noob building a new computer

T

tjmcmahon78

New Member
This is my first time attempting something like this, I hope I did my research right and everything here will work. Please post your thoughts:

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black CPU
ASUS M4A88T-M/USB3 MicroATX motherboard
4GB Corsair XMS3 PC3-10666 (2x2) RAM
Apevia X-Plorer case
1TB Western Digital Caviar Green SATA hard drive
Cooler Master Vortex Plus CPU cooler (using a 92mm Thermaltake LED case fan)
Diablo Tek 550W power supply
Windows 7 Professional

I am sticking with the onboard sound because it supports 8 channel audio, has integrated ATI Radeon 4250 HD video. This is mostly to save myself some money but will most likely upgrade the video card in the future. I don't do too much gaming that is not on my XBox. I am also going to use my old PATA DVD drive for now, will upgrade to a blu ray burner in the future, and will be putting a couple hard drives in at some point, too. I have a wireless printer, but often charge my phone or iPod using a computer (thinking about the draw of the USB components...)

I think I'm okay for power, I should draw about 335 or so watts. Can anyone tell me if I would be in trouble if I tried to overclock? I have never overclocked a CPU before.
 
The 955 overclocks near as well as the 965 and costs less. If I were to move up from there it would probly be the 1075 or 1090.

You can get 1600 memory.

The case has only 2 - 80mm fans. For overclocking I'd get one in the front and perhaps the side, if those are possible.
Or a case with better ventilation.

That cooler is pretty good. It's for low profile cases tho. You could get a better one with the room in your type case. One that would push the warm air towards an exhaust fan.

Diablo Tek is no good for ps. 550w may not be enough either, by the time you add your gpu and overclock - depending on the future gpu. Take a look at the guide in cases - cooling & ps's.
Corsair/Seasonic/XFX/Antec/Silverstone/ are a few good ps makers.
 
Benny Boy said:
The 955 overclocks near as well as the 965 and costs less. If I were to move up from there it would probly be the 1075 or 1090.
Click to expand...

I bought it from Amazon and the 955 was the one I was originally going to buy, but it was only $5 more for the 965. It's since gone back up in price. The case has room for 2 more fans, one in the front and I'm assuming the side panel. I will add more RAM later, in fact I almost bought more today but held back. Thanks for the advice on the PSU, I was a little nervous but all the reviews said it was good. They haven't shipped it yet so I'll look for a better one. I did a calculation with more RAM, 2 DVD drives, 2 video cards (for Crossfire, should I ever choose to do so) and a couple other upgrades (no overclocking, though) and I still only got a 460 watt load. Thanks for your opinions!
 
2048Megabytes said:
I would look at an ATX form factor motherboard over a Micro-ATX mainboard. Take a look at this motherboard that will also work with the Phenom II 955 processor
Click to expand...

The reason I went Micro is because the graphics card was built into it and it's USB 3.0. I did look at that board a while back when I first started putting this together, it was on the list before I decided on the Asus.
 
Benny Boy said:
The case has only 2 - 80mm fans. For overclocking I'd get one in the front and perhaps the side, if those are possible.
Or a case with better ventilation.

Diablo Tek is no good for ps. 550w may not be enough either, by the time you add your gpu and overclock - depending on the future gpu. Take a look at the guide in cases - cooling & ps's.
Corsair/Seasonic/XFX/Antec/Silverstone/ are a few good ps makers.
Click to expand...

Benny, I took your advice and ordered the Antec True Power 650 instead. And I got the case today, I took the 80mm fan out of the back and installed it in the front, and on my way out to pick up a 120mm fan for the back. I will most likely leave the heatsink alone for the time being. It has an 80mm vent on the side that is supposed to sit directly over the CPU, with a plastic duct to draw cool air in. I will try it with the duct and if it gets too hot, I'll swap my cooler. Thanks for your help!
 
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