Gathering the courage to build my first PC

[Valkyrie]

Hi

My computer finally died, and since it seems I have expensive taste in computers, I would really like to build my own.

This is what I am planning on buying

Processor
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=BX80570E8500-DT

Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3911521&sku=A406-1101

Power supply & memory
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3478885&sku=ULT40064%20MM

Sound Card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1870098&sku=C44-3272

Video card from dead computer
NVdia 6600 AGP8X 256MB

I am also hoping to use the DVD/RW and hard drives from my old computer.

I guess I need reassurance and a little hand holding, do I have the correct parts? could I do better?

I only know enough about computers to be dangerous.

Am I out of my mind?

Thanks for reading this.

Val

[The Wise Monkey]

If you are keeping your old AGP graphics card, then you are really limited your choice of motherboards, as PCI-E is the new standard for graphics cards. Even if you don't plan on gaming at all, it is probably worth just buying a cheap PCI-E card so that you can use a much better choice of motherboard.

[RickyTick]

I agree. Don't limit yourself with the AGP interface. You can find very good PCI-E cards for less than $100. I saw an EVGA 9600GT for $99 after rebate on newegg.

Do you have a budget, and what do you use your pc for?

[Damlite]

I suggest this processor instead. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017
It's an excellent processor to overclock as well if your going to be running your computer hard.

Thats a nice deal on your powersupply and memory. The powersupply might be too powerful for your own use, its got the potential to house multiple video cards, HDs and optical drives. Depending on your operation, i'd suggest getting a powersupply at around 500-600W, which will be more than enough to cover a standard setup of 1 CPU, GPU, Optical Drive and HD.

If you're not going to be gaming, or the games you play aren't too intensive or in high resolutions, a 8800GT or 9600GT will be fine. You wouldn't really need a sound card as pretty much every single mobo on the market these days has onboard audio. If your not too fussy, you can save yourself the purchase of a sound card and purchase a good motherboard that would also fit and suit your other components you've listed.

That all being into account, i'd probably recommend something like this:

Asus P5Q motherboard, have a look at the WD 500GB HD combo as well that goes along with it, you'll be needing a hard drive for your new computer.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

Asus 9600GT video card, same branded products have a tendency to be more stable.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121229

Your optical drive should fit on the motherboard as well. Other obvious purchases if you need them will be a monitor, keyboard mouse speakers etc. But other than that, this should be enough for general use.

[Valkyrie]

Hi again, and thanks for your replies.

I will research your suggestions and go from there.

You are all right about the graphics card so I will add one to my list.

I was trying to keep it under $600 but I gave up on that real quick, so I am hoping to stay under $1000. I heard that it's best to buy the best processor and motherboard I could possibly afford and the reviews let me to those I chose.

Do you all think I'll have trouble using my old hard drives?
I got a 250GB, and a newer 500GB one, I am planning on reusing my old monitor, it's a Dell 1905FP and getting another one later on.

I use the computer for general stuff and some light gaming, (Age of Empires, The Sims 2) but when it comes to computers my common sense goes out the window, and there's no such thing as too big or too fast. My excuse is that it will make future upgrades easier.

So am I on the right track?

Val

P.S. I am really glad you all didn't tell me to leave it to a professional, I've been hearing that a lot.:D

[Khapheen]

Hi there,

I just finished my first build a few weeks ago, and I can tell you it's definitely something you can do yourself. I'd never tried anything like it, and it only took me a few hours (mostly going super slowly and being overly cautious) to get everything together and working.

Along those same lines, I was caught in a similar budget/performance question. For a while, I was leaning towards going top end, but I settled on a dual-core AMD 6000 machine (used mostly for desktop publishing, some light gaming, internet, etc.) and coudn't be happier with the choice. So no need to break the bank to get big performance.

All of that being said, my opinion would be that the power supply you're looking at is probably really big overkill, so you might be able to save some money there. Also, you might consider the Antec 900 case - really similar look, and has gotten great reviews. Or, if you wanted to save money, you could go with the 300 (pretty similar, except that it doesn't have the blue lights.) That's what I did and it's worked out great. Finally, I got my video card (a 256 mb 8800) for about $50 on newegg, so I wouldnt let that hold you back. Plus, they're pretty easy to upgrade.

Anyhow, I hope some of this helps. Great luck with your build!

[Damlite]

Likewise. my first assembly also had no errors, and had a perfect first boot. Once you know the logic of a computer, assembling one becomes stupidly easy.

If you have the hard drive, monitor and input devices already, and you feel they will suffice your needs, dont worry about purchasing them. You're on the right track, any 8 or 9 series nvidia card, or 3000 or 4000 series radeon cards will already be overkill for your games, unless your monitor is very large.

[Valkyrie]

Well everything arrived today, I got this motherboard/CPU combo instead.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3714946&sku=MBM-780I-Q6700&srkey=MBM-780I-Q6700

And I have a question...

Am I suppose to install a fan on top the CPU?
It didn't come with one, If It's necessary, what should I get?

So far, it has been surprising easy, I installed the power supply, memory, har drives and optical drives.

Thanks.

[The Wise Monkey]

Yes - you definitely need to get a CPU fan, otherwise it will overheat and could be irreversibly damaged.

You don't need to get something top of the range unless you plan on overclocking - the Arctic Freezer 7 is a fairly good choice.

[Valkyrie]

Yes - you definitely need to get a CPU fan, otherwise it will overheat and could be irreversibly damaged.

You don't need to get something top of the range unless you plan on overclocking - the Arctic Freezer 7 is a fairly good choice.

Thanks, do you I need anything else to make it fit over the processor?

I got a tube of thermal conductivity compound, the directions mentioned the heatsink, I am pretty sure I don't have one.

Searching online, I found some fans, are they the same things?

Sorry for all the dumb questions.

[The Wise Monkey]

Its OK - if you don't ask, you won't learn. :)

The term "CPU fan" tends to include the heatsink as well, and they will always come together.

These are CPU fans:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010110574&bop=And&Order=RATING

The AF7 is the first one on the list.

[a76erml]

First post: reading your thread, you recommend different Optical drives than Rob ( I just ordered the book) and have read the up to date web page. Can you expand?

[Barrister73]

And make sure that your fan matches your CPU and Motherboard (Socket 775, I believe).

MRR

[Valkyrie]

Its OK - if you don't ask, you won't learn. :)

The term "CPU fan" tends to include the heatsink as well, and they will always come together.

These are CPU fans:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010110574&bop=And&Order=RATING

The AF7 is the first one on the list.

Thank you, I am buying it today.

Now, is it bad that I am already thinking about building another one?
This is really a lot of fun, I was not expecting to enjoy the process this much.

Thanks again, maybe one day I'll be the one helping someone out.:)

[Valkyrie]

And make sure that your fan matches your CPU and Motherboard (Socket 775, I believe).

MRR

I checked, and it matches.
Thanks

[RickyTick]

Did Rob not explain to you about the required community service work you have to perform here on the forums after you complete your first build? He's getting slack, we need to talk to him about that.

After your MySuperPC build is complete, you are required to make a minimum of 20 quality posts per month for the next 6 months. :rolleyes:

[RickyTick]

Also click on here

http://forums.mysuperpc.com/showthread.php?t=1804

and you'll see 2 great links to help with fans/heatsinks, and applying thermal compound.

[Barrister73]

Crap; they are supposed to be "quality" posts? Guess I still have 16 more to do.

MRR

[Barrister73]

Never cared much for that review on heatsinks. I found it too difficult to figure out what their conclusions are. Since the stock one for my E8400 works so well, I never found the need to try to decipher it.

I found (what I consider to be) a better review of heatsinks by someone who made a fake CPU out of a heating element. That way, he knew exactly how much power went into heating and the exact benefit each heatsink had at different "CPU" temperatures and fan speeds. He also included a listing of decibels for each heatsink/fan at different speeds. But, that review is a few years old and would be like choosing a new car today based on how a Cadillac compared to a Nash Rambler (beep beep). I just wish someone would do a review on heatsinks like that again.

Ok, rant over.

MRR

[Valkyrie]

Arrrgh!

I am getting ready to commit violence.

I thought I was done, plugged it in, turned it on and nothing happened:(

And to add insult to injury, 2 of the heatsink pins popped off, and I've spent an hour trying to get them back in unsuccessfully.

I am going to cry now....