First build

R

ReeLLucKyx

New Member
I am a computer fanatic, but this is my first chance to get to build my own computer. My main reason in doing so is the price difference. It also allows more custom options.

MY BUILD: This is going to be a gaming computer.

CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

MOBO: ASUS M3A79-T Deluxe AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

CPU: AMD Phenom 9950 2.6GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HD995ZXAGHBOX - Retail

Video Card: (2X) HIS Hightech H487F1GP Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card <note><two of these will be installed with xfire bridge.>

RAM: OCZ Platinum Edition 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Quad Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P8008GQ

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

CD/DVD: SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

PSU: COOLER MASTER UCP RS900-AAAAA3 900W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Power Supply

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 English for System Builders 1 Pack CD - OEM

Now for my questions.

(1) First of all, are these all of the necessary parts for a computer build?
(2) If not then what else do I need?
(3) Seeing as I will be installing two of the high end video cards do I need a bigger power supply unit? Will I also need more fans for the video cards?
(4) Does everything seem compatible. I have done plenty of research and I hope I am correct. This has been a project of mine for the past couple of months.
(5) Do I need to purchase a sound card for gaming purposes. I will probably never use the computer for much of a media machine aside from burning cds. During gaming I will probably be wearing my turtle beach x1 headset anyway.
(6) I know on tigerdirect that CPU comes with a fan. I did not see anywhere on Newegg, where I will be ordering from, if it did. Does anyone know, or do I need to contact them before I order?

Now for some statements.

(1) Yes I know that XP only recognizes 3-4 GB of ram, I am simply ordering this much ram for a possible upgrade.
(2) The reason I chose that PSU was because of the fact that it was a combo deal with the case, saving me $120.00.
(3) Yes this is my long awaited xmas present and I am very excited. Therefore if it does not work and I have to wait longer to get something sent back I will be furious.
(4) I do realize there is no keyboard/mouse/monitor in that build. I Already have those.
 
1. might want an after market CPU cooler, even if it comes with a CPU fan....it's not that good.

2. I never used a sound card until recently...now I will never go without one. I would reccomend getting one, the sounds are soo much better. Even if it a basic model...mine was only a $45 SB card...the difference is amazing.

3. 8 GB of RAM is not needed by any means. You would be better off getting just 4 GB of a higher clock. The motherboard supports 1066MHz RAM. I would suggest 2 x 2 GB moduals. With that much RAM sometimes motherboards have to under clock the RAM and can run into stability issues.

That's just what I think doing a quick look at your build.
 
Ok, thanks for the quick reply. Will my headset sound suffer a difference if I don't get a sound card? I still will probably get one, but how would you install that. I have never seen a sound card installed into a computer. Does it go into one of the SLI slots or what? Also what is a good brand for them?
 
Hi.

Check the memory. Make sure it is compatible with the MB. The MB will have an approved list online at the manufacturer.

Unless you have a 64 bit system, if you will use Windows, you won't need more than 4GB of memory. You really won't even fully use the 4.

When you get the CPU cooler, get some Arctic Silver.

You are getting pretty high-end stuff.

Get a second $25.00 DVD burner, you won't regret it.
 
ScOuT said:
1. might want an after market CPU cooler, even if it comes with a CPU fan....it's not that good.

2. I never used a sound card until recently...now I will never go without one. I would reccomend getting one, the sounds are soo much better. Even if it a basic model...mine was only a $45 SB card...the difference is amazing.

3. 8 GB of RAM is not needed by any means. You would be better off getting just 4 GB of a higher clock. The motherboard supports 1066MHz RAM. I would suggest 2 x 2 GB moduals. With that much RAM sometimes motherboards have to under clock the RAM and can run into stability issues.

That's just what I think doing a quick look at your build.
Click to expand...

Sorry to dissagree but stick with the stock cooler, it should be fine unless you want to overclock then buy a aftermarket cooler, it will be a waste of 50 dollors unless you plan on overclocking,

you dont need a sound card but you do see a differnece, since you are going to be useing this computer for gamming and youll be useing a good headset i wouldnt think you need a sound card for 7.1 sound when you have 2 speakers another waste of 50 dollors,

but yeah you dont need 8 gig's of ram unless your doing highclass videoediting or picture editing, you will n ot see anyimprovment in your games with 8 gigs from 4 gigs
 
Thanks a lot everyone. I'm really big into headsets with nice sound. The triton headsets have built in surround sound. I am thinking of purchasing a pair of those. Will the surround sound feature not truly work without a sound card capable of surround sound?

"You might want to get a bigger hard drive.... say a 640gig.. They aren't that costly and you have a lot more space for pr0n." ----- My friend told me to get a bigger hdd, but I never really put a lot of stuff on my main hdd. I have multiple externals that I use for music, dvd, and what not. I also do that kind of stuff on my laptop. This computer will be used only for gaming.

I'm going to check the memory right now while I wait 30 minutes to get a gears game going on 360, lol.

Thanks for the replies everyone and for all of your help. Anything else you might see flawed with my specs let me know.

p.s. I will post my new specs later just to make sure I understood what yall were talking about.
Thanks again.
 
Ok I have been looking around at some memory and I went with this one.

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF

I got a 500GB HDD like you said.

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

I am kind of self conscious about frying my whole system because of my PSU. Can anyone give me a direct answer as to whether or not they think my PSU will be able to handle my system. My friend keeps telling me I should get a 1200W because of the two video cards. But he has also never built a computer, so if anyone with some insight could tell me I will appreciate it.
 
ReeLLucKyx said:
Ok I have been looking around at some memory and I went with this one.

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF

I got a 500GB HDD like you said.

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

I am kind of self conscious about frying my whole system because of my PSU. Can anyone give me a direct answer as to whether or not they think my PSU will be able to handle my system. My friend keeps telling me I should get a 1200W because of the two video cards. But he has also never built a computer, so if anyone with some insight could tell me I will appreciate it.
Click to expand...

700W+ is sufficient

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
120$ 750W
 
ReeLLucKyx said:
Ok, thanks for the quick reply. Will my headset sound suffer a difference if I don't get a sound card? I still will probably get one, but how would you install that. I have never seen a sound card installed into a computer. Does it go into one of the SLI slots or what? Also what is a good brand for them?
Click to expand...

Well idk about a USB headset, but you will defiantly hear a difference with a regular audio jack headset. If the quality on the headset is good.

They can go into a PCI or PCI express 1.0 slot.
 
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Also dont listen to gold, if your doing gaming your CPU will be heating up, atleast that has been my experience.
 
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Alright so far everyone here has been a great help. I am about to order my things in a couple of days. This should be my last question(s).
(1) Do I need to order extra power cable or anything like that?
(2) What is a decent sound card? Possible one with surround sound. This could be something I upgrade to later on for gaming purposes.

Thanks once again to everyone here at the forums for their time and help.
 
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