Newbie System Builder Needs Help

[rheged]

Hi, have recently been given a Foxconn Digitalife ELA motherboard (http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/detail_spec.aspx?ID=en-us0000398). Since I'm not one to look the gift horse in the mouth, I'm now going to put together something resembling a decent system, centred around the mobo. Problem I'm having is that I'm actually pretty naff at picking out decent components, since previously I've gone on the basis of whatever was cheapest without consideration for quality, preventing bottlenecking between components, etc etc.

The intention is to match up the components so as to minimise any bottlenecks that might occur due to mis-matching bus speeds, FSB etc, and to maximise the capabilities of the motherboard (eg. using fastest poss RAM, CPU), and to select components that will compliment rather than hinder each other (i.e. which cpu runs best in coordination with the chipset? what graphics cards should I use for the crossfire system?).

So, my question to you, good gents & ladies, what are your suggestions or helpful hints for when I get around to looking for components? I.e. useful websites, what should I be looking for when picking components, any ideas for which makes/models you reccommend, what do I need to look for in a cooling system? Assume for the moment there is no limit to the budget

Any input whatsoever would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DonInKansas]

A ferw questions:

Gamer or encoder?

Budget?

 

[JATownes]

^^ What Don said...we need more info. But we are always happy to help when it comes to getting you to spend money on the right hardware. Budget and use will definately help us help you.

 

[D007]

Rule number 1 you have to go with a socket 775 processor. dual or quad, just make sure it's a socket 775. number 2, DDR2 memory.
You can still build a kick ass system around that mobo, no worries at all.
Go for something like my set up I'd say.
it's not sick high end but it is a very good build that has and is still serving me well.
Except for the hard drive and the video card.
I'd go for a 5850 video card or even a 57xx if you can't get a 5850.
Processor at least a dual core e6400 if you want intel "which overclocks better in general" and you can OC it to above 3 ghz. I'd go for something that could hit 4ghz personally, the e8400 can hit 4+ ghz on air overclocked.

I'm not the best at this stuff, but I'm not too too shabby lol.
If someone else has better recommendations I would take them .

 

[stevednmc]

Are you looking for psu and all that? You can get alot of good used parts from here and save some cash.

Cpu: q9650

Gpu: dual hd5850's

2x 2 gig corsair 1066 dominators

good heatsink maybe a xigmatek dark knight


He said to assume cost is no object! let 'em have it! lol


Hdd WD caviar black

 

[D007]

Lol if cost is no object sell that Mobo and get something for an I7 build. then your cooking like napalm.

 

[stevednmc]

There ya go... but he did get it for free..so maybe he doesnt wanna disrespect?

 

[JATownes]

I missed the part about the "No Budget"...I agree Q9650 is win. Dual 5850s or 5870s are win, but definate overkill. For RAM I would recommend some good GSkill DDR2 1200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231201&cm_re=ddr2-_-20-231-201-_-Product
Only real advice I would give is do NOT skimp on the PSU...grab a nice Corsair, PCP&C, Enermax, etc. A good PSU is not cheap, and there is a reason for that. A crappy PSU can bring down your entire system.

 

[stevednmc]

Yeah, corair hx 750 PSU is nice. I have the gskill 1200 but i havent had much luck getting them to run that fast. Fine on 1066 tho. Im going i7 and will be selling all my s775 stuff soon anyway. HyperX from kingston makes good memory as well. The memory thing has alot of options, OCz Gskill kingston corsair etc etc.. All make good products, but i would get at least 1066 mhz on the memory. and 4 gigs a 2 x 2gig kit would be ideal.

5850 or 5870 Gpu is good, but a 5700 series card in crossfire would be nice as well, and still have dx11 support for cheaper. (say 5770's)

 

[rheged]

The general usage will be gaming, probably also running the Folding@home application and various other open infrastructure network apps, and if I'm really honest, just for the sure fun of building a monster. Assume a budget of £1000, not including monitor/keybd and other peripherals. Case, PSU, cooling systems should all be taken into consideration.

Thanks for the rapid response folks, especially interested in the bit about the PSU...never occured to me to consider anything about the PSU beyond ability to pump out wattage & have right connectors.

Will take all advice into consideration and will begin cooking something up now...but before I fork out any cash for stuff, recommendations re: cooling gear? Is it worth going the full wammy and going for water cooling? Have never used this before, or seen in use, so want to know people's opinions.

Thanks

 

[Hayder_Master]

sell the mobo and get an i5 system it's really nice and cheap or if you have more money for i7 will be better
but if you can wait a bit there is AMD phenom x6 will be in the markets so this monster around same price with i7

 

[stevednmc]

As far as the PSU goes there is an excellent thread on here that lays everything out quite nicely, who make which item what to avoid and look for etc.. Look for it on here, or if someone has the link please post. I feel the PSU is certainly the top consideration, since you'll be throwin on some parts that cost some money, and you dont want a cheap or over-rated psu to fry it all.

As far as water cooling, if your a new builder i might avoid it, unless your adventurous. I myself havent ventured into that realm yet so im not really one to speak to this, as i am a chicken! lol

As faras cases go: look for something that meets your tastes aesthetically, something with good airflow and a good layout for what you want. Also the features you want as well. I wouldnt cheap out here either. But airflow is he most consideration here. Also, plan ahead, maybe you dont want to water cool now, but you will down the road, so get a case that might support that later, one that has enough depth is important as well, aspecially since Heat sinks are getting bigger. I cant really make a particular recommendation here either as i have long bought the cheapies and regretted it. The build i am buying for now is based on what seems t be a pretty good case for me that i bought here, a silverstone Ft01. So im still learning these things myself. Also consider whether or not you want a full or mid tower, depending on how much room you've got for it and what you intend to stuff in there ultimately.

 

[IXtreme]

I'd say head to the trading section, i recomend any intel c2d/q on 45nm, go for a e7xxx cpu series, those will shurely meet high demands, oc good and will be preety cheap.
Memory : any 800mhz with cl4, go for 2x2gb, will be verry good for the system
VGA : i'd say here that there is no need to invest much... a 9800GT with 512mb will meet any game's demands and it goes verry cheap.
PSU : for a sistem like that a max 500W psu will be enough(with 2 hdd's and a optical), but do no accept anything else then a Active PFC PSU, no necesarily the most expensive one tho.

I only use overkill components, but that is because i am a hardware addict and a benchmark maniac, but my daily sistem is ATOM 1.6ghz with 2gb of ram (power saving).
SRY for my bad english, i hope my advices will help.

 

[rheged]

Okay guys, thanks for all the info. I think I've got enough input here to actually start getting stuff bought. Will let you know how it progresses. Came across a reasonably priced intel e7400 for about £100 on ebuyer.com, so will prob use that. O/Cs quite easily according to the reviews. 45nm etc etc. Hmm... This will be the first time I'll be installing an operating system directly to an SATA HDD on a clean system (last build I did was a few years ago when SATA was still a rare sight)...can I expect any complications?

Don't worry IXtreme, your english is fine