My first build! Input appreciated...

D

dannitohoot

n00b
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
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I'm tryin to keep the parts I buy under 600. I'm buyin a video card separate.
It's a HD 3850 512MB.
Here's a list of the other parts:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Processor - $209.99

GIGABYTE GA-P31-S3G LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard - $64.99

Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU ATX 12V 2.0 500W Power Supply - $69.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - $74.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $59.99

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - $24.99

RAIDMAX Smilodon Extreme Black ATX-612WEB SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $84.99

TOTAL: $589.93

I'm not sure about this brand of RAM. The rest of it, I'd like to keep, or at least have something comparable in power.
 
The G.Skill is good RAM, though you may want to get DDR1000 if you plan on overclocking.

Thermaltake isn't the best PSU, I'd recommend something like the Corsair 550VX.
 
I'll add my vote for a different PSU. If it's a Thermaltake and it's not a Toughpower... I don't trust it.
 
If you're willing to include rebates against the price, a Corsair 550VX or 520HX would be a much better choice. Failing that, look to 500+ watt Seasonic and Silverstone units.
 
Rebates are an option... I'd still have to look at them though, cuz I do have a breaking point. I'm thinking that the 4G of RAM can be upgraded to DDR 1000 further down the line. I'm liking what I have so far. My greatest concern is the PSU. If that goes out, I'd be pretty bummed.
 
Buy.com currently has the Corsair VX 550W for $74.99 if you're a first time Google Checkout ( ::halo:: ) user, plus free shipping (whether or not you use Google Checkout). :)
 
I'm with s-c on this one. When you could find a decent 4GB DDR2 kit for under $80 -- while several 2GB kits still cost around $50 -- that's a good deal you shouldn't pass up.

The GA-P31-S3G is compatible with the new Wolfdale CPUs, so go ahead and get it. Gigabyte's P31/P35 boards are generally good overclockers and will accept just about any type of RAM you throw at them.

Here is a list of good PSUs available for under $90:

tiraides said:
Antec EarthWatts 430W PSU - $59.99 (free shipping) or $69.99 (free shipping)
Corsair VX450 450W PSU - $69.99 (free shipping) or $74.99 ($15 mail-in rebate)
Seasonic SS-500ES 500W PSU - $69.99 (free shipping)
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 470 470W PSU - $74.99 (free shipping)
Antec EarthWatts 500W PSU - $74.24 (free shipping) or $79.99 (free shipping & $30 mail-in rebate)
Corsair VX550 550W PSU - $84.99 (free shipping) or $88.90 (free shipping & $10 mail-in rebate)
Seasonic S12 II SS-500GB 500W PSU - $85.99 (free shipping)
Click to expand...

As an alternative, here are some good case/PSU combos that aren't too expensive:

Antec Sonata III ATX Case with Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU - $90
Antec NSK6580 ATX Case with Antec Earthwatts 430W PSU - $100
Antec Sonata Designer with Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU - $123

Despite s-c's (likely) objections, the Earthwatts PSUs are based off the new 80 Plus energy-efficiency standards -- they're much better than previous Antec models (and they have more than enough power for your setup).

Where are you getting your HD3850 from? I'm not trying to discourage you from buying it, but the 9600GT is the better performer in the same (approximate) price range.
 
Here's the list with a different PSU. Stickin with the previous video card and 4G Ram.


Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Processor - $209.99

GIGABYTE GA-P31-S3G LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard - $64.99

SeaSonic SS-500ES ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 500W Power Supply - OEM - $69.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - $74.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $59.99

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - $24.99

RAIDMAX Smilodon Extreme Black ATX-612WEB SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $84.99

TOTAL: $597.52 (shipping included)

I'm thinking this is pretty much my decision. More input is appreciated.
 
I've been using a Seasonic S12 650w for awhile now and it's been beautiful. Not a single problem... even after I was working in the rig live one day and caused a nasty spark and consequential shut down. There's not even much heat coming from this thing when it's under substantial load. I love my Seasonic :D
 
Looks good. Will you be overclocking? If so, pickup a ZEROtherm Nirvana CPU HSF.

Though cases are mainly personal preference, is there any particular reason you chose that case? Its airflow isn't the greatest.
 
Wait.. You chose an IDE burner.. Does that make a difference from using a SATA one? I'm not sure, but I thought SATA was a better choice?
 
Thanx for the help... it was awesome. Part of the reason I chose that case is because of the fact that it had 4 fans... it also has the storage compartment on the bottom. The other reason is because the front USB ports aren't squished together. That shit always annoys me. With the 2 large fans, I'm not so sure that cooling will really be a problem... plus the customer reviews are all good.
As for the IDE vs. SATA... I believe the SATA is better for hard drives. As far as burners... I dunno.
 
Customer reviews don't mean jack. 3/4ths of the people reviewing stuff on Newegg have no idea what they're talking about.

Get an SATA DVDRW drive. IDE/PATA is on the way out.
 
SATA is beneficial (for optical drives) because the smaller, thinner cables aren't as obstructive (and difficult to manage) as the IDE cables. Plus, manufacturers are (slowly) starting to migrate to SATA drives. Right now, there's little performance difference between IDE and SATA optical drives.

With the HD3850, that makes sense now. Disregard my earlier comments about that.
 
Silent-Circuit is correct about newegg reviews. No offense to anyone who'se ever left a newegg comment, including me, but most of them are written by computer noobs that rarely understand or know what the hell they're talking about.

Also, a larger number of fans does NOT always mean that airflow will be good. What matters most is the type of fans used and the airflow plan of the case. With that particular Raidmax case, it only has one large fan, the front 120mm fan. 80mm fans are considered small these days.

And tiraides is correct about SATA dvd drives. They do allow for better airflow inside your case. With that said, if you want every SATA port available dedicated to a hard drive and don't mind a slight obstruction of your case airflow, then go with the IDE drive.
 
If you don't mind the noise, then the Smilodon is fine. The CM RC-690 has room for 7x 120mm fans, which would indeed have better airflow and be quieter than 80mm fans. I think the main selling point behind the Raidmax Smilodon is the removable motherboard tray. However, the drawback with their removable mobo tray design is there's no room for cable management behind the mobo.
 
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