Building a new PC

IgneousPrime · Jul 11, 2006, 03:55 PM

Hey all!

I've done some research and I've come up with a pretty awesome system that fits my $2,500 budget. I'd just like to hear all of your suggestions, comments, recommendations, etc etc so that I know I'm getting the best for what I'm paying for. Here is what I have so far (ordering everything through NewEgg btw). Please keep in mind this is my very first time building my own PC:

$149 - Case: Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black
$89 - Power Supply: Antec TruePowerII 550 Watts
$179 - Motherboard: ASUS A8N32 - SLi Deluxe
$357 - Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (939 Pinned)
$200 - Memory: Corsair XMS 2 GB (2x 1 GB) DDR400; PC3200; Timing: 2-3-2-5 (I think).
$289 ea. ($579 Total) - Video Cards: 2x XFX GeForce 7900GT Extreme's. (Going to SLi them)
$63.99 - Processor Heatsink: Zalman CNPS 9500 AM2
$6 - CPU Thermal Paste: Artic Silver
$169.99 - Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74 GB; 10,000 RPM ATA 150
$31.99 - DVD/CD-RW Drive: Samsung 16x DVD +- Burner w/ LightScribe
$137.99 - Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2 OEM
$79.99 - Headphones: Sennheiser HD 280
$45.99 - Keyboard: Microsoft Natural 4000 B2M-00012
$29.95 - Mouse: Logitech MX518
$5 - Mousepad (lol): Xtrac Mouse Pad
$21.99 - Surge Suppressor: CyberPower 890
$294.99 - Monitor: BenQ FP202W Black 20.1' DVI 8 MS LCD Let me know if I'm possibly missing anything. I don't plan on buying a sound card since I'm just going to use the on-board one since I'll basically be using HeadPhones the whole time. Thanks in advance!

niceguyrichy · Jul 11, 2006, 04:02 PM

Buy a good soundcard

seriously, even if you only plan to use mostly headphones, that kinda rig neads a decent soundcard

Sandok · Jul 11, 2006, 04:04 PM

The case RULES mate... I got it too and it rocks! If ever, mod the front to install two 120mm fan intakes, very quiet and powerful!

And get a bigger HD. One raptor and one normal big Sata drive for larger files. Best way! As a keyboardm I'd get he logitech G15 or somethnig...

For the mouse pad, get an Xtrac Pad, I reviewed on here on DH so read it and you'd be surprised. Very cheap and a really good pad!

IgneousPrime · Jul 11, 2006, 04:09 PM

Haha, yeah, I was really thinking about getting a sound card, but I may do that later, if I do get a sound card or another harddrive, it'll rape mycurrent budget (its exactly at $2,495 right now, LOL!) .

Oh, also, I forgot to add the monitor I'm buying included in the budget....knew I was missing something. I'll post it on my first topic

~~Alien1~~ · Jul 11, 2006, 04:11 PM

And why do you avoid buying a AM2 system??
or just wait for Core Duo

IgneousPrime · Jul 11, 2006, 04:13 PM

Isn't an AM2 PC more expensive and such (Cause I'll be needing DDR2 ram, etc etc)?

Also, whats the brand name for the mouse pad, Sandok?

EDIT: Oh wait, is it this one?: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817114183

Sandok · Jul 11, 2006, 04:17 PM

Yeah that's the brand... I personally got he Zoom but all of theirs are top notch.

IgneousPrime · Jul 11, 2006, 04:29 PM

Alright, cool, thanks. Updated the first post a little, changed the monitor. Anyone have any experience with this monitor? Anymore suggestions? I'd love to get another harddrive, but I was like: "2x 7900 GT's or a 300 GB Hardrive...hrm..." Lol. Obvious choice there 74 will suffice for a while

Dyre Straits · Jul 11, 2006, 06:07 PM

I'll still take my case any day:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811208005

AND, I got it for that price off the shelf locally at MicroCenter.

BUT, I did put my own PSU in it. A 500W with a 28A 12V rail.

AND, it was still less money than the one you're looking at....getting.

IgneousPrime · Jul 11, 2006, 08:55 PM

Hrm, wow, it is a lot cheaper and it looks sexy to the max. I'll have to look around a bit more, but that looks awesome. And yeah, I was thinking of replacing the stock PSU with the Antec I'm planning to buy now.

Thanks for the recommendation

Dyre Straits · Jul 11, 2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IgneousPrime

Hrm, wow, it is a lot cheaper and it looks sexy to the max. I'll have to look around a bit more, but that looks awesome. And yeah, I was thinking of replacing the stock PSU with the Antec I'm planning to buy now.

Thanks for the recommendation

There's ample cooling with this one, too. I'm really happy with it.

Necrosis · Jul 12, 2006, 12:18 AM

Damn, wish I would of seen this thread earlier.

I just sold my processor, ram, and motherboard for $300.00

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jul 12, 2006, 01:17 PM

Just for note, I don't think you can use an AM2 cooler with a 939 system

wubby · Jul 12, 2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H3X4D3C1M4L

Just for note, I don't think you can use an AM2 cooler with a 939 system

Yes you can, check the compatibility on Zalman's site.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jul 13, 2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wubby

Yes you can, check the compatibility on Zalman's site.

Zalman is different.... their coolers come with every mounting system known to man. I bet I could get one to fit just fine on my Tandy.

Dyre Straits · Jul 14, 2006, 03:15 AM

BTW, if you check out the MicroCenter WEBsite, the case I posted earlier in this thread is presently $59.99.

http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos...duct_id=206398

IgneousPrime · Jul 15, 2006, 02:15 AM

Awesome, thanks a bunch guys. I knew it was compatible cause' NewEgg recommended it, lol. Anyway, I just wanted to know what I do once I get everything all running and stuff. Download the latest drivers for all my hardware, etc etc, but is there anything I should do to break it in? Maybe leave it on overnight doing a CPU intensive task? Or is that a bad idea? I just want to know what to do to break it in and make sure everything is stable. Maybe there's a possible program for that?

Sorry for all the questions

Dyre Straits · Jul 15, 2006, 05:00 AM

If there's one thing I would do at the first, it would be to run MemTest 86 overnight to make sure the Memory is good and stable.

Otherwise, just get the latest drivers for everything and then have as much fun as you can while you can.

Jul 11, 2006, 03:55 PM	#1
IgneousPrime DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	Building a new PC Hey all! I've done some research and I've come up with a pretty awesome system that fits my $2,500 budget. I'd just like to hear all of your suggestions, comments, recommendations, etc etc so that I know I'm getting the best for what I'm paying for. Here is what I have so far (ordering everything through NewEgg btw). Please keep in mind this is my very first time building my own PC: $149 - Case: Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black $89 - Power Supply: Antec TruePowerII 550 Watts $179 - Motherboard: ASUS A8N32 - SLi Deluxe $357 - Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (939 Pinned) $200 - Memory: Corsair XMS 2 GB (2x 1 GB) DDR400; PC3200; Timing: 2-3-2-5 (I think). $289 ea. ($579 Total) - Video Cards: 2x XFX GeForce 7900GT Extreme's. (Going to SLi them) $63.99 - Processor Heatsink: Zalman CNPS 9500 AM2 $6 - CPU Thermal Paste: Artic Silver $169.99 - Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74 GB; 10,000 RPM ATA 150 $31.99 - DVD/CD-RW Drive: Samsung 16x DVD +- Burner w/ LightScribe $137.99 - Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2 OEM $79.99 - Headphones: Sennheiser HD 280 $45.99 - Keyboard: Microsoft Natural 4000 B2M-00012 $29.95 - Mouse: Logitech MX518 $5 - Mousepad (lol): Xtrac Mouse Pad $21.99 - Surge Suppressor: CyberPower 890 $294.99 - Monitor: BenQ FP202W Black 20.1' DVI 8 MS LCD Let me know if I'm possibly missing anything. I don't plan on buying a sound card since I'm just going to use the on-board one since I'll basically be using HeadPhones the whole time. Thanks in advance! Last edited by IgneousPrime; Jul 11, 2006 at 04:28 PM.

Jul 11, 2006, 04:02 PM	#2
niceguyrichy never enough coffee .. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: eu Posts: 4,688 Rep Power: 86	Buy a good soundcard seriously, even if you only plan to use mostly headphones, that kinda rig neads a decent soundcard __________________

Jul 15, 2006, 02:15 AM	#17
IgneousPrime DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	Awesome, thanks a bunch guys. I knew it was compatible cause' NewEgg recommended it, lol. Anyway, I just wanted to know what I do once I get everything all running and stuff. Download the latest drivers for all my hardware, etc etc, but is there anything I should do to break it in? Maybe leave it on overnight doing a CPU intensive task? Or is that a bad idea? I just want to know what to do to break it in and make sure everything is stable. Maybe there's a possible program for that? Sorry for all the questions Last edited by IgneousPrime; Jul 15, 2006 at 03:27 AM.

Jul 11, 2006, 04:04 PM	#3
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,501 Rep Power: 53	The case RULES mate... I got it too and it rocks! If ever, mod the front to install two 120mm fan intakes, very quiet and powerful! And get a bigger HD. One raptor and one normal big Sata drive for larger files. Best way! As a keyboardm I'd get he logitech G15 or somethnig... For the mouse pad, get an Xtrac Pad, I reviewed on here on DH so read it and you'd be surprised. Very cheap and a really good pad!

Jul 11, 2006, 04:09 PM	#4
IgneousPrime DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	Haha, yeah, I was really thinking about getting a sound card, but I may do that later, if I do get a sound card or another harddrive, it'll rape mycurrent budget (its exactly at $2,495 right now, LOL!) . Oh, also, I forgot to add the monitor I'm buying included in the budget....knew I was missing something. I'll post it on my first topic

Jul 11, 2006, 04:11 PM	#5
~~Alien1~~ Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Europe Posts: 370 Rep Power: 0	And why do you avoid buying a AM2 system?? or just wait for Core Duo

Jul 11, 2006, 04:13 PM	#6
IgneousPrime DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	Isn't an AM2 PC more expensive and such (Cause I'll be needing DDR2 ram, etc etc)? Also, whats the brand name for the mouse pad, Sandok? EDIT: Oh wait, is it this one?: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817114183

Jul 11, 2006, 04:17 PM	#7
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,501 Rep Power: 53	Yeah that's the brand... I personally got he Zoom but all of theirs are top notch.

Jul 11, 2006, 04:29 PM	#8
IgneousPrime DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	Alright, cool, thanks. Updated the first post a little, changed the monitor. Anyone have any experience with this monitor? Anymore suggestions? I'd love to get another harddrive, but I was like: "2x 7900 GT's or a 300 GB Hardrive...hrm..." Lol. Obvious choice there 74 will suffice for a while

Jul 11, 2006, 08:55 PM	#10
IgneousPrime DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	Hrm, wow, it is a lot cheaper and it looks sexy to the max. I'll have to look around a bit more, but that looks awesome. And yeah, I was thinking of replacing the stock PSU with the Antec I'm planning to buy now. Thanks for the recommendation

Jul 12, 2006, 01:17 PM	#13
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,818 Rep Power: 0	Just for note, I don't think you can use an AM2 cooler with a 939 system