Just want a few opinions...my first custom computer...what do you think?

http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view

$875.80 Total with Shipping
-$70 Mail in Rebates
---------
$805.80

What do you guys think of my order? Am I missing anything? I'm not sure if I need that heatsink or if I need more fans. I think that power supply is good enough.

I hope the video/sound card kick ass on Team Fortress 2.

https://order.store.yahoo.net/cgi-bin/wg-order?3btech

I was thinking about saving some money and buying the power supply and case from their. I'm not sure.

 

sounds like it's a nice setup and all but what's with the roll eyes? are you trying to use sarcasm on yourself?

 

What do you think?

 

Neither of your orders are showing up. Can you post the items you listed over here directly?

I might be able to help you a little since I built a system for about $1000 couple months back and I can pretty much play any games on max settings. I am sure you can build the same system for about $700-$800 now.

Do NOT take power supply unit lightly. It's one of the best investments you can make for your system. Also, do not go with the mere wattage rating. Those numbers can be gimmicks. To start you off with, here is a superb power unit. It's made by Corsair, one of the best companies out there, and even though it is 450watts, it can run almost any non SLI setups. You dont want SLI anyways. Spend more on a better single GPU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003&Tpk=corsair+450w

It's a great PSU for $60, it has long modular connections, and it runs extremely quiet.

I might be able to help you out more if I see your order list.

 

Should I get the 8800 GT, or the GTS?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150261
Free CoD 4, G92 512 8800GTS

or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082
8800GTS 320MB



ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131013

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098


Intel or AMD?

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773


Do I need a Heat Sync and Sound Card? Am I missing anything to run this PC?


Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD4000AAKS 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136076

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154


$765 shipped with that PSU you recommended.
-$20 rebate


Some of the savings end today, so I need to order it tonight.




Here is the Intel Processor I was considering
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

and the motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030

 

You lost me at Nvidia, lol.

It looks like a strong rig, I'd go ATI, but good choice my friend.

 

Thats prolly cause those cards are DX10 cards, DX10 rox.

 

good old days of building your own pc. now i just hook up my laptp to my keyboard/mouse/monitor and use it as a desktop.

i use my computer these days for internet, email, word, aim, mp3s/movies off the net.

still running xp. tried vista for a month and wasnt too happy about it.

i am honestly ready for a new computing experience. if windows 7 doesnt get here by end of next year i am going to have to sell my soul to the devil and get a mac. (gasp)

 

LoveRoxHateJazz,

Looking at your choices for your graphics card, they are all good. Personally I would go with the first two because of higher RAMS, especially if you are planning on using a monitor over 19 inches. I prefer the GTS version because of better performance and if you are planning on getting a Call of Duty game then this is the best choice. However, if you are planning on overclocking your GPU then EVGA might be a better choice because EVGA honors warranty on their cards even after you mod them.

That's a good motherboard. If you are not going to do a SLI setup and want to save some, here's another option. This is the one I am using and its very stable. I use it with Intel duo core E6750.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

Whatever MB you chose make sure it runs stable with the memory and CPU of your choice based on other's people who own it.

I would go with Intel over AMD. Intel Core Duo series has AMD beat. As I said, here is the one I am using,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029

The Intel 8400 CPU you are considering is obviously very good as is the MB.


G.Skill memory is a good choice. That's the exact same ones I am using and they are very stable.

Unless you plan on overclocking your system, you do not need a heatsink. Your CPUs and GPUs will come with the required heatsinks if they are not OEM.

If you are planning on using a seperate soundcard for sound quality improvements which are very noticable, you will need to spend near $100. the $50 or so soundcards are just not worth the money. I use onboard sound and I am very satisfied. Some games have problems with Soundblaster cards anyways.

HD and DVD drives are cheap and you can go thru them. These are the ones I use and they run great.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262


The best advice I can give you is that do not skimp on the case and CPU. They form the backbone of your system. Make sure your case has ample space and keeps things cool. Make sure that the GPU that you are getting can fit in the case you are buying.

The case you picked is nice and that is a good deal.

Here is the case I am using.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025

Great case with great features. Runs super quiet, is very spacious, and keeps things clean. If you do not want to pay $110 for it, see if you can find the P180 series for about $50-60 locally. I would suggest craigslist or local ebay search.


I would go with the Corsair PSU I mentioned earlier. Just make sure the wires are long enough if you plan on getting the Antec case I linked because Antec case is big.

Dont forget to add one of these. Only $3 but can save your system.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261005

Good luck.

 

That motherboard is out of stock.

I don not plan on using SLI, and would prefer a cheaper motherboard.

 

I have an extra 8800GTS 640mb card that I'm willing to part with if anyone wants it. (I'm already running 2 at SLI).

Asking $145 or so.....

 

Thanks Zboy.

The wrist strap is sold out. I will look for one on eBay.



I found the motherboard you recommended, but it is open box. It only has a 15 day return policy, and is nonreplacable, so I hope it doesn't break.

Am I missing anything? I don't want to have to buy something from Fry's. I think I did a good job finding the best deals. I don't plan on overclocking.

I hope I don't fry anything. I've have never built a computer before. Any tips or recommended guides?

 

Well, here are some of my criticisms on the build:

- the 9600GT is on part with current 8800's and most likely outperform SLI 8600's. It also runs on less watts and less heat and will be DX10 compliant in the future.

- not buying the newest Core 2 processors for the same price (probably even less) may have been a big mistake. They also run on less power and at lower temperatures - this is a decently big deal since one of the most common problems with the entire 680i generation of hardware is heat/power management although with ample cooling, you should be fine.

- the only other small thing is that higher rpm harddrives make a decent difference in performance although they are quite noisy.

- great case and power supply. The case will require a cleaning though maybe ever two months or so because of the incredible volume of air it pulls through it.

 

it depends, my 10k raptor is actually quieter than my 7200 seagate.

 

Here's one in stock for couple bucks more. of course you can get a cheaper one on ebay.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899888207

I have never ordered an open box item so cant make any suggestion. Should there be any problems I think you should be able to see it within 15 days. At that price, its a steal. But there is also a slight amount of risk involved.

I am assuming you have a keyboard, mouse, and a monitor.

A surge protection unit is also essential. Other than that, you have all the essentials. And that's a great system for the price.

Use the anti-static wrist wrap at all times and you should be fine. Also, take a day or two to read thru the manuals for each of the components. You should be fine. Plus, should you fry something, you should be able to return it to Newegg. They have a fantastic customer service policy.

One last thing. I am pretty sure you will need to apply thermal paste/compound to CPU before attaching the heatsink unit to it. usually stock thermal pastes are not that great.

Arctic compound is a great investment. Just dont use too much of it. You should only apply enough to form a nice thin uniform layer over the CPU. Google on correct method...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

Add this for re-application if you think you are going to screw up...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010

 

That's a nice card at a good price. I have it. It's sexy. I would recommend it.