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My First Build: help/suggestions

J

j3oomerang

n00b
Joined
Oct 15, 2007
Messages
54
I’m going to attempt to build my first PC. I do plan on overclocking, which will be new to me but there seems to be some pretty elaborate write ups in this forum. These are the parts I have decided to go with:


-GA-G33M-DS2R
-q6600 G0
-HD 2900PRO 1gig 512bit
-Crucial Ballistix 4x1GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
-WD Raptor 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
-ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
-COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power 650W Active PFC SLI PSU
-Thermaltake VF1000BWS Black Aluminum
-LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner 12X DVD-RAM Write SATA Model LH-20A1S

-My first question is if I have come up with a good list of parts here

-Will I have problems installing windows with a SATA optical drive? I read that the drivers aren’t there for it to boot from a sata drive. Will I have to use IDE instead? Does this board even have ide connectors? Ideally id like to use an IDE optical drive off an old PC and then just wait for a BR/HDDVD dual format player to come out (I heard best buy is dropping one towards the end of the month for 299.00).

-Will everything fit in the case ok? the HSF, video card and all

-Will I need more cooling or will the HSF and stock case fans be enough?

-Will I have to buy any other accessories or will everything I need come with the parts I buy? Extra cables, thermal paste...

-What would be the best BIOS version for the processor Im using?

Sorry to sound like a total "n00b" but Id like for this build to at least start smoothly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I know I’m forgetting something, so I’ll add on later.

-Thanks in advance
 
Video card: Is it 9.6 inches? If not, its too long. I think its too long, last time I checked. Short of taking a Dremel out, anyways. (Or does it fit, just without the hard drive cage in place? Confirm please. I only have a X1950 Pro)
AC Freezer 7Pro: Won't fit. Way too tall. You have a maximum height of 100mm or so.
PSU: I wouldn't want that thing powering my box. Corsair 520HX/Silverstone ST50EFShort Cable. And in addition to the post after me, the Silverstone ST60F (not EF.) The ST60F is slightly bigger than the 500W models.
Case: BWS = Black Window Steel. SWA = Silver Window Aluminium. Your choice. Look at the weights yourself.

IDE: Behind the 24-pin main power connector. Smack dab in the middle.

BIOS: Find an upload of the F4a BIOS. I believe there's a mirror on page 23, DS2R thread.
Wiring: You're going to spend some time on this one. I immediately suggest removing the hard drive cage, and mounting it on the 3.5" bay on the optical rack. (Maybe a 60mm in the back blowing towards it, where the watercooling tube can exit. Not really necessary.). Then you can use the hard drive cage's hooks in the case as a zip tie anchor to clean up airflow infront of the 92mm. Move the optical drive to the second drive bay, so you can stuff cables into the top one.
Google: Find pictures there. I'm too lazy to upload some, unless you want something specific.

Silver Lanbox:
Light (side): http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/DeathseekerWR/E4300/DSC00528.jpg
Dark (3/4):
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/DeathseekerWR/E4300/DSC00563.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/DeathseekerWR/E4300/DSC00560.jpg
Wish I took a 3/4 light shot though.

(Yate Loon exhausts warm air, warms up my feet. Just as planned.)
 
Wouldnt go with that psu either, and also look more to the st60ef, and then buy the short cables, modular and more power for your hungry system. Also wouldnt go with that case, think there hideous, have you looked at the new nzxt m atx cases? there sick as fuck!!!:D:cool::p I might stay with m atx just so i can go with one of those cases later in the money game.
 
from what i can find, the card is smaller than 9.6". i couldnt find official specs though. i had a site that said the sapphire 2900xt was 220 and i found a site that said the sapphire 2900pro was 241mm. the card requires a 6pin and 8pin connection to power suppply and recommends at least a 550w supply. I would like to get a psu that will be able to handle all my components without adapters if possible. whats wrong with the PSU I picked?

-according to the sapphire site, this card doesnt list 1080p (720p,1080i is listed), is that right?

-what would be a good HSF that would fit?

-Wouldnt mind getting another case, but i would like it to be as small as possible and not anymore expensive.

thanks for the quick replies
 
-according to the sapphire site, this card doesnt list 1080p (720p,1080i is listed), is that right?
Click to expand...
Doesn't really matter.

whats wrong with the PSU I picked?
Click to expand...
Everything. Mainly the fact that Coolermaster isn't known for PSUs, and that its probably one of those $100 high-wattage-fail-in-half-a-year models.

what would be a good HSF that would fit?

-Wouldnt mind getting another case, but i would like it to be as small as possible and not anymore expensive.
Click to expand...
If you want small as possible, you'd get a Shuttle. Otherwise, the NZXT whatchamacallit will fit more coolers, for approximately the same size. You still get a carry bag with it, so you don't really lose portability.
 
-This PC will be hooked up to my 71" 1080p samsung. Wont 1080p out show better video playback over 1080i, especially during action. I will be installing a dual format blu-ray/hd-dvd drive once one comes out for south of $300.00. Having the best quality video playback is important to me.

-OK, so Im going to go with the ST60F w/ short cable kit. Will I be able to use this with all the components I have listed without needint any adapters?

-Didnt really see anything on NZXTs site. The Duet is nice but it seems to big. I wouldnt mind the shuttle but I assumed that case would have a harder time fitting everthing in.

-Should the 2900XT and 2900PRO be the same size (both being 1GB 512-bit GDDR4)?
 
Yes, as it uses an Earthwatts 380W. Your ST60F will fit.

You'll want fan management programs though, or some sort of rheostat, for movies though. It'll be kind of loud.

And last time I checked, the Scythe Mini Ninja should fit in the NSK2480. I might be wrong.
 
oh i think there gonna make new ones of those with 120mm fans and the case is black, but idk, get some pics up so we can see!!:D:cool::D
 
this model has two 120mm exhaust fans, in the article they sound impressed by its cooling capabilites
 
Look at this case, i think its great for a htpc, i wish i had some money so i could build like three pcs in my little cramped room, wouldnt that be sick? Have my main one, on for a big screen lcd(htpc) and a lan one, and also for buddies that come over so we can play eachother! that would be sick!:D
 
slick case but i got mine for $90 shipped. I dont need/want the dial, or the screen but i like the included ir trans. The black looks sweet though. I might stain mine black if i can find an easy way to do it
 
holy shit, CPU, PSU, and MB just came in. now i got to wait till monday for evything else, damn
 
ok, so ive never done this before. Im trying to install the processor. I have it on the socket and now i need to close the load plate. It doesnt close easily. Am i supposed to apply pressure to get the load plate to close. Im assuming i have to put some load on the "load" plate but i just want to make sure.
 
Processor pops in, and the plate shouldn't go past 45'ish degrees with ease. That's where the lever comes in. You'll have to push a bit, but it should work.

If it doesn't, you're doing it wrong.
 
ok so im in the BIOS, how sweet is this. Do i need to go through all the setup shit in the BIOS or can i just leave it at default and install the OS and get into that later?
 
Yep just skip that install windows and everything you need to benchmark and torture the cpu and then restart and go into bios and oc.:D:cool::D
 
eventhough you were so kind to respond so fast, i couldnt wait but about 45 seconds after i posted to install windows. installing XP SP2, but will install Vista SP1 when it is available
 
i hope this isnt scary looking

DSC_0009.jpg


is it ok for the stix to touch like that?
 
There's no other way to have four stix of rizam. But be careful about handling the hardware. Never put stuff on a carpet.
 
its actually on glass thats on carpet. hope thats not any worse. case isnt coming until wednesday
 
I think thats how xp is, but in vista 4gbs shows i think.
Have you tested the system yet? Ran any benchmarks?
 
Only 64-bit OS' can address 4GB of RAM.

SATA0 is one below SATA1. Not really a problem though.

Looks remarkably similar to my rig... Quite surprising when you see it.
 
havent got into any overclocking yet. I want to wait till i get a better HSF. Prime95 is running now and its CoreTemp is showing 63c (havent seen anything north of 66c yet). I also wanted to start the overclocking once i get a video card. I was set on overclocking the 2900pro past 2900xt speeds and going from there but it seems alot of people suggest the 8800GTS due to driver issues and what not. so not sure now, still want to get the 2900pro...

what do you guys think the best HSF for this thing is inside a NSK2480?
 
I dont think the enzotech is that tall, it fits inside a sugo 3, and then a fan is only 25mm thick. But i have never seen one in person. I have a 9500 and it wont hit anything, and if it does the fins bend.
 
ok so the Zalman CNPS9500 is too tall (the case is 140mm including the feet). Looks sweet in there though. I think im just going to cut the fins. Im not a man of patience.
zalmantoobig.jpg
 
Lol nice! just customize the top panel! cut that little bit out, and then make a custom housing on the top with some mesh.It would like sick! Get some more pics up.

Man my f-i90hd just died on my, piece of shit, new rma.
 
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