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First Build, need some help

A

AdamPA

n00b
Joined
Sep 25, 2005
Messages
32
PLEASE READ EVERYTHING

With my paycheck next week, I'm going to build my own computer. I've installed Video cards, RAM, and power supplies but never built my own. This is my own hard earned money from this summer and last year that I've earned, and I really do appreciate the best advice that you can give me. Here's what I got laid out so far. Budget- 2,500.

Lian Li- case

EVGA 680i

EVGA 8800 GTX

E6600

Patriot 2GB

250GB HD

Samsung 22''

Samsung DVD drive

Vista premium

Zalman CNPS 9700 NT

Power Supply

Questions- Remember this is my earned money so I dont want to waste it

1. I heard that having a X-fi with 680i could cause problems? Is this true??

2. Whats the difference between the CNPS 9700 LED and NT?

3. I have a router at home can I transfer files between my computers?

4. I plan to overclock, is this a good overclocking setup?

5. Can I get OEM Vista or do I need the retail?

6. Any tips?

Thanks, I appreciate your best answers
 
1. shouldnt have any problems
2. both good coolers imo it doesnt matter there both good
3. yes
4. yes
4. oem is cheaper but can only install on one system, still vista
5. overclock slowly dont go to fast with bios tweaking or else probems later
 
You could save a LOT OF MONEY if you didn't buy EVERYTHING from Newegg, period.

2GB of Patriot RAM for $175? My god. Even with the rebate it's quite pricey for 2GB.

Try THIS and get 4GB of RAM now before the prices of RAM skyrocket back up - and make no mistake, they will. DDR2 800 at 4-4-4-12 will run circles around DDR2 1066 at 5-5-5-9, and it can run faster, just like the more expensive stuff can.

Pretty expensive for a 250GB drive also. Fry's just had 500GB SATA II Seagate 7200.10 drives (outperform the 250GB you have chosen) for $89.99 with free shipping. They do that almost every day now, and it'll probably go down in price soon enough.

I'd agree about the Vista purchase also: if this is going to be your "Godbox" for the next few years, hopefully, then do it right and save what money you can across the board, and go for the OEM version of Home Premium. Personally, I'd say get the 64 bit edition, because your machine will scream with it, but obviously there are folks that simply either don't get the 64 bit wave that's coming or they simply want to stand out in the cold with those old 32 bit boxen.

The rest of it looks ok to me, but on the pricing, you can do a lot better than Newegg on most every component you have listed. It just takes some research and time. If you've got a Newegg credit card or something, then obviously it's the place you have to shop.

Just suggestions...
 
175 for ram? yeah, way too expensive. Just get some cheap pc6400 for like less then 100 for 2gb.

I would never, ever recommend anybody go to frys for computer stuff(at least where i live). They have FULL packaging equipment and use it!
 
Be wary about the current batch of E6600's as they're not great overclockers. My advice is to wait until the 22nd of July and either get (for the same price) a quad core Q6600 or an E6850 dual core. While the E6850 is technically an E6600 with a higher default clock (due to the increase in FSB,) reports have shown it to easly OC to 4ghz.

Also, if you're not going to get two 8800 GTX cards for SLI, you'll be better off with a P35 based motherboard which will have an easier time supporting a higher FSB. If you go P35 and want a high-clocked dual core (although I recommend the quad,) you can save some money by buying an E6750 (which has a lower multiplier, but still should OC as high as an E6850) and by running with a 500mhz FSB (which most 680i boards won't do.) The range of features and prices between P35 boards differs more than 680i boards, so if you don't need things like two PCI-E x16 lanes, save more money by buying a midrange P35 board like the Gigabyte DS3R.

Lastly, take the above advice about not buying everything from newegg at the moment, as there are better deals to be had elsewhere. Definetely get 4 gigs of RAM while DDR-2 prices are low, but be sure to buy the 64-bit edition of Vista in order to use it all. Oh, and while there aren't problems between the x-fi and 680i boards, Vista drivers for the x-fi aren't so hot right now (but they're getting better soon.) If you don't have an intricate sound setup, stick with on-board.

Good luck,

Mark.
 
Markyip1 said:
... Vista drivers for the x-fi aren't so hot right now (but they're getting better soon.) If you don't have an intricate sound setup, stick with on-board.
Click to expand...

I'm not holding my breath, here. The XP drivers still aren't that great.
 
Swap the heatsink for the scythe ninja or tuniq tower 120.
 
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