My First Build

[n00bl3t]

Hey Guys...The following will be my first build. I just got into computers and gaming and I only know a little bit what I'm doing. I'd appreciate suggestions or improvements. Maybe you can tell me if i'm way overpaying for something. I'd like to save a little more money. I wanted to cap the computer at $2000, not including keyboard/mouse and monitor, which I'll buy elsewhere. As it stands, the total is $2020.99 and I don't even have any drives yet (I'm thinking NEC DVD RW). Please, any suggestions would be great. Perhaps you even catch a compatibility problem...particularly look at video card and psu.

n00bl3t

ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131517

AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA4000BNBOX - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103529

CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) ECC Registered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWINX2048RE-3200 - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145509

Maxtor MaXLine Plus II 7Y250M0 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144327

Western Digital Raptor WD740GDRTL 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144366

ASUS EN6800GT/2DT/256MB Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814121192

SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817151025

Lian Li PC-65B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811112040

 

[Blah425]

You can save some money by getting a non SLI board. Unless you are looking into getting another vid card.

Maybe you should look into another PS I really don't thnk you will need 600W. So maybe an Antec NeoPower which is only $116.

 

[n00bl3t]

Keep in mind, I wanted this to be really upgradeable as i'm going to grad school and need it to last four years.

 

[sc00ter]

First I'll post some suggestions on saving money:

1. You really don't need an SLI board, especially if you're only getting one video card. SLI only gives about a 10-15fps gain in most games. I'd get something like the DFI Ultra-D.

2. Drop the processor down to a 3700+ San Diego, over $100 cheaper and a very minimal performance difference.

3. This is just personal preference, but I'd drop the video card down to a X800XL. Don't let 'down' give you the wrong idea though, the XL performs on par with the GT, sometimes surpassing it.

4. 2 gigs of RAM is way overkill. 1 is all you need.

5. Get this PSU.

 

[NewGuy]

Looks like a really great system, and very similar to what I just built. But, you could save a bit, especially on the PS, CPU and the case.

- good advice on the San Diego
- the Antec Neopower is on sale, at least for a little while longer, if you can get by w/o a 600W power supply
- 2 gigs of memory is NOT overkill and is a very smart move if you can afford it

 

[[Spectre]]

Ok on the PSU. Don't get the OCZ Powerstream 420. Get an ATX12v2.0 PSU like the Seasonic S12 you choose. You want upgradeability then that is going to be a good choice, in addition the Seasonic's are top notch PSU's, quiet, and efficent. Anyone building a PC now should be getting ATX12v2.0 PSU's for the native 24pin, and the split 12v isolating high draw items like power hungry CPu's and videocards.

 

[RandysWay]

Don't want to go OT here or Hijack, but..

n00bl3t, don't post too much or your n00bie tag will go away.