1st desktop build

anbo369

Member
Hi guys i'm getting ready to build my first computer and i was wondering if this is a good setup, I have followed the template that some of the more experience people have requested. So i am hoping that this is alright, but if there are any problems/suggestions about this build please let me know!

Where are you located?
Australia
How much are you willing to spend?
about $650 (no monitor)
What will you primarly use the computer for?
Everyday use, surfing the web, and some modern games (DOW2)
Which online stores/reatil shops do you prefer to buy from?
www.centrecom.com.au www.megabuy.com.au or anything that has a good reputation that ships to Australia
If you have doubts about anything, ask us! We are here to help.
Thanks!!
What Programs/Tasks/Games will you run on the computer?
probably things like microsoft word, and Dawn Of War 2
Are you willing to go over budget? If so by how much?
not really, unless its something important
Do you need anything besides the computer itself? (monitor, keyboard, operating system etc.)
Not at the moment. I will buy a new monitor later

What i have so far
Processor $119
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27_29&products_id=38885

Mobo $112
https://store.9289.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3861

Graphics card $128.70
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=33359

RAM $73.70
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=115_23&products_id=35828

Case $54.99
https://store.9289.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=190_106&products_id=3053

Hard Drive $74.85
http://www.megabuy.com.au/western-digital-caviar-p58352.html

CD/DVD drive 1) $39
1) http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=49&products_id=39837

PSU $89.10/$83.60 (respectively)
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=74&products_id=41411
or
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=74&products_id=41655


***Edit***
I edited all of the products i am thinking of buying, please let me know what you think! :)



so on the border of budget at the moment :eek:


all of your help will be greatly appreciated!

cheers! :D
 
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bump

help anyone please?
if every thing is good feel free to let me know, so then i can sleep easy ;P
 
thank you for that, it is also cheaper :D
what do you think i could overclock it to on stock cooler? and i don't think i am advanced enough to unlock the extra cores unless its not too hard... but apparently its risky or something isn't it?

thanks a lot for your help, i've been waiting a while for a response and now i finally have one! :)
 
To try to unlock the cores, you just go into the bios and set ACC to enable and set the cores to Auto or all and reboot.

Overclocking on a stock cooler, as long as you dont go over 1.375/1.40 on voltage you should be fine, just keep a eye on your CPU temps. under load. With that voltage you should be able to get between 3.5/3.6 GHZ. A good after market cooler would be a good idea now or later.
 
thanks! i think i will go with the 550 BE and i will change my motherboard to this one here.
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_63&products_id=40365
it costs an extra $10 but it was suggested to me in another thread so might aswell get it, the guy who suggested it said he overclocked his 550 Be to 3.8Ghz (he said he was using a cooler from a 955 BE.)

Yeah i might get an aftermarket cooler later on, bit short on cash at the moment.

any suggestions on what optical drive i should get?

cheers
 
Is my 500W power supply enough?
is there an easy way to tell? or do you guys just know from experience?

thanks!
 
thanks! i think i will go with the 550 BE and i will change my motherboard to this one here.
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_63&products_id=40365
it costs an extra $10 but it was suggested to me in another thread so might aswell get it, the guy who suggested it said he overclocked his 550 Be to 3.8Ghz (he said he was using a cooler from a 955 BE.)

Yeah i might get an aftermarket cooler later on, bit short on cash at the moment.

any suggestions on what optical drive i should get?

cheers

I would get the first one. The board in that link, same as the first one with just onboard video, which you dont need. They both have a 5 phase power setup. The only difference in a 770 chip and a 785 is the 785 has onboard video. Other then that its the same chipset. Both will unlock it.

If you want a better board for around the same price that will kick both boards butt get this on. Has a 10 phase power setup and newer mosfets.
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_63&products_id=38872
 
As a fellow australian i would recommend www.pccasegear.com.au - they are basically the newegg of australia.

That's where i got my case from (although i didn't buy it myself, i got at as a present)

As for an optical drive, I would recommend a samsung writemaster. they are SATA too so no ugly IDE cable to deal with.
 
As a fellow australian i would recommend www.pccasegear.com.au - they are basically the newegg of australia.

That's where i got my case from (although i didn't buy it myself, i got at as a present)

As for an optical drive, I would recommend a samsung writemaster. they are SATA too so no ugly IDE cable to deal with.

+1... 9289.com.au is good, so is Mwave, whatevers cheaper. 9289 has free shipping too :)
 
i have decided to get everything from centrecom except for the mobo and case becasue of free shipping :D
so that will save me a little bit of money!

will a zalman 500W do?
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=74&products_id=41411
or should i get this thermaltake for slightly less with an extra 100W?
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=74&products_id=41655

In PSU's really have no idea what to look for so poor little me might need some pointing in the right direction

thanks for all of your help!
 
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Good PSU brands include: OCZ, PC Power & Cooling, Antec, Thermaltake, Seasonic, Corsair and many others.

Try to keep away from: A-Power, SHAW (even though i have one :P) and any other generic no names.

When it comes to graphics cards and and PSU's there are 2 things to consider: Wattage and Amperage (specifically on the +12v rail)

For a good graphics card like a 4850/4870 or a GTX 260, 36 or more amps the +12v should be the minimum. remember that hard drives and optical drives along with many other add ons will use wattage and amperage from the +12v rail.

Out of those two you listed, I would take the thermaltake. That site doesn't list the amperage so get on google and look up the specs.
 
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