This is my first build ever so I have very little knowledge. Some questions I have, are whether the build will actually work? I really am uneasy about the cooling system, as I only know what the computer guides tell me. I would like to know if the case fans have plenty of air flow, or should I go further if I am thinking of OC'ing? I also would like a suggestion on a solid cpu fan. Lastly I don't know how to figure out how loud this computer will sound, so if someone could tell me that would be great. Build: ASUS P5K3 DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard APEVIA X-JUPITER G-Type X-JUPITERG-BK Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 Pentium 4 3.0Ghz dual core (sry no link) I do not have a video card because I am undecided. Between NVIDIA and ATI and sli and no sli, I have no clue what is the best (maybe I just need more research). I do know that I probably want sli tech (2 cards) and I do not want to spend more than $1000 on a video card, well at least I don't think I need to, but if it is worth it I will spend the extra money. I hope I will have enough power with this PSU since it is in my old computer. I also already have a dvd burner and reader. I also have a hdd, and I am using the cpu from my dell, which I believe will work in that motherboard. I am going to be using this computer for gameing and other high end applications. I need to make sure that the computer is easily upgradeable. I think that if I get this computer case and this motherboard, I will be set for a future.
The Pentium 4 is not dual core. If it is really a P4 you have, your PC will be useless for modern games, they're just too slow nowadays. If it's a Pentium D, which is dual core, it will be acceptable, but not especially fast. Realistically you should have a Core 2 Duo system these days for gaming, especially if you're spending hundreds of dollars on video cards - they'll sit there with nothing to do while waiting for your CPU to catch up. If you're moving to a decent gaming PC, then don't bother moving the CPU over, get a new one like a Core 2 Quad Q9450. Unless you use a very high resolution you don't really need multiple video cards - I'd recommend something like the Radeon HD4850 for decent gaming performance. Your PSU will cope fine, no matter what you put in it, the 650W TX is a very powerful unit. The Apevia case, while not particularly well made and controversially styled, is adept at cooling, so won't pose you a problem. For a CPU heatsink, I'd recommend this combination (sorry, it's not available at newegg): http://www.ncixus.com/products/23531/ULTRA-120-EXTREME/THERMALRIGHT/ http://www.ncixus.com/products/17749/SFF21F/Scythe/ Expensive as CPU coolers go, but well worth the money. A lot of users here are partial to Xigmatek's similar cooler, but the quality of said cooler does not impress me in the slightest - cooling your CPU's important, so you want something that isn't going to fall to bits.
Here is what I pulled from everest. I am confused because when I look at Newegg they only have single core P4's but mine states that there are two cpu's and it is a P4. I am not sure what you mean when you say that the case is "controversially styled, is adept at cooling". Are you just saying this from your aesthetic point of view. Anyhow, if you think the case is not worth it then I wouldn't mind seeing what you suggest. I am not sure between min-tower and full-tower. Now, I look at all of the features and I see a removable motherboard, what does that mean? Lastly, I didn't here you say anything about the motherboard so I assume you think it will be fine.
That's a single core P4 - it appears as two cores because it uses hyper-threading, software designed to make a single core CPU appear as two. It's still a single core processor under there though, and HT doesn't really net you any performance advantages. As for the case, that's exactly what I meant. It's a perfectly decent case, but not to everyone's taste, mine included. The case that's currently top dog for value, build quality, features and cooling is this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146047 The motherboard you've chosen is alright, but I tend to recommend this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336 It's a solid performer and a decent overclocker. Asus boards are great for overclocking, but you have to choose carefully in case you find an unreliable one, with Gigabyte it's a little less risky.
Love the help. I am learning more and more as I move along. I now am going to update my list so you can tell me what you think. Build: ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case I did not include the video card because I am somewhat confused. Everyone has given the suggestion of the Radeon HD4850, but with different brands. There were Sapphire, VisionTek, and Gigabyte. The specs and prices on the cards are all the same. So what is the difference among the brands? Also, How do you feel about the heatsink fan combo that comes with the CPU. Should I use it or ditch it?
That board's a lot worse than both your original choice and the Gigabyte, very questionable reliability. The rest of the components however are now good. Stick with a Gigabyte board if you're looking at that price range, sub $200 Asus boards have a poor track record for reliability. As for the CPU cooler, the Freezer 7 Pro is good for cheap, others swear by the Xigmatek cooler but that requires an aftermarket bracket to be anything other than useless. I've already recommended what I think the best cooler is. As for the stock cooler, I'd ditch it, it's not that great. For the HD4850 they're all the same at this point, but stick with either Sapphire or Gigabyte for warranty reasons - Powercolor do not have a manufacturer's warranty.
So with Sam's suggestions about the motherboard. The 4850 is a great card. Most brands will do you fine, I would get one Gigabyte and one HIS version. About the CPU, I would recommend spending a few bucks more and getting a quad core(Q6600). It's the way of the future lol The Xigmatek HDT-1283 is a REALLY good CPU cooler, but like Sam said you WILL HAVE TO BUY the retention bracket for it.
I decided to go with the original Gigabyte mobo that Sam suggested. I am going to also get the ZALMAN CNPS9700as my cpu cooler because it has gotten great reviews and it is quiet and effective. I believe it will also fit in my case. abuzar1: Why do you think I need two video cards? I am only using a single lcd monitor on 1280x1024. Why do you suggest the different brand of cards, why not just 2 of Gigabyte's video cards? I dont want to sound like I am attacking you, I just want to understand.
Oh because I though you wanted two video cards. I said two different brand because each one comes with free stuff. I just checked though, and if you only want one get the Asus version, it's the cheapest and quality is good. Also, just a FYI, the Xigmatek does cooler better than the Zalman and it would be my personal recomendation.
How are two video cards an advantage on such a display as my own? There is an Asus video card, where?
One card will do you just fine on that display. Two cards is overkill. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253
OK then, I got my first computer. I guess. I will go with these parts, but know I will begin with the building process. What is the best guide I should look at, because I know that there are many? Thanks again, I appreciate the help.
Whats your final list? When I built my first computer I read the quick start guide that came with the manual but everything just went toghether. You dont need a guide.
The CPU I would change to a Q6600. I would also recommend the Xigmetek HDT-S1283 as long as you get this for it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019&Tpk=XIGMATEK+retention+bracjet
Ok I will go with the cpu cooler you suggested, but why the quad core? It is only 2.4ghz and no games support quad.
At full speed (which is what it needs to be to cool as well as the Thermalright or Xigmatek) the CNPS9700 is hands down the loudest CPU cooler I have ever heard in the last four years - just thought you should know that. At 1280x1024, you really don't need two cards, one will do you fine. As for the CPU - some games do in fact support quad cores, not many, but they are starting to use them now. As it stands for the first few months, the E8400 would actually be advantageous though, because in a single or dual core application, it would be nearly 40% faster. Consequently, you can cut the argument and buy a Core 2 Quad Q9450 instead. That offers the big time speed of the new architecture (it's only 2.66Ghz, but trust me, for a quad that's plenty) AND has four cores.
A quad core because more and more games can utilize it's power, and if you plan on keeping that PC for more than a year the Quad will be VERY advantageous. Sam, I suggested a Q6600 because it's almost the same price. Also the where did you get the 40% number? There is also the matter of cache. The Quad core has more and that effects performance as well. I'm just saying, at the price it's at right now, the Q6600 is a VERY smart option.
The Cache isn't the big performance boost of the 45nm architecture, neither is it the booster for quad cores, it's the extra raw processing power. The E8400 is clocked 25% higher, and clock per clock, the 45nm architecture is 10-15% faster than the 65nm. 1.25*1.15 = 1.4375 - 44% extra. Factoring in the marginal effect of the extra cache for the quad, in environments that don't use the extra core, saying 'up to 40%' seems reasonable. Don't get me wrong the Q6600 is great value, but for a high budget (he was considering up to a thou on the GPU alone), the Q9450 is a logical choice, if you have the extra.
Yeah on a Huge budget the Q9450 is a much better choice. I read the 1000 dollars on the video card as 1000 dollars on the entire computer lol. Yeah so is this what we are looking at? Q9450 GA-X48-DS4 4GB of Corsair 1066mhz RAM Xigmatek HDT-S1283 WITH retention Bracket NZXT Tempest
