First ever build...well sort of!

Sysmic Wave · 9 Jan 2009 at 10:42

Hey folks, looking for a bit of advice.

Putting together my first machine and here is what i've decided on so far:

Antec 300 case
Q6600
Asus P5Q-E
OCZ 4GB Reaper 8500 (2 x 2GB)
Be Quiet Dark Power PRO (650w)
1TB Samsung Spinpoint F1

I have a few questions:

1. Does that system look ok?

2. I'm still looking for a graphics card. It will not be used for games but I do a lot of video watching, editing and encoding. Can anyone reccommend and card between £50 and £100?

Thanks for your time

Sysmic Wave · 9 Jan 2009 at 11:09

I'd heard good things about the Be Quiet PSU that's why I went for it. What kind of wattage do you reccommend?

Also i've had a look at the Radeon 4xxx range and there are so many of them branded differently. I've seen the ASUS 4850, TekWorks 4850, HIS etc. Why are they like that? Why am I not just buying an ATi Radeon 4850?

Apologies for my ignorance

Sysmic Wave · 9 Jan 2009 at 11:25

Will 500w be enough if I ever overclock it? That PSU looks good but i've managed to source the Be Quiet for £87. Should I spend the extra £20 on it?

Can you reccommend a better case than the 300. I had a look at the 900 and 1200 but hate those blue lights!

Sysmic Wave · 9 Jan 2009 at 11:46

Nothing's putting me off really. I think it looks awesome, just a bit small.

With a PSU mounted on the floor will all the power leads reach to the optical drives or will I have to get extensions.

On another topic i'm guessing Arctic Silver 5 is the only way to go compound wise?

I'm also a bit wary of ATi, the last one I had was hopeless and i've stuck with Nvidia ever since. Are the 4600/4850s reliable?

Sysmic Wave · 9 Jan 2009 at 11:59

Cheers ro55o

I think you've made my mind up. Ill go for the 4850.

Can i ask about the noctua fans you were talking about. How are they controlled? 3 pin on the motherboard or molex into the psu?

By the way, where are you in Fife? I'm in Falkirk!

Sysmic Wave · 9 Jan 2009 at 12:57

Cheers for that

Haha, i'm surprised you replied after I told you where I was from

I think i'll have to get 2 120mm fans with 3pin connectors as i'm pretty sure the P5Q-E has only 3 spaces for fans and if i'm right the 2 fans supplied with the 300 are molex, again the PSU only has a couple of spaces.

Does the dust filter on the 300 work?

Cheers for everyones help