First build; critique/suggestions wanted!

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djm232

n00b
Joined
Jan 26, 2009
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Hey guys, HardForum noob here. First off, the questions.

1. Mostly gaming, and the obvious stuff like web browsing.
2. $640 ($840 after gift cards, will explain later). Some wiggle room with shipping.
3. Minnesota.
4. Everything besides keyboard, monitor, and mouse.
5. Keyboard, monitor, and mouse.
6. Don't plan on doing it on day one, being my first computer building experience and all, but later on, yes.
7. 19" Samsung SyncMaster 931bf LCD
8. Within the next week or two.
9. Nothing special. No plans of going SLI/Crossfire or RAID.
10. Yes.

A little background: I've researching a new computer rig since late December and finally nailed down a rough draft of a build, but I've been looking for some second opinions. Below is the current list of parts I've decided upon. I realize there's several of these posts made every day, so I appreciate any and all feedback. Onto the build....

CASE: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $49.99
PSU: Antec earthwatts EA500 500W ATX12V v2.0 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply $64.99
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX $119.99
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor $164.99
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 $144.99
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400 $39.99
DVD: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE $20.99
Subtotal: $612.93

After a few tweaks, I'm now a bit under my planned online spending budget, so I can maybe upgrade in a few places. You'll notice I left a HDD off the list, I plan on buying one at Best Buy using a couple gift cards I've had laying around ($200 total) as well as a wireless network card. As someone mentioned below, I realize Best Buy has awful prices but they weren't too bad with hard drives.

Areas I'd appreciate feedback the most:
-PSU: Is that one adequate to power this rig + 1 HDD?
-Mobo: This is where I've been the most confused. I've gone through at least 6 different choices since I started compiling a build. How's this one look?
-CPU: I may be overdoing it here, but I'd like to build a rig that will last me 2-3 years and still be competitive when it comes to running new games. The reviews for the E8400 seemed pretty stellar, so I figured it was worth the $160 price tag like everyone said.
-Case: Could I get away with a cheaper one? I don't need anything flashy.
-CPU heatsink: Is aftermarket cooling a wise decision? I read the stock Intel heatsinks were average at best. Is this a good one? Could I get better for cheaper?

I think that about covers everything for now. If anyone wants to post a completely new build, feel free. :D I'm still a greenthumb in the PC hardware dept., and I'm sure my performance per dollar ratio is pretty bad. I'm really only set on the 4850. It's probably overkill for my 1280x1024 setup, but that should make it last a a bit longer before I have to upgrade, or until I get a widescreen LCD.
 
The Rosewill power supply is crap. Go with the Antec EA500 instead.

Omit the Freezer 7 Pro and spend a little bit more on a superior CPU cooler... namely, the Xigmatek HDT-S1283. To make mounting it easier on you, consider purchasing the Socket 775 Bolt-thru kit as well. But if you want to save some money right away, you can omit the aftermarket CPU cooler for now -- especially if you aren't planning to overclock the processor right away.

I personally don't like the cooling capabilities of the Centurion 5 case. You can go with a cheaper "generic" case, but make sure that the case you're considering can support a 120mm fan in the front and rear of the case.

Do you have an OS license for this computer already?
 
Bout time! Didn't want to reply first as that would be too much work.

1. Change your PSU if you're spending $65. There's more than this as well.
lowteckh said:
PSU - Corsair 520HX $110-$20MIR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=520hx
PSU - Corsair 620HX $160-$30MIR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002&Tpk=620hx
PSU - Silverstone ST60F $105-$25MIR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817163109&Tpk=st60f
PSU - Silverstone ST70F $125-$25MIR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256045&Tpk=st70f
PSU - Antec NeoPower 550 $60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103941
Click to expand...
2. Get the 1000MHz version of the G.Skill. The e8X00s are FSB dependent to hell; $5 or $10 more for a guaranteed overclock eliminates a lot of guesswork as to wtf is screwing up when your O/C fails (aka won't be the ram)
3. Buy some other crap from Bestbuy, just not their overpriced computer crap. Crap.
3.5. tiraides didn't say to get a lesser P43 mobo, so I'll fill in for him. If you don't have a use for it he says, don't get a P45.
4. If you're not overclocking, don't buy extra crap. If you plan to, get a S1283.
5. I recommend a Xclio 1000 as a case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103022&Tpk=xclio 1000 If you change the blue led fan, you have a stoplight.
 
tiraides said:
Do you have an OS license for this computer already?
Click to expand...

Yep.

Appreciate the replies. I don't plan on overclocking right away so I guess I don't need a top notch heatsink setup off the bat.

Thanks for the PSU suggestions. I'm not sure what I was thinking with the Rosewill. I just sort of picked the first one in that price range I saw.

Updating my build in OP shortly.
 
lowteckh said:
3.5. tiraides didn't say to get a lesser P43 mobo, so I'll fill in for him. If you don't have a use for it he says, don't get a P45.
Click to expand...

If you don't really need all of the extra features, choose either the Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L or the MSI P43 Neo3-F motherboard. The Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L is the better overclocking board (out of the two P43 boards), whereas the MSI P43 Neo3-F has two more SATA ports (8 vs. 6). Both boards can be found at NewEgg (and various other places) for around $80-$100.

Here is a better case, in terms of cooling capability: the Antec Three Hundred. Provantage offers its cases for considerably less (even after shipping) than NewEgg. Pair it with a couple of low-speed Yate Loon fans and you'll have much superior cooling than the Centurion 5 case.
 
It's not that Lite-On optical drives are bad (performance-wise), but they're very loud. Samsungs, not so much. Asus also produces optical drives that aren't as loud as other brands... but the Samsung SH-S223F always seem to be on sale nowadays.

Cases are largely a matter of personal taste, but you should make sure that it's capable of providing adequate cooling for all of your parts. The Antec Three Hundred and the Centurion 590/690 cases are all good choices, but there are others that you may like more than those three.
 
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