Anyone Build There Own Computers? I Need Input On Building My First....

[Victim026]

So I've never built a computer before, but I'm sick of these HP shit computers I've been buying and there lack of gaming ability(Mostly for Counterstrike). I'm currently rockin a HP m7580n Media Center PC with an AMD Athlon X2 4600+ Processor, 2GB Ram, and a 7300LE Video Card. It's just not cuttin it and hopefully by the end of the summer I'll have all the cash in the right spots to buy/build my new computer. If anyone has any suggestions on how I could better this potential plan I'm all for em.


EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 885 750i Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Processor
Scythe Nina SCNJ-CU1000 Cpu Cooler
G.Skill 4GB(2x2GB) DDR2 1066(PC2 8500) DUal Channel Memory(at a minimum 4gb, possibly 8gb)
x2 Zotac ZT-88TES3P-FCP 8800GT Video Card in Sli
Antec True Power Quattro 1000W PSU
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel Atx Mid Tower Case
Creative Sound Blaser X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB HD

I know I may have left out some of the small details such as the cd drive, etc.... But you'll get the basic idea of where I'm headed...

[Exile]

So I've never built a computer before, but I'm sick of these HP shit computers I've been buying and there lack of gaming ability(Mostly for Counterstrike). I'm currently rockin a HP m7580n Media Center PC with an AMD Athlon X2 4600+ Processor, 2GB Ram, and a 7300LE Video Card. It's just not cuttin it and hopefully by the end of the summer I'll have all the cash in the right spots to buy/build my new computer. If anyone has any suggestions on how I could better this potential plan I'm all for em.


EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 885 750i Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Processor
Scythe Nina SCNJ-CU1000 Cpu Cooler
G.Skill 4GB(2x2GB) DDR2 1066(PC2 8500) DUal Channel Memory(at a minimum 4gb, possibly 8gb)
x2 Zotac ZT-88TES3P-FCP 8800GT Video Card in Sli
Antec True Power Quattro 1000W PSU
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel Atx Mid Tower Case
Creative Sound Blaser X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB HD

I know I may have left out some of the small details such as the cd drive, etc.... But you'll get the basic idea of where I'm headed...

It looks like you pretty much know what your doing-
So my only suggestion would be two Acer 22" Widescreen LCD Monitors. Then you'll be ready for some 1337 haxors/hookah forum. Edited May 24, 2008 by Exile

[Speak_In_Vowels]

So I've never built a computer before, but I'm sick of these HP shit computers I've been buying and there lack of gaming ability(Mostly for Counterstrike). I'm currently rockin a HP m7580n Media Center PC with an AMD Athlon X2 4600+ Processor, 2GB Ram, and a 7300LE Video Card. It's just not cuttin it and hopefully by the end of the summer I'll have all the cash in the right spots to buy/build my new computer. If anyone has any suggestions on how I could better this potential plan I'm all for em.


EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 885 750i Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Processor
Scythe Nina SCNJ-CU1000 Cpu Cooler
G.Skill 4GB(2x2GB) DDR2 1066(PC2 8500) DUal Channel Memory(at a minimum 4gb, possibly 8gb)
x2 Zotac ZT-88TES3P-FCP 8800GT Video Card in Sli
Antec True Power Quattro 1000W PSU
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel Atx Mid Tower Case
Creative Sound Blaser X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB HD

I know I may have left out some of the small details such as the cd drive, etc.... But you'll get the basic idea of where I'm headed...

sounds pretty sick, my friend has a similar setup but he uses to sony 42" plasma tvs as the monitor...
honestly so sweeet.

[Click]

I've been building computers since I was 12 so here's my input.

I'm assuming you will be running vista? If you run XP there is no point in getting more than 4gb of RAM cause XP can only recognize ~3.5gb. And 4gb even for vista is plenty as of now.

Instead of the two 8800 GT on SLI, get a 9800. Check here. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....eForce+9800+GTX

The 9800 is the newest line of cards by Nvidia and have improved amount of stream processors, and usually memory and core clock are higher on the 9800 compared to the 8800.

And you don't really need quad-core unless you are doing video rendering and a bunch of other stuff at the same time. Most games and programs aren't designed to use the benefits of the quad-core. Edited May 24, 2008 by click

[AzZ]

Drop the two 8800's in SLi and get a single 9 series high end card or by the time you decide to actually build it, a new nvidia card will be out. Also stick to an EVGA or BFG card (Opinion but they usually are the top performers and offer lifetime warranties which I think is very important for expensive hardware.)

Also 4GB RAM minimum.....? Your not going to even need that (assuming; as I don't actually know what you use your pc for) 2GB of RAM is enough to run MOST things but things are stating to get more power hungry. 3-4GB maybe- 8GB is just overkill!

Again with the sound card what do you actually use your PC for? If you love your music and use music composing or editing software then go ahead but for general gaming/music/films an onboard or a less expensive in the series card might be more appropriate.

Everything else seems in order. Good case, PSU, cooler etc.

Edit: I see click beat me to some stuff. He knows what he's talking about so take it into considartion as well. Edited May 24, 2008 by AzZ

[Victim026]

Computer usage ranges from lots and lots of Half Life to Music Editing and Mixing. So ya'll think single 9800 or 9900 card over 8800's in SLI?

[Click]

Yeah, I would still do the 9800 series. They aren't that much more expensive and will out perform. I saw some benchmark that a single 9800 performed better than SLI 8800 GT (depends on game). The 9800 GTX is probably 80-120 more expensive then the 8800 GT depending on the brand.

And AzZ is right. EVGA is probably my favorite video card company. They have this thing called the step-up program. You purchase a new card and you have up to 90 days to trade it in for a different card and just have to pay the difference. So that's a good way to see what you need.

A lot of the new motherboards will already have 6.1 - 7.1 "HD" audio build-in. So that's a thing to look at.

Check out Corsiar XMS 2 memory. Real good shit. But Gskill has some good lines too.

[Capt. Morgan]

I have that exact case. I love it but it does have a few cons
Pros: Looks badass, lots of room to work inside it, lots of fans
Cons: Heavy as hell (not really an issue until you are having to move), the fans are kinda loud, and that things puts off a lot of heat.

[Victim026]

I'm not too worried about the case fans being loud , they'll all be replaced by Scythe 120mm fans that I "borrowed' from one of the computers at my Father's business last year. My one question about the case was if it was a bitch with no removable Motherboard tray to do the install? Edited May 25, 2008 by Victim026

[Click]

Na, even it a small case mobos are easy to install. Just make sure you have all the screw holes lined up with where you screw in the metal studs into the case or else you could short out the board.

[Victim026]

It's ok to install the Vid Card/Sound Card/CPU Cooler/Ram on the Mobo while it's out of the system right? After checking some reliable benchmarking sources I'm gonna just go with the 9800GX2 for now, or possibly a 9900 if they actually get released in June as promised. Although with this EVGA stepup program I may just order this comp sooner and stick it on a credit card and then if the 9900's come out and blow the 9800's away I'll trade up rather then wait. Edited May 25, 2008 by Victim026

[Click]

Good choice. The step up program rocks!

The ram and the cpu/fan will be fine to install when the mobo isn't it yet. But since the video card and sound card take up pci slots I usually just put them in after the mobo is screwed down cause then you can make sure you put them it was slot you want. And you have to slide the end up the cards down into the slot and secure them.

[oolatec]

So I've never built a computer before, but I'm sick of these HP shit computers I've been buying and there lack of gaming ability(Mostly for Counterstrike). I'm currently rockin a HP m7580n Media Center PC with an AMD Athlon X2 4600+ Processor, 2GB Ram, and a 7300LE Video Card. It's just not cuttin it and hopefully by the end of the summer I'll have all the cash in the right spots to buy/build my new computer. If anyone has any suggestions on how I could better this potential plan I'm all for em.


EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 885 750i Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Processor
Scythe Nina SCNJ-CU1000 Cpu Cooler
G.Skill 4GB(2x2GB) DDR2 1066(PC2 8500) DUal Channel Memory(at a minimum 4gb, possibly 8gb)
x2 Zotac ZT-88TES3P-FCP 8800GT Video Card in Sli
Antec True Power Quattro 1000W PSU
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel Atx Mid Tower Case
Creative Sound Blaser X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB HD

I know I may have left out some of the small details such as the cd drive, etc.... But you'll get the basic idea of where I'm headed...

Here's what I'd do:

Check out the eVGA 780i mobo

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (mine is oc'd to 3.6Ghz... but it's more stable at 3.2... more cost effective than the 9300 IMO)

Zalman CNPS 9700 LED for the easier installation vs. the Scythe

RAM is good... might want to consider Corsair Dominator if you are going to overclock, vs GSkill

2 of these eVGA 8800GTs... rebates = sweet deal: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130319

Or you can try the 9800 GX2 series... this particular one has a combo deal with the 790i mobo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130350

1000W power supply is overkill IMO... try the ABS Tagan 800W: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817814014

Case is good

Sound card and HD are ok too

P.S. Newegg is the best.

[Victim026]

I'm a little weary of the 780i series boards, everyone that I've read reviews about seems to have a major problem although my friends are pushing me hard to get it. I'll check out the 790I though, even though it's prolly more then I need. Alot's actually changed with what I'm planning to do with this thing after having a few convo's with some of my Lan Buddies. I'll post a revised setup in a little bit when i get home. Edited May 25, 2008 by Victim026

[Victim026]

Ok so the update...

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 PRocessor OEM No Fan
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 92MM CPU Cooler
EVGA 780i SLi Motherboard
OCZ Dual Channel Platinum 4096MB PC8500 DDR2 1066MHZ Ram
EVGA Geforce 9800 KO Edition
Antec True Power Quattro TPQ-850 PSU
Antec Twelve Hundred Case
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB HD
Lite-On 20x DVDRW


I'm just try the onboard sound for now, I'd rather have extra money to throw away on a pair of new monitors anyways. And this keeps me under the 2k mark even with a new copy of Vista to install on it

[Click]

Right on. Looks great. I like Corsair better than OCZ, but to each his own.

[Victim026]

I've personally had trouble with all the Corsair ram I've ever used, even the XMS2 stuff, so thats a no go for me. And Plus I'm getting the OCZ from a friend for free

[AzZ]

Yeah, thats a cool setup.

Arctic Freezer 7 pro FTW!! I've got it and is the easiest to install- simply clicks in! Get some AC MX-2 paste while your at it unless they now have it pre applied. When I got mine it already had the MX-1 paste on it. I've also got some OCZ Platinum RAM- Good stuff and also looks good

Overclock that Q6600!

[Victim026]

To be complelty honest I have no clue how to overclock a cpu, any good faq's on how to do it right? And the big debate now is 2 22" monitors or 1 massive 28"? Edited May 25, 2008 by Victim026

[St. Goodypants]

Those of you who are saying to get the 9xxx series are wrong in a very big way. The 9800GTX uses the same core as the 512mb 8800GTS with slightly higher clock speeds. An overclocked 512mb 8800GTS will do just as well for a LOWER PRICE.

Get a 512mb 8800GTS if you must get a card now, but Nvidia and ATi are coming out with their next generation cards within a month or two, so it would probably be best to wait. From what I've seen from the specifications of both, the performance should be around double that of the previous generation. Best bet would probably be to wait it out.

Also, the quad core CPUs are quite practical, as multiple cores are being programmed for more and more often. Think Crysis.

Damn people, the biggest debate over a computer's specifications should never be over how big a monitor you are getting. That is foolish. Edited May 25, 2008 by St. Goodypants

[Victim026]

The biggest debate is the monitor when the computer itself has been decided on lol.... I've heard good and bad things about the 9900 series cards which are supposed to be out in a month, and the 10000 aren't slated til Q4 of this year last I heard.

[St. Goodypants]

In short, Nvidia GT200 core has a possibility of 240 stream processors which are supposedly half again as efficient as previous ones.

where did you hear bad things about NV's new architecture? If you heard it from a place that ran up ATi's current architecture be wary.

The suggestions for this new system could be MUCH more considerate to cost:performance ratio. The 9800GTX is a marketing scam. NV took the G92 core used on the 8800GT and GTS, clocked it higher and then called it a next generation card.

The debate STARTED with what monitor to get, not improving on your component choices. You would have to be using 64bit vista to use larger amounts of RAM. Not because only vista can use 3.5gb RAM, but because 32 bit windows can only address 4gb RAM 64 bit windows can address 16 terabytes of RAM. This applies to vista and xp.

2x8800GTs in sli will still outperform a 9800GTX.

If you run windows Vista, you will want to have that much RAM or more. Vista alone can suck 1gb easily, and with a quad core CPU running something like Crysis, Bioshock, or Stalker Shadow of Chernobyl you will be able to use all that RAM to very good effect.

In case you haven't checked it out, Intel has released their new architecture on 45nm process and people are getting them to 4ghz on air cooling. Look at this CPU if you want to overclock:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115037



Personally, I'd say that you should lose the 9800, just get one 8800gt or 9600gt and wait for the next generation cards to come out.

Get the 45nm wolfdale chip if you want to overclock, or if you are really wanting to go all-out get the new Q9300 chip (45nm, 2.5ghz, quad core, 1333mhz fsb) for $50 more. If you don't think you want to touch your cpu's clock go with the q6600.


Props to oolatec for good advice. Edited May 26, 2008 by St. Goodypants

[Victim026]

Excuse me if I don't understand fully, I've had a little bit to much Crown tonite, but your saying to get a E8400 and overclock it with dual 8800GT's? can you put me in the direction of somewhere to learn how to overclock a CPU? I've done GPU's before but I'm scared to screw with the Bios, I mean I have the 7300 in my HP overclocked to 545 Engine CLock and 650 Memory clock right now and it runs fine, hot but fine. So what would you suggest I do for a total system bought tommorrow with $2000-$2500? Keep in mind the 90 day stepup program to upgrade my video card.....

[St. Goodypants]

I'm saying that the E8400 is a good option if you feel like fucking with it, and that it is probably best to get a slightly less expensive card now and wait to upgrade when the new cards come out. (geforce 9600 is an excellent performer for this, but so is the 8800gt)

dude... I've been to 2 grad parties in the past 2 days and had a proportionate amount of sleep and a not insignificant amount of rum... I don't think I'm gonna do the best job in parts hunting right now.

I can and will tomorrow though, I've got a buddy who wants me to do that for him anyways. Edited May 26, 2008 by St. Goodypants

[Victim026]

Sounds like a fun time, congrats on graduating I know I did my share of partying when I was there too. I look forward to your post tommorrow whenever you get around to it. Thanks for the help