New Computer - First Time Builder

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Hacp

Lifer
Jun 8, 2005
13,923
2
81
Originally posted by: Meatshield
ok after all these suggestions i've re-worked most of my previous specs... here they are:

Case: Thermaltake Armor VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

Motherboard: ASUS A8V DELUXE Socket 939 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Video card: ASUS EAX800XL/2DTV/256 Radeon X800XL 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Power supply: Antec NeoPower ATX 480W Power Supply - Retail

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3700BNBOX - Retail

Memory (x2): CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail

HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE WD3000JB 300GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM

CDDVDWHATEV: Pioneer Black IDE DVD Burner Model DVR-109 BK - OEM

Sound Card: CREATIVE Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - OEM

Cooling : THERMALRIGHT XP-90C Heatsink - Retail
and
Panasonic Panaflo FBA09A12M1A 92mm Hydro Wave Case Cooling Fan - Retail

ALSO

Revamp these to make em better if you would =) im gonna be here till 3am (11oclock now) so specs and training and research is what i'll do

if i'm missing anything tell me


:thumbsup:
 

Meatshield

Junior Member
Jul 25, 2005
16
0
0
Actually if u throw these on there im still under 2k with shipping, so i think i will.

Monitor: HYUNDAI L90D+ Silver 19" 8ms LCD Monitor - Retail

Speakers: CREATIVE Inspire P7800 90 Watts 7.1 Speaker - Retail

 

midnight growler

Senior member
May 8, 2005
338
9
81
An SLI motherboard just has an extra slot for 2 video cards instead of one. SLI does give you an increase in performance on some games, but not enough to justify paying twice the price. Other than the extra slot, SLI motherboards are the same as the Ultras.
 

biostud

Lifer
Feb 27, 2003
19,748
6,829
136
I would have stuck with the 6800GT since it has SM3.0 and titles supporting this will appear soon. Not that the X800XL is a bad choice.

Otherwise the new system is :thumbsup:
 

drifter106

Golden Member
Mar 14, 2004
1,261
57
91
Normally I don't get involved in these types of recommendations but I for one can relate to your situation about the "novice" + computer building. As has been recommended I strongly suggest you have someone close to help you. If that is not possible check in from time to time here and you will probably get some good advise from some willing people to help you. Something that I struggled with was the PSU and the case. PSU is very critical in that it is the heart of your system. You don't want to skimp on that. So many things can domino from a weak PSU. The case is going to be the foundation to your computer, since this is your first case I would strongly suggest getting a larger tower for numerous reasons. First time build you will need all the room you can get to become acclamated to your project. Second, a larger, well venilated case allows the heat to dissappate more readily. I ended up with a coolermaster stacker. Love it. Next build is going to be a stacker also (well made and rugged). I opted for a PCP & Cooling PSU. Somewhat overkill but am satisfied. There are many other PSU's that can give you adaquate power, OCZ POWERSTREAM is a dandy. You may want to consider going to monarchcomputer and purchase a MB combo that way they install the chip and thus allowing you (since this is your first build) not having to do it the first time. In additon they give you some free games.


Could add more but feel like i am starting to ramble

good luck
jd
 

t3h l337 n3wb

Platinum Member
Apr 22, 2005
2,698
0
76
Swap out that A8V Deluxe for an A8N Deluxe. The nForce4 Ultra chipset is a lot better than the VIA chipset. Also, I'd suggest maybe getting a SATA HDD instead, but that's just because I like the tiny wires :)
 

Burrbaby

Member
Mar 2, 2005
41
0
0
Originally posted by: Powermoloch
I would really recommed, really really really really really really really really really really reallly really really really really really really ask an advised on anyone (in your area, if you knew 'em) to guide you and help you on building a comp.

Absolutely; things ALWAYS come up and you'd hate to have a brand new component compromised just because you missed something silly. Oh if you can't find someone else experienced just use anyone with a little common sense. Putting together computers can be complicated but it certainly isn't brain surgery.
 

jonnyGURU

Moderator <BR> Power Supplies
Moderator
Oct 30, 1999
11,815
104
106
Originally posted by: biostud
For a first time builder I would strongly advise against water cooling. Only enthusiast who want to tweak their computer to a maximum or an ultra silent system choose water cooling. 99.9% uses some kind of aircooling.


Now that the OP has changed his mind to active cooling...

I have a Reserator 1. NOT for tweaking or overclocking, but for noise. The pump is WAY quieter than any fan. And the installation is fool proof. They really make it easy. The docs are good. All the fittings are in the box, the tubing, EVERYTHING! I would have to say, if you're going to screw up installing a Reserator, you're going to screw up installing a stock HSF (yes. It happens. I see it all of the time.)