First Build

theMaxx2099 · Oct 7, 2007, 06:03 PM

I plan on building this within the next few months,this is my first build and I could use any suggestions.The only thing set in stone is the PSU because I already have it.
I plan to run Vista Ultimate and use it for moderate gaming,.I may do a little oc'ing on the graphics card and cpu,but nothing major.
Anything in bold is where I'd appreciate the most input.Thanks!

Case: Thermaltake Armor Jr. Silver w/ window
Newegg.com - Thermaltake Armor Jr VC3000SWA Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail.

PSU: OCZ Game X-Stream 600w
Newegg.com - OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB/CE/CSA/UL/FCC - Retail

MOBO: Abit IP35 Pro Off Limits or MSI P35 Platinum
Newegg.com - ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - MSI P35 Platinum LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

CPU: Conroe Intel Core 2 Duo E6550
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail

Memory: ???

FDD: Sony 1.44 MB Internal Floppy Disk Drive
Newegg.com - SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model MPF920 Black - OEM

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320 GB SATA 300 16 MB Cache
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Optical Drive: Black Lite-On Lightscribe DVD Burner
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 8X DVD-R DL 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE Burner with LightScribe Technology - Retail

Graphics Card: HIS HD 2600XT IceQ Turbo 512mb or XFX GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB
Newegg.com - HIS Hightech H260XTQT512DDN-R Radeon HD 2600XT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Newegg.com - XFX PVT84GUDF3 GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

**kris23** · Oct 7, 2007, 07:39 PM

the armor jr case could be changed. the coolermaster 690 is alot better and cheaper.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

the PSU is a decent choice but an 8 pin PCI-E would have been good.

use the Abit IP35PRO its a good board

the E6550 is a good OCing processor, but if you can go quad core, you should.

for memory, go with the crucial Lanfest sticks Newegg.com - Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

a floppy is just a floppy but if you're thinking you could use a good card reader, get this.
Newegg.com - MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 digital card reader with Floppy Drive Model FA404M BLK - OEM

the seagate drive is good, but if you can get the Hitachi drive with the 32mb cache that would be extremely fast

Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000 HDS721075KLA330 (0A35154) 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

a SATA drive is a good idea since IDE is really just getting phased out
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

the graphics card really is personal choice, the drivers are getting better in the 2000 series so id just stick with the 2600

but really, if you can give me a budget i can probably get you something a bit better..

PangingJr · Oct 8, 2007, 12:01 AM

ahh, first build.
you probably can’t afford second best, so like suggested, tell us your budget.
also, it's suggested that you read more into each product first, so that you won't have to give up and go for second build right away if you find the first one is not good enough.

procupine14 · Oct 8, 2007, 12:16 AM

I remember my first build.....luckily it all went together smoothly but in hind sight I should have read a little more in depth on all my products.....lol my first build computer was when Socket A was all the rage of brand new stuff lol.

But i definitely agree with pangingJr on this one.....read up so you know exactly what you are getting (performance wise as well as quality wise)

theMaxx2099 · Oct 8, 2007, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris23

the armor jr case could be changed. the coolermaster 690 is alot better and cheaper.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

the PSU is a decent choice but an 8 pin PCI-E would have been good.

use the Abit IP35PRO its a good board

the E6550 is a good OCing processor, but if you can go quad core, you should.

for memory, go with the crucial Lanfest sticks Newegg.com - Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

a floppy is just a floppy but if you're thinking you could use a good card reader, get this.
Newegg.com - MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 digital card reader with Floppy Drive Model FA404M BLK - OEM

the seagate drive is good, but if you can get the Hitachi drive with the 32mb cache that would be extremely fast

Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000 HDS721075KLA330 (0A35154) 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

a SATA drive is a good idea since IDE is really just getting phased out
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

the graphics card really is personal choice, the drivers are getting better in the 2000 series so id just stick with the 2600

but really, if you can give me a budget i can probably get you something a bit better..

Is there anything specifically wrong with the Armor jr? Some other cases I was considering were the NZXT Hush, or the Raidmax Smilodon. I'm not looking for anything too plain,but nothing really over the top either. Are there any other companies or specific cases you recommend?

The Deskstar is a bit out of my budget,will it give me a really significant boost in performance over the Barracuda?

And as far as my budget, as close to $1,000 as possible.The above build is about $980.
As long as it can play the latest games w/ medium settings it should be okay, I mainly play my Xbox 360,so the PC isn't my primary gaming platform.

theMaxx2099 · Oct 8, 2007, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PangingJr

ahh, first build.
you probably can’t afford second best, so like suggested, tell us your budget.
also, it's suggested that you read more into each product first, so that you won't have to give up and go for second build right away if you find the first one is not good enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by procupine14

I remember my first build.....luckily it all went together smoothly but in hind sight I should have read a little more in depth on all my products.....lol my first build computer was when Socket A was all the rage of brand new stuff lol.

But i definitely agree with pangingJr on this one.....read up so you know exactly what you are getting (performance wise as well as quality wise)

I've been reading reviews here on DH and and any others I could find,I also bought a book, Building the Perfect PC it's been really helpful.

**kris23** · Oct 8, 2007, 04:52 AM

well, the armor jr case has pretty poor airflow on the motherboard, the P35 chipset is a rather warm running item. you could gain alot of good stability with the 690 case. there is also an optional clear sided panel for the 690 but its separate.

the 690 case allows you to install 120 or 140mm of any length on the side panel and top of the case.

and the hitachi drives are equivalent to raptors but with all the capacity

Oct 7, 2007, 06:03 PM	#1
theMaxx2099 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	First Build I plan on building this within the next few months,this is my first build and I could use any suggestions.The only thing set in stone is the PSU because I already have it. I plan to run Vista Ultimate and use it for moderate gaming,.I may do a little oc'ing on the graphics card and cpu,but nothing major. Anything in bold is where I'd appreciate the most input.Thanks! Case: Thermaltake Armor Jr. Silver w/ window Newegg.com - Thermaltake Armor Jr VC3000SWA Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail. PSU: OCZ Game X-Stream 600w Newegg.com - OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB/CE/CSA/UL/FCC - Retail MOBO: Abit IP35 Pro Off Limits or MSI P35 Platinum Newegg.com - ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Newegg.com - MSI P35 Platinum LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail CPU: Conroe Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail Memory: ??? FDD: Sony 1.44 MB Internal Floppy Disk Drive Newegg.com - SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model MPF920 Black - OEM Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320 GB SATA 300 16 MB Cache Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Optical Drive: Black Lite-On Lightscribe DVD Burner Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 8X DVD-R DL 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE Burner with LightScribe Technology - Retail Graphics Card: HIS HD 2600XT IceQ Turbo 512mb or XFX GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB Newegg.com - HIS Hightech H260XTQT512DDN-R Radeon HD 2600XT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail Newegg.com - XFX PVT84GUDF3 GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Oct 7, 2007, 07:39 PM	#2
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,018 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	the armor jr case could be changed. the coolermaster 690 is alot better and cheaper. Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail the PSU is a decent choice but an 8 pin PCI-E would have been good. use the Abit IP35PRO its a good board the E6550 is a good OCing processor, but if you can go quad core, you should. for memory, go with the crucial Lanfest sticks Newegg.com - Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail a floppy is just a floppy but if you're thinking you could use a good card reader, get this. Newegg.com - MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 digital card reader with Floppy Drive Model FA404M BLK - OEM the seagate drive is good, but if you can get the Hitachi drive with the 32mb cache that would be extremely fast Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000 HDS721075KLA330 (0A35154) 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM a SATA drive is a good idea since IDE is really just getting phased out Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM the graphics card really is personal choice, the drivers are getting better in the 2000 series so id just stick with the 2600 but really, if you can give me a budget i can probably get you something a bit better.. __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Oct 8, 2007, 12:16 AM	#4
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	I remember my first build.....luckily it all went together smoothly but in hind sight I should have read a little more in depth on all my products.....lol my first build computer was when Socket A was all the rage of brand new stuff lol. But i definitely agree with pangingJr on this one.....read up so you know exactly what you are getting (performance wise as well as quality wise) __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU

Oct 8, 2007, 04:52 AM	#7
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,018 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	well, the armor jr case has pretty poor airflow on the motherboard, the P35 chipset is a rather warm running item. you could gain alot of good stability with the 690 case. there is also an optional clear sided panel for the 690 but its separate. the 690 case allows you to install 120 or 140mm of any length on the side panel and top of the case. and the hitachi drives are equivalent to raptors but with all the capacity __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Oct 8, 2007, 12:01 AM	#3
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	ahh, first build. you probably can’t afford second best, so like suggested, tell us your budget. also, it's suggested that you read more into each product first, so that you won't have to give up and go for second build right away if you find the first one is not good enough.