Planning a project

T

thecomputeraddict

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 27, 2008
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300
First I was going to upgrade my current rig, then i was going to build budget system. Now I've decided to build a computer that will be pieced together. When i have the money for a part I'll buy it.

So far:

Antec 300 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29812&vpn=THREE HUNDRED&manufacture=ANTEC&promoid=1030

Coolermaster Extreme power 500w PSU http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=23844

ASUS P5K Premium http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=25429

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29805&promoid=1030 (might go bigger)

Cooler Master Neon Blue LED 120MM Case Fan X2 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=14259

Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400 2GB http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18581 (again, might go bigger)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18413&vpn=ST3500630AS&manufacture=Seagate&promoid=1030 (yet again, might go bigger)

MNPCTECH Case feet http://www.mnpctech.com/CaseFeetMachinedBlack.html

Cable Ties and tie mounts(probably from home depot)

This is system is probably going to be used for basic stuff and web design, photo shop. Some video editing, and a bit of gaming and sound editing. I'm probably going to buy the case, fans, and PSU first to get it ready for the other parts.

I'm not going to be overclocking, so the stock heat sink and fan will be good.
Should I go for a quad core and 4gigs of ram? On average on my 3500+ I'm running at least 10 programs at once. From itunes to pidgin, utorrent, Firefox, flash, photo shop and etc. So would I benefit from having a quad core. Like I said, Price really isn't an issue since I'll be buying the parts separately. I'll probably choose Windows XP pro for my os on this rig. I'm hoping for the system to last a good few years. Not worried about monitor, keyboard and mouse right now.
 
Computer parts don't appreciate, so you'd be better off saving all your money and buying it all at once. This way, you'll get the most for your money.

What videocard will you get? A cheap, $50 or less, would suffice for photoshop and video editing. 7200GS is fine for around $25. If you want to encode/decode any HD video, then you'll be best served by an HD3650 or 8600GT instead. If you do any 3D rendering/gaming, you'll want a more powerful card, like an HD4850 or similar, depending on your needs.

Ditch the PSU. Go for a Corsair 450W instead, since that'll be more than enough; or the 550W if you want a lot of headroom.

You'll be better off with a quadcore if you do heavy multi-tasking and video encoding. So, switch to the Q6600.

Switch the motherboard from the P5K to the P5Q, either the -E or Pro flavor will suffice. If you don't need all those extra features, the Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L is a great basic board.

The WD6400AAKS is much faster than the Seagate 'cuda.10 500GB, so go for the WD instead. Its as fast as the old raptors, its got more space, and should only be a slight price increase. ;)
 
enginurd said:
Computer parts don't appreciate, so you'd be better off saving all your money and buying it all at once. This way, you'll get the most for your money.

What videocard will you get? A cheap, $50 or less, would suffice for photoshop and video editing. 7200GS is fine for around $25. If you want to encode/decode any HD video, then you'll be best served by an HD3650 or 8600GT instead. If you do any 3D rendering/gaming, you'll want a more powerful card, like an HD4850 or similar, depending on your needs.

Ditch the PSU. Go for a Corsair 450W instead, since that'll be more than enough; or the 550W if you want a lot of headroom.

You'll be better off with a quadcore if you do heavy multi-tasking and video encoding. So, switch to the Q6600.

Switch the motherboard from the P5K to the P5Q, either the -E or Pro flavor will suffice. If you don't need all those extra features, the Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L is a great basic board.

The WD6400AAKS is much faster than the Seagate 'cuda.10 500GB, so go for the WD instead. Its as fast as the old raptors, its got more space, and should only be a slight price increase. ;)
Click to expand...

I think I'll wait off on the Q6600 for a bit, I want the system sooner. and get the 7300gt for about $80.

so I'd be better off saving for all the parts first and buy them all at once?
 
thecomputeraddict said:
so I'd be better off saving for all the parts first and buy them all at once?
Click to expand...

Usually yes. As you wait, prices drop, deals on parts popup, newer parts are introduced at the same price as older parts, etc. So save for all of the parts and then buy it all in one swoop.

Usually a bad bad idea to buy it part by part.

And don't bother with the 7300GT. It's a crap card for gaming, even at low resolutions. You should be able to find the 8600GT in that price range.
 
In addition to what enginurd and Danny Bui have already said, if you're building this rig to last several years, I also recommend getting the quad core processor and 4GB of RAM as soon as you can.

If you can't seem to find a copy of Windows XP anywhere, Vista has matured to the point that it's a viable, stable option. With 4GB of RAM, I recommend the 64-bit version of Vista Home Premium over XP Pro x64 -- it has better hardware support.
 
The only thing that sux about that mobo is the main ATX 24-pin connector... its in one of the worst spots for cable management -- good cable management is needed for good airflow.

Wow, those same Yate Loons are like $3.50 here, lol. :(
 
enginurd said:
The only thing that sux about that mobo is the main ATX 24-pin connector... its in one of the worst spots for cable management -- good cable management is needed for good airflow.

Wow, those same Yate Loons are like $3.50 here, lol. :(
Click to expand...

$3.50? where do you live? lol. I'm okay with the 24-pin connecter.
 
Not in Canada. :p hehe, in particular, California, USA. :p I usually get mine from jab-tech.com.

Regarding the 24-pin connector...
enginurd said:
... it does not produce serious build problems, just a problem. You'll have a tough time with cable management with the connector in the middle of the board. If you have poor cable management, then you'll possibly have poor airflow, which would then pose a serious problem. Take the P180/P182 for example... (or any case with the PSU on the bottom, like the Cosmos, if you're still planning on getting that) you'll have 3 options:
(1) all the way up the back of the case, then back down half way again to reach the connector
(2) along the back, to the side, over the RAM
(3) in front, over the expansion cards.

Option (1) is best, but I doubt the cable will be long enough to reach. Option (2) is ok, but still unfavorable and again, might not be long enough. Option (3) is probably the worst, since it has to go over the expansion cards.
Click to expand...
 
if you save to purchase the entire setup at once most of the parts will drop in value and you can usually step up a few levels at that point, never do the one thing at a time thing. lol
 
R0cko said:
if you save to purchase the entire setup at once most of the parts will drop in value and you can usually step up a few levels at that point, never do the one thing at a time thing. lol
Click to expand...

the only parts I plan on buying separate from the rest is the CPU, MOBO, and case since I can get those at memory express for a bit cheaper.

So I'm getting the Q6600 and going to get the 2 gigs of ram, then get two more gigs.


And for some reason this four core whore will be put in the basement instead of in the office upstairs for my main rig. oh well. I'll use it more down there, Having it down there will probably keep it cooler since its naturally cold down there
 
Save up and get 4GB in a 2x2GB config instead. This will put less stress on the MCH, therefore requiring slightly less voltage.
 
I think i have the purchase thing planned out. I'll be buying the CPU, RAM(maybe), Mobo, Hard Drive(maybe) and the antec 300 at memory express and the PSU, Fans, and Vista Home premium 64-BIT at NCIX.

I'm probably going to mod the case a bit by painting the chassis a dark grey with primer or matte black. What do you think would look better? MAYBE a window, and some blue CC's
 
Why "maybe" on the RAM and hard drive?

And why mod the case to such a degree? (You should get a cheap, "generic" case if that was your end goal....)
 
tiraides said:
Why "maybe" on the RAM and hard drive?

And why mod the case to such a degree? (You should get a cheap, "generic" case if that was your end goal....)
Click to expand...

I put maybe on the ram and hard drive because I might get them at memory express. and modding the antec 300 wasn't my end goal. Just to make it look a bit more professional and nicer.
 
The look of the case is all on you... its your case, not ours. :p

Don't forget to post some pics! :D
 
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