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Possible first build: impressions?

P

Petrucci-X

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Apr 18, 2004
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http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=714429

If I were to go through with this, it would be my first build-it-yourself PC.

Here are some of the parts I'm still "iffy" about, however:

Case/PSU/Fans combo: The case looks great, but would I be safe with the PSU included with it? One of the reviews on Newegg says that it fried his motherboard. I looked online for reviews, and many that I looked at said that the PSU was fine. Also, the case fans: would the case get too hot with fans only on the side window and on the top? Should I get extra fans for the back as well?

Mobo: One of my friends has the AN7 motherboard and says it has worked flawlessly for him. When I posted on [M] (please don't flame :D ) they reccomended the NF7-S over it, but the specs look the same...? Can anybody clarify the differences?

CPU: Will the Heatsink/Fan that comes with the AMD Athlon XP 2500+ suit my needs? I'm not looking to apply thermal paste and I don't intend to change processors for a while. I'll probably overclock it a little - will it be cool enough?

I'd greatly appreciate any comments, suggestions, or reccomendations for changes.
Thanks!

edit:
Also, I'm already covered on a mouse (Microsoft Intellimouse Optical, 2 buttons + scroll, USB, works fine) and keyboard (USB, Microsoft, works fine) and monitor (an old Gateway 15" CRT from a few years ago - i tested it a few months ago and it works perfectly fine, however I'll eventually want to buy a new LCD)

This PC would be used for gaming, listening to music (I have over 35 gigs), school work, and internet usage (browsing, email, chatting, downloading)
 
Firstly I'd recommend a brand name PSU, I've had bad experiences with generic PSUs, they're a false economy. As for which brands to go for, I've not bought a PSU for a while. I've been using a 350w Enermax for the past 2 years or so with no problems. From what I hear on here, Antec's Trupower PSUs have a pretty good reputation too.
If you're only overclocking a little, you should be OK with fans on the top and side, as decent PSUs usually come equipped with 2 fans anyway, so these help reduce temps a little. However, there's no harm in adding another fan for the back.
I'm afraid I'm not big on Abit motherboards, but I'm sure someone else can help with that.
As to your question about the stock heatsink, it should be sufficient for mild overclocking, but I'd strongly recommend you use thermal paste.
 
The NF7-S is the better board for overclocking. I've you're going that route, I'd recommend swapping the XP2500+ for a mobile 2500+ and an aftermarket HSF such as the Thermalright Sp97
 
Same company, same "generic" PSU with a higher wattage number. Spend money and get an Antec, Enermax, Fortron, or PC Power & Cooling PSU.
 
Dont forget ThermalTake Xaser 3 480w. Thats what I have. Its super quiet and at a pretty good price.
 
I use Enermax on rigs i build for other people. You realy cant beat those supplies for the money. I believe they are the best supply under 60 dollars. IMHO

Thier high end line is pretty good too.
 
Go with the 2400+ Mobile and save a few bucks over the 2500+ Mobile. They all overclock almost the same anyways. I have a thermal pad on my 2500+ right now, (you can see that my overclock of the CPU isn't that great either. I'd reccomend getting some thermal paste. Arctic Silver 5.


Good luck
 
Use a mobile 2400+ since the 2500+M and 2400+M are the same, more or less, and get a DFI Infinity board, since they are just as stable and overclock far better than the Abit boards. I have an NF7-S and regret getting it. Besides not having an operating system, it looks solid. Good work.
 
Except for a few problems that some people have had, the True Powers are well regarded and highly reliable. I like the dedicated rails that, according to reviews, tend to hold up. With cases, the Coolermaster you chose is pretty sweet. Kinda reminds me of mine a little.
 
what's wrong with the abit board? i just recently got it, and i've heard nothing but good about it. i've also hear alot of good about the dfi ultra infinity... i just based my purchase on the popularity of the abit nf7-s, seeing as how alot more people have them.
 
If you do decide to switch to NF7-S, just a warning that the zalman 7000 or whatever isn't offically supported to fit, and people have to do some work to get them to fit.
 
Thanks for the replies, guys.
As of now, the list of parts in the link posted at the top is pretty much final.
Can anyone give me impressions on that power supply or reccomend a better one for about the same price? How bout this Antec True PSU?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-909&depa=0

How about that heatsink/fan? One of my friends reccomended it to me, will that be sufficient for a Mobile Athlon XP Barton 2500+ ?
 
have you thought about getting an antec sonata? i got one myself, and it's very, very nice! with a true power 380 watt psu/ and the pure silence of the case, you can't beat it for ~$100 from the egg.
 
Originally posted by misfitsfiend
have you thought about getting an antec sonata? i got one myself, and it's very, very nice! with a true power 380 watt psu/ and the pure silence of the case, you can't beat it for ~$100 from the egg.
Click to expand...

That looks really nice, but I really want the case I get to have a side window and at least 2 fans (unless the price of the case is decent enough to be able to buy extra fans)
 
If you're willing to wait for rebates, you can probably get your HDD down to about $.50 a gig, or at least for $80 total. Western Digital has rebates out all the time.
 
yeah, i wanted a side window too, but the leds in front make up for it. also, i bought a blue cold cathode, and it outlines the antec logos on the side, which looks REALLY nice at night. also, i know you can only have 2 fans on the sonata (2x 120mm fans, one of which comes stock). i haven't bought the second one yet, but i will eventually when i have a surplus of $$$.
 
the only thing I noticed, is why are you getting a dvd burner and a dvd rom??? you could probably spend that 30 bucks elsewhere :)
 
Originally posted by schapman
the only thing I noticed, is why are you getting a dvd burner and a dvd rom??? you could probably spend that 30 bucks elsewhere :)
Click to expand...
For one purpose: DVD X Copy Platinum :D
Of course, I'd be backing up my store-bought DVD's ;)
 
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