Working on new PC build - advice/input?

Mid Boss

Mid Boss

CAGiversary!
This is going to be my first time actually building a pc on my own and I'm building from scratch so I have to get a monitor/keyboard/mouse/speakers too. I think I've got everything covered, but I'd like to be sure I'm not forgetting anything or can't cut some more costs here and there or can get anything better for about the same price or less. Mainly what I want is a pc that's gonna be able to handle Fallout 3 without too much trouble when it comes out.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=10460008

And before anyone mentions it, I know I didn't include an OS here since I already have another source to get Vista. I really don't want to spend much more than what I have layed out here. With various combo deals it all comes out to around $950 shipped and I can get about $50 in mail-in rebates.
 
I have a few suggestions to what you have. The video card is a little weak, especially if you want to run Fallout 3 at a relatively high setting. Also the Motherboard is a bit excessive for your build. It's an SLI board, but you are using only one video card. I suggest finding another one that doesn't include SLI (should cost around 80-90) and use the left over money to get a better video card. I'd give you a suggestion, but it would just be a guess since my last build was an AMD build.

For the video card, I suggest going with either the 4850 or the 9800gt. Both of these cards are much better than the one you chose (personal choice would be the 4850) and should be able to handle Modern games pretty well.
 
I've got a similar set up (see signature). I agree with the other poster the 9600 is not enough video card. The only reason I got one was because I got in on a amazon deal when it was $65 after rebate. I would spend less on the case though. You might be able to get away with picking up this one (same one I used) http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...778&siteID=.7WaaTN6umc-23L30XZS.K9.C3j6Hq7QLQ

With the $110 you save upgrade that video card and processor IMO.
 
I know the SLI board is excessive when I only have one video card, but I was planning on eventually adding a second. This build was just to start, I'm trying to build something that will be relatively easy and inexpensive to upgrade in the future. But I'm not entirely opposed to dropping the SLI board.

I've had good experiences with ASUS so I was sort of looking at this one if I drop SLI:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131335

I was also looking at this 9800gt if I were to go with a more powerful video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150316

I'm open to any other suggestions for either of these though.

It's gonna be hard for me to drop that particular case though. I know I can get a good case cheaper, but that case is something I've been wanting almost since I first saw it. And right now newegg has a combo deal with the case and power supply for $120 which is part of why I included it.
 
[quote name='FloodsAreUponUS']Grab a 4870. Its money well spent.

Also get an 8400 and OC it.

Thats the advice I have.[/quote]

I could maybe justify going to the 8400 for the processor, but the 4870 cards simply cost more than I can afford right now. I'm already probably gonna drop the monitor I picked out in favor of an old CRT right now because I think I'd be spending to much already, so spending almost $300 on a graphics card is out of the question.
 
That case isn't going to help your performance significantly. A nice video card will, like the 4870. Essentially you are putting looks above performance which I think is silly in my opinion, but you know what they say about opinions. At the end of the day it is your money, so spend it on what makes you feel like you got the best value for your buck. Good Luck:pray:.
 
Give this case a look, I have it and it's great: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 You may actually be able to find it cheaper at other sites although Newegg is generally the best for everything else, just the shipping is high on cases whereas you may get free shipping somewhere else.

Also give this speaker set a look: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121126
Try elsewhere for free shipping and a possible %off coupon, somewhere like buy.com might have a good deal on them. It's a great 5.1 set for not much more than what you're paying for the 2.1 setup.

In general I would get the cheaper components like your mouse and keyboard elsewhere since newegg's shipping is kinda high on these. Stick to newegg for the "guts" of the system though.
 
[quote name='Mid Boss']I know the SLI board is excessive when I only have one video card, but I was planning on eventually adding a second. This build was just to start, I'm trying to build something that will be relatively easy and inexpensive to upgrade in the future. But I'm not entirely opposed to dropping the SLI board.

I've had good experiences with ASUS so I was sort of looking at this one if I drop SLI:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131335

I was also looking at this 9800gt if I were to go with a more powerful video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150316

I'm open to any other suggestions for either of these though.

It's gonna be hard for me to drop that particular case though. I know I can get a good case cheaper, but that case is something I've been wanting almost since I first saw it. And right now newegg has a combo deal with the case and power supply for $120 which is part of why I included it.[/quote]

Even though you plan on getting a 2nd card, 2 9600gt won't out perform most single cards that cost the same amount SLI is only at all useful on at least midrange cards (i.e. 9800 series or higher or 4850 or higher for crossfire). Even then I don't think they're worth the extra cost.
 
I suggest you get a 4850, I have one and it is awesome. It's also very close to your price range.

Also, why are you getting Arctic Silver 5? I mean if you are planning to OC then you need a custom cooler.
 
[quote name='52club']That case isn't going to help your performance significantly. A nice video card will, like the 4870. Essentially you are putting looks above performance which I think is silly in my opinion, but you know what they say about opinions. At the end of the day it is your money, so spend it on what makes you feel like you got the best value for your buck. Good Luck:pray:.[/quote]

I'm not entirely opposed to dropping the case, though I sure as hell am not going to do so to spend that money on a video card that costs more than twice the cost of any other part in the thing. I'm already dropping the monitor in favor of an old CRT because I'm afraid I may be spending too much. I might go for a better processor since the jump to an e8400 or q6600 only involves a $50-70 jump as opposed to a $150 one, but I can't justify going to the 4870 for my graphics card at current prices. Maybe the 4850.

EDIT:

Okay, I've got an updated build here. I'm gonna dropping the sli mobo, going with a different case and power supply and upgrading the cpu and graphics card.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131335
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
Optical drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156
Hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145215
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269

Better?

Considering the extra shipping with the speakers, mouse, and keyboard, I'm dropping those and planning on just getting them at a B&M store.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote name='Mid Boss']I'm not entirely opposed to dropping the case, though I sure as hell am not going to do so to spend that money on a video card that costs more than twice the cost of any other part in the thing. I'm already dropping the monitor in favor of an old CRT because I'm afraid I may be spending too much. I might go for a better processor since the jump to an e8400 or q6600 only involves a $50-70 jump as opposed to a $150 one, but I can't justify going to the 4870 for my graphics card at current prices. Maybe the 4850.

EDIT:

Okay, I've got an updated build here. I'm gonna dropping the sli mobo, going with a different case and power supply and upgrading the cpu and graphics card.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131335
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
Optical drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156
Hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145215
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269

Better?

Considering the extra shipping with the speakers, mouse, and keyboard, I'm dropping those and planning on just getting them at a B&M store.[/quote]


Everything looks good as far as I can tell. I'm actually using that case right now and it works great. Your CPU link goes to the video card again, but assuming you're using the one from before or the e8400 it should be good. My only concern would be the hard drive. I've had 2 Hitachi Deskstars fail on me. However this was about 4 years ago so I don't know how they are now.
 
[quote name='Mid Boss']I'm not entirely opposed to dropping the case, though I sure as hell am not going to do so to spend that money on a video card that costs more than twice the cost of any other part in the thing. I'm already dropping the monitor in favor of an old CRT because I'm afraid I may be spending too much. I might go for a better processor since the jump to an e8400 or q6600 only involves a $50-70 jump as opposed to a $150 one, but I can't justify going to the 4870 for my graphics card at current prices. Maybe the 4850.

EDIT:

Okay, I've got an updated build here. I'm gonna dropping the sli mobo, going with a different case and power supply and upgrading the cpu and graphics card.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131335
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
Optical drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156
Hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145215
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269

Better?

Considering the extra shipping with the speakers, mouse, and keyboard, I'm dropping those and planning on just getting them at a B&M store.[/quote]

If you don't plan on OC'ing the e7200 I would plan on upgrading the processor. I was able to OC my e7200 relatively easily. It just took a little time and research since it was my first time.
 
[quote name='thespamofpower']Everything looks good as far as I can tell. I'm actually using that case right now and it works great. Your CPU link goes to the video card again, but assuming you're using the one from before or the e8400 it should be good. My only concern would be the hard drive. I've had 2 Hitachi Deskstars fail on me. However this was about 4 years ago so I don't know how they are now.[/quote]

Whoops, the CPU link was supposed to go to the E8400. I was looking at possibly switching out the Hitachi drive anyway, but it looked good for the price compared to Seagate and WD drives in the same size. It might be worth the extra cost though for something I know won't break down on me.

I think I'm gonna wait a little bit to get all of this together anyway right now so I'll have time to think about this some more. My money situation has kind of changed lately and it might not be such a good idea to drop so much money in one shot at the moment. I'm probably going to try and slowly build this up over the next few months buying a couple parts at a time instead. I dunno, I'm definitely gonna build this thing, but I'm gonna have to do it slower than I'd like.
 
[quote name='Mid Boss']Whoops, the CPU link was supposed to go to the E8400. I was looking at possibly switching out the Hitachi drive anyway, but it looked good for the price compared to Seagate and WD drives in the same size. It might be worth the extra cost though for something I know won't break down on me.

I think I'm gonna wait a little bit to get all of this together anyway right now so I'll have time to think about this some more. My money situation has kind of changed lately and it might not be such a good idea to drop so much money in one shot at the moment. I'm probably going to try and slowly build this up over the next few months buying a couple parts at a time instead. I dunno, I'm definitely gonna build this thing, but I'm gonna have to do it slower than I'd like.[/quote]

I did something similar. I was able to get the case, psu, dvd-drive, card reader, and OS over time. Getting a good deal on each. Then I just waited for a good deal on a video card, processor, MB, or Hard drive. Once I got the deal on my 9600GT ($65 AR) I ordered the other parts.
 
[quote name='Mid Boss'] I was looking at possibly switching out the Hitachi drive anyway, but it looked good for the price compared to Seagate and WD drives in the same size. It might be worth the extra cost though for something I know won't break down on me. [/quote]
Seagate drives, even the OEM ones, come with a 5 year warranty, IIRC.
 
Nice build, I won't worry too much about an expensive graphics card, if you're gong to run a CRT and don't plan on running with maxed out resolution an 8800GT should work just fine and NewEgg has several deals around $100.
 
Thanks everyone for the help so far. I have another question now: Is there anything to be gained by looking towards AMD for my CPU instead? Is there anything from AMD I could maybe look at that could offer comparable performance to what I've looked at from Intel, but cheaper?

[quote name='zionoverfire']Nice build, I won't worry too much about an expensive graphics card, if you're gong to run a CRT and don't plan on running with maxed out resolution an 8800GT should work just fine and NewEgg has several deals around $100.[/quote]

I've seen the prices and I definitely have been considering that as an option. I'm not gonna be fully building this thing up just yet though, so I'm gonna be waiting to see where prices are at when I want to grab the graphics card. For the time being, if I buy anything soon, it'll probably just be a case, psu, and vista.
 
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