New Build Computer

MrBen_4

Going to take the plunge and make my own PC! Yes, I'm scared!

I want something that is stable, quiet, can be left on 24/7 - and will be used mostly for www, video authoring/editing/viewing, music playing, usual MS office stuff, and of course games.

After quite a bit of research I have come up with the following:

CASE (Antec Sonata II)
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3SPW&CategorySelectedId=11145&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11145,50882&v=1

MOTHERBOARD (Asus A8N-E)
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3RWG&CategorySelectedId=11143&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11143%2c50626%2c4294959021

CPU (AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200)
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3R2R&PageMode=1

RAM (2 x 1GB PC3200 Crucial)
http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=3PYD&CategorySelectedId=11150&PageMode=1

GRAPHICS CARD (Asus NVidia 7800GT 256MB)
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3XLK&CategorySelectedId=11137&PageMode=1

HDD (2 x Western Digital 400GB SATA)
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3WFB&PageMode=1

FLOPPY (7 in 1 Thing)
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3FS2&CategorySelectedId=11158&PageMode=1&Quicklinx=3FS2
http://www.misco.co.uk/productinformation/~75613~/product.htm?affiliate=2004
If it doesn't become available from dabs

I have pretty much gone with Dabs for everything. The prices listed seem to edge out any other retailer, and I thought it best to get everything if possible from one retailer (save on delivery, returns, etc..)

I do need that much hdd space as I have alot of video. With graphics I have gone with what is pretty much minimum for Quake4. I'm not sure though if this Asus card has HDTV capability - whether I need it or not? Motherboard and CPU chosen for price/performance. The Antec Sonata II case seems a bit dated now - I've wondered whether there is another good value, quiet case on the horizon? DVD Drives/Monitor/KB/Mouse I will utilise from my current system.

What do you think from a technical perspective as well as moneysaving perspective? I don't think I have ever spent this much money in one go before, so all comments much appreciated.

penrhyn

Best of British Mr Ben.
A few thoughts

Are you building the PC to save money or as a fun project?

Have you or someone you know(who can assist) sucessfully built up a PC before?

I notice you didn't put any software in your list,where will this be coming from?

BTW Remember to follow the normal antistatic precautions when you are assembling it.

MrBen_4

penrhyn wrote:

Best of British Mr Ben.
A few thoughts

Are you building the PC to save money or as a fun project?

Have you or someone you know(who can assist) sucessfully built up a PC before?

I notice you didn't put any software in your list,where will this be coming from?

BTW Remember to follow the normal antistatic precautions when you are assembling it.

To save money. I don't really have the time or can be bothered to build one myself but understand it is really the only way to get a PC with the specs I want for a non-extortionate price.

I don't know anyone (that lives near me, or would be willing to help free of charge) that would be able to assist me.

I have all the software I need. There are a few online guides I will be following to put this thing together. I've always done upgrades myself (put new ram in, swap hdds, pci cards, etc..) it's mainly the mounting of the motherboard and all the little jumpers, led wires I'm worried about.

Cheers.

CIS

Have you tried https://www.ebuyer.com for prices, on a lot of things they beat dabs.com

wolfman

Nice spec.

Case: The Sonata II isn't too old, no more than 6 months I think, it's a revision to the original Sonata. It's a great case for the price. If you did want better the Antec P180 is probably the best thing to go for, but you'll spend £150 on it plus a psu. Silverstone (overpriced), Lian Li (what I have) are good, but the P180 really is one of the best cases to get. Antec have a great formula for making cases at the moment.

CPU: If you're considering saving a little money I'd maybe think about a single core AMD64. Dual core won't give any performance increase in games (may actually be slower) and will only really be beneficial when multi-tasking or working heavily with video (as you mentioned).

A single core AMD64 3700+, or 4000+ might be another option and save you a little cash. Dual core is technology that is still developing, so not fully supported, and is at a premium.

Mobo: Asus, good solid boards, always liked them. That should be a good choice of board.

Memory: Good idea getting two slots of 1gb instead of 4x 512mb's. I think there can be problems with certain mobo's if all slots are used up. On my MSI it runs at a slower (333) frequency than if I used two banks (400).

Can't really comment elsewhere. It all looks suited to your needs. A DVD-Burner might be an idea. Maybe an alternate heatsink/fan combo instead of the stock version, but that's just to make it quieter.

wolfman

MrBen wrote:

I have all the software I need. There are a few online guides I will be following to put this thing together. I've always done upgrades myself (put new ram in, swap hdds, pci cards, etc..) it's mainly the mounting of the motherboard and all the little jumpers, led wires I'm worried about.

It's not as difficult as it would appear. You just have to be patient and prepare/check everything as you go along.

The case leds are a bit of a nightmare as they're tricky to see, work out, although on newer mobo's they do label it more clearly. Apart from them you shouldn't have to do much else to the mobo.

Just remember nothing should be forced. If it isn't fitting etc... and you're using a lot of force, then there's probably something not right.

Oooo, actually the one pain with the Sonata, no removable motherboard tray. You have to pop it in the case which isn't as easy as, say my Lian Li where the tray comes out completely and I can set it up without the case sides getting in the way. It's no big deal though.

desperado

Hi MrBen

I found this site very helpful

http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/

and also their forum

http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/forums/

have fun!

MrBen_4

CIS wrote:

Have you tried https://www.ebuyer.com for prices, on a lot of things they beat dabs.com

I have. They seem pretty close on Dab's prices, but they don't have my hdd available.

Thanks.

intel

Any Good to ya http://computing.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/c_110001_computers_software.html

MrBen_4

wolfman wrote:

Nice spec.

Case: The Sonata II isn't too old, no more than 6 months I think, it's a revision to the original Sonata. It's a great case for the price. If you did want better the Antec P180 is probably the best thing to go for, but you'll spend £150 on it plus a psu. Silverstone (overpriced), Lian Li (what I have) are good, but the P180 really is one of the best cases to get. Antec have a great formula for making cases at the moment.

CPU: If you're considering saving a little money I'd maybe think about a single core AMD64. Dual core won't give any performance increase in games (may actually be slower) and will only really be beneficial when multi-tasking or working heavily with video (as you mentioned).

A single core AMD64 3700+, or 4000+ might be another option and save you a little cash. Dual core is technology that is still developing, so not fully supported, and is at a premium.

Mobo: Asus, good solid boards, always liked them. That should be a good choice of board.

Memory: Good idea getting two slots of 1gb instead of 4x 512mb's. I think there can be problems with certain mobo's if all slots are used up. On my MSI it runs at a slower (333) frequency than if I used two banks (400).

Can't really comment elsewhere. It all looks suited to your needs. A DVD-Burner might be an idea. Maybe an alternate heatsink/fan combo instead of the stock version, but that's just to make it quieter.

I had a look at the P180 but the PSU positioning, as well as the USB/headphone/microphone bit positioning put me off. The CoollerMaster WaveMaster is a good looking case, but a little more pricey. I would be willing to purchase this if someone could indicate whether it is quieter or as quiet as the Sonata II. Another -ve point is that Dabs don't have it listed.

Thanks.

titewad_2

desperado wrote:

Hi MrBen

I found this site very helpful

http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/

and also their forum

http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/forums/

have fun!

I have found that site very helpful aswell,although it doesn't seem to be visited as often,or have as many members as this one.It means that sometimes a specific question can be a little while being answered.Still in my favourites though.