New comp build

[vhx]

Yes, yet ANOTHER build. However I think I am one of the few that would consider this a monster upgrade.

My current specs:
AMD XP 2100+ (1.7ghz)
Gigabyte GA-7VA
1.5GB of DDRAM
80GB 7200RPM IDE HD
Geforce4 Ti4200 128MB
4x DVD+/-RW burner
16x DVD-ROM (broken)
350W crappy PSU
Old salvaged keyboard
Logitech Optical mouse (Scroll wheel recently broke. )

Right now its getting harder to play games and do more of the things I like to do with multitasking. I hope to sell this comp sometime in the future, but I doubt I can get much for it. Anywho I have been putting together this system for a week or so and recently came out with this.

Antec P180 (119.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129154

Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 ($149.99)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128012

eVGA Geforce 7600GS 256MB ($109.99)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130020

Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ($79.99)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817103931

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) ($177.99)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231073

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s ($99.99)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140

Logitech MX518 9313 Optical Mouse ($37.45)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16826104178

BenQ 16X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM ($28.99)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827101010

Arctic Silver Ceramique Thermal Compound - OEM (4.99)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835100009

Scythe SCNJ-1000P 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink (34.99)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835185001

Conroe E6600 Core 2 Duo Processor (349.23)
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/sho...=011003000509_BK12401P.shtml&ORDER_ID=!ORDERID!

Total: $1,193.59

I did have a BenQ keyboard I wanted, but they have since removed it off of newegg. (http://www.benq.com/products/Keyboard/?product=249)

So I guess really the only thing I am looking for right now would be a good keyboard. (Obviously a qwerty, internet buttons, volume buttons, all of the normal buttons, maybe a few extra programmable ones, cool looking)

I could also use a good headset as the one I have has weird issues such as changing the volume on the headphones puts sound in only 1 ear. I need a headset and not headphones because I need the mic for work.

I would like to keep this computer in the neighborhood of $1250, give or take. Don't want to go over $1300 including shipping.

Any recommendations, suggestions, or constructive criticism would be a big help.

EDIT: On another note, how much do you think I could sell my old comp for w/ 17" CRT monitor?

 

[Ayah]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151023
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103018
IMO.

 

[Farmer]

If you are going to overclock (and it'd really be a shame if you didn't with the Conroe), I'd say go with the E6400 at 2.13GHz for $100 less, and spend that on getting a 7800GT. Also, the AS Ceramique is a thermal adhesive (not true, see below), and not nearly as thermally conductive as Arctic Silver 5, what most people use on their own builds. (I'd still use Artic Silver 5)

+1 on Ayah's PSU recommendations. Though through my experience the Antecs are fine units, don't be fooled by the wattage ratings alone.

For Keyboard, give Logitech/Microsoft a look, they all essentially work the same. For headphones, give Sennheiser or Plantronics a look.

 

[Ayah]

Originally posted by: Farmer
If you are going to overclock (and it'd really be a shame if you didn't with the Conroe), I'd say go with the E6400 at 2.13GHz for $100 less, and spend that on getting a 7800GT. Also, the AS Ceramique is a thermal adhesive, and not nearly as thermally conductive as Arctic Silver 5, what most people use on their own builds.

God, you scared me with that phrase. But AS Ceramique is NOT a thermal adhesive.
Adhesive = Tape/Glue/rather permanent sticky stuff.

Ceramique is just a non-conductive thermal goop/grease.

 

[Farmer]

Ayah:

I was always under the impression Ceramique was adhesive with no silver content. I guess I was wrong. I'd still recommend the small tube of AS5.

 

[Ayah]

Originally posted by: Farmer
Ayah:

I was always under the impression Ceramique was adhesive with no silver content. I guess I was wrong.

It's just like the generic white goopy goo (Thermal Interface Material), made by Arctic Silver, and somehow it's got absolutely great performance for being non-conductive.

 

[vhx]

Reason I went for the Antec is because of the dual 12V rail (19A on both rails!). The others seem kind of low on the rails for the prices they are at.

As for getting a 7900GT, I went with a 7900GS because this will be a temporary upgrade for the video card. I am waiting on the DX10 cards to buy a really good card and expensive card so I don't have to get another for awhile. Plus I get $250 off my next vid card purchase so I want to make sure its one of the best that I won't have to change for awhile.

Yeah I know logitech and microsoft are good, but I just need help finding some good ones people may have had experiences with.

Don't really know too much about thermal paste other than Arctic Silver seems to be a good brand. I could always just go with the Arctic Silver 5 for $1 more than the ceramique.

 

[w00t]

Originally posted by: Farmer
Ayah:

I was always under the impression Ceramique was adhesive with no silver content. I guess I was wrong. I'd still recommend the small tube of AS5.

AS5 can act as a an adhesive as we all know.

as for your keyboard recommend:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823126178

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823109137
^ I was going to say this also but it seems it's "not for gamers"? because you can't press 3 buttons at the same time hmmm that is werd because i swear i've seen video's of pro counter-strike 1.6 players using them ( complexity clan )

 

[Farmer]

vhx:

I don't keep up with PSUs, but I would recommend reading some comparos. Otherwise 19 amps is great (accounts for higher wattage rating), beats out Ayah's Seasonic at 14A and 15A, but then again, those are all claimed values.

w00t:

You don't have to tell me. I've ripped my CPU out of the socket three times already because the AS5 wouldn't budge.

Funny thing is, that bottom keyboard is my keyboard. Plays CS fine.

 

[Ayah]

Originally posted by: vhx
Reason I went for the Antec is because of the dual 12V rail (19A on both rails!). The others seem kind of low on the rails for the prices they are at.

As for getting a 7900GT, I went with a 7900GS because this will be a temporary upgrade for the video card. I am waiting on the DX10 cards to buy a really good card and expensive card so I don't have to get another for awhile. Plus I get $250 off my next vid card purchase so I want to make sure its one of the best that I won't have to change for awhile.

Yeah I know logitech and microsoft are good, but I just need help finding some good ones people may have had experiences with.

Don't really know too much about thermal paste other than Arctic Silver seems to be a good brand. I could always just go with the Arctic Silver 5 for $1 more than the ceramique.

I'm going to start the Antec bashing. Lovingly, Antec doesn't list the fvcking load maximum for the COMBINED 12V rail. Hell, it doesn't even list the capabilities of 3.3, 5, and 12s.

I wouldn't expect the Antec to actually sustain 38A on 12V ever. I'm guessing the real load on the combined 12V is something like 30-32. If you take a look at the sparce specifications that Antec lists on their website. You'll see that the "550W" PSU only has a rated maximum of 530W.

The Seasonic has a maximum load of 29A on it's combined 12v rails. This is a 430W PSU too. I would put my trust in the Seasonic, rather than the Antec. (Antec does make good cases with external help)

 

[Ayah]

Originally posted by: Farmer
vhx:

I don't keep up with PSUs, but I would recommend reading some comparos. Otherwise 19 amps is great (accounts for higher wattage rating), beats out Ayah's Seasonic at 14A and 15A, but then again, those are all claimed values.

w00t:

You don't have to tell me. I've ripped my CPU out of the socket three times already because the AS5 wouldn't budge.

Funny thing is, that bottom keyboard is my keyboard. Plays CS fine.

Yeah, AS5 does have some GREAT TIM qualities. The stickyness of it is a tribute to it's performance.

 

[supastar1568]

im gonna have to say KEEP that PSU.

Antec's are really nice

 

[vhx]

Yeah I'll think about switching the power supply after I get a keyboard (and possible a headset) but it looks good for what I need really.