First Build Attempt - Opinions?

jevery

jevery

Active Member
I’m ready to attempt my first build and looking for opinions and/or possible incompatibilities. My goal is decent value for the money and system longevity. Uses will include moderately demanding graphics manipulation and gaming. For some reason, I’m unable to make my Newegg wish list public so I resorted to attaching images.

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I welcome all comments good and bad.

I do have a few questions.
I’m buying two hard drives to allow some RAID options. I’m considering a RAID 0 Data Striping configuration or a RAID 1 Data Mirroring configuration.
Will a RAID 0 configuration effectively double data transfer speed, but also double the risk of hard drive failure?
Will a RAID 1 configuration effectively protect from hard drive failure without affecting performance.

Is there any real advantage or disadvantage of using SATA DVD’s as opposed to EIDE?

I’m considering 64bit Vista even though I’m only going with 4 gigs RAM. Is this a mistake?

Thanks for the help.
 
These are just my observations....

- I would get Vista Home Premium 64bit like you have selected...I think it's a great operating system. But why are you paying $230 :eek: You can get an OEM version for $100...it's basically the same thing...that's all I have ever used is OEM operating systems.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

- I am a member of the Asus forum and just be aware that many people have issues running OCZ RAM on Asus motherboards. I would recommend visiting the Asus forum for that motherboard and see what other people are using. I am not saying it won't work, some people love the combo. You will see it everywhere on the Asus forum...Asus+OCZ= :(

- You might want to consider downgrading the motherboard and getting a better graphics card. You can get a great motherboard for between $150 and $200. If I were doing graphics manipulation and gaming...I would be running something bigger than a 4850.

Post back and keep us updated;)
 
Thanks for the heads up on the memory and the ASUS forum. Discovered that the OCZ memory is indeed on the approved list, but only for one or two 2GB modules (4 modules is not supported). Since up-gradeability was the reason for using two modules, I’ll be going with the more expensive Corsair memory.

On the systems builders version of Vista – Once registered, is the copy then tied to that motherboard or could I use that copy on a future motherboard? I read the review of one unhappy buyer that didn’t understand everything before buying and stated that he would have bought the full version had he of known. Still, at less than half the price I’d definitely be ahead if the motherboard lasts.

Sooo many things to consider. Thanks again………
 
That hard drive is seriously overpriced, you can pick up 500 gig hard drives for like $70.

That PSU is also an overkill, look for something in the 500 watt range. That system might use like 350 watts max.
 
Ordered the system last night. Upgraded video to the Sapphire 4870 (512) , per ScOuT’s recommendation – Hope it fits. Deleted the monitor (will make due for now with my 19” Dell LCD). And will try my luck with Corsair Dominator RAM. Spent about $1,600. Though I’ve never built my own system before, I think I have enough knowledge to sort out the hardware and setup issues, etc. Can’t help thinking it’ll be a miracle if it posts first try though. Best I can figure the CPU’s about 3-1/2 X the speed of my Pentium 4 and the video is somewhere around 40X the speed of my ATI 600 – So it should be incredibly fast compared to current – If it runs.
 
Well it finally came

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Stayed up all night putting it together and it posted first try.

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Still waiting on the third hard drive and 64 bit Vista, but loaded 32-bit without any problem. CPU's running about 42C, but north bridge and south bridge are both running about 50C. Isn't that a little hot? South bridge I understand because it's directly under the 4780 and that thing feels like a hotplate. North bridge I dunno. Seems like I've read that some people take the sink off and reapply paste because the factory does a poor job. Also can't get my RAID configured becaues I cant seem to get the utility to recognize any of my flash drives. Guess I'll go buy a floppy drive and a few disks to do the job. Seems stupid though.
 
Nice work:) You have got a real nice computer there. Maybe a few more pics and a 3Dmark06 run is needed:)
 
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