Need Help w/First Build

[sirius101]

I recently sold my laptop that had been acting up and decided I would try building a PC for the first time. This is something that I have been debating on for the past year and decided that with summer vacation here, I have the time. I only have around $1000 to spend, give or take $100, and I will be mainly using it for gaming.

The case I have already is:NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

MB: ASUS M4A79 Deluxe AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard ($190)

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor ($190)

Video: EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card ($185 after rebate)

Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($59)

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply ($100 after rebate)

DVD Drive: LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner ($25)

The total so far comes to $798 before the rebates. Some questions I have:

1) For the hard drive, should I focus more on space or speed. I can get a 1.5TB 7200RPM for $130 or a 150GB 10,000RPM for $180. I am leaning more towards the 1.5TB, but I am unsure.

2) Is the stock cooler for the CPU good enough or should I invest in a better one?

3) This being my first build, is everything on my list compatible with each other? Also, is there anything I forgot to include that I might need?

Any comments would be helpful!

 

[h3llb3nd4]

1) What do you mostly do? (game etc...)I personally would go for space
2) definitly invest on a better cooler.
3) yes they are

G/L man! seems like you're an ATi man

 

[computertechy]

samsung f1 1tb harddrive!

say no more

 

[erocker]

The setup looks great!

I would recommend:

CPU cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233012

For the HDD, go with a Segate 1gb 7200.12. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433 Promo code for $10 off: EMCLSMX29

 

[neatfeatguy]

I recently sold my laptop that had been acting up and decided I would try building a PC for the first time. This is something that I have been debating on for the past year and decided that with summer vacation here, I have the time. I only have around $1000 to spend, give or take $100, and I will be mainly using it for gaming.

The case I have already is:NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

MB: ASUS M4A79 Deluxe AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard ($190)

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor ($190)

Video: EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card ($185 after rebate)

Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($59)

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply ($100 after rebate)

DVD Drive: LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner ($25)

The total so far comes to $798 before the rebates. Some questions I have:

1) For the hard drive, should I focus more on space or speed. I can get a 1.5TB 7200RPM for $130 or a 150GB 10,000RPM for $180. I am leaning more towards the 1.5TB, but I am unsure.

2) Is the stock cooler for the CPU good enough or should I invest in a better one?

3) This being my first build, is everything on my list compatible with each other? Also, is there anything I forgot to include that I might need?

Any comments would be helpful!

1: Look towards Western Digital for your HDD. You're better of getting more space then you are with speed. Just be sure to find a HDD that has 32MB cache (or 16MB cache at the minimum).

2: The stock cooler will do just fine if you don't plan on overclocking, although it's always nice to be certain that you have a decent product helping to keep your CPU as cool as you possibly can.

3: everything will work together. You'll need some thermal paste - look for Arctic Silver 5, it hasn't let me down yet.

On a side note; forget about spending the extra $10-40 on a factory overclocked video card. It's a waste of money in my opinion. Granted these factory overclocked cards are certain to run at those speeds, you really won't see much of a boost in performance - maybe 2-10% boost in some games.

Just by a good brand with a good warranty (BFG, XFX, Evga - for example) and use ATItool or Evga Precision to overclock your video card. It's free to do it this way.

Next, what resolution are you going to be gaming at? If you're using a resolution greater then 1680x1050, I'd recommend picking up at least a HD4890 from ATI or the GTX 275. If you're at 1680x1050 or less, then the GTX 260 will be just fine for you. However....

Considering that the MB you're looking at supports Crossfire, I'd suggest getting a HD4870 1GB (ATI's equiv. of the GTX 260) or HD4890. Then if you feel the need, you can pick up a second card to run in Crossfire. But if you don't ever plan on going that route, then you're fine sticking with any single card from Nvidia or ATI.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Why not go AM3/ddr3?

 

[fire2havoc]

1. I'd go with the Western Digital Black 640GB as the main OS drive and the WD 1TB Green as the storage drive.

2. Stock cooler is OK if you won't be overclocking. If you plan on overclocking >20%, then I suggest an aftermarket heatsink.

3. Everything is compatible.

 

[sirius101]

For the hard drive, I am thinking Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive. Is there any benefit to having the OS on a separate drive?

Also, both the DVD drive and the hard drive(s) I am looking at are OEM. Does this mean that I will have to buy the cables separately? What kind of cables will I need?

 

[erocker]

For the hard drive, I am thinking Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive. Is there any benefit to having the OS on a separate drive?

Also, both the DVD drive and the hard drive(s) I am looking at are OEM. Does this mean that I will have to buy the cables separately? What kind of cables will I need?

For day to day gaming and general usage, no there is no great benefit of having a separate O/S drive. Your motherboard will come with two SATA cables so you are set for your HDD and DVD drives.

 

[Paintface]

i would suggest getting a 4890, its on newegg for 199 after rebates, blows the 260 out of the water

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161276

also you can save some money by going for a 790x mainboard instead of fx if you dont plan to crossfire at max potential ( but still perfectly possible )

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

only $109, has ultra durable technology wich is a huge plus , check the great reviews


as harddrive i would get the WD 640gb black edition, and the 1tb green edition as storage, if you really have to pick only one hd go for the black edition without hesitating.