First build...please help!

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I have purchased two well known brands of computers in the last few years and had bad luck with them both. Therefore, I am trying my hand at building my own. This computer will be used for internet and photo editing. No gaming. I plan on using some of my parts from my dead HP. Here is what I am looking at.

This is what I am looking to buy:
mobo asus a8n-e or
asus a8n-vm csm (if onbaord graphics are okay for photo editing)
cpu amd athlon 64 3200+ venice core
evga 6600gt card (if getting asua a8n-e mobo)
cooler master centurion case

What I already have:
hipro 300 psu
barracuda 200gig hdd
hynix pc3200 512mb ddr 400mhz ram
dvd/cd writer
dvd-rom

Here are my questions:
How does this setup look?
Are onboard graphics okay if photo editing?
Is my psu enough? (probably not)
I want add 512mb more ram. Should I add to the budget ram I have or just buy new ram altogether?

Thank you so much for the help. This is my first build, so please be kind.

 

Hi Jess1rph
If you're going to use the computer for photo editing and no games, I'm not sure you'd need a 6600gt. You could probably get a cheaper card if the onboard graphics isn't good enough. More memory would be a good idea, as onboard graphics draw memory away from the system.
And yes, the PSU is a bit low. Your system would use less than 300W without a decent graphics card, and not overclocked, but not a lot of room to manoeuver. It's not a good idea to skimp on PSU power or quality.
Check here for the power requirements of your system. http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/
Looks like a good system for what you want. just make sure you install the heatsink and fan properly on your CPU, and have fun buliding!

 

I agree with Steev. I think onboard graphics would probably be fine for what you want to do with the machine but I would add the extra RAM. I've had good luck with budget RAM and wouldn't recommend performance RAM for the machine you're building. You should probably upgrade your PSU.

 

Hi there

The setup looks like a good, solid rig to me. I agree with pretty much everything steev said - he probably knows more about hardware than me by the sound of it.

Why do you want 1GB of RAM? If its not a gaming rig, or you wont be using programs intensive on processing power I really don't see why 512MBs won't do the job. All I know is that onboard graphics are terrible for gaming.


You should really, really avoid mixing different kinds of RAM, if you really want that 1024MBs, then buy 2 sticks of exactly the same brand RAM, or another of the brand you currently have. Then you will be able to have dual channel RAM, which works slightly, but noticably faster than normal configuration RAM.

Kingston and Crucial are good brands, but there may be other, cheaper, as effective ones out there as is often the case - but if you are not sure stick with a reliable brand. Same goes for PSUs (but kingston and crucial dont make PSUs that said).

 

I disagree, not all memory will work in Dual Channel.

 

Oh, how can you tell if it will? What are the criterion for a dual channel RAM set up? Sorry for that bit of misinformation there Jess1rph.

 

I've got an Asus A8N-E. You probably can use your existing RAM, but if you want more, dont bother, get all new. Windows XP will take most of 512MB, so if you want to edit graphics, double that would be good. Look on the Asus website, and you will find a list of RAM that has been tested and works.

The 300W PSU you have got will not be enough. The Asus board needs an ATX psu with a 24 way connector, which your old one may not have. I got caught that way. Delayed my build by 24 hours.

BTW, my Athlon 64 3200+ Venice core happily runs at 2.4GHz ( 20% overclock ) at stock voltage

 

Thank you everyone for your help. At least now I know I am on the right track!

 

I see that you can get an oem refurbished mobo for pretty cheap. I know what oem means, but is oem always considered refurbished? Would anyone buy one of these, or just stick to regular retail? I don't want to buy junk.

 

I disagree. For those who multitask, 1gb is desired. Windows XP can eat over 200mb of ram just on first boot, unless you neuter the system by tweaking it to death. Even then, thats not enough breathing room.

1gb is perfect for XP.

Now 2gb would be what a gamer would desire.

 

Damn, why do they have to code XP so inefficiently. I remember when '95 only used around 8 megs of RAM idle...how much more does xp have to do that it uses 25 times more RAM idle?!?!?

 

25 as many running proccesses

95 was pretty darn basic.

Want to talk about ram useage?

OS X makes Windows XP look tame on ram useage.

 

Hah! And they say macs are better................
windows and os/x are like gas guzzling four by fours in terms on RAM usage............ what about linux.....? Seriously considering a duel OS set up but they don't seem to have a well established 64 bit based OS yet.

what do those processes do?!? Run security, sound driver, video driver, desktop/windows interface, taskbar, windows explorer? surely that can't take up 25 processes. Is there anything else an idle system needs to run properly?

 

As far as I know, an OEM board would have been part of a bulk buy, and as such will be a bit cheaper but probably won't come with all the cables and fixings like a retail board.
Some things maybe you should check would be if it comes under warranty, has drivers and back plate (if needed) etc. And check what they mean by 'refurbished'. Either that, or spend the extra fiver on a retail
And never EVER buy Windows OEM if you intend on upgrading your PC, cos it won't bloody work afterwards!

 

Thanks. I think I will stick with retail. The last thing I need on my first build is the possibility of not having all the parts!