First Computer Build: Newb Need Advice

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The SSD is a good idea for the boot drive, no arguments there. Vista is about 10 - 15gb or so, if I recall. The Raptor will be loud no matter what at 10k RPM, but it's still a good drive. Won't match the SSD in speed though.

Instead of the quad series, you may want to invest in the i7 series. the Q6600 is a bit outdated, and while it is decently inexpensive, you can pick up the i7 920 for about 300 bucks, and you won't have to worry about performance issues for a while. Worth the extra $100+, trust me.

Core i7 920: Newegg.com - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Now with the i7, you'll need to get a Socket 1366 mobo, which only supports DDR3. Both the ram and mobo is a bit more expensive, but it also won't be outdated for a while. DDR3 costs are starting to come down, and it's going to be the next standard. These mobos also support triple channel, so you can get 3x 2gb sticks for a total of 6gb.

Here's a comparison of ASUS mobos, so you can see the price differences. The lowest cost one there is still pretty good: Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

As for RAM, this is a good set of DDR3 1333 that has a mail-in rebate, making it on par with cheaper models: Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

For a storage hard drive, depending on what you are doing, you're going to want more space. The Seagate 1.5tb drives are about $130 on newegg. They have a high cache, and loads of space. It will take a while to fill one of those, no matter what you do.

1.5tb hdd: Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - Internal Hard Drives

Now the video card is something really relative to what you want to do. But my recommendations would be between the nVidia Geforce 9800GTX+ 512mb, which is 190 with a 30 dollar mail-in rebate, or if you want something beefier, go with a nVidia GTX 260 core 216 896mb, which is about 250 or so.

9800GTX+ - Newegg.com - XFX PVT98WYDFH GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
GTX 260 - Newegg.com - EVGA 896-P3-1265-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

For your PSU, you might as well grab something that will pump out some power. This PSU is 800w and is a good deal for the price, and it's rated pretty well:

PSU: Newegg.com - BFG Tech ES SERIES ES-800 800W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.92 SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified GTX 260
NVIDIA HYBRID SLI 9800 GX2 CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC SLI Power Supply - Power Supplies


For a monitor, you may want to go ahead and grab something larger than 19", but that would be alright too. A 22" would only run a little bit more...here's a good 19" and 22" to compare.

19" - Newegg.com - Acer X193W+BD Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2000:1 (ACM) - LCD Monitors
22" - Newegg.com - Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2500:1 - LCD Monitors

That's a nice case you've picked out, I have no complaints about it. It looks really slick, and it has a lot of airflow it seems, with all those fans. Good choice.

As for keyboard and mouse, it's really a personal choice for you, but I'll recommend a set anyway. And even if you don't like this set, I would go with Logitech either way, they have some nice stuff. This keyboard is ergonomic, but not in the way the old ones are with the giant gap in the middle. It still types like a standard keyboard, but it feels much better on your wrists.

Keyboard/mouse set: Newegg.com - Logitech 920-000264 Black 104 Normal Keys 14 Function Keys USB Cordless Ergonomics Desktop Wave - Keyboards

Speakers are pretty good...for that cost, though, you may want to look into some 5.1 systems. That's up to you though, Logitech makes good stuff, but so does Creative. Make sure you're going to be happy with a 2.1 system.

Vista Home Premium 64-bit will suit you fine, unless there's something in Ultimate you absolutely have to have.

You got the right idea for the system, good job putting the stuff together. Sorry I gave so many recommendations, but those are my opinions on good hardware for decent prices. Feel free to ask any more questions.
 
Hey man thanks for the suggestions. I think I have decided I am going to run Vista off of the SSD for speed purposes and boot up time. right now I have a 240gb on my HP laptop and it is about half full with info. I think a 500gb will suit me fine because I imagine I will be downloading more once I get back from Iraq. I haven't really looked into the keyboard and mice yet but logitech is what I have used in the past. I just purchased those speakers so I think I will stick with them. I will have my home theater to play with if I want something beefier.

As far as the video card goes like I said I will occasionally play games. So I want it to be able to play the games I play (AOE3, C&C) thats about it. Other than that I have my PS3 so I don't need much power.

I like the idea of purchasing the newer equipment in regards to the processor and RAM. The extra cost just pushed me above my $1000 range though. I am thinking I will be looking at $1500 with everything.
 
After doing some more reading, I am going to stick with the i7 and DDR3 RAM.

Any ideas for a good cd/dvd RW Drive? I would like it to have lighscribe but it isn't necessary. I would also like a card reader for my camera and other devices. Do you think I should put one in or just buy an external one to plug into the usb?
 
Here is my final build. Let me know if you have anymore suggestions before I place the order. Thanks again for the help.



Logitech 920-000914 Black Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard - Retail
Newegg.com - Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard - Keyboards

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - Operating Systems

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Newegg.com - Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - EVGA 132-BL-E758-A1 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

XFX PVT98WYDFH GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Newegg.com - XFX PVT98WYDFH GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

BFG Tech ES SERIES ES-800 800W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.92 SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified GTX 260 NVIDIA HYBRID SLI 9800 GX2 CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC SLI Power Supply
Newegg.com - BFG Tech ES SERIES ES-800 800W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.92 SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified GTX 260
NVIDIA HYBRID SLI 9800 GX2 CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC SLI Power Supply - Power Supplies


Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920
Newegg.com - Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1333LV6GK
Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

OCZ Solid Series OCZSSD2-1SLD30G 2.5" 30GB SATA II Solid State Disk (SSD) Newegg.com - OCZ Solid Series OCZSSD2-1SLD30G 2.5" 30GB SATA II Solid State Disk (SSD) - Solid State Disks

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
Newegg.com - Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2500:1 - LCD Monitors

Logitech MX Revolution Black 7 Buttons 2 x Wheels USB RF Wireless Laser Mouse
Newegg.com - Logitech MX Revolution Black 7 Buttons 2 x Wheels USB RF Wireless Laser Mouse - Mouse

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-08 Might Change to LiteScribe later.
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Rosewill RTK-015 15 Piece Standard Computer Tool Kit
Newegg.com - Rosewill RTK-015 15 Piece Standard Computer Tool Kit - PC Tools
 
Thats a kinda old ssd I would make sure you turn off your paging file to reduce wear on it. Also I would get this one more space and faster Newegg.com - Patriot PE32GS25SSDR 2.5" 32GB SATA II Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Solid State Disks

Having said that I would raid0 the ssd drives to get pretty insane speeds but this will increase your costs however personally I think its worth and would get a pair of these;
Newegg.com - SUPER TALENT MasterDrive OX FTM16GL25H 2.5" 16GB SATA II Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Solid State Disks

I have the same psu its very good I did a lot of research before getting mine and love it, the other bfg psu's are crud but the ES-800 is a star as shown by many reviews before anyone slates it.

I would get an evga graphics card so that you can step upto the revamped 260's 55nm when they come out in feb or you could step upto the obseleted gtx260 65nm as the prices should drop dramatically.

You don't need a toolkit its just standard screwdriver I only ever use one screwdriver when building my pcs with no problems as do many other people on here.

I would get this monitor it has a better contrast and speed
Newegg.com - ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ HDCP Support 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 5000:1) Built in Speakers - LCD Monitors
 
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