My first build!!

[runningman10000]

Ok, I've been lurking long enough! 1'st let me say that I think this sight is great! The Wise Monkey and RickyTick's post have been the most thoughful and insighful I've seen on any board even when the questions might seem "stupid". So enough butt kissing....:)
I'm ready for a new computer and thought I would build my own. I've copied over the Wise Monkeys suggestion for a budget build and have come questions:
I would rather go with an Intel cpu, is the Core Duo 2 fast enough? Should I go with the Icore 5? I currently have a Dell P4 from about 7 years ago. I don't do a lot of gaming but I appreciate having a fast computer. I then have to change the motherboard if I go with the I5? Also do I need an upgraded cpu cooling fan? On the Antec Sonata 3 is the door a hassle? I seen it recommended frequently and I went and checked one out locally and it looks like it could be. That's all I have for now and will keep you posted with questions until I'm sure I'm ready. The suggested build really fits my budget well and would make it easy to follow. Would this really be faster than a comparedly priced Dell?


Case Antec Sonata III with 500W Earthwatts PSU.

Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P

CPU AMD Phenom II X3 720

Ram G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333

GPU HIS H575FN1GD Radeon HD 5750 1GB

Hard Drive Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB

Optical Drive LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 24X DVD-R SATA Black 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support

Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Total $741, and that includes the Operating System.





Thanks

[RickyTick]

Welcome to MySuperPC forums.

Changing the Budget Build to an i3-530 with a H55 motherboard would be a nice alternative. It would be a little more expensive, but not too much.

We generally recommend the Sonata III because it's a nice case with a very reliable power supply. As far as budget combos go, it's hard to beat the Sonata III. Yes it has a door, and I can't stand doors, but you just have to tolerate it. :)

This would definitely be as fast or faster than a comparably priced Dell. But the beauty of it would be the vast options for future upgrades that Dell lacks.

[The Wise Monkey]

Thanks for the kind words, but Ricky maintains the recommended builds, so he deserves the credit. :)

Everything looks good there, and the i3-350 would be a very worthwhile upgrade.

[RickyTick]

Thanks for the kind words, but Ricky maintains the recommended builds, so he deserves the credit. :)


Thank you friend. :)

[runningman10000]

Welcome to MySuperPC forums.

Changing the Budget Build to an i3-530 with a H55 motherboard would be a nice alternative. It would be a little more expensive, but not too much.

We generally recommend the Sonata III because it's a nice case with a very reliable power supply. As far as budget combos go, it's hard to beat the Sonata III. Yes it has a door, and I can't stand doors, but you just have to tolerate it. :)

This would definitely be as fast or faster than a comparably priced Dell. But the beauty of it would be the vast options for future upgrades that Dell lacks.

Wow you guys reply fast! What about moving up to the 15-750? Rob states on the opening page that he prefers to purchase a cpu fan yet others don't. Is that just a personal preference? ( I was at Micro Center today browsing and was looking at fans, wow they're bigger than I thought). Also on the Sonata case, is the door switchable as to which side it opens from? I was looking at one today and forget to check, I was more intimated by how many cords are on the inside! Yikes!

My buddy has built his own and he says I could do it but it still LOOKS hard....

Thanks for your help here.


I wanted to update the components I'm looking at:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 P55 - like the fact that it has USB 3.0. I don't now much about specs but it seems to mathc up well with the above for a little less money. Will this have enough slots?

GPU: Sapphire 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express. For basically the same reasons as above. It looks like it matches up well and it's a little cheaper. I don't game much so this still might be overkill for me.


Look forward to your comments.

[runningman10000]

Can anyone take a look at the moterboard and tell me if that's a good buy? Also with the GPU will that all fit if I use an after market cooler instead of the stock fan?

Thanks

[RickyTick]

Looks like a good motherboard and a nice price.
It all depends on what cooler you plan to use. Some are quite large.
There shouldn't be any issue with the gpu fitting.

[runningman10000]

Thanks RickyTick, I've been looking at coolers and this one looks good but BIG.

http://www.heatsinkfactory.com/scythe-mugen-2-rev--b-cpu-cooler---scmg-2100.html

Any suggestions? I probably could go with the stock fan but they look fun to play with!

Budget about $40

[runningman10000]

Ok, now I'm looking at the Antec 300 case and a Corsair power supply. I like the looks of the case better (no drive bay door!). I see it doesn't have any 3.5 external drive bays. Is that a big issue? I don't plan on a floppy drive and if I need somrthing in the future aren't there adapters? The Corsair psu gets good reviews on both the 550w and 650w. I could go with either depending on the deal at the time. The GPU card has a 450w recommendation so I should be covered there. Any thoughts? Enough plugs (and the right ones)? Bays? Anything I'm overlooking?



case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_re=antec_300_case-_-11-129-042-_-Product

PSU 1 :http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&cm_re=corsair_power_supply-_-17-139-004-_-Product

PSU 2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&cm_re=corsair_power_supply-_-17-139-005-_-Product


Thanks

[The Wise Monkey]

For the PSU, I'd go with the 650TX - is comes to the same price as the other with the rebate, so definitely the better option.

If you ever need a floppy drive, you can buy USB ones very cheaply, but I doubt you will ever need it!

[runningman10000]

Thanks Wise Monkey, do you see any problems with the PSU fitting? It's a bottom mount case and I've read where sometimes the PSU is mounted upside down for better air flow, is that legit? Did you have a chance to look at previous post concerning the CPU fan? What do you think about that as an alternative?

[The Wise Monkey]

The PSU should fit just fine. Mounting it upside down is a viable option, and might be a good idea so that your cables can reach as well. Just make sure not to obstruct the flow of air from the front of the case.

That CPU HSF you suggested is fairly massive, but gives very good cooling. It should be fine - you may want to add up the height of everything to confirm that it doesn't interfere with any fans in the case.

[runningman10000]

Any suggestions for a different cooler?

[runningman10000]

A quick update. The Antec Sonata 3 is on sale for $89 with free shipping until 3/23! That will probably swing me in that direction.

[runningman10000]

Sorry, here's the link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

[runningman10000]

Anyone have feedback on these 2 cases:

1:LIAN LI PC-62B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112233

2:LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112099

Thanks!!

[The Wise Monkey]

Sorry for the delay in responding.

All of those cases look good. I've always liked the Lian Li cases - they cost a bit more but you do get very good quality.

[The Wise Monkey]

Sorry for the delay in responding.

All of those cases look good. I've always liked the Lian Li cases - they cost a bit more but you do get very good quality.

[runningman10000]

It finally got built! Have had it togehter for about a month, this was my final components list:

CPU:
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail


Motherboard:
ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Case:
LIAN LI PC-62B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

PSW:
Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply


Ram:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK - Retail

DVD:
LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support - Retail
Item #: N82E16827106335

HD:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Video card:
ASUS EAH5670/DI/1GD5 Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail

HSF:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ... - Retail

OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

I bought a Samsung Syncmaster 23" moniter from Best Buy.

Not much of a story to tell, everything booted up the first time. Was worried about putting the heat sink together but it went fine. Took my time and followed the directions at Coolermasters website. Also got some advice on this board about applying paste to the bottom of the sink base first to smooth out around the copper pipes. Went together like a charm!


Been running about a month with no problems. Love the moniter and the machine is really quiet and FAST! Thanks to everyone here (Ricky Tick, Wise Monkey and others).

[RickyTick]

That's great news. Glad we could help. Enjoy your new SuperPC and don't be a stranger. :)