First Build - Spec Check :)

[Jaaay]

Hey, im new here, just got my account validated
I am hoping to build my first new computer.
Looking forward to it loads.
Need it to be pretty cheap, as i don't have the biggest budget.
Not really in to gaming, maybe a bit of The Sims 2 here and there
Mainly going to be used to stream movies from the pc to my tv, and general browsing, downloading, msn, and encoding movies etc.
Just a quick spec check before i order bits and bobs;

Intel Core 2 DUO E6400
Gigabyte GA965P-DS3 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
GeForce 7600GS 256MB DDR2 SLI, DVI, VGA, PCI-E
Akasa AK-ZEN-01-BK Zen Black Case
OCZ Modstream OCZ52012U 520W
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus21 160Gb 2Mb Cache SATA II Hard Disk Drive <11.0ms 7200rpm - OEM
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC)

Will be using optical drives from this current (old) pc im on atm.
I guess i won't be able to use my 250GB IDE hdd with the DS3, so that's got to go, might add another hdd later on.

Comes to £556.54 all in all.
So its not that bad, any recommendations? Do's and Dont's will be greatly appreciated.

Jay

 

[Jaaay]

Thanks guys, ill probably invest in a 250GB+ Hdd, probably a Samsung spinpoint one, as i heard they are quite quiet. Also i will probably purchase a 80GB hdd for Windows, programs etc.

Does the RAM and everything fit?
Because ill probably end up ordering it on the weekend.

I will also look into getting a 7600GT, any reasons why it would benefit me as i dont really do much gaming etc...


Thanks,
Jay

 

[Jaaay]

Intel Core 2 DUO E6400
Gigabyte GA965P-DS3 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
******** GeForce 7600GT PCI-E 256MB DDR3 DVI/TVO SLI
Akasa AK-ZEN-01-BK Zen Black Case
OCZ Modstream OCZ52012U 520W
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC)
320 Gb Samsung HD321KJ Spinpoint T, SATA300, 7200 rpm, 16MB Cache, 9 ms, NCQ
80 Gb Samsung HD080HJ SpinPoint P80, SATA300, 7200 rpm, 8MB Cache, 8.9 ms, NCQ

TOTAL = £617.29

So far, so good. A tad over £600 though
Will this one IDE chain on the DS3 be able to support my 250GB hdd, my Pioneer 111D DVD-RW drive, and my DVD-Rom drive?

 

[Jaaay]

Nope, afraid not, it will support 2 drives but not 3 so I'd suggest the hard drive and the Pioneer 111D. You could also consider getting an IDE controller card, they shouldn't be all that pricey for a basic one.

That system looks fine, good luck with the build.

Right Ok
Thanks anyway
As it stands at the moment


Intel Core 2 DUO E6400 1066FSB SKT775 Retail
Gigabyte GA965P-DS3 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
GeForce 7600GT 256MB DDR2 SLI, DVI, VGA, PCI-E
Akasa AK-ZEN-01-BK Zen Black Case
Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-520HXUK)
500 Gb Samsung HD501LJ Spinpoint T, SATA300, 7200 rpm, 16MB Cache, 8.9 ms, NCQ
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-6400 Dual Channel Platinum Revision 2 XTC Series DDR2 (OCZ2P800R22GK)

TOTAL = £654.90

IDE Controller - PCI Ultra ATA133 / 100 IDE Controller Card = £18.80 inc. VAT


NEW TOTAL = £673.70 inc. VAT + P&P with all items.


Still a bit out of my range


EDIT: Is it worth getting the GA-965P-DS3P over a GA965P-DS3 for my needs?

 

[Jaaay]

UPDATE:
Instead of using various sites i chose wisely, and am now getting the majority of my parts from OcUK

GPU - GeForce 7600GT PCI-E 256MB DDR3 DVI/TVO SLI
IDE Controller - PCI Ultra ATA133 / 100 IDE Controller Card
Sub Total = £103.39

Grand total = £633.17

 

[Jaaay]

I reckon i will probably go for this set up, ordering today or tomorrow.
If you have any last words of advice please do contribute

 

[Jaaay]

Thanks for the reply.
I will think about dropping the PSU down to 400W, will 400W do the job with ease? Or just about manage?

Also another question; what thermal paste is the best?

Cheers
Jay

 

[Jaaay]

You get thermal past pre-applied to the bottom of the heatsink or at least some supplied with it, I wouldn't bother changing it since Arctic Cooling make some of the best thermal pastes on the market anyway.

The 400w should be fine although if you are going to be overclocking much I'd be tempted to go for the Corsair for the extra reassurance of a larger PSU.

Cheers mate.
Shall i stick with the
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket 775)
or go for something like the
Scythe Ninja Plus Rev.B Heatpipe CPU Cooler (478/754/939/940/AM2/LGA755)
Or will that be a bit overkill?

Cheers
Jay

PS. Im looking forward to building my first pc

 

[Jaaay]

With the Artic' what sort of speeds could i get upto?
And same with the Scythe, i do want to overclock..
Perhaps to around 3.0Ghz+

 

[Jaaay]

3 easily, more with the ninja

2.13Ghz to 3.0Ghz is a lot in itself (imo)..
What sort of speeds are we talking with the Ninja !?!

Also does anyone know if the Ninja comes with thermal paste?

 

[Jaaay]

Im going to go for the Lian-Li PC-7 case then, i will probably spray paint my current optical drive bezels black.

I will also go for the Scythe
Need some thermal paste - will this do? Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g)

Or is it stupidly expensive for what it is?
Shall i opt for this stuff - Arctic Ceramique Thermal Compound (2.7g) ?

 

[Jaaay]

Thanks.
One question - Should i stick with the
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-6400 Dual Channel Platinum Revision 2 XTC Series DDR2 (OCZ2P800R22GK) RAM
or go for the
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC) RAM..

Is the GeIL more efficient, and worth while?

 

[Jaaay]

It is unlikely to make any noticeable difference, the Geil has slightly better specifications I believe but the OCZ is a fair bit cheaper so given you appear to be on a reasonably tight budget I'd just go with the OCZ.

OCZ it is then!
Cheers mate, hoping to order everything today..

 

[Jaaay]

This is my final spec pic then, will be ordering pretty soon now..

If you have any last words please say now

 

[Jaaay]

Looking very nice there. Do you need an optical drive?

Not at the moment got my trusty Pioneer 111D.