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Building a new PC

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Hardware Discussion & Support Discuss your computer - its components or ANY hardware, past/current/future you want, or ask our forum experts if you have a general problem with your hardware.

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Old Jul 11, 2006, 09:55 PM   #1
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arrow Building a new PC
Hey all!

I've done some research and I've come up with a pretty awesome system that fits my $2,500 budget. I'd just like to hear all of your suggestions, comments, recommendations, etc etc so that I know I'm getting the best for what I'm paying for. Here is what I have so far (ordering everything through NewEgg btw). Please keep in mind this is my very first time building my own PC:

$149 - Case: Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black
$89 - Power Supply: Antec TruePowerII 550 Watts
$179 - Motherboard: ASUS A8N32 - SLi Deluxe
$357 - Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (939 Pinned)
$200 - Memory: Corsair XMS 2 GB (2x 1 GB) DDR400; PC3200; Timing: 2-3-2-5 (I think).
$289 ea. ($579 Total) - Video Cards: 2x XFX GeForce 7900GT Extreme's. (Going to SLi them)
$63.99 - Processor Heatsink: Zalman CNPS 9500 AM2
$6 - CPU Thermal Paste: Artic Silver
$169.99 - Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74 GB; 10,000 RPM ATA 150
$31.99 - DVD/CD-RW Drive: Samsung 16x DVD +- Burner w/ LightScribe
$137.99 - Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2 OEM
$79.99 - Headphones: Sennheiser HD 280
$45.99 - Keyboard: Microsoft Natural 4000 B2M-00012
$29.95 - Mouse: Logitech MX518
$5 - Mousepad (lol): Xtrac Mouse Pad
$21.99 - Surge Suppressor: CyberPower 890
$294.99 - Monitor: BenQ FP202W Black 20.1' DVI 8 MS LCD Let me know if I'm possibly missing anything. I don't plan on buying a sound card since I'm just going to use the on-board one since I'll basically be using HeadPhones the whole time. Thanks in advance!
Last edited by IgneousPrime; Jul 11, 2006 at 10:28 PM.
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Old Jul 11, 2006, 10:02 PM   #2
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Buy a good soundcard

seriously, even if you only plan to use mostly headphones, that kinda rig neads a decent soundcard
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Old Jul 11, 2006, 10:04 PM   #3
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The case RULES mate... I got it too and it rocks! If ever, mod the front to install two 120mm fan intakes, very quiet and powerful!

And get a bigger HD. One raptor and one normal big Sata drive for larger files. Best way! As a keyboardm I'd get he logitech G15 or somethnig...

For the mouse pad, get an Xtrac Pad, I reviewed on here on DH so read it and you'd be surprised. Very cheap and a really good pad!
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Old Jul 11, 2006, 10:09 PM Threadstarter Thread Starter   #4
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Haha, yeah, I was really thinking about getting a sound card, but I may do that later, if I do get a sound card or another harddrive, it'll rape mycurrent budget (its exactly at $2,495 right now, LOL!) .

Oh, also, I forgot to add the monitor I'm buying included in the budget....knew I was missing something. I'll post it on my first topic
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Old Jul 11, 2006, 10:11 PM   #5
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And why do you avoid buying a AM2 system??
or just wait for Core Duo
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Old Jul 11, 2006, 10:13 PM Threadstarter Thread Starter   #6
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Isn't an AM2 PC more expensive and such (Cause I'll be needing DDR2 ram, etc etc)?

Also, whats the brand name for the mouse pad, Sandok?

EDIT: Oh wait, is it this one?: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817114183
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Old Jul 11, 2006, 10:17 PM   #7
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Yeah that's the brand... I personally got he Zoom but all of theirs are top notch.
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Old Jul 11, 2006, 10:29 PM Threadstarter Thread Starter   #8
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Alright, cool, thanks. Updated the first post a little, changed the monitor. Anyone have any experience with this monitor? Anymore suggestions? I'd love to get another harddrive, but I was like: "2x 7900 GT's or a 300 GB Hardrive...hrm..." Lol. Obvious choice there 74 will suffice for a while
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Old Jul 12, 2006, 12:07 AM   #9
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I'll still take my case any day:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811208005

AND, I got it for that price off the shelf locally at MicroCenter.

BUT, I did put my own PSU in it. A 500W with a 28A 12V rail.

AND, it was still less money than the one you're looking at....getting.
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Old Jul 12, 2006, 02:55 AM Threadstarter Thread Starter   #10
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Hrm, wow, it is a lot cheaper and it looks sexy to the max. I'll have to look around a bit more, but that looks awesome. And yeah, I was thinking of replacing the stock PSU with the Antec I'm planning to buy now.

Thanks for the recommendation
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Old Jul 12, 2006, 03:48 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by IgneousPrime
Hrm, wow, it is a lot cheaper and it looks sexy to the max. I'll have to look around a bit more, but that looks awesome. And yeah, I was thinking of replacing the stock PSU with the Antec I'm planning to buy now.

Thanks for the recommendation
There's ample cooling with this one, too. I'm really happy with it.
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Old Jul 12, 2006, 06:18 AM   #12
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Damn, wish I would of seen this thread earlier.

I just sold my processor, ram, and motherboard for $300.00
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Old Jul 12, 2006, 07:17 PM   #13
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Just for note, I don't think you can use an AM2 cooler with a 939 system
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Old Jul 13, 2006, 04:46 AM   #14
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Just for note, I don't think you can use an AM2 cooler with a 939 system
Yes you can, check the compatibility on Zalman's site.
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Old Jul 13, 2006, 09:50 PM   #15
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Yes you can, check the compatibility on Zalman's site.
Zalman is different.... their coolers come with every mounting system known to man. I bet I could get one to fit just fine on my Tandy.
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Old Jul 14, 2006, 09:15 AM   #16
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BTW, if you check out the MicroCenter WEBsite, the case I posted earlier in this thread is presently $59.99.


http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos...duct_id=206398
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Old Jul 15, 2006, 08:15 AM Threadstarter Thread Starter   #17
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Awesome, thanks a bunch guys. I knew it was compatible cause' NewEgg recommended it, lol. Anyway, I just wanted to know what I do once I get everything all running and stuff. Download the latest drivers for all my hardware, etc etc, but is there anything I should do to break it in? Maybe leave it on overnight doing a CPU intensive task? Or is that a bad idea? I just want to know what to do to break it in and make sure everything is stable. Maybe there's a possible program for that?

Sorry for all the questions
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Old Jul 15, 2006, 11:00 AM   #18
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If there's one thing I would do at the first, it would be to run MemTest 86 overnight to make sure the Memory is good and stable.

Otherwise, just get the latest drivers for everything and then have as much fun as you can while you can.
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