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How-To Geek Forums » Build Your Own PC

First Time Build - Requesting advice and comments

(58 posts)
  • Started 2 months ago by Hydro
  • Latest reply from ScottW
  • Topic Viewed 722 times


1 2 3
Hydro
Posts: 13

This computer will be used for Photoshop Editing, some lightweight video editing, and the normal word processing/spreadsheet stuff. It is based on a system my son's friend put together for gaming. I bought the parts and watched him put it together, and it has been working good for him away at college. I found the process interesting and wanted to try for myself. There might be some gaming on this, but that is not the primary purpose.

Here's what I have so far:

RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEBP 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case With 500W Power
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6811156098

GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6813128337

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6814130318

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6817139004

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6819115017

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6820231174

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6822152100

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
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6827106073

LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DH-16D3S-08
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6827106262

HP LP2065 Silver-Carbonite 20" 8ms LCD Monitor with Height & Pivot Adjustments 300 cd/m2 800:1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6824176053

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD for System Builders
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6832116493

For backup I thought this docking station with another Samsung HD like the one above:

Thermaltake ST0005U ABS Plastic 2.5" & 3.5" USB & eSATA HDD Docking Station
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....6817153071

Posted 2 months ago #
 
thegeek
The Geek
Posts: 1610

Should be a blazing fast computer. My two main questions would be...

1) That monitor is pretty expensive for the size. Is there a specific benefit to that model? I've bought 20" monitors for about half the price.

2) You may want to consider going with a 3.16 ghz core 2 duo processor instead of the quad, as the speed difference will likely be noticeable for regular operations. The only applications that see major benefits in quad core are some video editing or virtual machines, but the 3ghz CPUs have come down in price to the point where it makes more sense to get one of those.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/....._-19115036

Posted 2 months ago #
 
jack7h3r1pp3r
jack7h3r1pp3r
Posts: 2495

i agree with the geek :)

Posted 2 months ago #
 
ScottW
ScottW
Posts: 2571

There are some image processing operations that will benefit from a multi-core processor. However, on balance you would probably get more out of a faster dual-core -- which after all is still multi-core -- as The Geek suggests. See this old blog from an Adobe employee on the issue:
http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2.....icore.html

The one that stopped my eye was the GeForce 8800 GT graphics adapter. Sure, it's still a good chip and popular with the gaming crowd but it's 2 generations back. GeForce went 8-series, 9-series, and is now on 200-series. I would take a look at the Radeon HD 3870 which is only one generation back, can be had for a similar price, but has more modern features. DirectX 10.1, 64-bit support, 320(!) stream processors to the 8800's 112. Here is a selection to look over:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....0HD%203870

Note the Sapphire with Vista x64 drivers included and currently less money (after all rebates). Finally, it may be that image apps and a suite such as CS4 will benefit more from a better GPU than from more CPU cores. Consider the opinion of this blogger, and look for more info because any clown can write a blog:
http://untitledhero.blogspot.c.....on_27.html

Posted 2 months ago #
 
Hydro
Posts: 13

Thanks much for the feedback.Geek, the monitor is an IPS panel, which apparently is desirable for photoediting. Most of the LCD panels around right now are TN. As far as the size, the 20 inch is a good fit where I will be working, and larger IPS panels start to get into the $800 range and higher.

All, I will look at the video card links you provided. A couple of other questions, though:

1. I have done a little research on the 32 vs 64 bit VISTA OC. From what I gather, the 64 bit OC would be better if your system can handle it----but is it a big resource hog? Any comments on that issue?

2. Does the external drive docking station selection with another samsung HD a good choice? I picked that because it seems like it would run cooler. Also, is the Samsung a good HD choice? I want to get a reliable one, and reviews seemed mixed on all the brands. I will be keeping alot of photo files (which I will of course back up) and don't want to skimp on that component.

Thanks for your input!

Posted 2 months ago #
 
Hydro
Posts: 13

Also, taking a look at the Radeon card, does ATI mean you need an AMD processor? That's what one of the reviewers seemed to indicate.

Posted 2 months ago #
 
raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 2499

Hydro,

Go for a ASUS Intel Board equal to or better than GIGABYTE.

Read ASUS MB Specifications in DETAIL.

CAUTION:

I am very, very prejudiced toward ASUS (LOL).

Kindest Regards,
Rick P. ♥ :)

Posted 2 months ago #
 
Hydro
Posts: 13

Can you recommend an ASUS board that equals or exceeds the specs on the Gigabyte? I just a little worried that my knowledge lack will cause me to overlook a compatability issue.

Posted 2 months ago #
 
raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 2499

Hydro,

This is where you become a Real Builder by gaining knowledge through study.

Start by comparing mother boards and components in the same price range as to features, etc.

Search on google for terms you do not understand and study.

Example: Type in ATI CROSSFIRE in (Wikipedia search box) on this site http://www.google.com/search?h.....8;oq=wikop

I will post some sites for good info so keep looking at your topic thread and mark it as a favorite in your profile.

Feel sure other members will jump-in also.

"To build is to learn and to learn is to build"

Kindest Regards,
Rick P. ♥ :)

Posted 2 months ago #
 
thegeek
The Geek
Posts: 1610

Unless you are going to use dual video cards teamed together in CrossFire or SLI (for gaming) you should be perfectly fine. You don't need AMD to use an ATI video card.

Posted 2 months ago #
 
whs
whs
Posts: 6322

Just to give you some input on the Q6600. I have one system with that processor. Very, very disappointing. For any regular task it is no faster than an equivalent (similar GHz) duo core - especially AMD's (of which I have a couple too). Only in Video processing (as the Geek pointed out) I have seen the 4 cores doing a good job. If I had known in the spring what I know now, I would have opted for a 3GHz (+/-) AMD duo processor.

Posted 2 months ago #
 
Budohorseman
Budohorseman
Posts: 687

You may not have noticed, but your case comes with a 500W Power Supply and you have a 550W Power Supply listed as one of your parts. You may want to look for a case without a power supply or just do not get the 550W power supply.

Also, check to see if you will need an eSATA controller card, as I don't think your motherboard includes one (unless you want to use the USB connection).

Posted 2 months ago #
 
raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 2499

@ALL,
As said in above post, I am very, very prejudiced toward ASUS and will add Intel plus ATI plus Seagate (LOL).
This machine just happens to have a "Souped Up" Nvdia card in it because I obtained it very, very cheap.
My other machines all have ATIs.

I'm sure each member has their own favorite Hardware so NOT about to argue (LOL) (LOL).

That is what makes building great !!

It sure beats fooling around with HP, Dell and the rest of "that crowd".

Kindest Regards,
Rick P. ♥ :)

Posted 2 months ago #
 
ScottW
ScottW
Posts: 2571

Hydro: AMD, the company, bought up ATI which used to be a separate company. This does not mean that you need an AMD processor or an AMD chipset to run a ATI video card.

You asked about 32- vs 64-bit "OC", which I'm guessing is supposed to be OS, "Operating System". A 64-bit OS is not going to be a resource hog by comparison to a 32-bit OS. More resources, yes, but not a *lot* more. Some advantages of 64-bit Vista is that you can access all 4 GB of that memory you picked out and more. Vista 32-bit can only access about 3.2 GB tops. A 64-bit OS moves more data and can operate on more of the data, thereby increasing performance. Vista x64 will be less compatible with games, especially any that are older than 2 years.

The external drive dock, the Thermaltake BlackX, is intended for people who have a lot of drives lying around and need to swap them out frequently. It might be cooler, depending on the ambient temperature and air-flow in the room where it's kept. It will almost certainly be noisier than an enclosure which would provide some acoustic dampening.

The Samsung Spinpoint drives are well regarded, as are Western Digital Raptors (for speed), and Seagate Barracudas (for reliability). Mixed reviews are not surprising because there are so many trade-offs to make in a hard disk: speed, reliability, acoustics, power consumption, density, and so on.

Posted 2 months ago #
 
raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 2499

@Chris,
Good Point !!
ESata Raid 10 HDs were originally suppose to be the way to go for External storage.
USB HDs just kind of "sneaked in" under the radar.
This machine has a ESata controller on it but and I am only running (1) Internal HD on it right now.

Kindest Regards,
Rick P. ♥ :)

Posted 2 months ago #
 
Budohorseman
Budohorseman
Posts: 687

Hehe, I know what you mean Rick, my Gigabyte board came with a dual eSATA controller card (PCIe 1x) so I get some good transfer rates across it. Glad I got my external drive with both eSATA and USB ports so I can interface with various PC's as needed.

Posted 2 months ago #
 
0zSpitt
0zSpitt
Posts: 439

is the gigabyte motherboard one worth buying? i'm watching this thread so i can move on with my first build

Posted 2 months ago #
 
Hydro
Posts: 13

Thanks all! This is like drinking through a firehose! Rick P, thanks for you input, and I understand what you mean about learning all the facets of this issue. I have done a fair bit of reseach already, but I probably am not going to have the time right now to get to the same level of expertise you all have before I get this system. I am looking into the alternatives suggested, and learning about issues raised here----so I am not being a complete slacker. I just want to keep from making a critical compatability error or some similar gaffe.

I'm not sure I have time for another hobby anyway----the bull fighting and naked sky diving fills all my spare time right now!

Thanks for all the great input. This forum is great, and you folks are very helpful.

RICK

Posted 2 months ago #
 
Budohorseman
Budohorseman
Posts: 687

Oz, every mobo has their fan boys and their detractors, so it's always hard to get a good feed. My latest build has a Gigabyte board and I've had no problems with it. Keep in mind, they all have good boards and bad boards out.

I'd start my research by looking into the chipsets first (paying close attention to the North Bridge). I typically do most of my hardware research on AnandTech (more technical) and Tom's Hardware. After looking into the chipsets, you can then focus on boards that contain them to help narrow your search. Use both those sites for the mobo's too, also read their forum's, as you are sure to find comments on boards that are not even in reviews/articles on their sites. Also keep in mind on how you plan to use the computer, as they will all have different features, and knowing how to plan to use it will help you narrow down your choices as well.

Posted 2 months ago #
 
raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 2499

Hydro,

Thank You for your nice comments.
I understand how much "stuff" there is to learn.
The only questions left I guess from your post;
(1) You want me to pick out a Motherboard for you and you do the rest ??
(2) You want to go with what you have listed and the recommendations of all ??
(3) You want to put the build in abeyance for awhile ??

In any event, stay with us.
We don't want to lose a good member.
Kindest Regards,
Rick P. ♥ :)

Posted 2 months ago #
 

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