My first home built rig

[SAgosto]

Hello:

I am new to this forum and very new to building PCs. I am a Senior Software Engineer by profession but not very comfortable in the hardware world. Instead of having my company build my PC for myself, I decided to replace my existing P4 1.7 with a new machine that I purchased via components and built. This machine will be my main PC that is basically used for development (VS2005 -> VS2008, MS Office, Internet, burning DVDs, storage of music/pics, personal files, Internet surfing, etc..). I also waited and got "decent" components whenever I saw free shipping/rebates/etc.. The only thing full price is the CPU via my GF. I am going to OC it slightly just to get into the OC world and learn more. I have been reading up and I think I should be ok putting all of this together if I take my time. I also plan to run XP64 to take advantage of the RAM. I debated Visa64 but got annoyed with the back and forth on the topic. XP is solid so I should be fine.

Here's what I came up with:

PHARCYDE-SRVR-1
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COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 Mid Tower Case (CAC-T05-UW) ($0)
COOLER MASTER Exteme Power 650W PS (C283-1144) ($15)

COOLER MASTER 92mm Hyper TX2 CPU Cooler (RR-CCH-L9U1-GP) ($1)
AMD Athlon X2 5600+ ($160)
GIGABYTE AM2 AMD 690V Micro ATX (GA-MA69VM-S2) ($59)
CORSAIR XMS2 4GB DDR2800 (PC26400) ($75)

WD Caviar 500GB Sata/300 7200RPM 16MB Cache HD (WD5000AAKS) ($100)
Seagate 400GB SATA/300 7200RPM 16MB Cache HD (ST3400620AS) ($90)

EVGA GeForce 8600GT 512MB (512-P2-N757-TR) ($90)
Logitech X530 5.1 surround sound

SONY DVD RW DW-Q30A
LG CD-RW CED-8120B
3.5" floppy

2 - Hanns·G JW-199DPB 19" WS LCD ($250)
Lexmark 2300 Series printer ($0)
Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 ($0)
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Microsoft USB IntelliMouse Optical

 

[vtx_]

Looks pretty good

The only thing that really stands out is that psu... they aren't that high quality, but it will probably be ok with the system you are building.

 

[maverick212]

Seems solid.

Could just grab a DVDR/CDR single drive, Samsung or Liteon ones seem pretty good.

Before anyone says to dump the 8600 (someone always seems to say that) and go for a 8800/3850, do note his listed uses. Seems fine for that. Though if you don't think you're going Vista for a long time, could grab a Dx9 card, but not a huge deal.

 

[SAgosto]

I realize the PSU is not top notch but it was free and NewEgg had good reviews so I didn't think it was that big of a deal. Is this an issue? I realize it's my main machine but I basically just develop on it and do other basic uses.

I could have gone to a single drive with DVD/R and CD/R but they are from my older machine so I didn't have a need to buy new.

8600GT seemed to be way more for what I would do. The only game I have a desire to play is Flight Simulator X but maybe that will change? I got this because 1) I heard of the company and most people gave it good reviews and those that didn't said get 8800 2) It would allow me to play most other games out there but maybe not FULL power on huge resolution

I wanted to go Vista and start seeing some new functionality but heard nasty things about compatibility, performance hog, etc.. I decided XP64 just to use my 64 bit CPU, RAM, etc.. and have some sort of reliability.

 

[tiraides]

I'm going to offer some general advice, and then ask a few questions.

First, don't count rebates off the bat since you still have to pay for everything up front. (And even then, there's no 100% guarantee that you'll receive all of your rebate checks.) Additionally, NewEgg's reviews aren't the best -- way too many bad reviews (that, somehow, often get marked as 5 eggs) in there -- get some second opinions from here at the [H], anandtech, jonnyguru, and other hardware sites.

The power supply is the most important part of this rig, so here are some suggestions:

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showpost.php?p=1590883&postcount=193
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1460
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103
PSU FAQ: http://www.jonnyguru.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1036

I'll offer more suggestions later, but for now, the questions:

• What's the total amount you're willing to spend on this rig? Are shipping/taxes to be included within that total amount? How flexible is this budget?
• Are you planning on reusing any parts from previous rigs (besides the optical drives)?
• Have you already purchased some parts (e.g., hardware, OS)?
• Which features do you need on the motherboard/for the computer?
• What is your rig going to built around: Stability? Overclocking potential? Multitasking ability? Longevity?
• What issues do you have/have you heard about Vista? (A lot of people are using Vista x64 with no problems.)

If you could answer those questions, it would help us provide better suggestions for your rig.

 

[SAgosto]

First, don't count rebates off the bat since you still have to pay for everything up front. (And even then, there's no 100% guarantee that you'll receive all of your rebate checks.)[/QUOTE}

I always get my rebates. I'll raise hell if I don't. That type of crap isn't tolerated. If it's offered, then it should be honored.

Additionally, NewEgg's reviews aren't the best -- way too many bad reviews (that, somehow, often get marked as 5 eggs) in there -- get some second opinions from here at the [H], anandtech, jonnyguru, and other hardware sites.

Yea, I compare on GOOGLE too. I am not very good at finding good sources but I make the newbish intention that if majority agree, it should be fine. I need more experience to know otherwise. With this forum and the others you have mentioned, I am on my way. I have a lot of catching up to do.

[*]What's the total amount you're willing to spend on this rig? Are shipping/taxes to be included within that total amount? How flexible is this budget?

I think I did this entire rig under $600 with parts from my other machine. Those without prices are from my old machine. I replaced majority of the major components except the optical/mouse/keyboard/printer, etc..

[*]Are you planning on reusing any parts from previous rigs (besides the optical drives)?

Yes, those without prices in that rig. It's an old machine so that's about all I should keep I think.

[*]Have you already purchased some parts (e.g., hardware, OS)?

Everything above.

[*]Which features do you need on the motherboard/for the computer?

SATA/PCI-E/Built-in ethernet/sound (my sound blaster card is old; I bet onboard sound is better). About it?

[*]What is your rig going to built around: Stability? Overclocking potential? Multitasking ability? Longevity?

My introduction to fairly new technology: dual core, SATAII, potential gaming. Slight introduction to OCing. I'd like it to last 2-3 years or so.

[*]What issues do you have/have you heard about Vista? (A lot of people are using Vista x64 with no problems.)

Read very conflicting things. With that, I just stay away. I do a lot of consulting work and development. I'd rather have shit working then not at all.

 

[tiraides]

Have you already purchased some parts (e.g., hardware, OS)?

Everything above.

So you've already purchased everything? That changes the whole story.

Could you list the prices of everything that you've paid for, before any mail-in rebates? And could you tell us where you've purchased everything at?

 

[engiNURD]

Not bad, but you may have been able to do better.

 

[SAgosto]

So you've already purchased everything? That changes the whole story.

Could you list the prices of everything that you've paid for, before any mail-in rebates? And could you tell us where you've purchased everything at?

NewEgg, a member on here, member on my local forum, and ZipZoomFly for the power supply.