newbie building a computer

malenroh · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 6

I am building a new computer, well, creating one to be built for me online, and would like some advice. I am going with an intel pentium 3.6 because I had an amd years ago and wasn't very happy with it. I'm sure they've improved but I don't know if I want to invest in something I might not like. Anyway here is what I have decided on for now:

Intel Pentium 4 3.6 LGA775 800mhz 1mb sc 775
Asus PSAD2 Premium LGA775 !925X chipset 800MHz DDR2
533MHZ SATA RAID GIGABIT LAN IEEE1394 AUDIO AT
(2) Kingston 1024 mb DDR2 PC2-4200 240 PIN
(2) MAXTOR 250 GB Serial ATA 7200rpm 8MB hard drives
1,44 3.5 floppy
mid-tower case-haven't decided which would be best
SONY 16x DVD ROM IDE
SONY 16x DVD+RW/-RW Dual layer
XFX GeFORCE FX 6600 256MB DDR PCI-Express TV/DVI
Enermax High Performance Case Fan Ball Bearing 8cm
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro EXT Drive

Sorry if it's more information than you wanted, or not enough. Just needed some advice on what I've chosen to use, it's mostly for gameing and graphics.
Thanks for your input!

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Hoedizzy · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:06 pm Post subject:

So its being built for you online? Through a major company? or a smaller one?
You should be able to build one youself and save big $$$.

Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

you confuse me. It seems as though your priorites MUST focus on your needs....but what are they? Do you plan to do much gaming on this system? what else? I am baffeled by the fact that you choose 2 250GB SATA harddrives, but only a 6600 256MB videocard. Also, what are they charging you for this system?
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malenroh · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 6

I'll be using it mostly for games and graphics. It's running about $2200 and Im looking at United Micro PC systems to build it. The only 6800 cards they offer are agp. Like I said I'm new at this, that's why I need advice from the experienced out there.

Macabre · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:55 pm Post subject:

Man... your better off building this thing yourself...
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JayDubya · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:16 pm Post subject:

^I agree. If you think you can do it yourself (it really isn't all that hard), build it youself. You'll probably need a copy of windows XP PRO (for HT technology) also.
If you are already spending $2200, you may as well do it right and get a 6800GT.
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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Build it yourself.

US$2200? Don't you pay anyone that for a computer. You can build it yourself for half that price.
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Josh · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:15 pm Post subject:

Zero_Fresh · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 8:15 pm Post subject:

I' would even build it for you. But for $1300 US, you could build a MONSTER of a machine. and I do mean a monster.
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mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

Build it yourself, man! We're here to help. For 2 large you can build yourself one hell of a nice computer. I promise you, there's nothing like it.

meobius · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 8:57 pm Post subject:

As said Better to build it yourself If you where to go for the intel system,

Intel Pentium 4 3.6 LGA775 800mhz 1mb sc 775
Asus PSAD2 Premium LGA775 <---try and get a 925XE chipset which supports 1066fsb like the abit Fatal1ty-AA8XE
(2) Kingston 1024 mb DDR2 PC2-4200 240 PIN rams ok... maybe go for faster if you're planning on overclocking
(2) MAXTOR 250 GB Serial ATA 7200rpm 8MB hard drives
no no no and no! if you want size go for a 250 16mb it's the same price, or even better a 300 16mb. But anyway... my recommendation would be to get two 36 gig raptors in raid 0 with a 300mb maxtor 16mb as a third drive independant of the raid setup.
1,44 3.5 floppy why not
mid-tower case-haven't decided which would be best , Lian-Li V-1100 or the coolermaster stacker, or some other case that has damn good cooling because the p4 3.6 is a furnace... also make sure to get a good cpu cooler, like the zalman 7700
SONY 16x DVD ROM IDE
SONY 16x DVD+RW/-RW Dual layer <-Personally i find that having a dvd reader and burner is redundant cause you can't often do 1:1 copies anyway, usually need to do some compression first, this isn't really my field of expertise though.
XFX GeFORCE FX 6600 256MB DDR PCI-Express TV/DVI
6800gt, as they said, if your paying the big bucks, why stop at the videocard
Enermax High Performance Case Fan Ball Bearing 8cm
doubt it's that high performance.... cooling is important, but ideally you should be getting a case that uses 120mm fans that have a higher cfm and a lower noise level.
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro EXT Drive
In my opinion if the onboard isn't good enough, you need serious sound cards, not some cheap creative card, i'm saying m-audio audiophile card, or something really good... In short, depending on your needs of course, either stick to the onboard, or if you need it for sound recording, or are really crazy about having perfect sound go pro.
and one thing that wasn't mentioned PSU
with that kind of setup 600watts or so would be ideal,
from a good brand, nothing cheap

My recommendation for a hardcore gaming system would be as follows,
AMD 64 3500+ or 3800+
Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe or some other nforce 4 sli board
2 x ddr 400 1024 (or even 2 x 512 is more than enough) of some good brand
2 x sata 36 or 74g WD raptor 10k in raid 0
1 x sata 250 or 300g Maxtor 7200 16mb
1 x 3.5in floppy
1 x asus 16x dvd+/-RW
1 or 2 x 6800gt (anything but asus in this case)
Case of your choice, recommend thermaltake tsunami dream, lian-li v-1100, but it's up to you
Thermaltake (or other good psu manufacturer) powersupply around 480 watts or more
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malenroh · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 6

Ok, you talked me into it, I'm going to build it myself. This is what I've decided on:

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3.4EE
MB: ABIT Fatality AA8XE 925XE chipset
Mem: Corsair twin 2x1024 1 GB DDR@667 memory
HD: 2 Maxtor 250 GB 7200RPM SATA 16MB cache
Video: MSI NVIDIA GeForce 6800 256 MB DDR 256bit TV/DVI PCI-E
Optical: Sony 16x DVD drive
Sony 2.4 DVD/RW int drive
Sound: Creative Labs gamer PCI
Cooling: Zalman PS7700 cooler
Case: Aspire ATX tower with 500 watts PS

Does this sound like it will work to you guys? Thanks for all your help BTW.

Yoshida · UberTweaker Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Posts: 1219

looks pretty bitchin to me, id like to see some pictures when ya get it built,

(if you change your mind my company can built it for ya cheap)

JayDubya · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 8:57 pm Post subject:

We might need some confirmation from the intel guys, but that PSU might not cut it. Maybe a thermaltake, Antec, PC power and cooling, or enermax PSU with 520+ watts is needed?
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mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

With high-end goodies like you have listed, It would be a shame to have a PSU problem. If I were you, I'd take a look at the Antec NeoPower 480 or the PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 510 Deluxe.

The PSU in the Aspire case might be fine(I don't know anything about it), but why take the chance?

Good luck!

Ham_fisT · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 9:23 pm Post subject:

I have an Aspire 500w PSU, it seems ok, although my 12v rail runs about 11.77v avg. Lots of LED fans, CCFL's and 2 HDD's and 2 Optical drives, plus a 9800 pro

Mojo is right tho...PC Power and Cooling is the Best you can get

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malenroh · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 6

Ok, I switched to a ThermalTake case with Antec True 550W power supply. This heat issue is really worrying me tho, does the Intel P4 3.4 extreme edition run just as hot?

You guys are getting to me, ya know. I have three thousand dineros to spend sooo...if I go with AMD what would you suggest for gaming and video editing. Need for speed is imperative, is AMD quicker?

meobius · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 8:05 am Post subject:

the amd's own p4 at games,
for video editing Intel is a bit better than amd.

Honestly with the parts you've got listed, there won't be a huge difference in performance
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If time is of the essence,
than why is it that we waste,
that which holds such great importance,
spent without a trace.

2old2care · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 11:27 am Post subject:

Do you need a Creative sound board with that mobo? It has a lot a sound capability of its own. You can always upgrade the sound board later if you need it.
Does the Zalman fit on that mobo...I know it's for that socket and all...but Abit has a plastic shroud on there, that may get in the way. And...that Zalman may not do a whole lot more than stock cooling, except be quieter. 2¢
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malenroh · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 6

Good point, I'll try it first w/o the sound card. So does the case and psu look like it will do the job? Thanks for all your input and help

mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

That PSU should be fine, but did you take a look at the Antec NeoPower 480?
It got a really good review in Maximum PC mag this month. Just a suggestion.

Which Tt case are you looking at?

malenroh · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 6

I think the Tsunami, or maybe the Xaser V. I like the side window panels.

mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

Xasers are nice. You're gonna have a nice machine there.

Hoedizzy · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 12:12 am Post subject:

Theres nothing like a home built system, if you build it right, it's MUCH faster than the mainstream computers!

Xal · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 3:19 am Post subject:

If you have $3000+/- to spend why not go all the way with a 6800ultra?
The rest of the system looks great

you are going to really enjoy that rig.
I would say go for the Xaser its a nice lookin case and has good cooling.
Enjoy your build

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