New Builder...Please help!!

Samuel1941

Samuel1941

Member
I'm new to this "build your own" computer thing. (Have always just bought Gateway or Dell in the past.) I've decided to do it myself this time, and have discovered there is so much to learn/research. I think I know enough now to just get myself into trouble!!

I want a computer that is top quality (or near) and reliable!! I don't do gaming, just basic computer stuff and a lot of time on the Internet. Some photo editing and some video stuff...but nothing special.

Anyhow, below is the system I've planned. The information and price on the parts is from newegg.com. After picking what appealed to me and the price consideration, I looked at all the reviews and picked the parts that were rated the highest.

I've read a lot of posts here on the site and read most of the 101 class stickies.

Please help me out and give me advice. Please take a look at the parts/system below and let me know if I'm doing anything wrong...if the parts are compatible, if there is something better that I missed, have I gone too high price/performance on some of the parts, general comments.....

Case
Brand GIGABYTE
Model Triton 180
$76
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233016

Power Supply
Brand AeroCool
Model ZERODBA-S500
$109
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817331001&Tpk=ZERODBA-S500

Operating System (I'm happy with XP...any pro's to using Vista??)
Brand Microsoft
Model E85-05040
XP Professional W/SP2C
$139
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116400&Tpk=E85-05040

Mother Board
Brand EVGA
Model 122-CK-NF68-A1
$264
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188013&Tpk=122-CK-NF68-A1

Processor
Brand Intel
Core 2 Quad Q6600
$274
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Ram Memory (Is 2 GB enough, or should I go for 4??)
Brand CORSAIR
Series Dominator
Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5D
$178
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145043&Tpk=TWIN2X2048-8500C5D

Video Card
Brand GIGABYTE
Model GV-RX385512H
$199
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125084&Tpk=GV-RX385512H

Hard Drive
Brand Western Digital
Series Caviar SE16
Model WD2500KSRTL
$79
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136037

Optical Drive
Brand PHILIPS
Type DVD Burner
Model SPD6104BD
$36
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827248011&Tpk=SPD6104BD

Thanks in advance for your help!!! :)
I feel so dumb at this point........:o
 
That is really, really overkill for a basic non-gaming PC. However, it will allow you to go longer without upgrades.

I'd recommend these parts to save you some money without sacrificing quality.

PSU - Cheaper

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

Motherboard - Newer (better for future upgrades) + Cheaper

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

Graphics - Cheaper

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127285


Also, 2GB is fine for now, but later on you will most likely want 4GB. Problem is only 64-bit OS's support the full 4GB, so you either have to get Vista 64-bit or be limited to 3.25GB or <. They make a 64-bit XP, but from what I hear it is terrible and to be avoided.
 
Last edited:
Yeah I agree, you don't really need to buy a $200 video card, unless you are planning for some hardcore gaming.
 
Shadowhunter said:
That is really, really overkill for a basic non-gaming PC. However, it will allow you to go longer without upgrades.

I'd recommend these parts to save you some money without sacrificing quality.

PSU - Cheaper

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

Graphics - Cheaper

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127285
Click to expand...

I would rather spend 20$ and get a modular with better output
psu
http://www.provantage.com/corsair-memory-cmpsu-520hx~7CSMC02X.htm

Video card
also similar spend a little more

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

Case

I would rather get the cm690
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137&Tpk=cm690
 
MB: MSI P35 Platinum / GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3P. They have 1394, which may benifit for you if you need to transfer lots of videos.

RAM: you don't need those DDR2 1066. Just get a pair of 2GB DDR2 800 will perform better for photo/video edit

Video card: HD3850 is a good choice as you need to do some photo edit. But I am not sure if you really need a 512MB card...

DVD burner: it is unnecessary to go for a retail version as the cables come with motherboard. Save a few $ for OEM

Your case is out of stock. May be get this
 
You don't need an expensive video card if you are not gaming

Video card: HD3850 is a good choice as you need to do some photo edit. But I am not sure if you really need a 512MB card...
Click to expand...

photo edit depends on the CPU, not GPU
 
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