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Hardware for Building my first PC

G

garrityst

n00b
Joined
Jul 29, 2004
Messages
31
Like some other posters here, I am going to be heading to college in less than a month. And, of course, need a new PC. I plan to use the computer for gaming as well as school work.

I have never built a PC before, but I have spent some time online researching, and I feel confident that I can build it, sort of. Is it that hard?

Anyway, here are the parts I am looking to order from newegg.


ASUS "K8V SE Deluxe" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...ufactory=BROWSE

ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...ufactory=BROWSE

Western Digital Special Edition 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD1200JB, OEM Drive Only
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...ufactory=BROWSE

NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A BLK, OEM BULK
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...ufactory=BROWSE

Thermaltake W0014 Silent Purepower 480W with Black housing - Xaser Edition ATX 2-Fan Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...ufactory=BROWSE

Lian Li Silver Mid-Tower Case, Model "PC-60" -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-112-022&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

CORSAIR XMS Xtreme Memory Speed Series, Xtra-Low Latency 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 w/ Platinum Heat Spreader, Model TWINX1024-3200XLPT - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-523&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 1MB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-426&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-162&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Does this look like a solid system, and are all the parts nearly on par with one another?What is the weakest link to this system?

I am thinking it is the video card, but I am not sure what an affordable upgrade would be. Any suggestions?

Does all this look compatible, and relatively easy to assemble for a first timer?

Also, am do I need to order cords or anything? I am going to connect to a network at school, so what kind of additional hardware or modem, if any, would I need? Thanks very much, and bear with my ignorance.
 
im not sure about the cpu compatibility and ram compatibility with the motherboard as of now because i m dead tired and i ll check it later in the morning

Also, am do I need to order cords or anything? I am going to connect to a network at school, so what kind of additional hardware or modem, if any, would I need? Thanks very much, and bear with my ignorance.
Click to expand...
you would need a NIC... i m not sure if the motherboard has an onboard one, i can check later... and also a network cable... best if you go for a cat5e or cat6 cable and do not buy a crossover cable, lol... thats for networks so far... i m not sure about the others, too tiredd... i ll get back to you after i sleep
 
The CPU/Mobo/RAM is just fine. You don't need a NIC as it has onboard Gigabit LAN.
As for the video card, I would recommend a vanilla nVidia GeForce 6800. It will eat the 9800Pro alive for a few more bucks.
If you want to save a few bucks get rid of the Audigy as the mobo also has onboard sound. Ditch the Thermaltake power supply and get an Antec or Fortron.
 
cruz610 said:
The CPU/Mobo/RAM is just fine. You don't need a NIC as it has onboard Gigabit LAN.
As for the video card, I would recommend a vanilla nVidia GeForce 6800. It will eat the 9800Pro alive for a few more bucks.
If you want to save a few bucks get rid of the Audigy as the mobo also has onboard sound. Ditch the Thermaltake power supply and get an Antec or Fortron.
Click to expand...
sounds good... but he still needs a network cable... get one a lil long then the actual length you need (just incase) and get cat5e or cat6

what do you mean by a vanilla one?

i dont know about the onboard sound, some sucks but seeing that you have a pretty decent motherboard, then maybe its got good sound

thermaltake is ok but im hearing antecs are a lot better... if you rather spend less money, go for a sparkle or a pc power and cooling (i forget the exact name)... pc power and cooling provides customizable psu so thats why i guess most people like it
 
By vanilla I mean just get a plain old Geforce 6800...not a GT or Ultra.
PC Power and Cooling are EXPENSIVE. They are the best power supplies out there but you pay out the arse for em.
Onboard sound can definately vary; I found the sound to be amazing on my mobo, but that doesn't mean it will be great on his. I suggest testing it out before you go buy an Audigy though. Its money you can save!
Network cables can be had on campus if he doesnt order them now :)
 
cruz610 said:
By vanilla I mean just get a plain old Geforce 6800...not a GT or Ultra.
PC Power and Cooling are EXPENSIVE. They are the best power supplies out there but you pay out the arse for em.
Onboard sound can definately vary; I found the sound to be amazing on my mobo, but that doesn't mean it will be great on his. I suggest testing it out before you go buy an Audigy though. Its money you can save!
Network cables can be had on campus if he doesnt order them now :)
Click to expand...
well, if his onboard sound is good enough, then take the audigy money and the psu money and blow it together on a pc power and cooling psu
 
If gaming is your #1 priority then you should allocate your money a little differently. 1st paying $318 for that ram is unnecessary. Getting a gig of Corsair value select for $166 will perform just a little slower (almost negligible) in games. You can also get a 3000+ ($170) and K8N Neo Platinum ($124) then easily OC to 3400+ speeds and save yourself money. Use the extra money for a 6800 or a 6800 GT.
 
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