A first timer's build list

[Kienzle]

Hello, everyone!

This is my first time building a computer. I've spent a while reading the tutorials online, especially the ones here, and I just thought I'd post my component list and see whether it seems like a good one to everyone here.

So, without further ado,

Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131142#spec)

Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144010)

Something that's really bugging me is that under "Motherboard Compatibility," my case simply reads: ATX, Micro ATX, Baby ATX. Well, my mobo is an ATX and so I'm guessing that it'll work, but I've seen other cases with listings like: 'Atx (etc), max. 11.0" x 9.5"' but my case doesn't have these extra details. I am of course very worried that I'll order both pieces, and I'll find out that they don't fit together. So I would greatly appreciate it if you could put my mind to rest on this. Anyways:

Central Processing Unit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029)

RAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227124)

Disc Drives x2 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106055)

Video Card, x2 for SLI usage (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229)

120mm fan (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999346)

Windows XP Pro (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116059)

I also need a floppy drive, but can't seem to find one on the web to buy.

I already have the speakers, keyboard, mouse and LCD screen I plan to use. If needed I can provide their specs, but I don't really think it'll matter.

Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you for looking.

[The Wise Monkey]

If your case says that it supports the ATX size, then it will support any motherboard of the ATX size. :)

You're much better off getting a single 8800GTS instead of the two 8600GTs though - better performance and probably about the same price if not cheaper.

Also, what about a Hard Drive?

[Jamie Nixx]

SLI 8600GT wouldn't equal half the power of an 8800GTS, they are not really gaming cards, they are just bog standard video cards with DX10 thrown in, plus SLi should not be attempted by newbies to computer building, it requires a lot of tuning in programs that only advanced users should use, otherwise you will encounter a lot of problems.

If you can't afford an 8800GTS, get a 7900GT, that will still be more powerful than SLi 8600GT's.

Inside that case you will be hard pressed for room as its a mid ATX, plus the PSU is going to be absolute crap, i recommend getting a case without a PSU and then getting a third party PSU such as a Corsair or Hiper.

If your going to get OCZ, get the platinum edition, although Corsair XMS2 is better then any OCZ and if i am not mistaken it is really cheap on newegg now.

Anyway, whats your budget mate?

[Kienzle]

Ah, forgot about my hard drive.

Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073)

So, about the case and the mobo. First off I don't really like the case. The one I really had wanted to get is this one:

Computer Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144151)

But it says a) that it is compatible with my ATX mobo, and b) that it only fits a specific size, which is too small for my mobo. Talk about conflicting messages!

And how about this memory:

RAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145566)

It doesn't have the "bling bling" look of the other memory, but I trust your opinions more than my own in this particular field.

my budget is about $1000, so I think maybe an 8800 could be within my price range.

I really want to order this computer soon, as I've been looking at components for a really long time and am starting to get impatient with myself.

Thanks for the help, BTW!

[The Wise Monkey]

That is only 1GB of RAM - is that what you want? Corsair is a very good brand, despite the look.

Nice looking case btw. If you read the reviews from other people, they say that the case is very spacious, so there should be no problems with the motherboard.

[Kienzle]

Aha, you are indeed a wise lil' monkey. ;) Thanks for pointing that out for me, bud.

Here is my second choice:

2gig RAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145527)

On the case, it specifically states that it only fits a certain size of mobo, and so unless anyone really knows for certain the answer to this problem, I am going to use this combo: (case + power supply)

Computer Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147037)

PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182088)

So yeah, basically those two, the original basics and then this 8800gt video card I found comes to like $975. Not bad I think.

Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150173)

Looks good?

[Jamie Nixx]

This is the Ram i suggested to you mate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

I don't know about this rebate stuff, but its $62 after rebate which is :eek: :eek: :eek:

That PSU is absolute crap, this PSU is much better.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103941

[Kienzle]

Well, now that I have the hardware down I have a quick question on the software.

I'm planning on getting Windows XP Pro, will the disc I've linked to on the first page do the trick, or is there a special type I have to buy?

And also- let's say once I've finished the build and am ready to install the OS- do I just stick the disc in and follow the instructions on screen, or is there something else I have to do?

[The Wise Monkey]

Nope, that CD looks good.

I recommend following Rob's guide - it really is very good. But FYI, its all fairly self explanatory.

[Kienzle]

I got my parts!

Ooh, how I squeeled like a little school girl. The case in particular is very cool. Reminds of a tuxedo, the way it's so smooth and stylish.

Anyways, I've since installed the motherboard, CPU, disc drives, and memory without a hitch. Then I started working on my mongo sized video card. And that's where I ran into problems.

My case, cool as it is, is determined not to have to use a single screw. While this is pretty nice for some things (I installed both disc drives in under 30 seconds each) it has created trouble with others. Namely, my drive bays.

The 8800 video card is massive, and takes up 2 spaces on the drive bays. As usual, the bays are screwless, and my case manual is VERY crappy. It's pictures are tiny and in black and white with poor lighting, taken with a different case then the one I have, and I have a feeling that whoever wrote it didn't understand English very well. (A common occurence with appliances these days, I've noticed.) Because of all this, I basically have no clue how to uninstall the drive shields. I've tried bending them back and forth, pushing the tabs, nothing seems to work.

I'm wondering if this type of "screwless drive shield" is pretty normal, and if so does anyone have any idea how to undo them. It's driving me nuts.

Any help appreciated!

[The Wise Monkey]

Heh, my case had those screwless PCI slots, and I removed the whole assembly too. There should be some screws at the top and bottom of the entire section that you can undo - they may be pointing into the case from outside.

Which case did you get in the end? There are 3 listed possibilities on this page... XD