I'll give it a try... first build... help selecting parts...

SonnieP

SonnieP

Member
I think I'm ready to build. I've put together what I think I'd like in a system but want to make sure I'm not missing out on anything or forgetting something. Suggestions, advice, comments, (good or bad) are welcome and appreciated. Don't let me mess up.... PLEASE!

This system will be used for piddling... fun... I don't do games but who knows, I might try a game or two. I've been through the game phase a couple of times and got hooked (wife can't stand me with my game mode on). More than likely this will be an experiment build computer for show. I'm trying to keep this under $1000 without the monitor... I'll decide on the monitor later although Dell has there digital 19" ultrasharp flat panel at $299 shipped (with coupons)... very nice monitor (I have one).

So... here we go... (all prices are rounded up to nearest dollar)... (all descriptions are linked to Newegg for more info)...

RAIDMAX Astro ATX-268WB Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window - Retail $30
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XG PSVG-500 500W Power Supply - Retail $49
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Raidmax Blue Sound Activated Cold Cathod Light, Model YF-630B - Retail $11

GIGABYTE GA-K8NF-9 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $98

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor - Retail $146

CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail $122

Western Digital Raptor 74GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM $166

NEC Silver IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A - OEM $44

GIGABYTE GV-RX30128D RADEON X300 128MB DDR PCI Express X16 Video Card - Retail $65

COOLMAX 18-Inch, SATA ( SERIAL ATA 150 ) Cable, 2-Head, BLUE - OEM $4

COOLER MASTER IDE Blue UV Clear Round Cable - Retail $6

Scythe 2-Tone Wired Keyboard - Retail $5


Total cost shipped = $800


Notes:

The Raidmax case (which I really like) and silver Nec DVD burner are out of stock so I may have to change these or go elsewhere to buy these if Newegg does not stock them within a reasonable time.

I have not included mouse (probably Logitech's MX-1000 @ $55 from ZipZoomFly), floppy (not sure if I want/need one yet + hard to find true silver color), media reader/display panel (looking at the Logisys combo panel). I really haven't decided on these yet, however I have ~$200 to spare for these items as of right now.
 
10/4... I'll check out the PSU 101 thread and see what I can learn.

The extra cables are more for show... round and colored. Not a necessity but a possible desire.
 
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice Socket 939 Processor-146
Arctic SIlver Premium Photosynthetic Silver Thermal Compound Arctic Silver 5-8
DFI LANPARTY nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard-208
OCZ Enhanced Latency 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Copper Heatspreader Model OCZ4001024ELDC-K-128
NEC Beige IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3520A BG-41
Microsoft Windows XP Home w/Service Pack 2-92
Mitsumi USB2.0 Digital Card Reader/Writer W/FD INTERNAL, Model FA404A/404M-20
eVGA 6600GT 128MB DDR3/PCI-E/TV-Out/Dual-DVI-169
Western Digital Raptor 74GB 3.5" Serial ATA150-166
ENERMAX Whisper II EG465P-VE FMA(24) ATX12V 460W Power Supply-76

Total $1054 + your $50case, lights,keyboard,satacabe = 1104
If you don't need the os, than your budget would be met, but $12 more. The retail mobo comes with all cables, but if you want round cables, than its your choice. Not sure if sata cable is INCLUDED so i added that too.


Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive-123
COOLER MASTER KHC-L91-U2 92mm Ball Cooling Fan/Heatsink-44
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Gamer Edition-113

These last 3 items are something you might want to look into when you have more money.
 
If they don't get that case back in stock, check out Rosewill's R114A-BLK case. It looks similar and has decent airflow as well. Plus it has drive covers (including 3.5") so you don't have to worry about matching that floppy drive color ;)
 
I'm not sure why I would step up to that MB... I don't need SLI and I don't need SATA II. Since I want round cables to spiff up my case the cables won't benefit me. Any particular reason I should spend over twice the amount of the Gigabyte board?

I don't want a beige DVD in a silver/black case. I'll assume you mean't silver though.

I have WinXP Pro so I'm set on OS.

I'll add the thermal compound... thanks.

I think I'd rather upgrade to this PS: XG VORTEC PSVO-500 ATX 500W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, FCC, UR, TUV, and NOM - Retail $82. 34AMP @ 12V. It has the nicer wire covers.
 
Thanks StasysPC... I really like that Rosewill case and I won't have to worry about if the silver matches silver with the DVD or Floppy/Media Panel.

Looks like it would be a safe bet to replace that power supply.
 
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that dfi board is not for the first time builder either... lots of options and little documentation. no need for all the fancy overclockers-dream options
 
Yeah... I'm gonna stick with the Gigabyte MB... from what I've read it's pretty painless for the installation.
 
I've changed a few options...

I decided to go with a Lian-Li case and go with black. It's a little more expensive but appears to be a heck of a nice case with easy install solutions.

Lian Li PC-65B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $125
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Then this PS should fit and match nicely... +12V@30A... I'm not sure if it's 20 or 24 pin for the MB and if I need an adapter though.

AeroCool Aero-550W 550W Power Supply - OEM $99
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Then here's my extra toy...

Logisys Computer FP808BK Black Multi Funtion Panel with Card Reader - Retail $27
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I also added some Arctic Silver Ceramique Thermal Compound for $6 and a SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive for $11 just in case I ever needed one.

I also changed the NEC DVD burner over to a black faceplate model which they have in stock as of now.


Right now my total is up to $1000 shipped, so I'm on the mark.

I may add one of these for $17 to help fill up the upper bays and add a little flash...

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XG PSVG-500 500W Power Supply - Retail $49
Click to expand...
That PSU is more flash and flair than decent ... for $50 you can get an XClio with 12V@15+17 (compared to 12V@19)

AeroCool Aero-550W 550W Power Supply - OEM $99
Click to expand...
Wowzers! $100 for that ... the $50 Xclio is i spec'd in PSU101 is stil a better PSU hehe ... if you're gonna be in the $100 .. hunt down a powerstream! :D
 
I ended up upgrading my A-open case with most of the above but I went with the OCZ ModStream 520W PS...

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It has power and it has flash... it's beautiful and I really like the idea of only having power wires that I need installed. It also has a gorgeous power cord.
 
Newegg

Currently $90 with a $15 rebate.

I just ordered another one for another computer I'm building. Building a computer is much easier than I expected. The Gigabyte MB's are easy.
 
It has power and it has flash... it's beautiful and I really like the idea of only having power wires that I need installed. It also has a gorgeous power cord.
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That it does and im glad you chose that model (rather than the lower ones).... do be aware however, the cables are quite stiff (only really an issue if u have a small case)
 
I didn't really have any problems with the cables in the A-Open case. I could see though in a small case where someone might run into a tight fit. The big power cable is stiff, but manageable... the smaller cables are fairly flexible.
 
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