[jwall2004]

Hello to everyone, this is my first post, been lurking for awhile. Anyways i am about to start my first computer build and i have a list of things that i think might work well. My budget is about 1500. This is just a starting point for this computer to get it up and running with more upgrades to come. Will have a 32" lcd screen hooked up to it. Anyways here it is, let me know what you think and if i need to change/add anything.
Thank you.

RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Rosewill RX750-D-B ATX12V v2.2 & EPS12V v2.91 750W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL,FCC,CSA,CB,CE,TUV,ROHS

EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4D

XFX PVT88PYDD4 GeForce 8800GT XXX 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate


Let me know what you think,
i will be using this computer for gaming, internet downloads, movies.


Also, currently have a WD 750GB external Hard Drive storage.


One game that is played on my current system is Mideval 2 total war and it has to be set at the lowest level to run. On this system i would like for it to be played flawlessly at high settings.

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Hi there, welcome to Geeks to Go!

This is looking like a reasonably good gaming system. I'm just wondering what your budget is for the build? What upgrades are intended?

First off, I would choose a reputable PSU. I would rather this Corsair 650W than that Rosewill 750W.

Next, I'm interested in your choice of motherboard. Are you intending to run SLI on this system in the future? If not, I recommend one with an Intel chipset.

I'm not positive on recommending a specific type of sound card, but onboard audio is fine for 99% of people these days. Only if you have a proper surround sound speaker setup, do I recommend looking into a good sound card.

Western Digital is good, but I recommend Seagate for their 5 year warranty

And lastly, don't bother with 64-bit OS unless you get 4GB of RAM.

Also, please post links as to where you're buying from. (i.e. Newegg?)

Cheers,

Troy

EDIT: Found your budget information

Edited by troy, 21 February 2008 - 04:25 AM.

[Troy]

Hi there, welcome to Geeks to Go!

This is looking like a reasonably good gaming system. I'm just wondering what your budget is for the build? What upgrades are intended?

First off, I would choose a reputable PSU. I would rather this Corsair 650W than that Rosewill 750W.

Next, I'm interested in your choice of motherboard. Are you intending to run SLI on this system in the future? If not, I recommend one with an Intel chipset.

I'm not positive on recommending a specific type of sound card, but onboard audio is fine for 99% of people these days. Only if you have a proper surround sound speaker setup, do I recommend looking into a good sound card.

Western Digital is good, but I recommend Seagate for their 5 year warranty

And lastly, don't bother with 64-bit OS unless you get 4GB of RAM.

Also, please post links as to where you're buying from. (i.e. Newegg?)

Cheers,

Troy

EDIT: Found your budget information

Edited by troy, 21 February 2008 - 04:25 AM.

[sandman01086]

just another thought: would a 8800GT be able to run at a high enough resolution to look good on a 32" screen? if you're playing games at a high res on a big screen then you may want to choose a better gfx card so it will render quicker, just a thought though

[james_8970]

Welcome to geekstogo.

And lastly, don't bother with 64-bit OS unless you get 4GB of RAM.

Just a heads up, a 64bit OS with 4GB of RAM will run at about the same speed as a 32bit OS with 2GB.

would a 8800GT be able to run at a high enough resolution to look good on a 32" screen?

Just because the physical dimensions are large doesn't mean the resolution is large. You do bring up a valid point though, jwall2004, what's the resolution of this TV.

Do you have any intentions of overclocking? Also, could you please provide the link to each part so that we'll know you are looking at the same product as us. For an example, I don't know if you are looking at the retail or OEM version of Vista.
Lastly, just as troy said get a 32bit OS and Vista Home premium. Most users will not notice the small differences between Ultimate and home Premium.
James

Edited by james_8970, 21 February 2008 - 12:14 PM.

[jwall2004]

Ok, i went back through all my stuff and have changed it around. Let me know what you guys think.


GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Dynamic Energy Saver Ultra Durable II Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128086

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115029

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA1065
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820148069

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139005

EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130325

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner

Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

RAIDMAX SMILODON case with out psu

Let me know what to change.
Thanks

Edited by jwall2004, 21 February 2008 - 02:23 PM.

[jwall2004]

Welcome to geekstogo.

And lastly, don't bother with 64-bit OS unless you get 4GB of RAM.

Just a heads up, a 64bit OS with 4GB of RAM will run at about the same speed as a 32bit OS with 2GB.

would a 8800GT be able to run at a high enough resolution to look good on a 32" screen?

Just because the physical dimensions are large doesn't mean the resolution is large. You do bring up a valid point though, jwall2004, what's the resolution of this TV.

Do you have any intentions of overclocking? Also, could you please provide the link to each part so that we'll know you are looking at the same product as us. For an example, I don't know if you are looking at the retail or OEM version of Vista.
Lastly, just as troy said get a 32bit OS and Vista Home premium. Most users will not notice the small differences between Ultimate and home Premium.
James

If i get the E8400 i would like to overclock it a little.
I was going to use a 32" HD 1366 x 768 native LCD HDTV
hope that helps

[Titan8990]

Drop the extra thermal grease. These days the stock cooler comes with pre-applied paste. This saves you the trouble and the mess. The Artic Cooling grease is supposedly "better" but I can tell you that if there is a difference, it is not noticable. If you buy an aftermarket cooler, many of them come with some metalic based grease.

The PSU you have selected is overkill. Only high end SLI machines would need a 750w PSU. The Corsair Troy selected earlier is an excellent choice.


Edit: If you are looking to OC I would throw is on for some "lite" overclocking: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7

For some serious OCing you can't beat this one: Thermalright Ultra-120 CPU

It is out of stock atm so you could go with this: ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120

Make sure you have an L shaped screwdriver for installation.

Edited by Titan8990, 21 February 2008 - 12:39 PM.

[jwall2004]

ok edited the power supply in the list

[james_8970]

You could save some money getting some 800MHz RAM.
I cannot guarantee that that E8400 will work with your motherboard out of the box, there have been some issues that required flashing the BIOS to a newer version to properly support the processor. I'd suggest getting a E6750.
You can save 50$ by getting the P35-DS3L.
I'd suggest this burner.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827129009
James

Edited by james_8970, 21 February 2008 - 12:56 PM.

[Titan8990]

The DS3L is only $35 cheaper.... The one he has selected is that much more because of the not needed DDR3 slots. I wouldn't have noticed this if James didn't say something about the boards cost. I would go with the other version of the DS3R if you plan on doing intense OCing: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128086

The DS3L that James was talking about is also a nice OCer even though it's NB cooler is half the size of the DS3R: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128059


Edit: Fixed a link to the wrong board.

Edited by Titan8990, 21 February 2008 - 01:08 PM.

[james_8970]

he DS3L that James was talking about is also a nice OCer even though it's NB cooler is half the size of the DS3R:

The size of the cooler has nothing to do with how far you can overclock. Get the P35-DS3L, you will not notice the difference between the two boards unless you'd need more then 4 SATA ports.
James

[jwall2004]

Updated mother board
will everything work together now?

What ram should i get with this MB
And will the video card work with this MB
Thanks

Edited by jwall2004, 21 February 2008 - 01:51 PM.

[james_8970]

Again, I'd recommend getting the E6750. The E8400 should work but I cannot guarrentee it, though a local computer shop will likely be more then happy to flash your BIOS if need be.

If you are familiar with the BIOS.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145034
If you are not familiar with the BIOS.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820146118

Yes that video card will work. Though I highly suggest the one below.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130325
With the money you saved on parts, you should be able to fit this into your budget, if not I'd try to find a way. It performs better then the 8800GT and has a dual slot cooler, so there is less of a chance that it will overheat.
James

Edit: I also suggest you save money by getting Vista Home premium. This is a much better buy as you will not notice the difference between the two operating system, yet one is significantly cheaper.

Edited by james_8970, 21 February 2008 - 01:59 PM.

[jwall2004]

updated video card and processor.
Thanks for the help
how does it look now.

[james_8970]

I strongly recommend one of these DVD drives over the Lite-On. I have the Pioneer and I'm planning to get the Samsung later on down the road so compare the two.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827129009
or
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827151153
I really like the Pioneer, it's more or less the best DVD burner on the market.
Again, I really recommend you get Vista Home Premium. I'm not sure why you want Ultimate so much.
If you don't have hard drive preference, Seagate offers a 5 years warranty over WD's 3 years.
James

Edited by james_8970, 21 February 2008 - 02:17 PM.