means all the new graphics cards coming won't be able to fit. The asus also has a worse chipset compared to the epox, which is crucial for stability. (Not that via makes bad chipsets, just not as good as the Nforce series.) Plus the epox is much newer than the asus. Those reasons alone justify the epox over the asus. Ask around, any non-biast hardware guru will tell you the same thing. I'm taking my info from what i read over the past year.

For the PSU i would suggest the following (never skimp on the PSU):

OCZ modstream 450W $69 after MIR

Antec TPII-480 ATX12V 480W Power Supply $80

and my personal favorite (although pricier)

SeaSonic S12-430 ATX12V 430W Power Supply $100

 

[slayer202]

does that seasonic support a pci-e card? I don't see it listed on there. Just says atx something or other. Also, I have no idea and I believe the asus mb does support pci-e however, I guess I will just go with the one you guys suggested anyway.

There are a bunch of sticks of memory I am questioning. if anyone can recommend a certain one that would be great. basically I don't know what to look for with these. I'm probably willing to spend up to $250 for 2x 1gb sticks

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...Price=&SubCategory=147&Submit=Property

 

[Lasthitlarry]

Not to sound like a broken record, but I would go with:

3200+ and MSI

or

Opteron 148 and DFI

 

[slayer202]

I might want to mention I have no experience overclocking, don't know whats involved, so as of now I don't plan on doing it. I don't know risks/rewards or anything about it really

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: slayer202
does that seasonic support a pci-e card? I don't see it listed on there. Just says atx something or other. Also, I have no idea and I believe the asus mb does support pci-e however, I guess I will just go with the one you guys suggested anyway.

No the Asus A8V is AGP only, the Asus A8N (nf4) boards are PCI-e. If you like Asus boards the A8N-E should be in your price range, I have the A8N-SLI deluxe (basically the same except with SLI) and its a great board. I also have the ePox EP-9npa ultra and it is a fantastic board for the price, and has better overclocking options than the Asus.

 

[slayer202]

ok new list with prices on newegg. still not sure about a powersupply, as im not sure if 2 of the ones posted by mariok support pci-e. i'm sure they do but they don't say so. still need comments on ram. I do not think I want to overclock.

also, what kind of hard drive do you guys suggest for the epox mb? i want a 200 or 250 gb, maybe even 160, whatever is best performance/price.

EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - $105
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB Socket 939 - $233
eVGA Geforce 7800GT 256-P2-N517-AX Video Card - $350

 

[slayer202]

how does this sound

CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575

for $243.99 + $25 MIR

or

Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220040

$242.95 + $22 MIR

or

OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Platinum System Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227210
$248.41 + $30 MIR

 

[Lasthitlarry]

2xCorsair Value

FTW

High priced premium RAM gives you roughly 0.25% increase over value RAM.

 

[slayer202]

EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - $105
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB Socket 939 - $233
eVGA Geforce 7800GT 256-P2-N517-AX Video Card - $350
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) - $78.67 x2


what kind of power supply should I be looking for? And what kind of hd? just regular SATA? some newegg reviews say the layout of the MB is kinda ******. you guys sure I wont have any problems with my setup?

 

[Lasthitlarry]

Fortron 450W

Seagate 250GB SATA

 

[Crescent13]

Originally posted by: slayer202
EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - $105
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB Socket 939 - $233
eVGA Geforce 7800GT 256-P2-N517-AX Video Card - $350
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) - $78.67 x2


what kind of power supply should I be looking for? And what kind of hd? just regular SATA? some newegg reviews say the layout of the MB is kinda ******. you guys sure I wont have any problems with my setup?

That's a good setup, but this is what I would do.

MoBo: great
CPU: The extra 512kb of cache in the 3700+ doesn't make all that much of a difference. save yourself some money, and get the 3000+.
Graphic Card: using the money you saved on the CPU, you should be able to get the 7800GTX.
RAM: Get a dual channel kit, that way you are assured of both sticks working


Now onto your questions

1. You should be looking at Antec, Fortron, or Seasonic PSU's.
2. I would go with a Seagate 7200.9 series. How much space you want is up to you.
3. 7200.9 series is SATAII, but you don't have to worry since your mobo has SATAII
4. layout seems fine to me...
5. the setup you have now would work fine, but I do believe you would get more for your money if you took my advice.

 

[slayer202]

well I don't plan on overclocking so it would also be 1.8 instead of 2.2ghz. also getting the gtx would still cost a little extra.

not quite sure what you mean about both sticks working. what does dual channel mean exactly

also, what is the difference between the 8 and 9 series seagates?

 

[Crescent13]

Originally posted by: slayer202
well I don't plan on overclocking so it would also be 1.8 instead of 2.2ghz. also getting the gtx would still cost a little extra.

not quite sure what you mean about both sticks working. what does dual channel mean exactly

also, what is the difference between the 8 and 9 series seagates?

you could get the 3500+ instead of the 3700+, same speed.

Dual channel means two identical sticks or channels, running as one. If you buy a kit with two sticks, it's guaranteed to match excactly.

8 is SATA, 9 is SATAII + NCQ (native command queing)

EDIT: This rig is going to be for gaming right? What resolution will you be gaming at. If lower resolutions, then you will need more CPU power, but if you are gaming at higher resolutions, then it will be GPU dependent.