Mako238

Okay, I'm pretty much trying to copy the $1200 Intel build listed in the sticky(for a little less coin). I have a couple of questions as far as changing components. First off this build will mainly be used for surfing, email, quickbooks & word. I do not intend to game, however I would like to have videos load fast & be viewed smoothly. As of right now I only have 20+ gigs used on my HD. The video card that is listed will not be available from Newegg until 11/30, any suggestions? Also, I was planing on using an old case that I have. I don't know who makes it, but I just put 2 new fans in it. Will the heatsink/cooler that comes with the CPU be adequate or should I use a Zalman as suggested in the build? Here is what I was thinking of doing:

Intel 8500 cpu & GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.270366

PS corsair 650tx http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

OS Vista home premium http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116677

Memory 4gb corsair 1066 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145256

DVD burner Samsung http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151187

HD Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GBhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Thanks for any input,
mako231

Phædrus2401

The stock Intel heatsink should be sufficient, unless you plan to overclock.


If you aren't going to be gaming then a simple Radeon 4350 graphics card (average $30-45) should be more than sufficient for watching videos, and also for basic 3D graphics as well, just in case. And with the lower-end graphics card you can save a bit of money on the power supply, and get by with the Corsair VX550W.

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102817
PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=Corsair%20550


The E8500 is recommended because high clock speed dual core CPUs are better for gaming than quad cores; however for your needs a mid-range quad core might be a better choice. This combo might be a better deal for you: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.270387


Whether you can use your old case depends on if it's standard ATX, or if it's mATX. If it's ATX then the combos we've been looking at will work fine; if it's mATX you'll have to get an mATX motherboard.

Tyree

The stock heatsink fan is more than adequate for your needs.
A few dollars could be saved on the RAM by using PC6400.
Corsair 2X2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

Mako238

Thanks all,
I like the idea of the quad core, but the MB in the combo seems to have some memory compatibility issues, I went to Gigabytes site but was unable to open the memory support list. Is the memory Tyree suggested on Gigabyte's list? Also the video card is only getting 3 out of 5 eggs. Would this card be a better choice? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125251 Any other suggestions? I failed the mention before that I will be doing some CAD work with the proposed build(don't know if that affects any components). I'm not trying to build a screamer, but a unit that is as crash-free as possible. Sorry for all the questions, but I'd rather do this now than later.
Thanks,
Mako238

Phædrus2401

The Gigabyte card should be just the same as the Sapphire card. Most of the bad reviews on the Sapphire (last time I read them) were from people who bought it expecting it to be a heavy-duty gaming card, which it is not. But you can go with the Gigabyte if it will ease your worries on that front.


If you're doing CAD then you definitely want a quad core CPU, my dual core is no slouch when overclocked to 3GHz+, but it still lagged a little bit when working with AutoCAD 2010. A high-end dual core might manage, but a quad would be best.


This might be a decent combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.273325

Also, most of the same combos are available for the Q9550 CPU, if you want some more oompf.

Mako238

Ok, this might sound dumb. Do I need to buy SATA or any other cables for this build ? Or are they supplied with one of the components? Here's what I'm planning. Anything else I should get or change?
Thanks,
Mako238

CPU & MOBO http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.270387

PS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004

Video card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125251

HD & OS http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...577.22-136-319

DVD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151187

Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145241

Tyree

Don't put a lot of faith on the reviews on newegg. Sapphire and PowerColor are the best choice for ATI chipped GPU's. I've used some Gigabyte Nvidia chipped GPU's without issue so the one you have chosen should be OK.
All the necessary cables will come with the Mobo as shown in the pictures on Newegg.
Personally, I would wait fro Windows 7 available on the 22nd.
LG & Lite-On are better choices for the optical drive if you do much burning. Samsung are good readers but poor writers.

Mako238

Thanks Tyree,
I will make the changes on video card & DVD burner. I just noticed that the mobo I've chosen uses DDR3 ram. Should I get DDR3 ram or use what is on my list. Your thoughts on waiting for Win7 is that it will be an easier install than upgrading from Vista with the free coupon that comes with the OS on my list?
Thanks again,
Mako238

Tyree

The Mobo you have listed in post #6 uses DDR2RAM.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128371
I didn't notice the Vista disc you listed has the upgrade coupon so go with that.

Mako238

Tyree, I just looked at the link http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128371 & under the specs it states "Memory Standard DDR3 2200(O.C)/1333". I'm not sure what to make of this since & others in the know say the mobo uses DDR2ram. Please help me understand (this is my first attempt at a build). Also the LG & Lite-on DVD burners seem to be out of stock at Newegg, I do not plan on doing much burning so I'm inclined to go with the Samsung I have listed. If you feel strongly about the choice of burner, I could try to source elsewhere.
Thanks,
Mako238

Tyree

DUH! My apologies!!!! So does the link I posted.
This Gigabyte one will use DDR2RAM.
The Samsung should be fine.

Mako238

Tyree,
In your last reply you state "this Gigabyte one will use DDR2ram", does that mean the mobo we've been discussing? Or is there a link you tried to post that didn't show in your last reply?
Thanks,
Mako238

Tyree

I think I should call it a day and once again my apologies!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128372

Mako238

Thanks all,
I placed the order this afternoon. I decided to go with Win7 instead of Vista w/ the upgrade. I figure by the time I'm ready to install the OS, it will be here. No need for a possible glitch trying to upgrade 1 week later. That time will be well spent familiarizing myself with the product manuals. I will keep you posted as to my progress &/or problems.
Thanks again,
Mako238

Mako238

I don't know if I just got lucky or if building my 1st computer or it was just easier than I thought. I put everything together yesterday & was waiting for my computer beating. It never came. I followed your bench testing procedure to the letter & all went very smoothly. Thank you all so much for your helping me select my components & the building process. I would like to add a backup HD for my data. I have a brand new 80GB IDE sitting in a box. Would I be able to use this as a slave with my sata master?

Mako238

Tyree

First, CONGRATULATIONS!
PC assembly is pretty straight forward and bench testing assures your parts are compatible and working.
Adding the 80GB Hdd should be no problem.

Phædrus2401

Congrats! I hope you enjoyed building it and enjoy using it.

The Master/Slave terminology only applies to IDE drives, so your lone IDE is going to be master by default. Just hook it up and set the SATA drive to first in the boot order and you're golden.