My first build. Look okay?

[Toehead]

This is my first build ever. I want to make sure I can compete with new technology that will come out in the future. While staying around $1000 budget absolute max $1100 after S/H. Can you guys look at it and tell me if I am getting the best bang for my buck? In terms of quality and beefiness.

Case:
HEC 69R5BB Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121018) Newegg says they are out of stock so I might have to choose a new case. The reason why it's a full tower is the video card I am going to get is freakin huge.

MOBO:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358) I like this MOBO it really seems as if it's a good price for a killer MOBO.

Video Card:
SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801) Okay the reason why I chose this is I am trying to build a decent enough PC to play Oblivion and use some of the nicest mods they have for it. I figure if i can play Oblivion on max settings there isn't much it won't be able to handle. Good choice?

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037) This CPU is really decent for the price. But everyone says I should go with the quad core i7. Would it even be worth the money and would I even be able to use the full capabilities of a quad core i7?

PSU:
PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005) This PSU can power everything and allow me to OC if i wanted to right?

RAM:
Transcend 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208353) This ram is great for the price I would like 6 gigs but I don't think I will be able to get it and stay under budget.

HDD:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218) I want to have the highest capacity HD while staying cheap. lol

OS:
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116469) I chose retail because I wnt the ability to install it on another PC if I get a new one or even dual boot win 7 and vista if there is reason to do it. I don't like the idea of having an OS tied to just one system.

CD/DVD Burner:
LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM SATA Combo - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106100) Cheap and burns cd/dvd.

Keyboard/Mouse:
Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black 105 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB Ergonomics Keyboard and Mouse - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109156) Cheap and does exactly what I need it to. :P

Is this system the best bang for my buck? What am I missing? Cables, thermal paste anything like that? I have an old CRT monitor from my 9 year old Dell I will be using until I can buy a new one. Any suggestions in that department?

Everything will work with the MOBO right? Anyway thanks for all your comments and suggestions.

[RickyTick]

A couple of thoughts here.

The case doesn't have a front intake fan. I would be concerned about adequate air flow and proper cooling, especially for that 4870 card that has a tendency to run a little on the hot side anyway.

The OS listed is the 32 bit version. If you want to take full advantage of the 4gb of ram, you'll need the 64 bit version. Also, if you purchase the "system builders" version of Vista at only $100, you would have money left over to buy a better case. Heck, you could buy 2 copies of Vista for less than that retail pack.

The WD Caviar SE16 is a great HD, but for $5 more you should get the Caviar Black, which is a slight upgrade and comes with a 5 yr warranty instead of 3yr.

You also mentioned the i7 processor. You can't currently build a system with an i7 processor and stay within your budget. If you can wait a few months, the prices could drop enough, but we're not quite there yet.

[Toehead]

The case doesn't have a front intake fan. I would be concerned about adequate air flow and proper cooling, especially for that 4870 card that has a tendency to run a little on the hot side anyway.

Okay so I went to newegg and this is the case i came up with.

GIGABYTE 3D AURORA GZ-FSCA1-ANS Silver Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233001)
A little extra money but it will be worth the extra cooling right?


The OS listed is the 32 bit version. If you want to take full advantage of the 4gb of ram, you'll need the 64 bit version. Also, if you purchase the "system builders" version of Vista at only $100, you would have money left over to buy a better case.

Yeah I had thought about an OEM version and I thought I had picked the 64 bit. lol What is the difference between retail and oem? I thought if it was OEM you could only install it on one computer and that"s it. And retail you could install it on one computer and a few years down the road if I replaced my old computer with a new one I would be able to install it on that one also?

But yeah I think I will switch retail for OEM 64 bit

Thanks for the tip on the HDD I am going with the Caviar Black for the warranty. Also I am going to get Arctic Silver Thermal Paste is that overkill?

Okay so maybe in a few years I will build a new PC with an i7 when prices are cheaper.

Thanks for your help and your reply.

[RickyTick]

Oh yeah man. The Aurora 3d case is really nice. It comes in black too. Also down at the bottom front, it projects out a light that says Gigabyte. You can change it to say anything you want. Very cool.

You're right about being able to install OEM Windows on another computer down the road, but why would you want to. A few years down the road we'll be using Windows 7 (or 8). When you build your i7 computer in a few years, just purchase a new Win7 OS and install that.

Best of luck. Keep us informed on how it's coming along.

[chunkylover53]

I don't game, so I might be alone with this opinion, but I firmly believe in the necessity to invest in a nice monitor. Not saying you have to plunk down $500 for a 30 inch beast, but I really feel that the monitor plays too big a part of the PC experience to make it a buy later decision.

Like I said, I really don't play games, so my POV might not be the best. Plus, I don't have a good feel for how the CRT will perform with that fat gpu your buying.

If your interested, most folks here like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001268

My current one is a few years old, so I think it's probably discontinued by now:
http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/dell-ultrasharp-2407wfp/4505-3174_7-31899303.html

I'm going to get a second monitor soon for my wife, and I'm probably going with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116095

[Toehead]

I don't game, so I might be alone with this opinion, but I firmly believe in the necessity to invest in a nice monitor. Not saying you have to plunk down $500 for a 30 inch beast, but I really feel that the monitor plays too big a part of the PC experience to make it a buy later decision.

You're right so I went to newegg and picked this out.

ASUS VK221D Black 21.6" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 5000 :1 (ASCR) - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236055)

Is it too much? I am over my budget by about $150 but the cheaper ones sounded crappy from the reviews. Anyone have any other suggestions?


Keep us informed on how it's coming along.

I definitely will and thanks for your help. :)

[chunkylover53]

I'm a wuss when it comes to reviews :o, so I like to lean towards stuff that has a lot of reviews that are mostly positive, vs. only a few reviews. The one you picked looks brand new, and I can't find anything yet on tech review sites like cnet or tech report, etc.

That's just me though. Others might have a different POV.

[Toehead]

I'm a wuss when it comes to reviews , so I like to lean towards stuff that has a lot of reviews that are mostly positive, vs. only a few reviews. The one you picked looks brand new, and I can't find anything yet on tech review sites like cnet or tech report, etc.

Yeah that made sense so I found this at a decent price.

Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 Built in Speakers - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254005).

Thanks for the suggestion. :)

So I am ready to order everything. Is there anything I need still? Like cables? Or anything along those lines?

[Toehead]

Ok so I finally got all my parts in today. And I tried installing the power supply first but when I get it inside and tried to set the screws in I noticed the holes don't line up at all. Does anyone know if there is a way around that? lol

I don't have a camera or I would post a picture sorry.

Okay another possibly important question. I just noticed the screwdriver I am using is magnetic. Is that a bad thing?

And I figured out the PSU problem. I either had it upside down or I had to install it upside down to get the screws to fit. I could fit them all but 1.

[RickyTick]

I really can't think of any reason why the holes don't line up. :confused:

[RickyTick]

Good, glad you got that worked out.

Most people shy away from magnetic screwdrivers inside a computer case.

[Toehead]

Everything went well and is up and running. But the serious problem I have now is my CPU is running at 92 degrees celsius. It seems high to me or is that normal?

[The Wise Monkey]

That is way too high - turn your PC off now!

What are you using to measure the temperature? Did you put the heat sink and thermal paste on correctly?

[RickyTick]

Yeah, that's much too high. Sounds like the heat sink didn't seat properly. You'll need to take it off, clean off the paste, and re-install.

[Toehead]

Yeah the second I saw the temp I turned it off. Okay I will redo the paste and reseat the heatsink. And I went in the BIOS specificly to see what the temp was. So that is where I saw it.

BTW did I say how much I appreciate everyones help?

[Toehead]

Okay I reseated the fan and heat sink and everything is running great. My temp stays at 35-45. And the computer is running like a champ!

Also does anyone know of any good benchmarking programs? And a program to monitor my temp for some of my hardware? Preferably freeware.

Also I want to thank everyone who helped me out. I went over budget about $400. lol But I think it is worth it.

[The Wise Monkey]

CoreTemp or RealTemp are good for keeping an eye on the CPU temperature. Those temps are much better - they will drop slightly over the next few weeks as the thermal paste becomes bedded in.

For benchmarking, check out PCMark, or Everest is another good one iirc.

[RickyTick]

You may also try OCCT.