first time build-Advice Needed plz

[fluffybunny]

Hey everyone,
I'm looking to build my first computer from parts, I have a lot of experience building computers from old computers and bits, but I have never picked all the parts and build it myself from scratch.

I am wanting it to be pretty cutting edge, but not too expensive. I also have primarily used intel, but based on some research and talking to a couple of friends they have recommended I go with the new AMD processor.

Primarily it is going to be a gaming pc and a HTPC. I know that doesn't make a whole lot of sense but I'm able to throw the computer in a closet so noise isn't a major factor.

Also due to funds, and price of the TB drives currently I am going to be doing the build in 2 phases.

Please give me some advice on parts and such.

My budget is around 1000-1400. If you could find something that I could spend a little bit less than, so I could go under the 1000 mark or anywhere around there would be nice too. (not including the video card which I already bought, look below)

Phase 1.

GIGABYTE GA-MA790FX-DS5

AMD Phenom 9500

OCZ 700W Power Supply (I am not sure about this one I have heard that the corsair is one of the best. Also I know normaly you dont need this much power but I think I will need it for Phase 2)

WD Raptor 150 GB

2 gb 1066 DDR2 RAM Crucial Ballistix(ive been told that the 1066 RAM will work better with the phenom processor something to do with the FSB and clock speed, I think. A better explanation would be helpful.)

Belkin Wireless G Card

Samsung SATA DVD Burner

8800GT video card(I bought it today due to the shortages ive been seeing and got it at a discount as well)

I cant decide between the Antec 900 case or the Cooler Master 690. Any recommendations? I get both at great deals with the discount.

If you figure the prices just use the newegg prices, and if it is in my budget with those than it will definitely be within budget with my employee discount.

Thanks A lot for any advice you can offer.

Phase 2
WD 160 GB SATA HD(Used for a direct mirror of the raptor drive)

2 of the WD TB drives( 1 is for storage the other is for a direct mirror of the storage drive)

Phase 2 is just primarily to get it more into the HTPC realm.

I will be using a Samsung LN-3251D as my monitor.(it is a 720P native 32 inch HDTV)

Any advice, recommendations, thoughts, or any other comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[soundguy]

great job on the 8800GT mate, that is somewhat of an achievement.

although, on a more sour note: where have your friends been, the new phenoms are more expensive than the large majority of intel processors and are much slower. At the very least you should go for a Q6600, but i would recommend waiting untill the new intel penryn precessors come out in January/February. the power supply is probably overkill for a intel system (not sure about amd) so i think just go for the 650 or even 550W corsairs. i would recommend the ASUS lightscribe dual layer sata burner as even though its only 18x burning, it has lighscribe and includes a free version of nero. have you already got the wireless card? i really love the linksys WMP54G...

as for the case, i have just had a recent argument about 690 Vs 900, and i still vote for the 900 all the way, but it really is up to you what case you choose. i will just say that i often get between 20 and 30 defrees on a pentium 4 in my 900 with a Thermaltake blue orb FX, so i would recommend that combo.

i am sorry if i sound blunt, but i am just trying to save you from spending more on less performance.

 

[fluffybunny]

Thanks a lot for your reply. I was thinking that it was BS about the phenom being faster, and looked around and have found that to be the case. Thanks for the confirmation.

As for the wireless card I have no wireless card laying around as I have been with macs for the last couple of years and I'm looking to get back into PC gaming and i get a good discount on belkin products.

I have modified my build with the intel chip(Q6600) and it is actually a bit cheaper. I went with the Asus P5W DH Deluxe mobo. I think this is the one everyone recommends. Is this the case?

I will be buying this right after christmas so hopefully some more solid information about the new penryn chip will be out there.

I also decided to go with the 550 Watt Corsair Power supply. It seems to have enough connectors for me, so I guess the power needed would be there?

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 279.99
Asus P5W DH Deluxe 179.99
Corsair CMPSU-550VX(NE) 99.99
ASUS dual layer sata burner 34.99

Do those changes look good? If I decided to wait for the new penryn chip would that P5W mobo work?

Also do I need to get DDR2-1066 RAM? or would DDR2-800 be enough?

 

[Dangman]

DDR2 800 RAM is enough even if you're planning on overclocking. If you keep the FSB and RAM at a 1:1 ratio, DDR2 800 RAM is all that you need to OC the Q6600:
Q6600:
Multi x FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 x 266Mhz, DDR2 533 RAM = 2.4Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9 x 333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.0Ghz <== Good OC
9 x 400Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.6Ghz <== Excellent OC

In addition, you can get 4GB of DDR2 800 for not that much more than the DD2 1066:
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $110

And if you're planning on overclocking, get the G0 stepping Q6600 instead since it runs cooler and can OC higher than the B3 stepping Q6600 at newegg. Though some people have reported getting G0 steppings from newegg, it's not always a sure thing so get the G0 from Clubit.com:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping CPU - $277

Also, that mobo is actually pretty oudated now. Granted it was well recommended several months ago but there are much newer mobos out there that offer better performance and overclocks. Also, no the P5W would not work with the new Penryn CPUs. Only mobos based on the P35, G33, X38, and X48 chipsets will support all of the new Penryn CPUs.

I recommend any of these mobos instead:
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Intel P35 Motherboard - $86
Abit IP35-E Intel P35 Motherboard - $90
Abit IP35 Intel P35 Motherboard - $120
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R Intel P35 Motherboard - $130
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P Intel P35 Motherboard - $145
Abit IP35 Pro Intel P35 Motherboard - $168
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 Intel P35 Motherboard - $175

Just to help you out: If you don't need RAID, more than 4 SATA ports or legacy ports, then the IP35-E is a good choice. If you need legacy ports, than the DS3L. If you need firewire and RAID, than the IP35. If you don't need firewire but want 8 SATA ports, RAID, and legacy ports, than the DS3R is a good choice. If you need a mobo for high overclocks, go for the IP35 Pro. Also check out the DS3P and DS4 as well.

Also, I concur with soundguy about changing your power supply, though not for the same reasons. The OCZ GameXStream is a FSP Episilon based PSU that has out of spec ripple, or voltage fluctuations, at high loads that can and will damage your PC parts over time. Granted you may not reach such high loads, but why buy a PSU that has a great chance of damaging your PC?

So the Corsair 550VX is a good choice. You can get it for cheaper here:
Corsair 550VX 550W PSU - $91

As for the 690 versus 900, personally I like the 690 better. Slightly better build quality and it's usually cheaper than the 900 before rebates.