SirGaius

Hello. I was hoping that y'all would mind critiquing my build, I'm going to update an existing computer that was built for me by a friend awhile ago....and by update, I mean, I'm going to leave the case intact and everything else is new. I mainly am using this computer for gaming/web/university studies.

This is what I have so far:

Case: Enermax Uber Chakra http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/442/1

PSU: Corsair 650w http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard -
Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128359

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036

Extra Thermaltake fan, for the back

The final parts, the ones I need opinions on:

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145194

Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130339

HD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136284

DVD: LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136152


...now then, if you can think of something better within a reasonable price range, I'm all ears, or if there's any problems or something please tell me so that I know now rather than later. This is my first build, so I'm still shaky on alot of this.

Mcninjaguy

I would go for the ATI 4850. Its closer to the GTX 260 and can run fine on your Corsair 650w

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
$140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102833

I always try to recommend the Vapor-X cooling on the 4850 cards because as you can see the fan is really big so it should keep the card really cool.

Are you going to buy a aftermarket CPU cooler? I would say to get one if you want to keep your CPU really cool so you can overclock it.

Something like this

ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
$55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118019

Thermal paste is needed too!

Arctic Silver 5
$9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007

Tyree

The stock Intel HSF will take a good amount of OC'ing and still keep the 8500 comfortably cool.
If you want to go with Zalman; Same cooler but cheaper $33 (no LED).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118003

Another alternative; excellent cooling and easy to install. $32
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134

Aftermarket HSF's come with thermal compound so no need for the AC unless you want to spend another $9.

SirGaius

Okay, so, basically, that video card is better than the geforce one I had listed, for the same money and it is cooler? Sounds good to me. :D

Also, I had thought about one, but, I'm going the one that tyree has listed, since it doesn't have an led in it and the front,back, and side fans all have leds I think that I'm not going to be able to sleep at night with all the light. haha

So, but, other than that it looks like a pretty solid build? I plan to order all of these last parts this weekend, then I'll have all my parts... so then I would just have to wait to order a monitor since I'm just using a laptop now. (hey, I'm a college student, money can be tight :P )

Also, is the workbench testing a decent guide to put together a computer? I have a couple of magazines that show how to do it and I'm looking at a couple of sites... I just haven't done this before so I just don't want to mess anything up.

...and last thing, should I get an electromagnetic wrist strap? Unfortunately I'm going to put this thing together in my kitchen because the rest of my apartment is carpet and I don't want to mess anything up.

Tyree

There is a link on this forum;How to Bench Test Your System

Simpl guide;
Set the motherboard on a non conductive surface. The motherboard box is perfect for this. DO NOT PLACE THE MOTHERBOARD ON THE STATIC BAG! It can actually conduct electricity! We are going to try and assemble a running system outside of the case.
Install the CPU and heat sink.
Install 1 stick of RAM.
Install the video card and attach the power supply connection(s) to the card if your card needs it.
Connect the monitor to the video card.
Connect the power supply to the motherboard with both the 24pin main ATX Power connection and the separate 4 or 8 pin power connection.
Connect power to the power supply.
Do NOT connect ANYTHING else. Make sure you have the power connector
on the CPU fan connected.
Use a small screwdriver to momentarily short the power switch connector on the motherboard. Consult your motherboard manual to find which two pins connect to your case's power switch. Then touch both pins with a screwdriver to complete the circuit and boot the system.

SirGaius

Oh, also, do y'all recommend a monitor? I guess it doesn't matter that much, as long as its around $125 (100-160 is a good range)

Also, my mobo came with a disc, would it be installed before or after the OS?

dai

after the op.system

M3guy

Looks great either way op you may want a slightly larger p/s but that is up to you.


Just curious as to why the Ati card is better than the Nvidia ? They seem very close and I have experienced that Nvidia is more reliable.

Tyree

I always suggest going to a retailer and look at LCD Monitors.
Basically, any one with a minimum of 5ms response and 1000:1 contrast ratio.
Samsung's are excellent. For cheaper solutions I go with HannsG & Acer.

SirGaius

Alright...also, my thermaltake fan has 3 different options, I'm going to be using the temperature sensor since that seems like it'd make the most sense, faster when its warmer and all... but, where is the best place to put the sensor, with the thermal tape holding it on? (its the back fan, 120)

dai

where it will not interfere with anything but will still be easy to access

i put mine on the right hand side top back corner

SirGaius

Okay.... cool... alright, another couple of questions, my case fans, using a 4 pin connector, do I plug those into my mobo or just straight into the PSU?

On the back of the case, how can you tell where to put in the standoffs?

This is using a tooless design, so I stick two rails, one on each side of the devices and slide it in... what, does the little pin on the side just go through a hole or how does that work?

How do I know which back pci slot to take out for my graphics card, or will I just know when it gets here?

Thanks alot, I really appreciate it.. I'm just trying to get any questions out of the way, my parts arrive on tuesday. :D

Tyree

Standard 4Pin molex connecters will go to the PSU.
The case "SHOULD" have instructions for mounting hardware but some leave much to be desired.
I've never used that particular case but "most" better cases have markings for the standoffs on the Mobo tray for ATX-MATX etc.
Best way: Count the holes in the Mobo (usually nine for an ATX board) and install a standoff to line up with each hole in the Mobo.
When you feel you have them all in place, lay the Mobo in the case to be sure they are all their and all line up with the Mobo holes.
The drive adapter pins correspond with the mounting holes in the HDD's and Optical drives. It will be self explanatory once you see them.
Hold the Graphics card next to the PCI-E Mobo slot and remove the back pci slot cover that lines up with the card.

SirGaius

I've just gotta say, the instructions leave much to be desired... thankfully after alot of searching I found a picture on http://www.overclockersclub.com that I'm using to see where the standoffs go... alot better than my original idea of placing them everywhere. haha (

and, no, no markings, hell the instructions don't even say how to install the PSU "The instructions are very brief and would be a nightmare for a first time builder, because there are no instructions for how and where to place the motherboard standoffs." )

...other than the almost complete and utter lack of instructions, I'm actually really happy with the case... the 250 fan on the side makes me happy. :D

... oh and expect for me to have several questions over the next few days when I get parts in....thanks alot, though, I really do appreciate it. Honestly, without this forum and the help here, I honestly don't know whether or not I'd have the guts to go ahead and actually build my own computer.

Well... some news to report... I've started my build. I've already had my case/psu/cup/mobo/extra fan for awhile, read the manuals so many times and all... since the parts will come in both tomorrow and wednesday I decided to go ahead and start on it.

First of all, I've gotta say, I was neverous as hell starting off... I had to do the build on my kitchen floor (apartments, it's covered in carpet, it was either there or the bathroom and I was worried aboust moisture)... but, I was so worried that I practically touched every metal thing in the kitchen to try and make sure I had no ESD... and then I put on a pair of vinyl medical gloves for extra protection. haha Even when putting in the cpu I made sure I was touching the case's metal all the time, I just leaned on the case.

Thoughts: the mobo was more difficult to put in than I had thought, just because I forgot to pull the pins back on the i/o plate and all.... the mobo is pretty durable, I accidentally put the screws in tighter than I wated, etc. but it wasn't a problem.

So, now I'm just waiting on my ram, 2x dvd burners, video card and hard drive.... I can't wait!

...also, I hope this wasn't a problem.. but, I hooked up the PSU to the mobo/fans to make sure it worked, all the fans ran, the mobos leds lit up, etc. but I didn't think about it til after, that wouldn't cause any damage, would it? I just wanted to make sure it worked and didn't think about that...

SirGaius

***H.... I've gotten all of the componets into my system... it goes to POST.. and then it says "Disk boot failure: insert system disk and press enter" while my cd is in the actual drive.... ***?

EDIT: I just went into the case and both the dvd sata cables are firmly into both the dvd and mobo...

EDIT: Also, I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it, but, I lost my XP install disk sometime when I last moved (apparently :P ) so I just created an iso image of it and threw it onto my cd.

SirGaius

Nevermind... I borrowed my roomie's copy of XP (still using my serial) and windows is installing.

EDIT: except now I get to where I need to press enter to continue... however, my keyboard doesn't respond and the lights won't come on... and that just happens right when it goes to that screen

dai

this section is for advice on components to buy once you assemble them and have a problem post it in the appropriate section

motherboards

SirGaius

okay will do thanks.... as for the building part, I THINK its working great.... I guess we'll find out over the next day or so. :D Thanks alot for the help, I really appreciate it!