First Time Build

keane2097

Hey lads.

My good old Dell Vostro desktop has been acting up for a couple of months now and so I'm thinking of building a new machine.

As it's my first time to build I said I'd come on here looking for a bit of advice.

I'm looking to end up with a machine that can play most games (bar the really sick ones I guess) on close to max settings and just handle having a lot of programs thrown at it at once as I'm a bit of a multitasker.

There's a few things I can rip out of the Dell that might be useful:

22-inch Widescreen monitor - may upgrade in future but not a priority for now.

Wireless Keyboard & mouse - as above.

nVidia GeForce 8800 GT graphics Card - maybe need to upgrade this? Not sure really?

A wd5000aaks 500 GB, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16 MB Cache, 7200 RPM hard drive - will do fine as one of my internal HDs, would ideally like 2TB more to go with it, 1TB more for sure.

Intel Quad Core 2.4GHz processor - not sure of the exact spec but I'll post it up when I can find out.

3Gb Ram - again, not sure of spec but will advise.

I have access to Vista Ultimate, both x86 and x64 - which would people recommend? Does it make much difference?

I guess I need advice on whether the GFX card, processor and RAM are any good.

I also have no knowledge of cases, motherboards, PSUs, cooling systems etc.

What do I need along these lines?

I guess I have around 600 bucks to spend...

Thanks guys.

keane2097

Ok so the info I've found on the processor says it's:

Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor Q6600 2.40 GHz, 2400 MHz, 4 Cores, 4 Logical Processors

I can't find any info on the RAM - anyone know where I should look?

EDIT: I'll also need to add a wireless card...

Deano12345

keane2097 wrote: »

Ok so the info I've found on the processor says it's:

Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor Q6600 2.40 GHz, 2400 MHz, 4 Cores, 4 Logical Processors

I can't find any info on the RAM - anyone know where I should look?

EDIT: I'll also need to add a wireless card...

Download CPU-Z and look in the memory tab.I'd keep the Q6600 and get a new motherboard.Its still a very capable CPU

uberpixie

GFX card: fine for the moment, you can replace this in a while when you find you are not ruunning games at the detail settings you want.

Ram: prob fine to keep, unless you are overclocking heavily. Would try and pop in another 1gig to bring you up to 4 which is perfect for games.

CPU: still perfect for games, keep.

Hardrive: pickup a samsung 1TB F3 (circa €74)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=496258

Use this for OS and games. (partitioned of course!)

Case: anything antec is usually a solid choice. Coolmaster have some very nice stuff as well

Budget: Antec 300 for €48
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=354717

Not budget: antec p183, (the 300 is a cut down version of this)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=478131
Good case for keeping things quiet due to it's thick side panels and layout, but it's not exactly twice the case the antec 300 is considering it's over twice the price and they are fairly similar on the inside! And it's pretty fugly.

Bling: Antec 900 (under €90)
(again based of antec p180/182/182/300 chassis)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=332085

More bling: Coolmaster also do some very good cases eg. HAF 922 (€91)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=461645

Any of the above would serve you well for a build or two and would keep all your parts nice and cool.

PSU: A corsair 620W modular would do nicely, very quiet and extremely stable. (€108.00)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=327672

CPU Cooing: scythe mugen 2 seems pretty popular on here: (EDIT: make sure it's the rev b version you get!)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=575732 (€33)

There are also a various Nocutra and Thermalright CPU coolers you could go for, but they are a little more expensive and perform fairly similar to the scythe.

Re Windows: use 64bit if possible.

Motherboard: ASUS P45 Deluxe (€128)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=352402

You should be able to transfer the guts of your present rig, with a few additions into a new fully working PC for well under €600.

Again I would hang onto the GFX card for a little while as there is still life left in a 8800GT for another few months and you can save some money together to get something much faster.

keane2097

Deano12345 wrote: »

Download CPU-Z and look in the memory tab.I'd keep the Q6600 and get a new motherboard.Its still a very capable CPU

How does this look?




Any recommendations for a new motherboard?

keane2097

uberpixie wrote: »

GFX card: fine for the moment, you can replace this in a while when you find you are not ruunning games at the detail settings you want.

Ram: prob fine to keep, unless you are overclocking heavily. Would try and pop in another 1gig to bring you up to 4 which is perfect for games.

CPU: still perfect for games, keep.

Hardrive: pickup a samsung 1TB F3 (circa €74)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=496258

Use this for OS and games. (partitioned of course!)

Case: anything antec is usually a solid choice. Coolmaster have some very nice stuff as well

Budget: Antec 300 for €48
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=354717

Not budget: antec p183, (the 300 is a cut down version of this)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=478131
Good case for keeping things quiet due to it's thick side panels and layout, but it's not exactly twice the case the antec 300 is considering it's over twice the price and they are fairly similar on the inside! And it's pretty fugly.

Bling: Antec 900 (under €90)
(again based of antec p180/182/182/300 chassis)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=332085

More bling: Coolmaster also do some very good cases eg. HAF 922 (€91)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=461645

Any of the above would serve you well for a build or two and would keep all your parts nice and cool.

PSU: A corsair 620W modular would do nicely, very quiet and extremely stable. (€108.00)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=327672

CPU Cooing: scythe mugen 2 seems pretty popular on here:
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=503435 (€33)

There are also a various Nocutra and Thermalright CPU coolers you could go for, but they are a little more expensive and perform fairly similar to the scythe.

Re Windows: use 64bit if possible.

Motherboard: ASUS P45 Deluxe (€128)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=352402

You should be able to transfer the guts of your present rig, with a few additions into a new fully working PC for well under €600.

Again I would hang onto the GFX card for a little while as there is still life left in a 8800GT for another few months and you can save some money together to get something much faster.

That's a great help thanks.

I'll look into those parts.

Any have anymore suggestions?

Further comment on the suggested mobos, PSUs and cases would be especially welcome.

I'm happy to keep my current processor, add one of the suggested HDs and hold onto the GFX card at the moment which is a good base to be working off.

Deano12345

keane2097 wrote: »

That's a great help thanks.

I'll look into those parts.

Any have anymore suggestions?

Further comment on the suggested mobos, PSUs and cases would be especially welcome.

I'm happy to keep my current processor, add one of the suggested HDs and hold onto the GFX card at the moment which is a good base to be working off.

Gigabyte UD3R/L if you can find them are GREAT overclockers

HAF 922 is good on a budget.It is a big case (so is the 900)if your looking for something a little smaller/cheaper,the Coolermaster 690 is a great case (they have revised it though (only slightly)

Any of Corsairs units are top notch,although the modular 620 watt unit suggested above is more expensive than the non modular 650watt (which is also a newer CWT design,the 620's were all Seasonics,which is no bad thing either)

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=340676

Also,use the DVD drive out of your old PC to save even more,if you can

keane2097

Ok I've spent some time reviewing the cases now.

From what I can see, on my budget it's a straight value for money question between the

Cooler Master HAF 922 Midi Tower Black at ~92 euro
(http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=461645)

at the high end , and the

Antec Three Hundred Midi Tower Black at ~49 euro

(http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=354717)

at the low end.

Do people think the difference in performance is worth the difference in price to get the more expensive case?

keane2097

Looking at the two PSUs that have been recommended to me they both seem like very good products and have gotten rave reviews from customers.

I suppose the question is what extra performance do I get for my extra 40 or so euro if I go for the 620 Watt over the 650 Watt?

Is my usage going to require the more expensive PSU or would it make much of a difference

Deano12345

keane2097 wrote: »

Looking at the two PSUs that have been recommended to me they both seem like very good products and have gotten rave reviews from customers.

I suppose the question is what extra performance do I get for my extra 40 or so euro if I go for the 620 Watt over the 650 Watt?

Is my usage going to require the more expensive PSU or would it make much of a difference

Personally,I would go with the HAF,it has much better airflow than the 300 (given both cases are stock) and its alot easier to work in.

You don't get any extra performance.In fact the cheaper 650 is a newer design and I believe is slightly more efficient,aswell as having a higher total output.The HX620 is modular which means you only connect the cables you want.Thats why the HX is more expensive.But its not worth €40

Nollog

I don't really get what you're upgrading... The case?

What's wrong with your current case other than it having DELL written on it?

Deano12345

/\/ollog wrote: »

I don't really get what you're upgrading... The case?

What's wrong with your current case other than it having DELL written on it?

Crap Airflow,loud fans,propitiatory Motherboard/PSU mounts

keane2097

/\/ollog wrote: »

I don't really get what you're upgrading... The case?

What's wrong with your current case other than it having DELL written on it?

My computer is on the blink. I have to buy a new internal HD at a minimum. I have a bit of cash at the moment, said I'd get a few more bits to go with it and see if I can bulk up the setup a bit.

If you read back over the posts in the thread you will see that I'm looking to get a new HD, PSU, Mobo, CPU cooler, case and extra RAM at a minimum.

Can you offer any advice at all?

EDIT:

I forgot to mention that my GFX card is a 512MB - I don't know if that's standard or not, maybe it makes a difference...

witnessmenow

i have the antec 300 case, i love it, its got really good air flow and build quality for the price.

keane2097

witnessmenow wrote: »

i have the antec 300 case, i love it, its got really good air flow and build quality for the price.

D'you think it's better value for money than the more expensive one then yeah?

Deano12345

keane2097 wrote: »

D'you think it's better value for money than the more expensive one then yeah?

It depends,it comes with a smaller top exhaust than the 922 (140mm on the A300 vs 200mm on the HAF 922) and the A300 doesn't include any front intake (with space for 2x120) where the HAF does

keane2097

Deano12345 wrote: »

It depends,it comes with a smaller top exhaust than the 922 (140mm on the A300 vs 200mm on the HAF 922) and the A300 doesn't include any front intake (with space for 2x120) where the HAF does

Would the Scythe Mugen 2 CPU Cooler be suitable with both of those cases dyou think?

Deano12345

keane2097 wrote: »

Would the Scythe Mugen 2 CPU Cooler be suitable with both of those cases dyou think?

It would fit in the HAF922 for sure,I'm not sure about the A300

keane2097

Ok so far I think I'm gonna go with the HAF922 and Scythe Mugen 2 CPU Cooler with a Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA2 and Corsair TX650W PSU for a combined total of €285.32 ex. delivery.

After that I still need:

Motherboard:

The only one that's been recommended to me so far is the ASUS P45 Deluxe (€128)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=352402

What are peoples' thoughts on this piece? I assume it will work happily enough with the other components I've picked...?

I'll also need to pick up another GB of RAM at least - that assumes the 3GB I already have is ok?



Am I forgetting anything?

Deano12345

keane2097 wrote: »

Ok so far I think I'm gonna go with the HAF922 and Scythe Mugen 2 CPU Cooler with a Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA2 and Corsair TX650W PSU for a combined total of €285.32 ex. delivery.

After that I still need:

Motherboard:

The only one that's been recommended to me so far is the ASUS P45 Deluxe (€128)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=352402

What are peoples' thoughts on this piece? I assume it will work happily enough with the other components I've picked...?

I'll also need to pick up another GB of RAM at least - that assumes the 3GB I already have is ok?



Am I forgetting anything?

That ram will do fine.I should have made it clearer but I suggested the Gigabyte UD series.Komplett doesn't stock the best range,but I'm sure somewhere will stock the UD3R

keane2097

Deano12345 wrote: »

That ram will do fine.I should have made it clearer but I suggested the Gigabyte UD series.Komplett doesn't stock the best range,but I'm sure somewhere will stock the UD3R

Cool thanks, sorry I missed where you said that earlier.

I've found these three on pixmania:

UD3R:

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R - LGA1366 Socket - X58 + ICH10R Chipset - ATX
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/2289812/art/gigabyte/ga-ex58-ud3r-lga1366-sock.html
€169.20

GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R - Socket 1156 - Chipset P55 - ATX
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/3622625/art/gigabyte/ga-p55-ud3r-socket-1156-c.html
€119.41

GIGABYTE GA-EP41-UD3L - Socket 775 - Chipset G41 - ATX
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/2747576/art/gigabyte/ga-ep41-ud3l-socket-775-c.html
€53.68

Not a clue what I'm looking at here - any pointers would be very much appreciated...

IrishGrimReaper

Just an FYI, the Mugen 2 will fit in an Antec 300.

Deano12345

keane2097 wrote: »

Cool thanks, sorry I missed where you said that earlier.

I've found these three on pixmania:

GIGABYTE GA-EP41-UD3L - Socket 775 - Chipset G41 - ATX
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/2747576/art/gigabyte/ga-ep41-ud3l-socket-775-c.html
€53.68

Not a clue what I'm looking at here - any pointers would be very much appreciated...

Thats the only one that will work for you.Although there should be a P (41/43/45) thats better for overclocking

keane2097

Deano12345 wrote: »

Thats the only one that will work for you.Although there should be a P (41/43/45) thats better for overclocking

It says "This Gigabyte GA-EP41-UD3L motherboard can handle up to 8 GB of RAM and has connections including 8 USB ports for hooking up all kinds of peripherals" so I guess that's what you're talking about?

You think this is a better option than the ASUS P45 Deluxe?

It's much cheaper which is good I guess...

witnessmenow

Well i dont know alot about the HAF, but if you like the look of the Antec i'd see no reason why not to get it. I've a Scythe ninja in mine


Re-using the old CPU and HD is great and all but its going to leave you with an almost worthless Case/mobo/PSU. If it was me I would leave the HD where it is and buy a second TB spinpoint if you have the cash. Maybe take the CPU , but maybe consider trying to pick a cheaper one up second hand to go into the vostro, you might make a couple of hundred euro on it if its complete.

keane2097

Guys this is what I'm thinking of going for:



Thoughts?

EDIT:

One of the main things I'm wondering is if I'll have ample cooling here to overclock my i5?