First Build Advice Please

KraigR · 01-25-2008, 05:31 PM

I would like to have a desktop computer to do my media storage as well as my normal computing tasks which include heavy browsing, IM, lots of word processing and occasional powerpoint and excel. I next to never play any games. I want lots of storage and would like to have this machine for the next 5 years at least. I want to buy better components now rather then later. I currently have a Dell Inspiron 8600 Laptop that I have upgraded to 1.25 GB RAM. I have not built before but I do refurb and upgrade existing machines occasionally, so please feel free to go in depth about things. I want Vista Ultimate on this machine (Already have this, installed on my laptop, but will transfer to this computer). I MAY dual boot eventually but not right now. I would like to keep this build as cheap as possible. I refuse to use AMD CPUs and want an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600. I like Dell computers and configured an XPS 420 that came to $1639. I don't have that kind of money. Preferably I'd like to keep this around $800 or so, but willing to go more. I don't know anything about cooling or power or matching CPUs to motherboards. I would like a LightScribe DVD-RAM drive, possibly 2. I want the largest and fastest HDD as possible within reasonable prices. I want at least 2GB RAM, 4 would be better. I found this (http://www.compusa.com/applications/...7598&body=MAIN) barebones kit and wonder if that would fit my needs. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1. Budget: $800+

2. Brands: Intel processor, preferably no ASUS components. Try to stay name brand if possible.

3. Multitasking: Heavy browsing, DVD writing, media storage. Not at the same time for the most part.

4. Gaming: Next to none.

5. Calculations: No.

6. Overclocking: No.

7. Storage: As much as possible, at least 200GB.

8. Legacy Support: None.

9. Operating System: Vista Ultimate(already purchased).

10. Case: Whatever fits, nothing too huge though.

11. Accessories: I have a wireless suite but would like a media card reader, wireless card and bluetooth (if possible).

12. Recycled Components: Vista, keyboard and mouse, 19" LCD.

13. Monitor: I have a LCD already. DVI would be nice but not necessary.

14. Stores: Newegg, TigerDirect, CompUSA, Cyberguys, I really don't care.

15. Location: Upstate NY, USA

**TheMatt** · 01-26-2008, 10:10 PM

I have generally found Shuttle barebones to be good quality, however I personally prefer to build from the ground up only because that chassis will be tiny. I am currently piecing together a rig, but one question: do you want a case that has a lot of lights, or just nothing fancy?

The other point I wanted to make was that while you said you would be doing a lot of multitasking, none of the things you listed are really that CPU intensive. Do you really want to spend the extra ~$100 on a quad core CPU right now?

**TheMatt** · 01-26-2008, 10:32 PM

Based on your answers this is what I would recommend:

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS4 Rev. 2.0 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128064

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115030

OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227089

LITE-ON Black 20X DVD±R DVD Burner W/ 12X DVD-RAM write and LightScribe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106080

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262

GIGABYTE GV-NX85T256H GeForce 8500GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125062

MASSCOOL 4F01B4 90mm PCI Slot Case Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835150006

Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371002

KraigR · 01-26-2008, 10:33 PM

Case wise, I'm open to anything. I don't need it to look flashy, just be fast on the inside ;). As far as the quad core goes, I just want a very high quality chip that will last a while. So not necessarily but something in the 2.4 or better range is a must (I get pissed at my current desktop, its slow to do anything), and at least Core 2 Duo.

EDIT: Thanks for getting back to me. I'll go check that out now...

**TheMatt** · 01-26-2008, 10:37 PM

Well for what you will be doing to be honest you wouldn't notice much of a difference between a $1000 Yorksfield quad core and the processor I posted. Also, the E6600 is obselete because Intel is trying to get the market to move to its FSB-1333 processors and away from its FSB-1066 processors (the Q6600 is an exception though because Intel IMO is being stupid and not releasing a lower end FSB-1333 quad core).

My E6550 can run Folding@Home (CPU intensive distributed computing program) while I play Counter-Strike: Source or do MP3 encoding.

KraigR · 01-26-2008, 10:40 PM

Alrighty, that's good enough for me then!

So this covers everything (except the case)? Or is there any other components needed?

**TheMatt** · 01-26-2008, 10:57 PM

Case and accessories. I would pick up a few things:

Here is one of my favorite cases:

Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129025

For extra cooling I would pick up that Masscool PCI slot cooler I posted in my build two posts above, as well as this heatsink and extra fan:

MASSCOOL 8WA741 92mm Ball CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835150082

Although the Intel stock heatsink is plenty effective, I am one who frowns upon Intel's suggested heatsink mounting design. With almost any LGA775 heatsink I favor heatsinks that have blackplates to take the load of supporting the heatsink off the motherboard PCB.

Then its always good to get another 120mm fan.

SILVERSTONE FM121-B 120mm Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835220014

KraigR · 01-26-2008, 11:06 PM

Awesome! Thank you so much!

**TheMatt** · 01-27-2008, 11:10 AM

You're welcome.

KraigR · 01-27-2008, 02:02 PM

One more thing, Wi-Fi. I just have a basic network (no draft n or anything). So any card suggestions? If possible something with Bluetooth too so I don't have to use my USB key that came with the keyboard and mouse.

**TheMatt** · 01-27-2008, 07:19 PM

TRENDnet TEW-443PI IEEE 802.11b/g 32-bit PCI 2.2 Bus Master Wireless Adapter Up to 108Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP (Hex or ASCII), WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156165

TRENDnet TBW-105UB USB 2.0 Compact Bluetooth Adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156069

The above wireless card supports WPA2 (AES), 108Mb/s, bus mastering, and has good Linux support because of the Atheros chipset on it.

You mentioned a media card reader before, do you want a small 3.5" drive bay one, or one that fits in a 5.25" drive bay and also has USB, Firewire, and audio ports, as well as other various features?

KraigR · 01-27-2008, 07:37 PM

For the card reader I don't need anything but the card slots, so a 3.5" should be fine. Thanks again!

**TheMatt** · 01-27-2008, 08:17 PM

Here is one that happens to have USB ports anyways:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811998814

Here is one with a floppy if you think you will need it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813998514

01-25-2008, 05:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
KraigR Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate/XP PRO SP3	First Build Advice Please I would like to have a desktop computer to do my media storage as well as my normal computing tasks which include heavy browsing, IM, lots of word processing and occasional powerpoint and excel. I next to never play any games. I want lots of storage and would like to have this machine for the next 5 years at least. I want to buy better components now rather then later. I currently have a Dell Inspiron 8600 Laptop that I have upgraded to 1.25 GB RAM. I have not built before but I do refurb and upgrade existing machines occasionally, so please feel free to go in depth about things. I want Vista Ultimate on this machine (Already have this, installed on my laptop, but will transfer to this computer). I MAY dual boot eventually but not right now. I would like to keep this build as cheap as possible. I refuse to use AMD CPUs and want an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600. I like Dell computers and configured an XPS 420 that came to $1639. I don't have that kind of money. Preferably I'd like to keep this around $800 or so, but willing to go more. I don't know anything about cooling or power or matching CPUs to motherboards. I would like a LightScribe DVD-RAM drive, possibly 2. I want the largest and fastest HDD as possible within reasonable prices. I want at least 2GB RAM, 4 would be better. I found this (http://www.compusa.com/applications/...7598&body=MAIN) barebones kit and wonder if that would fit my needs. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 1. Budget: $800+ 2. Brands: Intel processor, preferably no ASUS components. Try to stay name brand if possible. 3. Multitasking: Heavy browsing, DVD writing, media storage. Not at the same time for the most part. 4. Gaming: Next to none. 5. Calculations: No. 6. Overclocking: No. 7. Storage: As much as possible, at least 200GB. 8. Legacy Support: None. 9. Operating System: Vista Ultimate(already purchased). 10. Case: Whatever fits, nothing too huge though. 11. Accessories: I have a wireless suite but would like a media card reader, wireless card and bluetooth (if possible). 12. Recycled Components: Vista, keyboard and mouse, 19" LCD. 13. Monitor: I have a LCD already. DVI would be nice but not necessary. 14. Stores: Newegg, TigerDirect, CompUSA, Cyberguys, I really don't care. 15. Location: Upstate NY, USA

01-26-2008, 10:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: First Build Advice Please I have generally found Shuttle barebones to be good quality, however I personally prefer to build from the ground up only because that chassis will be tiny. I am currently piecing together a rig, but one question: do you want a case that has a lot of lights, or just nothing fancy? The other point I wanted to make was that while you said you would be doing a lot of multitasking, none of the things you listed are really that CPU intensive. Do you really want to spend the extra ~$100 on a quad core CPU right now? __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides Last edited by TheMatt; 01-26-2008 at 10:12 PM.

01-26-2008, 10:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: First Build Advice Please Based on your answers this is what I would recommend: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS4 Rev. 2.0 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128064 Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115030 OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227089 LITE-ON Black 20X DVD±R DVD Burner W/ 12X DVD-RAM write and LightScribe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106080 Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262 GIGABYTE GV-NX85T256H GeForce 8500GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125062 MASSCOOL 4F01B4 90mm PCI Slot Case Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835150006 Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371002 __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

01-26-2008, 10:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
KraigR Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate/XP PRO SP3	Re: First Build Advice Please Case wise, I'm open to anything. I don't need it to look flashy, just be fast on the inside ;). As far as the quad core goes, I just want a very high quality chip that will last a while. So not necessarily but something in the 2.4 or better range is a must (I get pissed at my current desktop, its slow to do anything), and at least Core 2 Duo. EDIT: Thanks for getting back to me. I'll go check that out now... Last edited by KraigR; 01-26-2008 at 10:34 PM.

01-26-2008, 10:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: First Build Advice Please Well for what you will be doing to be honest you wouldn't notice much of a difference between a $1000 Yorksfield quad core and the processor I posted. Also, the E6600 is obselete because Intel is trying to get the market to move to its FSB-1333 processors and away from its FSB-1066 processors (the Q6600 is an exception though because Intel IMO is being stupid and not releasing a lower end FSB-1333 quad core). My E6550 can run Folding@Home (CPU intensive distributed computing program) while I play Counter-Strike: Source or do MP3 encoding. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

01-26-2008, 10:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
KraigR Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate/XP PRO SP3	Re: First Build Advice Please Alrighty, that's good enough for me then! So this covers everything (except the case)? Or is there any other components needed?

01-26-2008, 10:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: First Build Advice Please Case and accessories. I would pick up a few things: Here is one of my favorite cases: Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129025 For extra cooling I would pick up that Masscool PCI slot cooler I posted in my build two posts above, as well as this heatsink and extra fan: MASSCOOL 8WA741 92mm Ball CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835150082 Although the Intel stock heatsink is plenty effective, I am one who frowns upon Intel's suggested heatsink mounting design. With almost any LGA775 heatsink I favor heatsinks that have blackplates to take the load of supporting the heatsink off the motherboard PCB. Then its always good to get another 120mm fan. SILVERSTONE FM121-B 120mm Case Fan http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835220014 __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

01-26-2008, 11:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
KraigR Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate/XP PRO SP3	Re: First Build Advice Please Awesome! Thank you so much!

01-27-2008, 11:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: First Build Advice Please You're welcome. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

01-27-2008, 02:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
KraigR Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate/XP PRO SP3	Re: First Build Advice Please One more thing, Wi-Fi. I just have a basic network (no draft n or anything). So any card suggestions? If possible something with Bluetooth too so I don't have to use my USB key that came with the keyboard and mouse.

01-27-2008, 07:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: First Build Advice Please TRENDnet TEW-443PI IEEE 802.11b/g 32-bit PCI 2.2 Bus Master Wireless Adapter Up to 108Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP (Hex or ASCII), WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156165 TRENDnet TBW-105UB USB 2.0 Compact Bluetooth Adapter http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156069 The above wireless card supports WPA2 (AES), 108Mb/s, bus mastering, and has good Linux support because of the Atheros chipset on it. You mentioned a media card reader before, do you want a small 3.5" drive bay one, or one that fits in a 5.25" drive bay and also has USB, Firewire, and audio ports, as well as other various features? __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides Last edited by TheMatt; 01-27-2008 at 07:24 PM.

01-27-2008, 07:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
KraigR Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate/XP PRO SP3	Re: First Build Advice Please For the card reader I don't need anything but the card slots, so a 3.5" should be fine. Thanks again!

01-27-2008, 08:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: First Build Advice Please Here is one that happens to have USB ports anyways: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811998814 Here is one with a floppy if you think you will need it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813998514 __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides