Advice on First Build?

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Scocho

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Feb 5, 2008
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As the title states, I'm putting together my first build ever and would appreciate any advice. I've been searching diligently through [H] for the last month or so and I'm feeling pretty good about this build, but wanted to hear thoughts from the rest of you.

The primary use will be gaming. There's not a fixed budget per se, but I'd like to stay around the total current cost I'm at, listed at the bottom.

This will be located in a living room so the primary sound will be through headphones.

The only parts I'll be carrying over are my wireless mouse & keyboard, Logitech MX3200.

I'm pretty set on the display size since I get a discount from my work, but the max size for a monitor to still get the discount is 22".

Prices below do not include shipping or MIR:

MB: DFI Lanparty DK P35-T2RS, $140
CPU: Intel Q6600 G0, $246
Cooler: ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120, $50
RAM: Mushkin 4 GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800, $108
GPU: eVGA 8800GTS 512MB, $260
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-620HX, $140
HDD: WD6400AAKS 640GB, $120
Case: Antec P182, $120
Optical: Samsung SH-203B, $27
Sound: X-Fi XtremeGamer, $91
OS: Vista Home Premium x64, $100
Display: LG L227WTG-PF, $290
Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-AD700, $104
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver, $5
Surge Protector: Cyber Power 850, $15

Total: $1816 + $120 Shipping - $145 MIR

Thanks in advance for your help!
 
Here's the link for Vista Home Premium x64.

You may want to consider getting the P182 from Microcenter.

ClubIT has a $20 off promotion code if you purchase the Q6600 with any retail Socket 775 motherboard. However, the DFI P35-T2RS is not available there. If you wish to take advantage of that deal, the Gigabyte DS3R/DS3P, the Asus P5K-E, and the Abit IP35 Pro are available alternatives.

There would be no difference performance-wise between the Mushkin and A-DATA kits, so go ahead and get the cheaper A-DATA kit.
 
tiraides said:
Here's the link for Vista Home Premium x64.

You may want to consider getting the P182 from Microcenter.

ClubIT has a $20 off promotion code if you purchase the Q6600 with any retail Socket 775 motherboard. However, the DFI P35-T2RS is not available there. If you wish to take advantage of that deal, the Gigabyte DS3R/DS3P, the Asus P5K-E, and the Abit IP35 Pro are available alternatives.

There would be no difference performance-wise between the Mushkin and A-DATA kits, so go ahead and get the cheaper A-DATA kit.
Click to expand...

I apologize for the incorrect link... and yes, I'll be going with 64 bit.

Thanks for the head's up on the P182!

Picked up the monitor last night from BB - it was the last one in stock and last day of their sale!
 
The 8800GTS would be enough for your monitor... but out of curiosity, which monitor did you pick up?
 
tiraides said:
The 8800GTS would be enough for your monitor... but out of curiosity, which monitor did you pick up?
Click to expand...

I went with the LG L227WTG-PF. I had decided on the Samsung 2253BW until yesterday when I read some posts in the Display section.

I ran Dead Pixel Buddy and didn't see any dead pixels, what a relief! I hope I did it right...
 
WhDemon said:
Switch ur CPU to a Xeon e3110

http://www.ncixus.com/products/28910...70E3110/Intel/ 206$ and better for gaming
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. The link didn't work for me, but I recall this being the equivalent of the e8400.

Sorry, I should've stated in the beginning I was planning on keeping this for at least 3 years and I'd prefer to go quad in the case that more games may be built to utilize four cores.

I also left out that I'm not interested in SLI; from what I've read, the 8800GTS 512MB should be plenty for a 22" display. Speaking of which, I've decided on the KO version for $10 more than the original card I listed:

eVGA 8800GTS KO 512MB, $270 - $30 MIR
 
http://www.ncixus.com/products/28910/BX80570E3110/Intel/ Link.

Get it while its in stock

also here BFG 8800GTS OC (4Mhz less oc than the eVGA KO)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3510472&CatId=1826

229$ :) END 31 March


8800GT is fast on my 22", 8800GTS will be a monster :p
By the time that the games will need 4 cores, you will have to upgrade ur pc even if you bought a Q6600 if you know what I mean...

e3110 = e8400. Since you cant find a ~200ish $ e8400 in Stock, go with the Xeon
 
We don't know when more programs/games that could utilize a quad-core properly will arrive, so it's a choice for immediate satisfaction (E3110/E8400) or delayed gratification (Q6600).

As for the video card, you could find a stock version and overclock it yourself just as easily using some tools found online. Don't spend too much money just for an overclocked card, and choose a card from EVGA, BFG, XFX, or (I believe) MSI for their warranty.
 
Dunno... I normally follow the "unwritten rule" of buying the wireless card from the same brand as your router. Which router do you have/are you planning to buy?
 
if you can get it, the linksys WMP54G is simple, small and relatively easy to use...
 
tiraides said:
Dunno... I normally follow the "unwritten rule" of buying the wireless card from the same brand as your router. Which router do you have/are you planning to buy?
Click to expand...

I currently have a Linksys router, WRT54G. Is this a decent router or is it worth upgrading? Sometimes I get booted off the wireless signal on my laptop, even though my computer that's hardwired to the router is fine.
 
Nice job the CPU Cooler. That things beats out alot of other coolers.

For thermal grease, there's quite a few out there now that beat out AS5. For instance, AIT Cool Silver beats AS5 by 2 degrees. There's even one better that beats out AS5 but it's like 10bucks for a 1.5g syringe.
 
KamuiRSX said:
Nice job the CPU Cooler. That things beats out alot of other coolers.
Click to expand...

Thank you! All of my final decisions came from advice I found on [H]. I'm just glad I found this site early on in my research.

I just received my q6600 g0 (batch L751A899), so other than this wireless issue, all I have left to wait for is my PSU (scheduled to arrive on Tuesday).
 
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