Building my first

With this being a first build I thought I'd mention how and for what it will be used before listing the parts or combinations I might use. What I've been doing with my computer is music and photos. I'm transfering LP's, 45's and tape to CD and scanning my parent's old pictures which I'll burn to DVD's for my family members who want copies. I've ripped most of my CD's to listen to when I'm working on the photos. I may add a tuner to watch over the air TV, no cable or satalite, maybe TV from the internet some surfing and a little research now and then. In my list there are 2 and 3 parts for some components because some experienced guidance is needed on my part. I have 2 HDDs listed the brand or sizes can change, but 2 is what I want a smaller one for the OS and applications and a larger one to store my finished projects on. This being said here is my list.

Dan

Motherboard:
Foxconn G45M-S LGA 775 Intel G45 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Processor BX80570E8400 - 3.0GHz, 6MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB, Wolfdale, Dual-Core, Retail, Socket 775, Processor with Fan

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Dual Core 3.0GHz LGA775 1333FSB Processor w/ 4MB Cache (OEM)

Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Dual Core 2.8GHz Processor LGA775 1066FSB w/ 3MB Cache

Power Supply:
Antec EarthWatts 500 Watt 20+4pin 80 PLUS Certified ATX Power Supply w/ Dual +12V Rails - 500W - EA500 (20pin / 24pin)

Coolmax 600-Watt 135mm Fan ATX Power Supply - PCI-E

Memory (RAM):

Kingston HyperX 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Quad Kit Desktop Memory

Patriot Extreme Performance 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Low Latency Quad Kit

Optical Drive:

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe – OEM

Card Reader:

Rosewill RCR-FD201 12-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ Floppy Drive

SABRENT CRW-UINB 68-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader w/ USB 2.0 Port supports SDHC/VISTA

Hard Drive:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 80GB Hard Drive - 7200, 8MB, SATA-300, OEM

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 750GB SATA II 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive w/ 32MB Buffer - ST3750330AS (OEM)

If it were me I'd go with ,

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Processor BX80570E8400 - 3.0GHz, 6MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB,

Patriot Extreme Performance 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Low Latency Quad Kit

BTW, I build & repair computers .
I only buy Seagate hard drives.

On the 8GB of memory , you do know you will have to use a 64 bit version of Windows ?
You might want to check the compatibilty of the programs you are going to use with a 64 bit OS .

Also, i agree seagate makes the best HDs. As for the memory i mean 8 GB is cool but in my opinon is kind of a waste because that much is never used.

Overall, that is a decent PC. The first Intel processor is the best choice in that list, or you can go with a less expensive AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz for $109. If you're going to go with the Intel and not the AMD CPU, I do suggest a better quality motherboard. You can try the GIGABYTE GA-E7AUM-DS2H LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 9400 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard or the ZOTAC GF9300-A-E LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 9300 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard. Unless you are a high performance user or plan to use 3D modeling software or video editing software, 4GB of RAM is plenty. But given the low cost of memory, you can go ahead and add more, thus futureproofing your PC a little more. I suggest getting the largest hard drive you can afford, both Seagate and Western Digital are very good brands. You will also need to have a 64-bit operating system to run 4GB or more of RAM. Most programs, even 32-bit ones, run normally in 64-bit Windows. In the past two years, I've only had two programs outright refuse to run with 64-bit, but those were deep-level security programs that most people don't use.

I've taken what everyone has posted did a little more research, actually still researching, and will be posting a new setup . It may not be the final version but it will be closer than the first.

Dan

What video card are you going to use?

Here it is:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Enermax ECO 80+ 620W V2.3 80 PLUS SLI ATI Certified w/Magnetic Magma Fan Power Supply

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive


SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner LightScribe Support

CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5C

Kingston HyperX 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Quad Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2LLK4/8G

SABRENT CRW-FLP2 All-in-one USB 2.0 Floppy Drive and 68in1 Internal Memory Card Reader & Writer - SDHC/VISTA

SAPPHIRE 100255U Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
Built in HDMI & PowerDVD / DVD Suite Bundled

This is a list of parts that have not left considerations:

GIGABYTE GV-N98TOC-512I GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
GIGABYTE GV-R467ZL-1GI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
ENERMAX Liberty ELT620AWT 620W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Antec EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7" Power Supply


Since I will be setting this up in the TV room so it needs to be as quiet as possible. Wheather the fanless vid card is the best way to go, don't have that answer yet. No DDR3 this time maybe next one. Still choosing mem size which is why 2 different ones are listed. I will be using 64 bit. Price comes in at under $650 not to bad I think less than my current Gateway a topline one three plus years ago. Improvements that keep it under 700 will be considered.

Dan

The 2 op-drives is what I'm use to for direct copying. When Blue-ray comes down I'll swap one out.

Why that particular PSU?

Fanless video cards run hot and heat up the case, causing the fans to spin faster. I suggest getting a GPU with a dual slotted cooler that is known to be quiet. I also suggest getting an aftermarket heatsink and fan unit as they often cool better and make less noise than the stock coolers. You can save some cash and have similar performance if you swap out the CPU, motherboard, and RAM to the following.

Motherboard: ASRock M3A780GXH/128M AM3 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - This is one of the inexpensive motherboards that support the new AM3 processors. It has many of the same features as the Gigabyte board, but costs about $40 less. $89

CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz - This processor uses the Phenom II core and is equal to the performance of the E8400 for about $60 less. $102

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - Here is where you will spend a little more (about $10 more if you went with the Corsair memory), but the cost savings from the different CPU and motherboard more than make up for the increased cost of the RAM. $65

Total cost: $257 compared to $362 (With the Corsair memory from your configuration)

DeathStalker: Why that particular PSU?

From what I've been reading Enermax makes some of the best PSU. This is there newest I'm having trouble locating a Liberty ECO 620, wanted it cause of modular cables.

DJBPace07: What is a GPU with a dual slotted cooler that is known to be quiet?

Dan

"GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard"

As you can see by my signature, I have that motherboard.
I'm not saying it because I own it but if you look it up on newegg it is an excellent choice
@x customer choice award.
I disregarded the bad reviews because I think the majoeity are from people that didn't do their homework.
On the Gigabyte site it clearly states "500W or better PSU recommended" .
[May not be exact wods but that is the gist of what it says]
Also with over 900 sold there were bound to be a couple of duds + another thing is the some bought the board & it needed a bios flash to run the CPU they tried to use.
Mine is a couple of weeks old & it came with F6 BIOS
I have already updated to F9 .

On the,

"SAPPHIRE 100255U Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
Built in HDMI & PowerDVD / DVD Suite Bundled"

You might want to consider the SAPPHIRE 100248L Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102794

Bang for buck it's the better deal with the 256 bit bus .

The ad shows DDR3 memory but according to PC Wizard mine came [today] with DDR4 .
The PC Wiz global performance shows it having 'Global video performance 1800".
My X1800 XL was only 1300 !
If you read the reviews complaing about the fan being slow it's supposed to be !
Mine runs at 25% at idle with a temp of 52C
[X1800 xl was 66C !]
Once again there are some bad reviews that didn't pay attention to the power requirements.
It also come with a adapter that goes on one of the monitor connectors for a HDTV cable .

On this list of fastest to slowest video cards it's # 26 , which isn't too shabby for the price !

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=rmp_vds


On the power supply thing,
I currently have a "lead power" [made by CWT] 680W .
I am ordering OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V ,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817341019

The Gigabyte EP45-UD3R has a 8 pin CPU power connector.
The PSU I have only has a 4 pin PSU connector
It works fine but I want the 8 pin (4+4Pin) as I'm going to better CPU shortly & don't want a power issue.

Since you're not planning on doing any hardcore gaming, getting a loud high performance GPU seems a bit overkill. Same thing with the memory interface, having a 256-bit one isn't going to be much of a hinderance to performance if all you really want is to have a media center PC. A dual slotted GPU is a video card whose cooling component takes up an additional expansion card slot. Most high performing cards have dual slotted coolers, the task at hand is to find one that is quiet. If you go fanless, you will have higher case temperatures, if you go for an active cooling system (fan), you may have some fan noise. The HIS Hightech H467QT512P Radeon HD 4670 is a quiet card and is inexpensive. You can use the on-board graphics with the AMD board, if you so choose. The ASRock board has been removed, so I found another board, the GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard. This board supports the Phenom II X2 out-of-the-box and is about $10 cheaper than the ASRock. However, it does not support Crossfire, but since you're not gaming, this won't be an issue. As for the PSU, the OCZ StealthXStream fairjoe suggested is a decent PSU. It's a good price for what you get. There are other good PSU brands you can check out, such as Corsair, Silverstone, and PC Power.

Edited by DJBPace07, 08 July 2009 - 12:20 AM.