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Newbie's first build (revised) plz help with compatibilty!

S

Santasballz

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 10, 2005
Messages
366
Hello, this is my first time ever building a computer and first time ever researching for components. anyway, here is what i have chosen, PLZ help me with compatibilty (to c if everything is compatible. suggestions are also welcome.
one last note, the machine is gonna be used for playing games. i don't plan to do any OCing (nothing serious anyways)

processor:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-498&depa=0

motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-510&depa=0

harddrive:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=22-144-160&DEPA=0

power supply:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-924&depa=0

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-523&depa=0

CD/DVD:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-131-236&depa=0

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-112-073&depa=0

Video card:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-203&depa=1

(might go with BFG instead, haven't decided yet

Heatsink:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-109-118&depa=0

Heatsink fan:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-180-081&depa=0


sound card:
NO idea. looking for a crappy performance but high quality soundcard (meaning it doesn't consume a shit load of cpu power) any suggestions? plz remember i am going for quality rather than performance here.







so that's basically it....the biggest concern i have right now is if whether neopower will fit in that lian li case...anyone know?
suggestions are welcome.

IMPORTANT: i havne't decided when to build this computer yet. would these selections still be viable in 5 months if i decide to drag through 5 more months? thx
 
list the components instead of posting links to all of them

like this

Abit IC7-G
P4 2.8C
2 x 512MB Corsair PC3200
etc
 
Video card= good
Processor =good but if your not overclocking like crazy get the same 3500+ in the 130 nanometer varient the Winchester is not worth the 100 dollar difference unles your overclocking

Get an SB live for sound

memory looks good if you not overclocking

case is a matter of taste
power supply you could do better but Antec is good and better = alot of money


Go with a Pioneer DVD , Sony can have issues with compatilbity , I have never liked Sony

Heat sink, save your money , the retail one works great, if you overclocking, ok but then go aftermarkt on the cooler but get pc3500 or better on the memory no?

Oh and since your going new, why not go PCI-e its got a better upgrade path, and even go further with an sli ready board just in case you get the "addiciton " and want to really loose it.
 
thx for advice.

so if i am not going to OC, a newcastle core would do fine? (about 100 dollars cheaper)

if i do that, i could probably save a bunch of money (budget around 2000 usd), so maybe i could get another supply? biggest issue is that i want a good, powerful supply that will fit nicely into the case. i've heard that neopower is a "tight" fit from some reviews, but i am not really sure exactly how "tight" the fit is.
 
alright, i've listed them like this:

AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 512K, L2 Cache, Socket 939 Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor - Retail

ASUS "A8V Deluxe" VIA K8T800 Pro Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL

Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD

Antec 480 watt 120mm fan ATX 12V v2.0 power supply, Active PFC, Model "NeoPower"

CORSAIR XMS Xtreme Memory Speed Series, Xtra-Low Latency 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 w/ Platinum Heat Spreader

Sony Internal 16X DVD+/-R / Double Layer/DVD+/-RW Drive, Model DRU710A, Retail

Lian-Li Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Case, Model "PC-V1100B"

eVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800GT Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP

Thermalright Heatsink for P4 & K8 CPUs, Heatsink Only, Model "XP-120"

anasonic Panaflo 120 x 38mm Cooling Fan
 
if you aren't going to OC, get a Zalman 7000 - quieter and less expensive
 
It seems like you have indeed done your research. Wonderful product selections there. As for your concerns...

sound card: NO idea.
Click to expand...

The motherboard selection you made already has onboard sound, and using it while gaming would only rob 10% or so of your performance. If it is such a big deal to you, then you should get the Audigy 1 or 2 soundcard. You only need a basic card. They all sound great but the true purpose is to save you CPU cycles.

One good reference: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-179&depa=0

IMPORTANT: i havne't decided when to build this computer yet. would these selections still be viable in 5 months if i decide to drag through 5 more months? thx
Click to expand...

Even by 5 months, it'd still be one of the fastest you can buy. But it is getting a lil' long in the tooth. By then, new mobo rev's might be coming out along with new technology, especially those most-talked-about dual core procesors. Just keep an eye out if you're not planning on getting this system in the next 2 months. Keep saving your money until something new comes along.

Heat sink, save your money , the retail one works great, if you overclocking, ok but then go aftermarkt on the cooler but get pc3500 or better on the memory no?
Click to expand...

I agree on this part of saving your money on using the retail HSF. If overclocking, the XP120 is of course welcomed. One part I disagree on is the PC-3500 memory or better comment. You do not need 3500 at all. 3200 fits for every A64 system just fine. The higher speeds are generally good for P4's but would make little difference for the A64's.

Panaflo 120 x 38mm Cooling Fan
Click to expand...

ONLY IF YOU'RE STILL GOING TO BUY THE XP120-- READ: Not sure but to be on the safe side, that 38mm is indeed thick. I do have the same fan but make sure you have the proper long screws to put on top of the XP120.

Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD
Click to expand...

If you're planning on *pure* gaming and nothing else on the PC, then this choice is marvelous. However, some people may try to make a PC pure but ends up making the PC do other various functions such as video/music producing and AOL/MSN chatting and it can bring a clog to your hard drive. If you're going to hit that route, you might as well get a mini secondary hard drive to have all your unrelated programs to clog it.

if you aren't going to OC, get a Zalman 7000 - quieter and less expensive
Click to expand...

I agree on this and on a side note, if you are going to get the Zalman 7000, I can sell you my *brand new* (though opened but never ever used) Zalman 7000-Cu for a cheaper price than the average retail stores sales price.

Good luck and happy biddin-- building.

-J.
 
I all looks top stuff if you are buying it NOW. However, 5 months down the line it may well have been surpassed (slightly) by newer and better hardware. If buying in only a couple of months, I would be tempted to get PCI-e motherboard and look out for an X800 XL graphics card (PCI-e only). They are supposed to be priced at $100 lower than the 6800GT but perform almost identically. ATi doesn't have a particularly good recent track record of getting their cards to the market in numbers in order for the RRP to be matched though.

If you decide to go SLi (nVidia cards only of course), you might want to look at a better power supply. Adding an extra 6800GT and another HDD or two for storage would start to take its toll on the PSU you've chosen I suspect.
 
mulpsmebeauty said:
If you decide to go SLi (nVidia cards only of course), you might want to look at a better power supply. Adding an extra 6800GT and another HDD or two for storage would start to take its toll on the PSU you've chosen I suspect.
Click to expand...

Perhaps. It's only safe to get with a higher wattage PSU. Try Fortron's 530 Watt PSU. 'Posed to be good.

-J.
 
alright thx for all feedbacks. thx for geforce for breaking it down for me


but i am still wondering...anyone know a list of PSU that would fit well into that compartment in the lian li v1100 case? thx
 
for a sound card, if cost is a concern the chaintech av-710 is an awesome card for the money. if you have a pretty high budget, look into some of the stuff M-audio has (maybe a revolution 7.1 or better)

as for the power supply issue, their sizes are pretty much standardized, i dont know how the neopower isn't going to fit. one point though is that it's a non-windowed case so i dont see much of a point in spending the extra money for a modular power supply. you can just tuck the unused rails behind the board.
 
jamestime88 said:
one point though is that it's a non-windowed case so i dont see much of a point in spending the extra money for a modular power supply. you can just tuck the unused rails behind the board.
Click to expand...



sorry i don't understand what you mean there. it's a non-windowed case, ya, but what do u mean extra money for modular power supply? rails?? waa? :confused:
 
I forgot to mention the cheaper sound cards that does just as well as Audigy. The Revolution 7.1 is a good one too.

He meant that if money is a concern to you, you're better off saving money by buying a non-modular power supply. The power supply you're buying is modular. It has pluggable molex connectors (rails). He is saying you should save money by buying a non-modular power supply and tuck the hanging connectors behind the motherboard tray (the metal/aluminum board for the motherboard). Just a mere suggestion.

-J.
 
alright thx for suggestion with ram.

as for soundcard, i'll just get the 50 bucks audity 2 like u suggested, geforce.


and BAD NEWS:
i have just confirmed that neopower DOESN'T fit in this lian li case...damn, i am either gonna have to change case or change PSU. I am thinking of changing PSU, cause this case is just awesome! i don't think i've seen any other with 2 120mm fans PLUS sound damping foam.

hmm...wonder which PSU would fit? anyone know?
 
PCP&C Turbo-Cool 425W Deluxe should fit. It's a bit more expensive ($150), but has the same 1% rail regulation of the higher output models which are the best PSUs you can buy.

link
I've got one and it's great. Comes with factory sleeving, very slick looking.
I'm gonna be selling mine soon, as I need a 24pin ATX connector for my new MB.
 
COrsair XMS (or Twinx) 3200xl is based on TCCD chips so it'll oc just as good as any TCCD-based memory :D
 
alright thx for suggestion on PSU. price isn't an issue, with the above setup, i still got like 300 bucks to spare so i can go wild on the PSU as long as it fits and is powerful.

enderw, just out of curisoity, what makes u think it will fit? it seems like that PSU has the same dimension as a standard one: 86x 140 x 150

did u try it on a lian li new generation case and it fit?

thx
 
also, is PCP&C any reliable? this is the first time i've heard of em. i checked out their website, and it looks HORRIBLE. i know website doesn't really matter, but it really gives them a bad impression.
newegg doesnt sell PCP&C either so i am little concerned here
 
Santasballz said:
also, is PCP&C any reliable? this is the first time i've heard of em. i checked out their website, and it looks HORRIBLE. i know website doesn't really matter, but it really gives them a bad impression.
newegg doesnt sell PCP&C either so i am little concerned here
Click to expand...
PCP&C is by FAR the most reliable, rock-solid, stress-tested, industrial brand of PSUs out there. So much so that many people consider them to be overkill in certain situations, mostly because along with their superiority comes a pretty hefty price tag. If you aren't OC'ing a good Antec/Fortron unit will do imo.

If you wanna splurge on something that'll last a lifetime or if you're planning on spending any more than $90 on the PSU then I'd go PCP&C tho. They don't spend much on marketing (PC Magazine is the only place where I've seen their ads and I don't think they even run them anymore) and their website looked old the last time I was there, I'm sure it looks worse now, but ask anyone on the PSU sub-forum about them and you'll get this same response.

Maximum PC had a PSU round-up not long ago where it ranked pretty high if you'd rather look at some print media (not that it has inherently more credibility, PSU reviews in general aren't very intensive 'cept at a few key places like SPCR, that MPC round-up was pretty well done though).
 
Impulse says it all.

PCP&C is the best, in other words. You pay for what you get however. 99.9% reliability. :) They don't run any ads much because they rely on word of mouth and basically they are industrial-based. They do their marketing in very different places. Newegg is basically your consumer-based site. Only the top few enthusiast/extreme/industrial sites sell them.

-J.
 
Santasballz said:
alright thx for suggestion on PSU. price isn't an issue, with the above setup, i still got like 300 bucks to spare so i can go wild on the PSU as long as it fits and is powerful.
Click to expand...

If you've got money to spare, you may consider the Turbo-Cool 510W PCI-E version. It's got a 24pin ATX connector, so it's more future proof, and it's under rated at 510W, actual output is more like 600W.

It won't do anything for your current setup that the 425W won't, but it will most likely be compatible when you upgrade, whereas the 425W, with the 20pin ATX connector may not.


Santasballz said:
enderw, just out of curisoity, what makes u think it will fit? it seems like that PSU has the same dimension as a standard one: 86x 140 x 150
Click to expand...

What makes you think it won't fit? And why wouldn't the NeoPower fit? I didn't know of any special requirements for the new Lian Li cases.


Santasballz said:
did u try it on a lian li new generation case and it fit?
Click to expand...

No, I didn't but there are sites like this one that sell customized Lian Li cases with practically any PSU you want in them, including PCP&C units. And this review mentions some trouble with PSUs that have a fan on top, but all of the PCP&C Turbo-Cool units use a single fan design.


Santasballz said:
also, is PCP&C any reliable? this is the first time i've heard of em. i checked out their website, and it looks HORRIBLE. i know website doesn't really matter, but it really gives them a bad impression.
newegg doesnt sell PCP&C either so i am little concerned here
Click to expand...


Don't judge a company by the design of their website. PCP&C is the best. 1% rail regulation, 5 year warranty, etc. A PSU for the truely [H]ard. That's why they cost almost $100 more then other PSUs. Most people consider them overkill, but your PSU is the foundation of your system and it's good to know your foundation is rock solid.

Few vendors sell PCP&C, I ordered mine from them direct. They're very friendly to deal with and will even customize your unit however you want (for a fee).
 
GeForceX said:
ONLY IF YOU'RE STILL GOING TO BUY THE XP120-- READ: Not sure but to be on the safe side, that 38mm is indeed thick. I do have the same fan but make sure you have the proper long screws to put on top of the XP120.
Click to expand...

I don't know WTF you're talking about. I just installed my XP-120 about 4 hours ago and it doesn't use screws to secure the fan. Read a review or my thread about the XP-120 here.
 
Heh... I missed that... Kinda curious, anyone that's even seen any of the Thermalrigth XP series would know they don't use screws. Matter of fact the only requirement for the fan is that they have that 'wedge' in between the top and bottom openings so that the clip can have something to hold unto. Just look at a picture and it's obvious.
 
:eek: Sorry. This is why I said:

Snip...

Not sure but to be on the safe side, that 38mm is indeed thick.

Snip...
Click to expand...

:D Sorry that I didn't really look it up. All I do is read about it. I didn't know there was only a wedge clip or so requirement. Now I know. :D

Sincerest thanks for correcting me.

-J.

P.S. Nice review on it. Very nice quality.
 
thx for done of good info. and thx for leading me to the review between zalman and xp-120, as i have been wondering myself. thx!
 
Long screws on the XP-120 for the fan? The fan uses those retention clips :confused:
 
The only reason I said this is because I have the same Panaflo as my intake and it required a long screw to let it be held in the front of my case. This the only reason why I said this. Now there's a little "clip". Great.

Now get over it.

-J.
 
any suggestions for a second hard drive?

i am planning to get a slower one (like 7200rpm) around 80 or 120 for just storage and other programs (not games). any suggestions on brand and model? maybe another western digital brand since my first one is?
 
There is no restrictions on having the same make/model of hard drives (but there is in RAID). I think I saw a 120 GB hard drive going for some $55 dollars in the For Sale Forums. Try to see if you can get that 'cuz that's a sweet deal.

Any of the following brands are "A-OK":
Western Digital
Seagate
Maxtor
Samsung
Hitachi (I think...).

Don't hestitate from buying other different brands. They may be okay too, just check with us first. ;)

-J.
 
Seagate has the longest warranties atm I think, and they tend to be the quietest (only Samsung ones are quieter).
 
Santasballz said:
how about these:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-148-029&depa=1

Seagate 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST380013A-RK, Retail

for 86 bucks
Click to expand...
Don't buy it Retail, Newegg has all the Seagate models OEM as well... Unless you don't have the IDE cables (your mobo will come with at 'least two) there's really no reason to go Retail, warranty's the same and the only extras are the cables. 120GB model for $3 more:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-148-022&depa=1

160GB model for $11 more:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-148-025&depa=1

Around 120-160GB is the sweetspot imo, for the next 40GB (200GB total) you'd have to fork over $20 more.
 
EnderW said:
If you've got money to spare, you may consider the Turbo-Cool 510W PCI-E version. It's got a 24pin ATX connector, so it's more future proof, and it's under rated at 510W, actual output is more like 600W.

It won't do anything for your current setup that the 425W won't, but it will most likely be compatible when you upgrade, whereas the 425W, with the 20pin ATX connector may not.




What makes you think it won't fit? And why wouldn't the NeoPower fit? I didn't know of any special requirements for the new Lian Li cases.




No, I didn't but there are sites like this one that sell customized Lian Li cases with practically any PSU you want in them, including PCP&C units. And this review mentions some trouble with PSUs that have a fan on top, but all of the PCP&C Turbo-Cool units use a single fan design.





Don't judge a company by the design of their website. PCP&C is the best. 1% rail regulation, 5 year warranty, etc. A PSU for the truely [H]ard. That's why they cost almost $100 more then other PSUs. Most people consider them overkill, but your PSU is the foundation of your system and it's good to know your foundation is rock solid.

Few vendors sell PCP&C, I ordered mine from them direct. They're very friendly to deal with and will even customize your unit however you want (for a fee).
Click to expand...

I agree, i am on my second and I will never buy anything but PC Power again
 
With processors it's different, yea. I'm not sure whether it's the same for all WD drives but the OEM/retail Seagates all have the 5 year warranty... I'd assume WD works the same way but looking at the info on the Raptors put me in doubt (since the OEM doesn't have it's warranty listed on the Newegg details), either way unless you work with video or are nuts about having the absolute fastest load times I'm not sure Raptors are worth the cost/noise increase... But they're definitely the fastest, for a premium.
 
yah, i've also heard about raptors being considerably louder than normal ones, althought i am not sure exactly HOW MUCH louder it will be.

or perhaps there are alternatives? i've heard about some RAID thingy, not really sure what it is, all i heard is that it makes something faster. maybe 2 hard drives 7200rpm with raid would be the same speed as raptor 10000rpm?
 
Santasballz said:
yah, i've also heard about raptors being considerably louder than normal ones, althought i am not sure exactly HOW MUCH louder it will be.

or perhaps there are alternatives? i've heard about some RAID thingy, not really sure what it is, all i heard is that it makes something faster. maybe 2 hard drives 7200rpm with raid would be the same speed as raptor 10000rpm?
Click to expand...


I just got two new 74 gig raptors and they are virtually silent, they are not louder than my 7200 rpm models.They sound differently when accessing but no louder Make sure you get the new ones thats all.
 
If you want faster load times and whatnot get a Raptor, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone saying they're unbearably louder, just slightly more so when seeking. The hassle of setting up RAID isn't worth it for every day use and games, particulary to someone that's new to it and will potentially have trouble configuring it optimally. The performance gains are not there from all the tests I've seen, a Raptor will be a much easier spped upgrade.
 
alright, thank you very much for the advice. thats looks about it...i think i am all set until the money comes =P

help was much appreciated.
 
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