Building First PC: Please Comment

E

Excelsius

n00b
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
51
Finally, after almost two weeks of voracious reading in various forums my first system is ready. I will begin to buy the parts very soon and would appreciate any feedback from the pros. Here is what I’m getting:

CPU: AMD AM2 4000+
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merc..._Code=M&Product_Code=120993&Category_Code=AM2

Motherboard: MSI K9N SLI Platinum
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130048

Memory: G. Skill 2x1GB 800DDR2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231071

Hard Drive: Western Digital 74 GB; 10,000 RPM; 16 MB Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136033

Power Supply: Antec TruePower 2 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103932

Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech DiNovo Bluetooth Wireless
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823126177

Optical Drive: BenQ DW1655 with Lightscribe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827101008

SoundCard: E-MU 0404
http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU8803

Speakers: Alesis M1 Active MK2 Biamp
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ALEM1AMK2

Case: Antec Performance
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129017


The case took the most amount of time to look for. I had also these choices, among others:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129154
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119042
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811196006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811165012
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119035

As for video card, I don't play any games so I was recommended 7300GS or X1300 video cards. Do you think if I cheap out on the vidoe card I will have a slow system, especially when Vista comes out with Aero graphics? I use photoshop and other 3D designing software (SolidWorks). I want to make sure that I don't get the wrong video card.

Do I need a separate heatsink with AMD? Is this system OK for future overclocking?
I know about Conroe and AMD price drops, but I need this system now. My goal is to upgrade my system in a year or so by simply replacing the CPU with K8L and adding 2 more GBs of memory.
I already received Samsung 19” SyncMaster as a gift and don’t need a monitor.
For CPU, I could get 4600 or 4800, but given that those are already “old” tech CPUs, I don’t think they are worth the extra money.

Any system suggestions? I wanted to get 4200 at first, but someone in another forum recommended to get 4000 instead b/c it has a larger cache. Do you agree?

(I will be buying the CPU last, in case dual core prices drop earlier.)
 
for the video I recommend getting a 7600GT orX1600 instead, it's not too much more and you never know when you'd need the extra video power, especially if your doing 3D work. and for the 74GB Raptor, i'd get a few 80-250GB drives and RAID5 them for almost the same performance, but greater storage capacity and data protection.

Ryan
 
Great setup, but do you really need a bluetooth kb/mouse combo? I really like logitech and all, but the De Nivo is very over priced and I've heard nightmare stories of inconsistent connection. My build is very similar to yours. I opted for a MS Natural 4000 keyboard and the new black Logitech G7 wireless mouse. I think that's a better combo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823109161

Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104209
What the mouse looks like
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2135,CONTENTID=10716

From what I've been able to tell, newegg is the only place that carries the black one.

Happy building.
 
I already have about 500GB extrernal hard drives. The 74 gig raptor is for applications only.

Regarding DiNovo, I had read a lot of great reviews in various forums. The problems is that I need at least 8 feet wireless range and reviews said that it works even at 17 feet. Also, I won't be paying the retail price :D I have found that I can buy a brand new one for under $100. Nevertheless, if any of you think that there are better sets with a range of at least 8 feet, please let me know. I will NEVER go close to microsoft wireless. Their stuff is garbage. We use one at work and even that gave up exactly 3 days after the 1 year warranty expired. Even before that, MS doesn't work unless you stick the mouse very close to the source!!

What do you think of this 7600GT video card?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814133150
 
I read more great reviews about DiNovo and I think it's good enough, especially since the mouse is rechargeable and I don't have to waste money on batteries.

I got some great feedback in different forums. Now I need to decide whether to get and ATI x16000pro video card or Nvidia x16000pro. Since I don't play games, is it really much better to ATI for graphic design and such?

These are the two I am considering:

SAPPHIRE Radeon X1600PRO
ERROR

OR
eVGA Geforce 7600GT 256-P2-N553-AX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283

What are some opinions on these?

Oops. I made a video card error. The ATI video card is different. Here is a correction:

POWERCOLOR Radeon X1600PRO X1600PRO512MBDDR2 CrossFire Ready
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131009

This ATI has twice the memory (512MB) of most expensive Nvidia, so I'm inclined to get it over Nvidia, especially if it is true that Nvidia is more for gaming and ATI is great for photoshop and other graphic designs.
 
Is it safe to assume that quietness is important?

EDIT: You could get a Conroe E6600 for the price of the 4000+.
 
Totally awesome case. Looks amazing and although it take a little longer to build a system in it is quiet and cools extremly well.The silver version (identical to black v.) has often been described as a refridgerator. I can't recommend the P180B enough. Nice system, hopefully buying a very similar from Velocity Micro.
 
Yes, I do a lot of audio listening and I often work on my computer or read a book around it, so the system should be quiet. But I wouldn't choose extreme silence to the point that it affects the performance of the system negatively.

I know about. I need the system well before the end of June. Additionally, if you do some research you'll see that you won't be able to get a conroe perhaps until after september, and even then, you will have to deal with the bugs of the new technology.

Thanks BMWlover. I didn't like those flashy lights and noise of other cases either.

Anyone can comment on the video cards?
 
Excelsius said:
Yes, I do a lot of audio listening and I often work on my computer or read a book around it, so the system should be quiet.
Click to expand...
In that case, I would suggest the Seasonic S12-430. More than enough power, and quieter than the TP2.

Perhaps a Scythe Mine as the HSF?
 
That doesn't have enough power for my PC.
My system is now ready for buying the parts. I was shown that 7600GT clearly wins.

Guys, can anyone in here please find me an AM2 4000 to buy? I would really appreciate it. t seems that they are out of stock until June 30.
 
Excelsius said:
Guys, can anyone in here please find me an AM2 4000 to buy? I would really appreciate it. t seems that they are out of stock until June 30.
Click to expand...

How much was the 4000? If you cannot wait until the 30th, go with the 4200, it's 350's,cant imagine the 4000 being noticeably lower(probably $20)
 
It's not the cash, but the large cache! You don't get the same cashe all the way I think until 4600 or 5000.
 
It depends on how far you planning on overclocking. A few steps up the stock cooler might be okay, but for higher you'd need a better cooler. Also I use Artic Ceramique paste and it's been really good for me. Other people will swear by Artic Silver 5

Ryan
 
I've got a stock AMD heatsink/fan right that and I can't hear it unless I put my head down around the case. The only sound I hear coming from my computer is my hard drive.
 
Since you're into audio, you might want to get a used reciever and feed it digital out from your motherboard output. Then you can hook it up to regular desktop speakers. You'll likely get much better sound.
 
I have ordered everything, but I might not be able to wait for AM2 4000 and just get 4200. The difference in caches should only give a SLIGHT difference right?

1. For now I will get the stock heatsink. How far can it be overclocked?

2. What cooler should I get later and how much will it allow me to OC? Is the one that I provided the link above good enough? I don't want liquid cooling or a cooling system that is too noisy or expensive.
 
Today I began to build my PC and there is already a probelm - not enough wires! I can't believe it - I'm short both on power and IDE wires. How can this be? I am assuming that I must buy some sort of extention cables. I have no idea where to buy them (I don't want online) or what is their exact name. I know that the power plug is called molex.
For the power, I have connected two fans to the same molex. IDE was enough only for one HD (other is SATA) and now my benq dvd drive is just sitting at the top bay with no connection whatsoever.
I hope you can give me some hints as to where do you buy your extensions.
 
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