Building a new computer

Okay, instead of getting a new mobo, and video card, I've just decided to build a new system. Here is what I have picked so far:

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116198
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131578
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146580
Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144157
DVD/CD Burner: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827135046

I still need a case, and other things, which I want some opinions on, along with the products above.

Thanks!

- Goose

 

What you want out of a system and how much you want to pay are key factors in picking the components. Check out http://www.sharkyextreme.com they come out with monthly buyers guides for various buyers needs, the March Value Gaming guide looks like it would be helpful for you. I personally prefer the AMD system to the Intel system. Overall your picks look good assuming they are all compatible, but I prefer a BenQ DVD burner to the Asus you listed.

 

i highly reccomend the Raidmax X-1 case. just got one, love it

What you plan on doing with this computer will determine what platform you should build on. AMD is great for gamers while Intel runs better on other certain programs. Ive found that Prescott cores overclock VERy well, ive pushed mine up from 3.0 to 3.4 with perfect stability and a very small heat output increase. 1 Gig of RAM should do fine for now but consider investing in better stuff. Dont get me wrong, ValueSelect is good stuff but id go with Crucial Ballistix, Kingston HyperX, Patriot, or Corsair XMS. If you arent going to be doing any gaming then the value stuff should do just fine. Dont forget the video card

 

As I said in my previous thread, I'll be doing gaming on it, like CS:S, BattleField 2, and things like that.

I'll also be doing photo editing on it with Photoshop.

 

Definitely go AMD then. If you want to look more towards the future, a dual core would be in your best interest but as of today, a single core will do just fine for games. The Asus A8N Deluxe SLI board is great for gaming: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131524

AMD hasnt switched over to DDR2 yet, which tons of people are eagerly awaiting (including me ) so you'll have to change your RAM. I just got some Crucial Ballistix which is REALLY fast.

How much are you willing to spend on a video card? After you tell me that ill give some more ideas.

 

Well if you can hold off for 2-3 months Intel's Conroe will be out and yes AMD used to be the gaming CPU but early reviews of Conroe (stock no OC on air) are indicating it is competing and just beating the top-end AMD on Phase-change cooling, OC, etc and will be roughly half the price! I am a SERIOUS GEEK and I do not care if I have AMD or Intel but only care for performance outcomes and best "bang" for buck . Show some patience because existing Intel stock will come down in price once Conroe hits the market.

 

I can recommend the Tsunami Dream case with 430w psu. It is real nice, and so user friendly, where u can add cd drives etc on rails thru the front of the pc without taking it apart. the rack slides out sideways so u can install hd without trying to work around corners. The pci slots come with clips so no more tiny screws to fiddle with when installing new snds cards etc. also the case screws are big thumb screws, again no more tiny screws to mess around with. The cooling is excellent from my old case which kept me warm at night to this one which requires me to put the heating back on. It is also very very quiet, quietest case I have heard for a very long time.

go here for a review, comes in black to http://www.techtastic.ca/reviews3/tsunami.html

 

Dont get a presscott Bad heat problems

 

They do run hot but they can handle this and you will still get your 3 year system part warranty. Admittedly you will have to keep your eye on them but they are still a good product and can give good "bang for buck"!!!

 

Not to antagonize, but may I ask why? I'm not familiar with Asus burners, but I would expect just about anything to top Acer/BenQ garbage.

IMO, NEC rocks them all.

 

NEC being the parent company of Packard Bell, who was sued for using refurb parts in new machines years ago

Aopen (Acer also)--I had one of their burners and never had any issues.

 

Ha! That's great! But, lets face it, any major corporation is going to need an ethics check once in awhile. How many legal battles are Microsoft facing, for instance?

We have their battle over the media player market in Europe.

We have the antimonopoly battle in Japan

We have their tussle with google over a single employee, Kai-Fu Lee

And let's not even mention Xbox.... hehehe

You're right though, its unfair of me to cast a blanket statement over their products like I did, but my experience has made it difficult. I have the reverse Midas touch when it comes to Acer products, everything I touch turns to crap instead of gold.

 

Thats me and Sony. Haven't had a burner yet that hasn't failed (2).

 

I have always had a very high opinion of Asus products especially the MBs and although I didn't know much about BenQ, I didn't hold them in high regard.

I recently found out about the booktyping capabilities of some drives so even though my NEC burner had done a very nice job I upgraded to a Plextor 740a as I have always liked the Plextor reputation. I knew that the Plextor was really just a re-badged BenQ, but I thought I would rather deal with a company I respected. AFTER the purchase I discovered on afterdawn and other sites just how well thought of BenQ burners are; and discovered that I could have had the same drive labeled as a BenQ for half price.

I am very happy with the Plextor and Verbatim+Rs booktyped as DVD-ROMs and recommend it highly. I would advise against getting a model that supports LightScribe and get an Epson printer that prints directly on the disc instead.

 

I'm curious, why not go Lightscribe?

I LOVE my Lightscribe drive

No ink, no smearing, no problem.

I've heard rumors of a color lightscribe drive coming out, too.

 

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103533R
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130037
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145576
Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144157
Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824163115
DVD/CD Burner: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827135046
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104014

Still need a case (I don't understand everything that's in them), and probably other stuff (could you point that out please?).

And, if I run a 64 Bit Processor, do I HAVE to get a new version of Windows (x64), or is it backwards compatible?

 

You can run any OS you want.( well maybe not Mac OS but any MS windows)
On my AMD 64 system I dual boot XP pro & x64

Look for a case that can provide Good air Flow, Aluminum tend to be cooler, 120mm fan is a plus can push more air & quieter at least one 120 intake & 120 exhaust.
Bigger is easier to cool.

Your choice of PSU is good but here is Better also 5yr warranty, less money after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817711002

I own three DVD burners, two are NEC's 2510a 4x & 3550a 16x both NEC are Solid & work flawlessly, my other is Lite-on SOHO 16x, it's OK

MOBO, Asus or DFI are the Top of the line, DFI Hands down if OCing.
CPU I run an Opteron 146 has 1mb cache OCed to 2760MHz, FX speeds
Check out his memory, I got mine at the egg for $157:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231021

 

As far as LightScribe goes it is just my personal preference to use inkjet printable discs with my Epson printer instead. The LightScribe discs are substantially more expensive than inkjet printable discs. If the rumors of a color LightScribe drive are true and if the costs come down I could be persuaded to give it a try.

I am using ViaVoice 10 to compose this post; hopefully this will speed up my typing substantially. So far so good. I've been using it for about 15 minutes and this is the first post or rather the first message that has no errors so far. Considering I am a slow typist This has sped up this post substantially.