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My first build for a desktop. Need some tips and advice


xbattousaix

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Hey guys.

 

Im new to the forum, but I have been reading around and it seems like this place is an awesome place to look for some advice for building a new computer.

 

Ive been doing some research here and there and ive been trying to gather some things to build my first computer. I need this for gaming/other daily needs for a college student. Im putting down everything that I plan on purchasing from my monitor down to the case. So please feel free to leave some comments or recommendations.

 

I plan to spend about 800-100 including the monitor because I have everything else. But I still have not yet decided on which Microsoft OS to get yet.

 

 

Monitor:

ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ HDCP Support 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 5000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16824236050

 

HDD:

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136218

 

Case:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811129021

 

CPU:

AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819103471

 

RAM:

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231166

 

CD/DVD Burner:

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner LightScribe Support - OEM

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827151188

 

Motherboard:

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813128387

 

Video Card:

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102801

 

Power Supply:

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817139004

 

All in total it comes to 979 USD. LEt me know what you guys think or where I could cut down for a computer.

 

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

Cheers

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you have a lot of good choices there but,,

 

get a HDD with 32mb cache

 

consider a monitor like this one because it will give you 1920 x 1080 resolution and save some money

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16824009162

 

if you want to save some cash you can get a decent case for less money

 

if you dont plan on going crossfire later then you can probably find a cheaper mobo that doesnt support it like that one does

 

besides if you do want to go crossfire then you will probably need a bigger psu

 

just my 2 cents

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If I can suggest anything please get a psu with a little more wattage. With all those components you will running pretty close to the max it can do. I do right now.

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Definitely get a higher wattage PSU. Don't get me wrong, that 550W one is quality but it would be running close to max.

 

I have an OCZ ModXstream Pro 700watts its modular and I love it :D

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I think 90% of motherboards come in the CrossFire/SLI variety now a days, it's pretty rare finding a full featured motheboard that has just one PCI-E x16 slot. Most of the boards with just on PCI-E x16 slot are either mATX or have on-board video. So I wouldn't sweat the mobo choice too much.

 

I would suggest either of these to hard drives, both have a 32mb cache;

 

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM for $74.99

 

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM for $69.99

 

Go with the 640Gb for only an extra $5.

 

Also, the CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W is only $10 more than the 550, and well worth the investment. I can personally vouch for the Antec EarthWatts 650 if you want to save some money, I've used one for almost a year now and really like it.

 

Edit: You could also opt for the Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower too, which is very similar to the Nine Hundred - but doesn't have the side window and led fans.

Edited by pkilway

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Thanks for all the help so far. I will look into all the choices. Ive decided to get the 650 watt instead and for the HD, what is the difference between a 16 or 32mb cache? Im assuming it runs faster, but is there a difference for the price difference?

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Thanks for all the help so far. I will look into all the choices. Ive decided to get the 650 watt instead and for the HD, what is the difference between a 16 or 32mb cache? Im assuming it runs faster, but is there a difference for the price difference?

the 32mb cache will only really benefit a drive maybe 750GB and up, my new 16mb 500gb drive beats my old 750GB/16MB, 1TB/32MB, and 1.5TB/32MB

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Ok, I was looking at some places to reduce my spending.

 

I was wondering if I were to get a Phenom II x2 or x3 instead of the x4. Im not really sure what will the difference be between a X2,X3,X4. I know its like more cores, but is there a huge difference if i went for something other than the x4?

 

edit: Should I use Windows Vista 32 bit or 64 bit? And I currently use Windows XP and like it a lot. Would it be wise to get XP again or upgrade to vista?

 

edit2: I just saw this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811129064. A new combo deal. I was just wondering if i should go with this and save $70 or keep the corsair Psu.

 

Thanks for all the help so far. All your information has helped me with my research

Edited by xbattousaix

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