1st Build Review

[kriegerm]

After weeks and weeks of research here is what I've come up with and would love to know your thoughts. Btw, this site is amazing!

Antec Sonata III
Asus P5KC
Intel E6750
EVGA 8600 GTS 256MB ( http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814130084 )
Crucial ballistix 2GB PC2-6400
WD SE16 320GB SATA ( http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822136074 )
LiteOn LH-20A1L-06 ( http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16827106072 )
Samsung 226BW 22" LCD
Mitsumi FDD/ 7-in-1 card reader ( http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16821104104 )
Logitech S 510 keyboard/mouse ( http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16823126180 )
Windows XP Home Edition


Couple of questions:

1) Do you definitely recommend the P5KC over the P5N-E SLI? Any issues with the P5KC in above build?
2) Any other recommendations on the optical drive, monitor, floppy/reader, or keyboard/mouse combo?
3) I don't do major gaming (Civ IV mainly) but I want this to be upgradeable and vista-ready when the day comes.
4) Anything else I need to know or think of?!?!

Thanks everyone,

Matt

[chunkylover53]

Very familiar with most of this. I have the Sonata III and love it, but I didn't use the PSU that comes with it (used Corsair 520HX).

I have the P5KC, but with a Q6600 processor. The P5KC has had it's issues lately around here, but that's mostly been with the new E8400 chip. I never had any problems, and recommend the board.

I have a slightly different card (8600 GT 512MB) and I don't know if one is better than the other, but there's no difference in compatibility with the board. I can't believe their both $99 after rebate:(.

That freakin card reader :mad: has been causing me fits, but it's up and running. The floppy will be usable for first boot so no worries there, it's just the card reader part that connects to a USB header that's a pain. Worth the pain for me in the end because the floppy alone would not have gotten much use.

I've not heard great things about the optical you chose. I have the one below, but it doesn't have light scribe. I don't have a good reco if that's a feature that's important to you.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136120

I have same RAM, Hard Drive, OS & keyboard... no problems. RickyTick has that monitor and has nothing but great things to say about it.

[Barrister73]

The P5KC was a problem in and of itself. E8400 was not the issue. There seems to be some quality control issues with Asus, but once you get one that works, it seems to be stable.

My second P5KC works just fine so far. My only suggestion would be to get it from Newegg and test it right away so you can RMA it if you get one of the few duds. I'd even go so far as to say get to try for the first boot before you put the board in the case.

MRR

[RickyTick]

The 226BW is on sale now at Newegg for $279 after rebate. You won't be disappointed.

[BobaFettK]

The P5KC was a problem in and of itself. E8400 was not the issue. There seems to be some quality control issues with Asus, but once you get one that works, it seems to be stable.
MRR

What he said!:p

[kriegerm]

Ugh, and I thought I had this figured. :p I actually switched to the P5KC from everything I read on this board. Do you think it's worth the try or is there another board that is better? I would spend a little more for a nice, stable board.

Re: card reader - what kind of problems would I have to deal with to get it working right? I don't want to make things too tough on myself having never done this before.

[BobaFettK]

Well, it seems that lately it's just luck of the draw. If you don't get a lemon, which has happened a lot lately with the P5KC boards from Newegg, I think you'll be very happy with the board. But in my (admittedly limited) experience, ASUS tech support leaves a lot to be desired. If I had to do it all over, I would probably go with an Abit or Gigabyte motherboard. But I've never used one of either brand. This was my first build, and the Asus board was a cause of much frustration.

[chunkylover53]

kriegerm: I just posted a long winded mini-review of the card reader. :mad:

As for the board, the last 4 folks here that got the P5KC had to return it. Again, I had no problems and bought from newegg the first week of January, but it's hard to argue with 4 straight. I don't think it's so superior a MOBO that you really need to take a chance on your first build. I've heard good things about this Gigabyte (though it's OOS at newegg), and I'm sure there are some more recos coming your way:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16813128050

Boba & Barr: Quick show of hands. How many of the last 4 posters that had trouble with the P5KC also had an E8400? :D:D

Granted that's STILL an ASUS problem and not an Intel problem, but I'm just sayin'...

[kriegerm]

First off, thanks all for the quick and helpful responses. I'm going to do a little more research on mobo's and check back. of course, any and all other reco's are welcome!

thanks,

matt

[iiiprimeiii]

id go with the gigabyte p35c ds3r. great mobo and i never had a problem with it on any boots throughout the build and recognized my e8400 right away.

[kriegerm]

any thoughts on the gigabyte "E"P35C-DS3R versus the P35C-DS3R? same price but specs seems newer. (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16813128082)

[shyster]

*Raises hand*

I also had a problem with the p5kc and the e8400, my issue was different than the others but in the end it became the same thing; no video output to the monitor, no keyboard or mouse led, probably no post. Mine was different because it it got to first boot and then when I tried a day later the no video no post thing happened.

And yeah Asus support is retarded. The second guy I got had a heavy accent so it was hard to understand him, and it sounded like an overseas call where you have audioble dropouts on the phone.

Lastly I am no pro but the "E" looks good, the only thing with that is it is newer, so there is not as much knowledge or support behind it.

[kriegerm]

how about this mobo - Abit IP35 Pro: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3263080&CatId=1533

Or do I just step down to Rob's reco of the ASUS P5N-E SLI?

should i not worry about having DDR3 capability? can't see using that anytime soon anyway.

It's not about the money i just don't want to have big problems (i know nothing is guaranteed). it is nice to have you guys in my corner though! ;)

thanks again all!

matt

[shyster]

I have not used that board, but apparently the abit IP35 regular should be good enough.

There is already a post about this actually in a decision between the pro and the regular.

The other largely recommended board besides the p5kc and the IP35 would be the gigabyte p35c ds3r that Chunky recommended earlier.

I personally have not heard anything bad about that board, and I believe that wise monkey recommends it highly.

Either of those boards should work perfectly the p5kc might even work fine also since it seems to be a duality problem of the e8400 and the p5kc together that causes issues. If you want a trouble free build, as much so as is possible anyways, the gigabyte would probably be the first recommended board and then the abit the second.

As for Robs board I am not looking at the specs and I do not know them off the top of my head, but his recommendation is probably pretty good, just make sure it has a ram FSB of 1066 for dd2 in case you want to use that, even if you do not plan to get dd3 anytime soon.

If I am wrong though someone tell me otherwise. <--This is a disclaimer that I do not know everything. I have not even built my first computer, or rather I have built it just not gotten it running yet.