First Time Computer Builder Needs Help

Slipperypete · 08-15-2008, 02:29 AM

Well as it is posted this is my first time building my own computer. I need to do some checks on the build before I go ahead and buy the parts. I got a little help with internet resources but I wasn't sure how reliable they were. This is what I think I want it to look like. It is going to be used for hardcore gaming and other general things. Be as blunt as possible... a good list would be nice :D.

Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...8&sku=ULT31824

Processor/Motherboard/Memory
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...CM-680I-Q6600A

Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=A406-1086

Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=A406-1086

Hard Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...sku=TSD-250AS7

DvD Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...5&sku=L12-1051

Fans
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...6&sku=ULT40144

Notes: Im not sure what else i need... maybe more fans. Im kind of on a budget kind of not. If I have more than necessary please tell me. Im running Windows Vista Home Premium on it. So please any help is wanted.

Thank you

Tumbleweed36 · 08-15-2008, 04:35 AM

I would seriously take a look at the motherboard selection as there are many reports that the 680i chipset has some difficulties. In addition, rumors (and they are only that at this time) say that Nvidia may go out of the chipset business, so you might want to read those comments as well before putting down your cold hard cash. I simply would not go that direction if it were my build.

The second comment, is that your power supply is not the highest quality in the world. I would consider one of the following brands for a quality power supply:

Seasonic – Any Model
Corsair – Any Model
PC Power & Cooling – Any Model
Thermaltake – “Toughpower” Series Only
Coolermaster – “Real Power Pro” Series Only
Silverstone – Any Model

Please also fix the link about the video card, since it does not work as a video card link. It is a repeat of the power supply link and the video card link would be helpful.

AquariusFX · 08-15-2008, 05:13 AM

About saving money. I would recommend Newegg.com for your hardware need.
And if there's fry's electronic store in your area, I would recommend that too.

**manic** · 08-15-2008, 05:29 AM

Ditto on the powersupply. Another thing with a good power supply
is to have at least one 8pin pci-e, and at least one 6pin pci-e connector.
If you plan on running sli, you should have 2 8 pin, and 2 six pin pci-e
connectors, the adapters some times just dont cut it.

ShosMeister · 08-15-2008, 06:46 AM

Didn't have a chance to look at all the items in your list, but, I'd have to agree on the power supply. Take a look at this one. It's been recommended by a few people on here to me and, with all of the discounts, it's not much more than your choice - PLUS, it's an energy efficient model.

Your link for the video card links to your power supply so need to fix that and didn't see anything on CPU.

Slipperypete · 08-15-2008, 09:08 AM

Alright ill have to look into that as well... But what about cooling. I have 2 120MM case fans but idk if i need to get a cpu fan or chipset fan too... any help with that?

Slipperypete · 08-15-2008, 10:14 AM

ok well... im looking to spend im staying around the $1400 area... thats my goal... i got spare cash from my old lappy dell inspiron 1501 lol

Ok hear is the video card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=E145-9822

Here is the new Power Supply im looking at...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...9&sku=C13-2501

New Mother Board
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...BM-E7150-Q6600

New RAM
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...139&CatId=2261

Thank you again... i think these are much better

ShosMeister · 08-15-2008, 03:57 PM

It says that power supply is no longer available. Besides, I would suspect that one of the regular guys will jump in and tell you the need for a bigger one anyway (700W probably based on your config - that's my guess).

**wrench97** · 08-15-2008, 04:13 PM

For a 9800gtx+ miniunm 650w this is $5 more with a $20 rebate than a Corsair 650 right now and will support some future upgrades.
http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSMC05E.htm

**wrench97** · 08-15-2008, 04:20 PM

Another thing if this is your first build I would stay from oem products as they don't come with accessories needed to assemble the unit cables, back plate etc.

Slipperypete · 08-15-2008, 05:04 PM

Alright this is really helpful... here is what it looks like as of right now

Whole thing

http://www.tigerdirect.com/cgi-bin/S...cart=y&msg=&q=

with this power supply

http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSMC05E.htm

and i will ask one more time... Do i need any more fans of any type... i have the 2 120mm fan slots filled but other than that idk what else i might need

If there are any other things you think i should add/change please inform me... this has been very helpful :D

ShosMeister · 08-15-2008, 05:12 PM

I'll let the other really smart guys address your fan question. I think it's enough, but .....

The power supply you are getting is also at NewEgg for nearly the same cost and it comes with an 8GB flash drive - if it makes a difference.

**wrench97** · 08-15-2008, 05:32 PM

You can't post a link to a shopping cart as the rest of us can't view the cart.
Do you have a CPU fan on your list?
Sata Cables?
XP or Vista?

Slipperypete · 08-15-2008, 10:55 PM

**wrench97** · 08-16-2008, 02:49 AM

Before you go for the 780 board check out this article and google for others.
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquir...-pulled-makers

I don't remember seeing benchmarks for the Q6700 but the E8400 beats the Q6600 at stock speeds in all I've seen unless you using photoshop or cad rendering programs there aren't any games that use 4 cores they will run on two of them .

For pc 6400 ram you want to look for 4-4-4-12 timings use the Crucial or Corsair configurer to find the part numbers then google search for the best price.

davers · 08-16-2008, 06:43 AM

I've heard REALLY good things about the EVGA 750i FTW motherboard. Heres the link: Clicky click

Be sure to watch the video. I've also heard good things about the Q6700 chipset. Personally, I would go with the 750i mated to the E8400 to save a few bucks to maybe sink into a slightly better video card. Maybe the EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 you can find at NewEgg for $279 by clicking here:
Clicky click

I do like your case...I came REALLY close to getting that one! I finally decided on the Antec 1200 because of the crazy amount of case fans you get! See a good youtube build with the Antec here: Clicky click If I remember correctly, he used the E8400 cpu mated to the evga 750i motherboard. The guy who did the build has quite a few excellent videos outlining what he did and how.

Good luck on your build!!!

Dave

sharee511 · 08-16-2008, 04:27 PM

Davers: That Youtube video guy is amazing. I love what he did with those cables. I wish I knew how to do that as my Corsair 750 cables are jammed in my Antec 900 so I can barley get to anything. Good video.

Sherri

**manic** · 08-16-2008, 04:44 PM

The cables are routed behind the mobo. I just did the same thing
with the 1200 antec case. What I dont like about the case is that
the psu is at the bottom of the case, and we all know heat rises.
Not my machine, but I did warn the guy about it, prior to the build.

Slipperypete · 08-16-2008, 06:13 PM

Alright... i read the posts about nVidia maybe going out of the chipset buisness and many sources say there are problems with the nVidia mobos... so what if i went teh other way with and intel based MOBO?

And with that which of teh 2 possabilities is more reliable and which do you guys suggest... maybe even which is more Future-proof

ATI Crossfire or nVidia SLI

if i can decide between those i can switch up MOBOS and video cards

Tumbleweed36 · 08-16-2008, 08:21 PM

The King of the hill right now is ATI Crossfire. That is one reason I mentioned to you in my first post that you might want to reconsider the motherboard you had chosen. In addition, I also wanted you to look at something else as mentioned because of the rumors about the board and the troubles that some have had with this chipset.

To Throw a little more crossfire (gas on the fire) your way, my next build for personal usage will be one of the following boards. Both are great boards IMHO:

Asus P5Q Deluxe

/or/

Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS4P

08-15-2008, 02:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Slipperypete Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 10 OS: windows xp	First Time Computer Builder Needs Help Well as it is posted this is my first time building my own computer. I need to do some checks on the build before I go ahead and buy the parts. I got a little help with internet resources but I wasn't sure how reliable they were. This is what I think I want it to look like. It is going to be used for hardcore gaming and other general things. Be as blunt as possible... a good list would be nice :D. Case http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...8&sku=ULT31824 Processor/Motherboard/Memory http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...CM-680I-Q6600A Power Supply http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=A406-1086 Video Card http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=A406-1086 Hard Drive http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...sku=TSD-250AS7 DvD Drive http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...5&sku=L12-1051 Fans http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...6&sku=ULT40144 Notes: Im not sure what else i need... maybe more fans. Im kind of on a budget kind of not. If I have more than necessary please tell me. Im running Windows Vista Home Premium on it. So please any help is wanted. Thank you

08-15-2008, 04:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,657 OS: XP Professional	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help I would seriously take a look at the motherboard selection as there are many reports that the 680i chipset has some difficulties. In addition, rumors (and they are only that at this time) say that Nvidia may go out of the chipset business, so you might want to read those comments as well before putting down your cold hard cash. I simply would not go that direction if it were my build. The second comment, is that your power supply is not the highest quality in the world. I would consider one of the following brands for a quality power supply: Seasonic – Any Model Corsair – Any Model PC Power & Cooling – Any Model Thermaltake – “Toughpower” Series Only Coolermaster – “Real Power Pro” Series Only Silverstone – Any Model Please also fix the link about the video card, since it does not work as a video card link. It is a repeat of the power supply link and the video card link would be helpful. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

08-15-2008, 05:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
AquariusFX Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 148 OS: XP SP3 / Vista SP1 My System	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help About saving money. I would recommend Newegg.com for your hardware need. And if there's fry's electronic store in your area, I would recommend that too.

08-15-2008, 05:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,244 OS: xp	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help Ditto on the powersupply. Another thing with a good power supply is to have at least one 8pin pci-e, and at least one 6pin pci-e connector. If you plan on running sli, you should have 2 8 pin, and 2 six pin pci-e connectors, the adapters some times just dont cut it. __________________

08-15-2008, 06:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
ShosMeister Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 400 OS: OS X 10.4.x	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help Didn't have a chance to look at all the items in your list, but, I'd have to agree on the power supply. Take a look at this one. It's been recommended by a few people on here to me and, with all of the discounts, it's not much more than your choice - PLUS, it's an energy efficient model. Your link for the video card links to your power supply so need to fix that and didn't see anything on CPU.

08-15-2008, 09:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
Slipperypete Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 10 OS: windows xp	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help Alright ill have to look into that as well... But what about cooling. I have 2 120MM case fans but idk if i need to get a cpu fan or chipset fan too... any help with that?

08-15-2008, 10:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
Slipperypete Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 10 OS: windows xp	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help ok well... im looking to spend im staying around the $1400 area... thats my goal... i got spare cash from my old lappy dell inspiron 1501 lol Ok hear is the video card http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=E145-9822 Here is the new Power Supply im looking at... http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...9&sku=C13-2501 New Mother Board http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...BM-E7150-Q6600 New RAM http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...139&CatId=2261 Thank you again... i think these are much better

08-15-2008, 03:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
ShosMeister Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 400 OS: OS X 10.4.x	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help It says that power supply is no longer available. Besides, I would suspect that one of the regular guys will jump in and tell you the need for a bigger one anyway (700W probably based on your config - that's my guess).

08-15-2008, 04:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,579 OS: Win7	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help For a 9800gtx+ miniunm 650w this is $5 more with a $20 rebate than a Corsair 650 right now and will support some future upgrades. http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSMC05E.htm __________________ Power Supply and Selection

08-15-2008, 04:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,579 OS: Win7	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help Another thing if this is your first build I would stay from oem products as they don't come with accessories needed to assemble the unit cables, back plate etc. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

08-15-2008, 05:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
Slipperypete Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 10 OS: windows xp	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help Alright this is really helpful... here is what it looks like as of right now Whole thing http://www.tigerdirect.com/cgi-bin/S...cart=y&msg=&q= with this power supply http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSMC05E.htm and i will ask one more time... Do i need any more fans of any type... i have the 2 120mm fan slots filled but other than that idk what else i might need If there are any other things you think i should add/change please inform me... this has been very helpful :D

08-15-2008, 05:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
ShosMeister Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 400 OS: OS X 10.4.x	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help I'll let the other really smart guys address your fan question. I think it's enough, but ..... The power supply you are getting is also at NewEgg for nearly the same cost and it comes with an 8GB flash drive - if it makes a difference.

08-15-2008, 05:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,579 OS: Win7	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help You can't post a link to a shopping cart as the rest of us can't view the cart. Do you have a CPU fan on your list? Sata Cables? XP or Vista? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

08-15-2008, 10:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
Slipperypete Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 10 OS: windows xp	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help ok sorry about that wrench... and no i dont have a cpu fan this is all of it Case http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...8&sku=ULT31824 Power Supply http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSMC05E.htm Motherboard http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=E145-2034 Processor http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=CP2-DUO-Q6700 Ram http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...9&sku=C13-6082 Hard Drive http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=TSD-750AS Video Card http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=E145-9822 DvD Drive http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...5&sku=L12-1051 Case Fans http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...6&sku=ULT40144 Speaker/Mouse/Keyboard (nothing special here... i dont worry about sound too much... im limited on speaker space) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0&sku=A68-1156 OS http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...M17-7414%20SP1 Other Software (just some bare minimums) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...6&sku=M17-2626 That is everything Another question is what video cards are tri-sli enabled... i dont have the power supply for it... but i was just wondering

08-16-2008, 02:49 AM	#15 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,579 OS: Win7	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help Before you go for the 780 board check out this article and google for others. http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquir...-pulled-makers I don't remember seeing benchmarks for the Q6700 but the E8400 beats the Q6600 at stock speeds in all I've seen unless you using photoshop or cad rendering programs there aren't any games that use 4 cores they will run on two of them . For pc 6400 ram you want to look for 4-4-4-12 timings use the Crucial or Corsair configurer to find the part numbers then google search for the best price. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

08-16-2008, 06:43 AM	#16 (permalink)
davers Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1 OS: XP SP2	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help I've heard REALLY good things about the EVGA 750i FTW motherboard. Heres the link: Clicky click Be sure to watch the video. I've also heard good things about the Q6700 chipset. Personally, I would go with the 750i mated to the E8400 to save a few bucks to maybe sink into a slightly better video card. Maybe the EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 you can find at NewEgg for $279 by clicking here: Clicky click I do like your case...I came REALLY close to getting that one! I finally decided on the Antec 1200 because of the crazy amount of case fans you get! See a good youtube build with the Antec here: Clicky click If I remember correctly, he used the E8400 cpu mated to the evga 750i motherboard. The guy who did the build has quite a few excellent videos outlining what he did and how. Good luck on your build!!! Dave Last edited by davers; 08-16-2008 at 06:44 AM.

08-16-2008, 04:27 PM	#17 (permalink)
sharee511 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 25 OS: Win XP Pro, Svc Pack 2	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help Davers: That Youtube video guy is amazing. I love what he did with those cables. I wish I knew how to do that as my Corsair 750 cables are jammed in my Antec 900 so I can barley get to anything. Good video. Sherri

08-16-2008, 04:44 PM	#18 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,244 OS: xp	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help The cables are routed behind the mobo. I just did the same thing with the 1200 antec case. What I dont like about the case is that the psu is at the bottom of the case, and we all know heat rises. Not my machine, but I did warn the guy about it, prior to the build. __________________

08-16-2008, 06:13 PM	#19 (permalink)
Slipperypete Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 10 OS: windows xp	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help Alright... i read the posts about nVidia maybe going out of the chipset buisness and many sources say there are problems with the nVidia mobos... so what if i went teh other way with and intel based MOBO? And with that which of teh 2 possabilities is more reliable and which do you guys suggest... maybe even which is more Future-proof ATI Crossfire or nVidia SLI if i can decide between those i can switch up MOBOS and video cards

08-16-2008, 08:21 PM	#20 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,657 OS: XP Professional	Re: First Time Computer Builder Needs Help The King of the hill right now is ATI Crossfire. That is one reason I mentioned to you in my first post that you might want to reconsider the motherboard you had chosen. In addition, I also wanted you to look at something else as mentioned because of the rumors about the board and the troubles that some have had with this chipset. To Throw a little more crossfire (gas on the fire) your way, my next build for personal usage will be one of the following boards. Both are great boards IMHO: Asus P5Q Deluxe /or/ Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS4P __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 08-16-2008 at 08:24 PM.