[csmith23]

Howdy, I'm new here, and to the computer building world. I have came to you today needing some insight and advice on my first build ever. Hopefully it turns out okay and I have done a little research. I hope most of these parts will work.

Most of you know more about computers than I do so here we go. I dont need a supercomputer but i would like to play games on occasion(Black ops/sims3/aoe 3). I do some music editing on this computer but once again, only on occasion. I also make some videos. I guess I need a computer that is decently well rounded. If you have any suggestions please give me all your advice because i really am a newbie. (other than reading the guides on here and other misc. sites.) I would like to keep the computer under $700.

Case Rosewill TU-155
http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

Power Supply 400 watt PSU Included with case

http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

Motherboard Intel BOXDP55WG LGA 1156 http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

Memory(RAM) G. Skill RipJaw Series 4GB 240pin DDR3 1333 http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

Central Processing Unit Intel I-5 Core-650 Clarkdale 3.2GHZ http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

Heat Sink/Fan/Thermal Paste Included with above CPU

Hard Drive Western Digital Caviar Blue 160GB http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

Optical Drive Asus Black 24X DVD Burner http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo


Thanks in advance for all your help.

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also, do I have all that is needed? or am I missing important parts?

[csmith23]

also, do I have all that is needed? or am I missing important parts?

[iammykyl]

Gday csmith23,

A little more information would be useful so people can start helping.

What is you location?

What will you be doing mostly on this computer?

What sort of budget have you in mind?

[csmith23]

I'm in Ohio.

I would like to spend less than $700.

And I will be using the computer for a little gaming, music editing, video editing, browsing, writing papers. Pretty much a little of everything.

[iammykyl]

Hi.

Sorry about my first reply, should have paid more attention when reading you post.

Mobo is OK but I think you could get more for your dollar, comparison page, >
http://www.newegg.co...^13-157-206-02#
CPU, good.

Memory, good.

HDD. Very small, storage space for data inadequate, bare drive, so no cables. Option 1, Use a 1TB drive with 2 partitions one for the OS and one for Data Option 2, use the small drive for the OS and a second larger drive for for Date, a more efficient way.

Burner, OK.

Case and PSU combo. These 2 items should be as good as you can afford as they could be used for years for future upgrades.

Don't know the case and I can't find any *expert* reviews. large case, 1 poor fan, not a lot of options for airflow control, > http://alatest.com.a...3-41139900,127/ .
I would not buy.

PSU. I would not buy, only has 14amps on the 12v rail so would be hard pressed to run a good graphics card, does not appear to have a good reputation.
This is the engine and heart of any system. for this system I would look for a 450w 80 plus certified, multi rail, modular PSU from one of the major brands. To ensure future upgrade I would buy a 650w with 24amps on the 12v rails

I assume you will be using your existing screen, keyboard and mouse.

Missing.

A video card.
an OS.

[csmith23]

Thanks for all the help so far.

Which mobo would you recomend? i was looking at this one: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131624 . But it says you can only purchase with a combo and im not sure what that means. You know more about mobo's than i do so your recomendation is appreciated.

Also, you said you were unsure of the case and that I need a more powerful psu. Any ideas? I would like to stay in the price range i have now, which is in the $70 range, but i can come up a bit more if that is helpful.

I want to run Windows 7 (64 bit) I really dont understand the difference between 32 and 64 or what the numbers even represent.

and how about this video card? http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

And i can use my currently selected HDD if i use another for data? How big would you say?

[mkau]

Yeah, the PSU looks a little sketchy. Might want to buy a Seasonic PSU of some sort. An s12II 520 is $70 after shipping at the moment... I'd also suggest a better case.

[csmith23]

okay. i will look into that psu.

any cases you would recomend? and is my video card selection okay?

[mkau]

okay. i will look into that psu.

any cases you would recomend? and is my video card selection okay?

I like a lot of NZXT and Cooler Master cases; the NZXT's are very nice for the price but their looks leave something to be desired, for the most part. An NZXT Lexa S is a nice case but it's... interesting looking. $70.
Not really... it's a rather weak card. I'd swap your processor for an i3, they're much cheaper and a better deal so you can spend a little more on the video card, maybe an ATI Radeon HD5670. They run around $100.

I would also suggest swapping the motherboard for an ASrock board... It will most likely be a bit better, and it's a bit cheaper to boot. http://www.newegg.co...7-203-_-Product

Edited by mkau, 06 January 2011 - 04:32 PM.

[iammykyl]

Hi.

Which mobo would you recommend? i was looking at this one: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131624 . But it says you can only purchase with a combo and I'm not sure what that means. You know more about mobo's than i do so your recommendation is appreciated

That would be my first choice. A combo is 2 or more items bought from the combo lists. There our thousands and there may be no combination of parts that suit items you want. This first one will be OK, > http://www.newegg.co...st=Combo.578350 Gets you the PSU and the second HDD for storage.

Here are a couple of examples. > http://www.newegg.co...st=Combo.575706 Does not get you the Mobo we want, OR, > http://www.newegg.co...st=Combo.578099 You might consider this next one as a build. a good Mobo that even allows installing more ram., gets you almost everything, but, the PSU only has 18A on the 12v rails which limits the selection for the video card.

I want to run Windows 7 (64 bit) I really dont understand the difference between 32 and 64 or what the numbers even represent

Good explanation here, > http://pcsupport.abo...-bit-64-bit.htm 64bit is the way to go.

and how about this video card? http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

Only good for general purpose work. Think you would be very disappointed in any gaming. Leave this item until the rest of the system is sorted.

I would create a wish list on Newegg so that as you chop and change your total spend is adjusted for you.

Edited by iammykyl, 06 January 2011 - 04:43 PM.

[mkau]

Honestly I wouldn't grab that Asus board, 3 stars usually means something is bad, nor would I grab that power supply. Seasonic, Corsair, Antec (save for the Basiq series), XFX, and a few others I don't remember.

[rshaffer61]

32 bit OS has a maximum memory utilization of 3.5 gigs where a 64 bit can go much higher.
If you are going to win7 go with a 64 bit version so you will have the upgrading later for memory and programs.
32 bit OS is old technology.
64 bit is also more secure.

[csmith23]

phew... okay so right now this is my number 1: http://www.newegg.co...st=Combo.578099

Just because its the most simple and hopefully the best bang for my buck?

All i need is an OS, which i will probably get from best buy(windows 7 64 bit), and a video card? You said this psu is limiting my video card selection? I still want to be able to play games decently though. This is my first build though so i dont necessarily need to the best of everything.

Do you think this is an okay decision? And if i do get this system which video cards should i look at?

[mkau]

The only things there that concern me are the PSU (terrible reviews) and the hard drive - Seagate's reliability has dropped like a rock in recent years.

[iammykyl]

I know the OCZ is not the best in the world but does come with a 3 year swap policy.

> http://www.ocztechno...pport/warranty/