[Xunzar]

Right, so I'm planning on building my new computer. No biggy? Well, the thing that has me in a bind is that I don't know enough about specs. As such a friend of mine threw a design together. I'd appriciate any non-flames on the subject. (Note: I'd get a Mac, but the graphics card isn't all that good unless I want to pay the same amount as the cost of the computer)

• CPU
• Motherboard
• CPU cooler
• Thermal Compound?(useful?)
• Power Supply
• Hard Drive
• DVD Burner
• Case
• RAM
• Graphics Card
• Blu-ray Burner

Is there anything I missed?

Thoughts on keyboard, mouse and speakers?

What operating system should I use?

Domo *bows*

This post has been edited by Xunzar: 10 November 2008 - 01:55 PM

[dowxp]

A budget would be nice.

also going on a triple SLI board isn't really useful since .. well, you aren't going to get two (or three) of the same card. DDR3 is expensive. the processor isn't even wolfdale.

IMO, save some money and get a E8400 150?, P45 board (asus p5q) 150?, basic 2x2gb for 30AR(after rebate) (or 2gb for 10AR) AR, PSU can be 500W max.
the video card is up to you. i'm not sure what games you are playing. keyboard\mouse- go to frys or bb and try them out. then go to amazon and buy them with free shipping.

fancy case and aftermarket cooler is even questionable- its just for looks unless you are overclocking significantly. +10-15% overclock can be done on stock hardware

ideally, sans video card and accessories, its looking around $300-400 tops.

[Xunzar]

• CPU
• Motherboard
• Thermal Compound?(useful?)
• Power Supply
• Hard Drive
• DVD Burner
• Case
• RAM
• Graphics Card
• Blu-ray
• Keyboard
• Monitor
• Speakers

needs to be finished

This post has been edited by Xunzar: 11 November 2008 - 05:14 PM

[Jim3535]

The first thing I would change is the CPU to the retail kit. OEM versions normally have crap warranty (like 90 days vs 3 years for retail) and for $10 more you can't go wrong. After reading your second post, it looks like you're looking at a retail box, but my comments still apply in case you consider an alternative. If you do use the stock heatsink, then you shouldn't need the thermal compound. Normally the kit comes with some or it is pre-applied to the heatsink.

I would also add some variant of the WD raptor for the main OS hard drive. The 500GB is fine for mass storage, but the raptor (or velociraptor) will boost your performance more than almost any component. The 150GB version is probably the best value.

Consider a cheaper graphics card with the plan to upgrade it in a year or two. Normally you pay crazy money for 5% better in actual games when a card 2 generations later will smoke it.

Unless you are planning on burning blu-ray discs very soon, I would skip the burner. They are still on the curve to half in price in 1-2 years, so if you don't have a particular need, I would save the $220.

As for the keyboard and mouse; that's more subjective. Definitely go wired since wireless is a pain and lags like crazy. I find a 5 button mouse like the intellimouse optical is good since it gives you plenty of quick access to stuff while not being cluttered with buttons. But you really want to find something comfortable that you like using.

The one thing that is confusing me is that you appear to be building a gaming system. However, the comment about buying a mac almost contradicts that because of the lack of game selection for them. Are you a gamer, or is it your friend who found the stuff for you? There is definitely money to be saved if you don't need the uber gaming gear.

[MestHoop]

Dow and Jim already covered most of the subjects so I'm not gonna give a lot of input on this, however you might want to look at your airflow in case you are gonna overclock anything. The case you choose seems to be quite good at making different type of airflow schemes...

As for the keyboard: if you're a fanatic gamer (which you prolly are seeing the specs of that pc) I'd get the new Logitech G15. Dunno if the new version is wired or wireless, but they layout, configurable macro buttons, display (showing stats of a LOT of different games) are just amazing

[Xunzar]

Updated Specs

• CPU
• Motherboard
• Thermal Compound?(useful?)
• Power Supply
• Hard Drive
• DVD Burner
• Case
• RAM
• Graphics Card
• Blu-ray
• Keyboard
• Monitor
• Speakers

[dowxp]

i don't know why you are choosing ddr3.

$100 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131299

is sufficient. 4gb of ram is $30AR now. total $130. that is less than the cost of ddr3 ram.

i'd suggest reading up on tech before buying a computer.

hardocp.com
anandtech.com

[Xunzar]

Computer
Monitor
Speakers

[Jim3535]

19" is small in a widescreen format. Why not spring the extra $15 for a 22" instead?

Something like:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16824009145
or
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16824254035

Hot deals club is also advertising a deal where you can get a comparable system, but with a much better processor. The core 2 quad beats down on the Athlon 64s.

http://hotdealsclub.com/

HP.com - Desktop PC: Quad Core, 3GB, 750GB, Geforce 9500 for $630
New coupon code DT4628 gives $400 off any HP Desktop PC configured to at least $999 before automatic discounts. Coupon cannot apply toward monitors.

Examples:

* HP Pavilion a6660t for $620 after coupon when configuring the base model with an Intel Q9300 Quad Core 2.5GHz CPU, 3GB memory, Geforce 9500 512MB with TV Tuner, and 750GB hard drive, with a standard DVD Burner, and memory card reader.
* HP Pavilion m9400t for $620 after coupon when configuring the base model with an Intel Q9300 Quad Core 2.5GHz CPU and Geforce 9500GS 512MB Video, and leaving the other configurations at 2GB memory, 320GB hard drive, DVD Burner, and memory card reader.

The a6660t has TV tuner, and the m9400t has a better power supply. A similar desktop PC costs over $1000 at Dell.com.