New pc build

[Jimmy1983]

Hi all, read up a lot on these forums and thought now was the right time to sign up and get your advice. I going to attempt to build my first pc and iam hoping this forum will help.

At the mo ive got a

P4 overclocked to 2.9Ghz
Asus P4P800-X Intel 865PE (Socket 478) Motherboard
Leadtek 6800 128MB 256bit DDR DVI/TVO

I brought this pc off a friend and ive made some changes myself, so iam ready to give it a shot build one myself. Iam after a E6600 processor but unsure at the moment about the rest off the hardware that I require. Budget will be about 600ish.

Can anyone give me some pointers on first steps, and what board? I was think about the Asus P5W64-WS Pro, but its quite pricey.

Appreciate any help and advice you can offer me, thanks.

 

[Will_3rd]

Bit hopeful for £600 and a E6600




Might be better off with a E4300/6300 and overclocking it to 6600 speeds and beyond

 

[Jimmy1983]

Cheers Will_3rd, yeh you right on the budget. I might get a few parts second hand to keep the price down. Would I be able to use the mobo on board graphics for example and wait a month or so then get a decent gfx card? As ive already got one pc, I dont mind having to wait a few months to get this new pc up to scratch so to speak. Ive got X2 1gig sticks off ram I can use for the time being aswell, which again I could upgrade to some branded ram later on.

Read quite a bit on the 6600 so would like to stick with that really.

 

[Will_3rd]

Not sure if that board has an onboard GPU, doesn't mention it in the description, if it does it should be usable enough.

 

[Jimmy1983]

Not sure if that board has an onboard GPU, doesn't mention it in the description, if it does it should be usable enough.

Well iam hoping to use the mobo onboard graphics then get a decent gfx card at a later date, what are the best boards that have onboard gfx but are future poof so I can add a gfx at a later date when I can afford a top end one.

Also how do I find out the form factor, so I kno what case I will need, can't see anything about the mobo in the spec.

 

[hp7909]

Well iam hoping to use the mobo onboard graphics then get a decent gfx card at a later date, what are the best boards that have onboard gfx but are future poof so I can add a gfx at a later date when I can afford a top end one.

Also how do I find out the form factor, so I kno what case I will need, can't see anything about the mobo in the spec.

These have onboard graphics but, don't expect to game much with them...

• Asrock Conroe945G-DVI
• Abit LG-81
• Asus P5B-VM - Good review here

They are Micro-ATX in size. All cases sold can take mATX. Problem is with Micro-ATX form factor cases like this which can not take normal ATX mobos.

 

[Jimmy1983]

These have onboard graphics but, don't expect to game much with them...

• Asrock Conroe945G-DVI
• Abit LG-81
• Asus P5B-VM - Good review here

They are Micro-ATX in size. All cases sold can take mATX. Problem is with Micro-ATX form factor cases like this which can not take normal ATX mobos.

cheers, will have a read though that. Woudl would your advice be? Iam thinking its a good idea to save up a wedge for a top gfx at a later date. Surpose I could get a second hand one for the time being. Iam not after a small case, a normal size one with be fine for me.

edit: ive just seen where its shows the sizes

 

[Jimmy1983]

Gone for Will choice with the e6600, geil ram and ds3p. Now iam after a psu, read that corsair and antec are decent. Will I need a 520W psu that big? Also could someone help me out with what gfx card I should get? I was hoping to pick to maybe get a second hand one to get me up and running, what type do I need?

Ive got the pc7 case aswell, very happy with it

Thanks all

 

[Will_3rd]

Now iam after a psu, read that corsair and antec are decent. Will I need a 520W psu that big? Also could someone help me out with what gfx card I should get? I was hoping to pick to maybe get a second hand one to get me up and running, what type do I need?

Hey, if you want a decent GPU you will need a beefy power supply 500w+ preferbly something from Corsair or Antec both should be plenty fine.

If you want to go DX10 you can get the 320GTS or if you want a great DX9 card 1950XT is a fantastic option, you should be able to get them somewhere second hand if your going through that route

 

[Jimmy1983]

Hey, if you want a decent GPU you will need a beefy power supply 500w+ preferbly something from Corsair or Antec both should be plenty fine.

If you want to go DX10 you can get the 320GTS or if you want a great DX9 card 1950XT is a fantastic option, you should be able to get them somewhere second hand if your going through that route

Ah Will, just the man!

Yer would getting a 500W psu abit risky, would a 600W be safer and a better option? What about the connection from the psu, do I need to work out what connections my other components have first so I know what connections I need on the psu?

Whats the benefit off going for DX10?

 

[Will_3rd]

The Corsair 520HX or Antec Truepower 550w, would cope fine with that setup they are very efficient so I wouldn't worry, don't really need more wattage unless you going SLI or something, which isn't IMO worth it.

The instructions for the PSU should tell you what order to connect components, both those PSU's will have all the connections you need at they are both at least ATX2.0 and will work fine.

As for DX10 the 320GTS might not be such a great idea in retrospect as it might end up as a low end DX10 card. But DX10 will include all the latest eye candy and effects for future games etc.

 

[Jimmy1983]

The Corsair 520HX or Antec Truepower 550w, would cope fine with that setup they are very efficient so I wouldn't worry, don't really need more wattage unless you going SLI or something, which isn't IMO worth it.

The instructions for the PSU should tell you what order to connect components, both those PSU's will have all the connections you need at they are both at least ATX2.0 and will work fine.

As for DX10 the 320GTS might not be such a great idea in retrospect as it might end up as a low end DX10 card. But DX10 will include all the latest eye candy and effects for future games etc.

Ok, I will go for either off those psu's, not sure about gfx just yet. Could you tell me what types off gfx card there are, and what will/won't work with my motherboard? At the moment my present gfx card is a Leadtek 6800 128MB 256bit DDR DVI/TVO. Could I get something like that to get me up and running?

Could you provide me links to 320GTS and 1950XT please?

 

[Will_3rd]

Could you tell me what types of gfx card there are, and what will/won't work with my motherboard?

Both are PCI-E, which your M/B supports

At the moment my present gfx card is a Leadtek 6800 128MB 256bit DDR DVI/TVO. Could I get something like that to get me up and running?

Tbh that card is poo, doesn't really play new games that well...but if it is PCI-Express it should be usable.

Could you provide me links to 320GTS and 1950XT please?

320GTS
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-044-BG

1950XT

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-066-PC

This is one 1950XT but there are a few to choose from

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/search_results.php?sortby=&groupid=701&string=1950

 

[Jimmy1983]

Would you recommend the 320GTS for around the 200 mark for a gfx card? Not sure if I want to go DX10-is it worth it?

 

[Jimmy1983]

Got my PC7 case, DS3P geil ram and e6600. Will be getting everything shortly.

You guys think I should start putting my components together? If so could you advise on what first etc.

Many thanks

 

[Will_3rd]

Would you recommend the 320GTS for around the 200 mark for a gfx card? Not sure if I want to go DX10-is it worth it?

Yeah the GTS is a great card, the DX10 games look great will play DX9 games like a dream no reason to buy any other really IMO.

Would be a step downwards.

Got my PC7 case, DS3P geil ram and e6600. Will be getting everything shortly.

You guys think I should start putting my components together? If so could you advise on what first etc.

If you got your case, PSU, RAM, CPU, M/B ready, start putting it together put the M/B in the case along with the PSU then attach the CPU & RAM.

 

[Jimmy1983]

Yeah the GTS is a great card, the DX10 games look great will play DX9 games like a dream no reason to buy any other really IMO.

Would be a step downwards.



If you got your case, PSU, RAM, CPU, M/B ready, start putting it together put the M/B in the case along with the PSU then attach the CPU & RAM.

Got all that apart from the PSU at the mo. Still go ahead or wait until ive got the psu.

PC7 owners, any tips with the install?

 

[hp7909]

{snip}put the M/B in the case along with the PSU then attach the CPU & RAM.

Wouldn't it be better/wiser/easier/etc to install the CPU, HSF & RAM on the mobo before you put-it into the case?

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Wouldn't it be better/wiser/easier/etc to install the CPU, HSF & RAM on the mobo before you put-it into the case?

Yeah, though personally I just install the CPU and heatsink, install the mobo, then install the RAM and whatever else. RAM is perhaps the easiest to install so it can wait until the end.

Usually it goes:
Standoffs -> Case
PSU -> Case
Fans -> Case
CPU -> Mobo
TIM -> CPU
HSF -> Mobo
Mobo - Case
Drives -> Case
Expansion cards -> Mobo
RAM -> Mobo
Cables (both data and power) -> Case

 

[hp7909]

{snip}PSU -> Case
Fans -> Case{snip}

On my current (old) case I can't do this until I install mobo The fan at the back makes it impossible while the PSU makes it awkward to get to the 2/3 top screws.

Funny, I find it much easier to install/press-down the RAM when outside the case. Basically its down to the force required for some components especially when new. IMO I think outside > inside