Help yet another newbie build her first computer!

E.J. · 07-14-2009, 12:40 AM

Hey guys,

I am not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to computers, but I am attempting to build one for my husband and I because I think we can get more computer for our budget this way. I've been perusing this forum for a while trying to gather info and learn, and this is the setup that I have come up with.

First off, I am not a gamer, but I do heavy video, photo, and audio editing. Our old computer (which just died on us) got way to bogged down and sluggish with the applications we would run. I figured that modeling ours after a gaming setup would be best because I figured they would be similar in need then I would tweak from there. I don't have a "set" budget, but I'd really love to keep it around $1000, and less would be great but I'm willing to pay for what I need.

My questions are:
1. Are the components I've chosen compatible?

2. Do you think there is anything I could tweak to better suit our computing needs

3. Would it be better for my needs to upgrade to a quad core and possibly downgrade the video card, and if so, what do you recommend?

Thank you for any advice you could give!

Case - Antec 900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

Motherboard - Asus P6T Delux V2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131365

CPU - Intel E8500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036

RAM - Corsair 4gb (2x2gb) 240 pin ddr2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

CPU Cooler - Zalman 9700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118019

Power Supply - Corsair 750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006

Video Card - Sapphire HD4870 1gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102801

Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black 640gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319

I think that's about it - Cost as is comes in just over $1,000

dai · 07-14-2009, 01:31 AM

the m/board uses ddr3 ram.the ram you have chosen is ddr2

the m/b is also Core i7

because there are number of problems with ddr3 ram
i would go with one of the p5q m/boards then the cpu you have chosen along with the ram will fit

**Net Jockey** · 07-14-2009, 01:53 AM

I believe that the P5Q PRO main board will meet your needs.

**grimx133** · 07-14-2009, 02:01 AM

Yep, definitely wrong motherboard, different socket.
Since you do a lot of video, audio and photo work, you'd probably benefit from a
quad, something in the Q9xxx series, the Q9550 is 220 bucks, not much more than
the E8500. Though I have to say the E8500 is a gr8 cpu, since that's what I use,
but for different purposes.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115041

Since you aren't gaming, why not slice some out of your budget by going to the HD4830?
Or the 9800GT, for that matter, that's the nVidia equivalent of the 4830. The 9800's
do tend to run a tad warm. Those cards can game as well, they just aren't as high end
as the 4870. Hundred for the 4830, and the 4850 isn't much more.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102827

You may not need the Zalman, the stock will work fine, if you aren't overclocking. Of course, an aftermarket heatsink will be quieter, so there's that.

Same for the case, all these parts would work well in the Antec 300, just no side window, and you'd probably want to add a front intake fan to the stock ones.
55 dollars w/ free shipping http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

The ram, psu, and hdd are all very nice.

**Tyree** · 07-14-2009, 08:34 AM

Total agreement with grimx133.
Any of these Asus boards will be fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131295

E.J. · 07-14-2009, 10:47 AM

Wow, thank you so much all of you for the prompt responses! I feel like a dummy about the motherboard thing, but am grateful for you knowledgeable people who are willing to help newbs like me!

Ok, i've switched out a couple of things and will list the new build below. I understand you recommending the 300 case, but the girl in me just really loves the look of that 900, so I think I'll stick with it (as long as it works with my components)

1) Does this new build look about right with compatible components and the right ones to suit my needs?

2) Do you think I can get away without getting the Zalman cooler and just going with the stock?

3) Grimx, do you think I may still need that front intake fan, or was that just a suggestion if I downgraded to the 300?

Thanks again for all your help!

Case - Antec 900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Motherboard - Asus P5Q Pro Turbo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131377

CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041

RAM - Corsair 4gb (2x2gb) 240 pin ddr2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

Power Supply - Corsair 750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Video Card - Sapphire HD4830 1gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102827

Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black 640gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

This build comes in at around $800

**Tyree** · 07-14-2009, 11:04 AM

The 300 also has a 120MM Front fan but I understand the aesthetic appeal of the 900.
Cases are a personal preference and it's YOUR money.
Very nice for $800 and it should be a very functional and reliable build.

**grimx133** · 07-14-2009, 04:29 PM

As long as the parts fit, any case will do. It is very important that you do like the look of the case you select, after all, that's what you see. I use the Antec 1200, it's kind of a larger version of the 900, with a larger price tag though.

Excellent 800 dollar build, you should be very happy with it.

07-14-2009, 12:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
E.J. Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2 OS: xp	Help yet another newbie build her first computer! Hey guys, I am not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to computers, but I am attempting to build one for my husband and I because I think we can get more computer for our budget this way. I've been perusing this forum for a while trying to gather info and learn, and this is the setup that I have come up with. First off, I am not a gamer, but I do heavy video, photo, and audio editing. Our old computer (which just died on us) got way to bogged down and sluggish with the applications we would run. I figured that modeling ours after a gaming setup would be best because I figured they would be similar in need then I would tweak from there. I don't have a "set" budget, but I'd really love to keep it around $1000, and less would be great but I'm willing to pay for what I need. My questions are: 1. Are the components I've chosen compatible? 2. Do you think there is anything I could tweak to better suit our computing needs 3. Would it be better for my needs to upgrade to a quad core and possibly downgrade the video card, and if so, what do you recommend? Thank you for any advice you could give! Case - Antec 900 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021 Motherboard - Asus P6T Delux V2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131365 CPU - Intel E8500 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036 RAM - Corsair 4gb (2x2gb) 240 pin ddr2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184 CPU Cooler - Zalman 9700 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118019 Power Supply - Corsair 750 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006 Video Card - Sapphire HD4870 1gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102801 Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black 640gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319 I think that's about it - Cost as is comes in just over $1,000

07-14-2009, 01:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,583 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Help yet another newbie build her first computer! the m/board uses ddr3 ram.the ram you have chosen is ddr2 the m/b is also Core i7 because there are number of problems with ddr3 ram i would go with one of the p5q m/boards then the cpu you have chosen along with the ram will fit __________________

07-14-2009, 01:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
Net Jockey TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Deroche BC. Canada Posts: 565 OS: XP Pro sp 3 My System	Re: Help yet another newbie build her first computer! I believe that the P5Q PRO main board will meet your needs.

07-14-2009, 02:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,138 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Help yet another newbie build her first computer! Yep, definitely wrong motherboard, different socket. Since you do a lot of video, audio and photo work, you'd probably benefit from a quad, something in the Q9xxx series, the Q9550 is 220 bucks, not much more than the E8500. Though I have to say the E8500 is a gr8 cpu, since that's what I use, but for different purposes. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115041 Since you aren't gaming, why not slice some out of your budget by going to the HD4830? Or the 9800GT, for that matter, that's the nVidia equivalent of the 4830. The 9800's do tend to run a tad warm. Those cards can game as well, they just aren't as high end as the 4870. Hundred for the 4830, and the 4850 isn't much more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102827 You may not need the Zalman, the stock will work fine, if you aren't overclocking. Of course, an aftermarket heatsink will be quieter, so there's that. Same for the case, all these parts would work well in the Antec 300, just no side window, and you'd probably want to add a front intake fan to the stock ones. 55 dollars w/ free shipping http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042 The ram, psu, and hdd are all very nice. __________________

07-14-2009, 08:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,540 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Help yet another newbie build her first computer! Total agreement with grimx133. Any of these Asus boards will be fine. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131295 __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

07-14-2009, 10:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
E.J. Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2 OS: xp	Re: Help yet another newbie build her first computer! Wow, thank you so much all of you for the prompt responses! I feel like a dummy about the motherboard thing, but am grateful for you knowledgeable people who are willing to help newbs like me! Ok, i've switched out a couple of things and will list the new build below. I understand you recommending the 300 case, but the girl in me just really loves the look of that 900, so I think I'll stick with it (as long as it works with my components) 1) Does this new build look about right with compatible components and the right ones to suit my needs? 2) Do you think I can get away without getting the Zalman cooler and just going with the stock? 3) Grimx, do you think I may still need that front intake fan, or was that just a suggestion if I downgraded to the 300? Thanks again for all your help! Case - Antec 900 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021 Motherboard - Asus P5Q Pro Turbo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131377 CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041 RAM - Corsair 4gb (2x2gb) 240 pin ddr2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 Power Supply - Corsair 750 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 Video Card - Sapphire HD4830 1gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102827 Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black 640gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 This build comes in at around $800

07-14-2009, 11:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,540 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Help yet another newbie build her first computer! The 300 also has a 120MM Front fan but I understand the aesthetic appeal of the 900. Cases are a personal preference and it's YOUR money. Very nice for $800 and it should be a very functional and reliable build. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

07-14-2009, 04:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,138 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Help yet another newbie build her first computer! As long as the parts fit, any case will do. It is very important that you do like the look of the case you select, after all, that's what you see. I use the Antec 1200, it's kind of a larger version of the 900, with a larger price tag though. Excellent 800 dollar build, you should be very happy with it. __________________