Building a Computer. Need advice.

[Ralph]

Im building yet another computer. The last time i built one you guys helped me piece together the right parts. I put together a list of parts and need to know if it is a good setup like i think it is.

Let me know if you guys know of anythign i should change. Faster CPU, maybe even a better deal, ETC. Also anything else i should know or look out for compatibility wise.

Thanks alot.

Parts List:

Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model F2-6400PHU1-1GBNR - Retail

Foxconn C51XEM2AA- 8EKRS2H Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA5200CSBOX - Retail

ZALMAN CNPS 9500 AM2 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail

Rosewill Stallion Series RD450-2-DB ATX V2.2 450W Power Supply - Retail

Rosewill R604-P BK 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

[Ralph]

I guess i should add that this pc should last and is going to be used for heavy multi-tasking, video encoding, photoshop...

Its priced out at about $450 right now with shipping and tax.

[Ralph]

I was also thinking about going with this cpu/motherboard combo but im not sure if it would be worth the extra money.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103773
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131013

[Old Head]

had someone do the order list for me too when i built my sons. we ordered everything off of new egg was only like 1200 for the top of the line stuff 1 1/2 years ago

[<DRS>GPF]

if youre buying a retail processor, itll come w/heatsink and fan.. if you arent overclocking, then i wouldnt worry about 3rd party heasink asm.
get 2 gig of RAM if you can afford it.. my daughter can easily eat a gig of memory when compiling video's and such.. plus all of the additional programs like Norton and such..

also, get a nice video card to compliment the rest of your stuff.. NVIDIA 7900GS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127277) or perhaps for a bit le$$.. ATI X1650XT (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102068)

both are 24pixel pipeline cards and have 256bit memory interface(not to be confused with 256Mbyte)

ive seen PC's with much faster processors that were incapable of playing many 3d games due to the horrible frame rates, that i could play at maximum resolution.. (COD2, Guild Wars, Q4, etc..)


even if you dont game, CAD programs can also take advantage of the increased pixel pipelines, the dedicated memory and raw GPU speed of a good video card..

[Ralph]

I wont be doing any gaming what so ever but CAD is a deffinate as i am a mechanical engineering student. However i dont see a need for a High end graphics card right now. I will just use my old dual head graphics card for a multiple monitor setup.

The big thing i am needing help with is processors. I want to get the best bang for the buck.

Im hearing alot of talk about getting a cheaper Core 2 due 6600 processor and overclocking it to 3ghz or so. They make it sound pretty simple and reliable. However i have no knowledge on how to do so.

Here is the update list from newegg:

Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

WINTEC AMPO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 3AMD2667-2G2K-R - Retail

Rosewill Stallion Series RD450-2-DB ATX V2.2 450W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817182022
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Rosewill R5717-P BK 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case withTool-Free kits - Retail
Item #: N82E16811147056
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103773
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131013
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

With Shipping and tax: $611.31

Does all this stuff look compatible? I dont know much about what kind of wattage power supply i need and memory speed and such.

I need a really reliable setup because my last one was crap and it really sucks to lose all your stuff.

[mephyst]

Newegg is usually one of the cheapest sites and a VERY reliable company. Check out pricewatch.com for the best computer part prices around if you are looking to save $$. Many of the links will be to newegg.

[Ralph]

Also, Any reason why i shouldnt run a cheaper mobo? Im only gonna have 2 hdd's tops and not many other things. I like room to upgrade but i feel like im buying somehing meant for the extreme gamer...

[balls2da-wall]

What type of software are you running? You said video editing? Are we talking just your "run-of-the-mill" video editing system from Best Buy or something demanding like Avid or Final Cut? I had to build a computer souly for video editing and it ran me around 1500 through Ibuypower.com. If you doing alot of editing weather it be picture or video Macs are the way to go.

[orca0294]

very nice components you have planned out. if you need any help IM me at orcutt853 on AIM - I've built 5 computers in the past two years.

[Ralph]

Originally posted by balls2da-wall
What type of software are you running? You said video editing? Are we talking just your "run-of-the-mill" video editing system from Best Buy or something demanding like Avid or Final Cut? I had to build a computer souly for video editing and it ran me around 1500 through Ibuypower.com. If you doing alot of editing weather it be picture or video Macs are the way to go.

A pc will suit me just fine. Ive been using my old ones and never had many problems.

As far as video requirements its mainly just transcoding movies into a different format. A good cpu cuts time down greatly.

[gojk]

If I was getting that processor, I would deff go to 2GB of RAM, and get a bigger and better power supply. The power supply makes a big difference these days in reliabilty.

Try the Antec Trio (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371001)

And lastly. You really can go with cheaper Mobos. Most of the technolgy has been taken away from mobo manufactures and placed onto the CPU so as long as the mobo has the features you want and isn't a bargain basement model, you won't be disappointed.

I really like MSI, DFI, and Gigabyte boards. I haven't had any personal experience with the Foxxcon boards so I can't give you a good idea of the reliabilty of that board.

Stay away from ECS!

[Ralph]

Here is what i ended up buying.

-ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131013

-AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103773

-WINTEC AMPO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 3AMD2667-2G2K-R - Retail
Item #: N82E16820161677

-Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136062

-Rosewill Stallion Series RD450-2-DB ATX V2.2 450W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817182022

-1 Rosewill R5717-P BK 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case withTool-Free kits - Retail
Item #: N82E16811147056

I cant go back and change anything now but atleast now i will have a solid setup so i can get working again. I will deffinatly upgrade memory like usual as i go along and i will look into upgrading the power supply as well in the future.

As far as storage i got a few HDD's laying around as well as an external one so i think im gonna have a good setup.

[gojk]

I hope that the video card you are using is not AGP?

I think you will be satisfied with that machine.