Building a new computer! Need advice

[Ilendil]

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$129.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$109.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
$99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ
$84.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145
DFI LANPARTY DK P35-T2RS LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
$129.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136043
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400
$189.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
$26.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

Subtotal: $771.93

So this is what I have so far, I'm going to be using a 7900GT I already have on my old desktop.
I'm probably going to hold off purchasing a video card for another generation.
Any suggestions, recommendations, comments are appreciated!

 

[enouwee]

You may want to look for a P45 mainboard instead of a P35 one, the main advantage being PCIe 2.0 x16 as well as the other "useful" things a new generation offers, such as more SATA and USB ports.

If you don't count yourself to the "power gamers", the configuration is fine. Otherwise, CL4 RAM and an SLI-enabled mainboard are a "must".

 

[Prometheus]

What games do you plan on playing with this?

 

[Cilla]

So this is what I have so far, I'm going to be using a 7900GT I already have on my old desktop.
I'm probably going to hold off purchasing a video card for another generation.

If you don't plan to waste your money on a SLI-System,
the PSU you planned to buy is kinda oversized.
500-550W should be enough.

Good choice on the WD-HDD.

I don't know much about the CPU Cooler, I guess it is okay,
but you could also buy the boxed model of the CPU and spare a few $.

Personally I don't like the Antec cases, Lian Li is the best you can get,
but that's not really essential.

 

[MeRcChRiS]

Very good pickings Sir.

If you are mostly going for gaming, these products looks like it is, I suggest stepping up to an 8800GT 512mb. They are cheap after Mail in Rebate.

The AF7 is what I have and keeps my Overclocked CPU at 30C idle and 49C Load Max. It also comes with thermal paste on it, which will save you $10 and it works really good.

It might cool lower because on mine, I accidentally lifted it off the cpu and all the thermal paste messed up so My temps might be higher then some.

 

[Ilendil]

You may want to look for a P45 mainboard instead of a P35 one, the main advantage being PCIe 2.0 x16 as well as the other "useful" things a new generation offers, such as more SATA and USB ports.

If you don't count yourself to the "power gamers", the configuration is fine. Otherwise, CL4 RAM and an SLI-enabled mainboard are a "must".

If I went for a P45 motherboard, I would expect them to cost upwards of $250.
Even then, the newest model aren't always worth having as they can often have problems. I'm not even sure if PCI-E 2.0 is worth it?
Having that small boost for a lower latency RAM is also extra money that is not worth spending.
Not to mention every time I've bought an SLI motherboard I have never even used it.

What games do you plan on playing with this?

Just some general games, right now I only have an Athlon 64 3200+ and 1GB RAM so it would be a definite improvement.

If you don't plan to waste your money on a SLI-System,
the PSU you planned to buy is kinda oversized.
500-550W should be enough.

Good choice on the WD-HDD.

I don't know much about the CPU Cooler, I guess it is okay,
but you could also buy the boxed model of the CPU and spare a few $.

Personally I don't like the Antec cases, Lian Li is the best you can get,
but that's not really essential.

I haven't really looked into PSUs so any recommendations?
The one I am buying is the retail version, so it does have an included fan/heatsink.
And regarding the case, Lian Li is just a brand name that everyone seems to like but hasn't given me any solid reasons, I just want a generic and reliable case and I don't care if thousands of other people have it.

Very good pickings Sir.

If you are mostly going for gaming, these products looks like it is, I suggest stepping up to an 8800GT 512mb. They are cheap after Mail in Rebate.

The AF7 is what I have and keeps my Overclocked CPU at 30C idle and 49C Load Max. It also comes with thermal paste on it, which will save you $10 and it works really good.

It might cool lower because on mine, I accidentally lifted it off the cpu and all the thermal paste messed up so My temps might be higher then some.

I already have the 7900GT.

 

[Prometheus]

Have you OCed before?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

 

[Ilendil]

Here's actually a really good analogy to PCI-E 2.0:

I posted a link for you in your mobo thread: PCIe 2.0 dictates twice the throughput of 1.1. 2.0 is forwards and backwards compatible: meaning you can run 1.0/1.1 devices in a 2.0 slot, and also run 2.0 compliant devices in a 1.0/1.1 slot.

Now - As far as "real" performance increase? That's going to be difficult to pinpoint. Why?? Because the existing standard isn't close to it's limits. If you'll allow me to make up some numbers: Think of it as doubling the speed limit on the highway from 70 to 140. If no cars exist which are powerful enough to go faster than 50 miles an hour, and there are enough lanes to fit the traffic, does it matter???? This is like the situation now. Even multiple devices aren't capable of running faster than current limitations. So increasing the capacity of the pipe isn't going to bring much 'real world' benefit. At least the way things stand at the moment.

 

[Ilendil]

Have you OCed before?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

I have (my 3200+ is OC'd to 3800+ speeds), but I really doubt I need a 750W PSU.

 

[Prometheus]

Yea, but its still good to have.
That PSU is prob the best on for its money.
Also, get a Athlon 64 x2 5000+
You'll need an aftermarket HSF but that thing can OC....

 

[Ilendil]

So can the E8400 on air cooling. I don't think I want to go BACKWARDS, do I?

 

[Prometheus]

E8400 is Intel.
5000+ BE can hit 3.2-3.3 on air.
5000+ BE $82 w/ Free Shipping
E8400 $190 w/ Free Shipping

Then again, E8400 can hit 3.8 on stock volt and HSF.

 

[enouwee]

Have you OCed before?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

750W?! Even a 450W PSU is more than enough for that setup. I'm running a Q9450 on a 400W PSU and it doesn't even draw 250W under load.

If I went for a P45 motherboard, I would expect them to cost upwards of $250.
Even then, the newest model aren't always worth having as they can often have problems. I'm not even sure if PCI-E 2.0 is worth it?

Given you plan to buy a next-generation video card, you may need it. Advantages of PCIe 2.0 are higher bandwidth of the lanes and increased power output through the slot. So, the card may run "slower" or not at all in PCIe 1.0/1.1 slots.

As for the price, it all depends on the features the board has to offer. Given the P45 is a mainstream chipset (unlike the high-end X48), you'll find a lot of boards costing below $200. They'll lack some features thou, like e-SATA, extra USB or FireWire ports, etc.

 

[Prometheus]

As cases go, and considering I have a fan fettish, I sugest these.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103011
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103010
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103014
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811294003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811215006

 

[Ilendil]

TBH those look obnoxious haha
Anyone have a recommendation for a PSU that's 500-550W?

 

[enouwee]

TBH those look obnoxious haha
Anyone have a recommendation for a PSU that's 500-550W?

I've always been a fan of Enermax and so far, only a single one blew up (out of the total of 5 that died in the last few years). I have two Liberty running, but there seems to be a newer Pro82+ model (as well as a modular one).

 

[Prometheus]

Yea, and they'll do you well.
I prefer my inwork custom case. 500mm bottom and 250mm top. Both fans plug into wall.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

Thats Tier 2, 3rd best tier on a trusted list.
(Tier 1, Tier Z, Tier 2....)

If you want Enermax, be sure its a Galaxy, Liberty or Infiniti. Galaxy is the best of the three.
The fact that Enermax has no tier 4 or 5 PSUs instills great trust in them, from me.

 

[Cilla]

I haven't really looked into PSUs so any recommendations?
The one I am buying is the retail version, so it does have an included fan/heatsink.
And regarding the case, Lian Li is just a brand name that everyone seems to like but hasn't given me any solid reasons, I just want a generic and reliable case and I don't care if thousands of other people have it.

I would buy this one: Antec earthwatts EA500 500W ATX12V - $49.99

Pros: 80+ efficiency and apparently build by Seasonic, (which I use myself.)
Cons: No modular cabling but does it matter for you?
(700W? Kinda OVERSIZED? Even 350-400W would do it I guess.
Good choice if you don't care about money but otherwise... )

Lian Li looks best imho but as I said that's my personal opinion and those Antec's got a good airflow.

€:
@MeRcChRiS
kc102 already posted this link...

 

[MeRcChRiS]

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/101922.aspx

 

[Prometheus]

Do not buy a crap PSU. Its worth the splurge so you know your computer will run, safely.

@Merc
Posted it already.