Yet Another PC Build Thread - Entered Build/Install Phase

[FFMooglestar]

Edit: The last piece I was waiting for came in today, hopefully I can get this thing built.

Alright guys, I managed to pick up an good CPU from Fry's for cheap and want to build around it. I'm trying to get a good best bang for my buck system going.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale (2.53 GHz and easily OC'able from what I hear)
$79.99 @ Fry's (Deal was from last friday)

Mobo: Asus P5Q
$118.00 - $12.50 IR (ZZF Combo Deal) http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008660

Ram: 2x1GB OCZ PC2-8500
$54.99 - $30.00 MIR - $12.50 IR (ZZF Combo Deal) http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85279

(Bundle info here http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Special/ASUS_092508_IS_Bundle.jsp?intpromo=ASUS_092508_IS_ Bundle_HPG)

GPU: eVGA 9800GT Superclock Edition
$129.99 - $20.00 MIR http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10009031

Case + PSU: NSK6580 (Comes with 430W Antec EarthWatts)
$104.24 w/ %20 Live Cashback from Buy.com's eBay account. http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-new-solution-series-chassis-tower-w-430w-psu-black-silver-antec/q/loc/101/204901696.html

CD/DVD Drive: LG SATA DVD Burner
$23.99 http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008692

HDD: Hitatchi Deskstar P7K500 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
$46.99 http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007571

OS: Microsoft Server 2008
Free D/L for College Students

All ZZF Purchases will get an addition 2% Live Cashback.


I think this is a pretty decent setup. Is there anything better I can do considering the prices for each of my picks? I'd love any feedback you guys have.

[SOSTrooper]

Despite what others may say, your Antec 430W will be enough to power the entire system without problems. But if you do decide later to upgrade your video card, or to a quad core CPU, then you may need to consider upgrading the power supply in the future as well.

The only problem I see is: OS: Microsoft Server 2008. Even though it's built on the same architecture as Vista is built on, and it is free, I'm not sure about using it as everyday computer (for gaming especially). I mean, if you go to nVidia.com and try to download the latest driver, there is no option for Windows Server 2008. You can try to install the Vista x86/x64 versions, but I can't guarantee that they'll work without problems. Though I'm sure the OS comes with some sort of basic drivers, but it's probably not optimized for gaming.

[crystalklear64]

Windows Vista business should be free as well.

[FFMooglestar]

After reading multiple articles like:

http://jaysonrowe.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/windows-server-2008-workstation-take-3/

I've decided I want to at least try out Server 2008. That said, I have a copy of XP Pro 32Bit I can fall back on.

[Conroy]

Go for it. Server 2008 should be nice. You might want to set up a dual boot 2-3 partition system initially with your XP pro and leave it for a few months until you're comfortable that Server 2008 can do everything you need it to. That's what I did back in February with Vista 64 and XP pro 32. Also, are you going to be running 64-bit? If so, you might want to get 4gb of slower memory, if you can get a similar price. PC2-6400 is all you need.
I guess the cheapest I can find at newegg is 4gb of corsair for $45, which is still almost double what you're paying for 2gb. It's up to you.

I agree that 430 watts is enough, with a good 80+ power supply like the EarthWatts.

You might want an aftermarket CPU cooler if you want to overclock, but it might not be necessary with these great new Wolfdale CPU's.

Other than that, your system looks pretty good. I love my 500gb P7k500 drive. I don't know much about your case, but my Antec Solo is nice and quiet.

[FFMooglestar]

Plans definitely changed in the 20 days that I've been shopping for parts. Here is what we are up to:

CPU: E7200
79.99 from Fry's

Mobo: Asus P5Q-E
$95.19 Shipped after Live Cashback

Ram: Crucial 2x2GB 800MHz (Micron D9 Chips, which are supposedly pretty good)
$22.99 after MIR from Fry's

PSU: Antec Earthwatts 500
$33.00 Shipped after Live Cashback

Case: Antec 300
$44.58 Shipped After Live Cashback

DVD Burner: Sony Optiarc SATA
$21.99 + F/S @ Newegg

HDD: 2 x 500GB Samsung Spinpoint F1's 7200RPM 16MB Cache 3.0 GB/s
$59.99 each + F/S @ Newegg


So all that's left at this point is a Graphics Card. Right now I'm waiting on a killer deal on a ATI 4850 and potentially Crossfiring it later, or a single 4870, until I feel the need to upgrade again in which case I'd probably need a new PSU.

[52club]

Unless you plan on OC'ing the e7200 I would suggest you upgrade that to a Q6600 at least, the difference in price is the the difference in performance IMO. BTW I have a recently built PC with the e7200, and one with the q6600. Unless you need 1tb of space I would give up one of the HD's to upgrade your CPU.

[Sideswiper]

I would go for the GTX 260 video card if at all possible.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130370

I really like Corsair power supplies, and I haven't heard much about Antec's.

Are you getting two hard drives to run them in RAID? Because RAID really isn't worth it, you'd be better getting a 10,000rpm drive, and even then that isn't worth it either. If you just want more space, well, that's a good deal.

[FFMooglestar]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'm definitely going to be OC'ing the e7200. I'll probably go Quad when the Q9550 or 9650 becomes affordable.

I'm definitely going to be needing the 1TB of Hard drive space, and I'm not too familiar with RAID so I'm probably not setting that up. I went with two HDDs so if one drive fails, I don't completely lose all of my data.

I'll definitely keep the GTX 260 in mind if I can get a killer price for one.

[nikkai]

That's a lot of porn

[FFMooglestar]

That's a lot of porn

C'mon dude, doesn't everybody stream porn these days? I like to put all of my DVD's and CD's onto my PC, hence the need for a decent sized HDD.

[Sideswiper]

I just got a NewEgg newsletter with some promo codes.

This drive is supposed to be really fast for a 7200RPM drive.
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL103008&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL103008-_-HardDrives-_-L2C-_-22136284
Your Price: $139.99
After $10.00 Promo Code
EMCBADABE

This hard drive is a little bit bigger than the one you picked for a little bit more.
Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148335&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL103008&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL103008-_-HardDrives-_-L0A-_-22148335
$74.99 after $5 promo code: EMCBADABD

[redline]

Not sure if you can squeeze a GTX 260 into that Antec 300. Supposedly it's a tight fit for the Antec 900, the card is 10.5 inches long.

[52club]

4870 plus 8 gig flash drive $191.50, 4870 for $150 by BF? I you are going to purchase prior to that this is a great deal on a great video card. The issue if you are on a budget is the power supply you need to run this would increase your cost as well.

http://http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=986227

[SOSTrooper]

Slickdeals.net (http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=986227) reported a newegg deal on the Sapphire HD 4870 card for $192 after rebate.

Ooops I was 10 mins late :)

[FFMooglestar]

4870 plus 8 gig flash drive $191.50, 4870 for $150 by BF? I you are going to purchase prior to that this is a great deal on a great video card. The issue if you are on a budget is the power supply you need to run this would increase your cost as well.

http://http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=986227

Thanks guys I may jump on that deal, but I hear the rebate website for the card is absolutely terrible.

Also would I really need a PSU upgrade? Sapphire website for this card says:
–500 Watt or greater power supply with two 75W 6-pin PCI Express® power connectors recommended

[SOSTrooper]

The Antec 500W you picked out should be fine, but if you plan to add another 4870 for crossfire down the road you might have to upgrade later.

[FFMooglestar]

I'm picking up a Sapphire 4870 of Craigslist tomorrow. $180.00 with no shipping, tax, or rebates feels like a good deal to me. Comes in original box and with all the accessories.

So it looks like I've got every piece now. My order from Newegg should arrive Monday, so hopefully I'll get everything built that day. I'll post here if problems arise.

edit: So I just got the extra 120mm Case fans that can fit into the Antec 300, and they didn't come with any screws. I guess I'll wander into Home Depot and find something I can use....

edit 2: So, the plan was to meet up today at a 1:00PM. The guy lives maybe 40 minutes from my place, but I figure since it's a good price, I'll drive up there. Half way there, he tells me he's not home yet and won't be back til 5:00PM. Bullcrap! We then planned to meet later, but then I decided to push it off til tomorrow. I then decided to look through eBay and, I found a 4870 with a Buy It Now option at 180 and Free Shipping. Cashback brings it to 135, how sweet is that. I'll have to wait a few more days now, but at least I get $45.00 Cash Back a little later.

As well I found screws that let me mount the fans at Lowe's, and my NewEgg order came in yesterday, so I'm just waiting on the Graphics Card now to get my new baby up. Here's to hoping that I get the card sometime next week and everything power's up and runs fine!

[Sideswiper]

What's the first game you are going to fire up on that baby?

[FFMooglestar]

Haha, good question, the newest PC Games I have are Warhammer and Spore. I'm thinking about checking out what Crysis is all about, and I don't know if I want to keep my Fallout 3 for 360, or trade it in for the PC version. I got the CoD 5 Beta for PC, so I'll throw that up on there as well. I assembled everything so far, so it's just a waiting game on the graphics card. It seriously can't come soon enough.

[Claymore729]

Haha, good question, the newest PC Games I have are Warhammer and Spore. I'm thinking about checking out what Crysis is all about, and I don't know if I want to keep my Fallout 3 for 360, or trade it in for the PC version. I got the CoD 5 Beta for PC, so I'll throw that up on there as well. I assembled everything so far, so it's just a waiting game on the graphics card. It seriously can't come soon enough.

Well, I don't know much about Warhammer, but I can definitely tell you that the first four stages of Spore are a total slog-fest. It really doesn't get good until the Space stage. Since you already have Fallout 3 for the 360, I'm not sure I'd advocate trading it in. You should pick up Dead Space, though, and put down a preorder on Mirror's Edge if you still can. Both of those games promise to be very very good when I get them and get them working.

[FFMooglestar]

So my HD4870 came in today and have started putting my baby together.

My first go at it went like this... It seemed as if everything is connected perfectly. I had the right cables going into the right places and it all looks good to go. Connected power cord, mouse, keyboard, and monitor to test it out. Flipped the power switch, and pressed the power button! Then nothing, not even the fans started spinning. My heart basically sank at that moment, thinking that somehow I had managed to short the Motherboard

I opened up the PC, and double checked my work, everything seemed to be fine. After that I searched around online for possible solutions. Somehow I get to a post talking about clearing the CMOS. I checked out the manual and looked around and found that the jumper was set to "Clear RTC." I set it back to normal and it seems to be booting fine now.

I popped in my Server 2008 DVD, and the installation is painfully slow. Not sure if that's normal. However it looks to have installed ok.

Current Problems:
Only one of my two hard drives is recognized.
edit: To clarify, the BIOS reads both hard drives, but as I enter windows, only one hard drive shows up. My DVD RW drive is connected to Sata 1, HDD1 to Sata 2, and HDD2 to Sata 3. Would switching their order do anything?
edit2: Figured out that I had to go into Disk Management and add it in from there.