Building a computer for the first time: Thoughts on these....

massahwahl

massahwahl

VIP Member
Hi Im building a computer for the first time and I picked out and ordered some parts but wanted to get the communities input on the parts I picked and where to get a few I dont have yet... heres what I have on order right now:

For a motherboard I chose this Asus SLI-Plus Vista edition AM2 board:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2907940&sku=A455-2338 (Paid about $120 with shipping new from ebay)

For a PCU I chose a AMD Athlon FX-62 processor
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3089422&sku=CP2-AM2-FX62 (Picked up for about $82 new with shipping from Ebay)

For a graphics card I chose 2 SLI linked:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3048551&CatId=28

I chose a SATA 500gig HDD I picked up new from a dealer here in town for $80 on clearance.

I found a OEM version of Windows Vista Ultimate for $165 so I picked that up as well.

I have a brand new Acer 22" Widescreen Monitor as well.

Case:
Black XION Solaris CS-XON-406-BK

Power Supply:
Xion PowerRealXON-406 Steel ATX Mid 600W ATX PSU

I still need to find RAM totalling 4gigs if anyone can suggest something, im lost about what speeds I need and such.

I also need a good wireless card for the system, again, if anyone has a suggestion.

As far as fans go, I could use some info about setting up fans in this box if anyone has used it before. I got a 600watt power supply which I believe should be enough.

Lastly, Ive read that the onboard sound with this board is not that superior, so I want to get a better 6.1 surround card.

If anyone has any suggestions or comments as to whether this will be a mid-level setup or not let me know. Also if you see any potential conflicts I would be happy if you gave me a heads up as well.
 
... The CPU isn't even Dual Core and at that price? RIP...

SLi is not worth it. Especially with the 8600's. I've seen in some reviews like NFS : Carbon acutally deceased in performance from an single 8600...

Budget?

Would you go with Intel?

Got 6.1 Speakers?
 
The cpu is dual core, the price you got it at is ok. But if you were to pay $150 for one the 5600/6000+ windsor cores are better. But did you already order it? im confused..

For ram look into the Corsair XMS2 series or G. Skill.
 
Ive used intel products for a long time and have not been overly impressed so wanted to try amd. I have not ordered the Processor yet, but did order the mobo if you have a better suggestion for a processor with the mobo i ordered...
 
Better specify too... this is NOT for a crazy ass gaming pc, this is for doing dual monitor photoshop editing primarily and maybe some light gaming if that puts things in better perspective.
 
oscaryu1 said:
... The CPU isn't even Dual Core and at that price? RIP...

SLi is not worth it. Especially with the 8600's. I've seen in some reviews like NFS : Carbon acutally deceased in performance from an single 8600...

Budget?

Would you go with Intel?

Got 6.1 Speakers?
Click to expand...

reread the description on tigerdirect...that is a dual core processor. Yes I already have a Creative labs speaker setup.
 
Well i wouldn't get the FX, get a good AM2 mobo and get a 5200 or 5600 and OC :D The 5600 is $150 at the moment
 
As far as getting all of this hooked up, when I get everything installed and plugged in, is there anything special I need to do on first start-up outside of installing the OS? Will everything be recognized? Also, Im using Vista Ultimate 64-bit and Ive heard there are issues getting Vista to see 4gigs of ram, is this true?
 
The RAM issue is seen because of 32-bit OS which only supports up to 3.12GB of RAM.
But since you are running 64-bit, your system should recognize the 4GB provided that you motherboard supports it also.
 
b3rt_d4ni3l said:
The RAM issue is seen because of 32-bit OS which only supports up to 3.12GB of RAM.
But since you are running 64-bit, your system should recognize the 4GB provided that you motherboard supports it also.
Click to expand...

The MOBO I chose supports 16gigs of RAM although I dont know tha even 64-bit Vista can utilize that.
 
Ok, then you should be fine using 4GB.

I think I have read somewhere the Vista Ultimate 64-bit can see up to 128GB... correct me if I'm wrong, guys... I am even doubting myself since 128GB seems like an obscene number... :D I don't even know how is this possible with the current hardware. However, future hardware is a different story all together.

*EDIT*
Found it, Vista Ultimate 64-bit does support 128GB or even bigger for future hardware.
For the most part, the x64 support in each Vista edition is identical. One exception is that they each support different amounts of RAM. Vista Home Basic (and Home Basic N) support up to 8 GB of RAM, compared to 4 GB for all 32-bit versions of Vista. Home Premium, meanwhile, supports 16 GB. And Business (and Business N), Enterprise, and Ultimate all support 128 GB or more of memory. (The "or more" bit refers to the fact that there are currently no PCs available yet that suport over 128 GB of RAM; when that happens, these Vista versions will support it.)
Click to expand...
Here is the article: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_ff_x64.asp
 
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yep. :D

The extra info is just FYI in case you want to know as well as to support my claim that Vista Ultimate can go 128+ GB. Sorry if that confuses you. :P

Good luck with your build. :)
 
Thanks for the info and for the luck! Im just having nightmares about getting everything plugged in and having it not turn on or something terrible! I ordered my processor today, so all I have left to get is my memory, graphics card and a dvd burner. Im getting very excited! Know any tips for installing fans? That could be possibly the only part im lost on at this part.
 
case fans? or heat sink?

If it is heat sink, try this website: http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm
Just choose which one is nearest to your processor and follow the instructions.
I hope you got some thermal paste. Arctic Silver 5 is the commonly used and have produced good results.

*EDIT*
I forgot about the case fans. Case fans generally are positioned in such a way that the front fan is used for air intake while the back fan is for exhaust. Some cases have fans at the side panel as well as at the top of the case. People usually use the side fans as intake especially those that blow directly to the GPU to help cool the GPU while the top fans can be used as either exhaust or intake based on preference.
 
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