First time computer build

[sikyon]

Hey I was just looking into building a new computer and needed some advice. This is my first time building a computer, so I have some questions... anyhow, this is what I've come up with so far.

Computer Case (450 watts, 12 V, 120mm fan)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129155

ABIT AX8 ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813127187

Hard Drive (Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144394


Memory (CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145450

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103539

Video Card (GIGABYTE GV-RX80L256V Radeon X800XL 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814125174

DVD drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152039

Floppy drive(comes in handy occasionally)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16821103202


The basic purpose of the system will be for gaming and watching DVD's.


So basically I had a few questions:

1. Is the stuff compatible? I did some reaserch and I don't think I've missed anything, but I'm not sure.

2. I've read a bunch of reviews for the AMD 3700+ socket 764 but couldn't really find any for the 939. So how does it compare... oh, and what would be a comparable Pentium 4 processor?

3. I'm not too sure about the Video card. I'm looking for something with an upper limit of ~300 dollars, but it could go higher if it is worth it.

I also havn't decided on a monitor (19" LCD but no specific model picked out yet), keyboard or mouse (a low-end version will work) or speakers (I'm not that into music, I just need a set that will play DVD's reasonably well). If any of you have recomendations that would be great!

 

[Flanker]

1. Looks good from what I can tell.

2. Socket 939 is the way to go, 764 is becoming outdated now. The "3700+" means that it is comparable to a Pentium 4 3700MHz (3.6 GHz) or better processor.

3. An alternative could be the 6800GT, though I'm not sure if that is under $300 or not.

One second while I scout out the rest of the hardware.

 

[Flanker]

XFX GeForce 6800 GT - $346 - $50 main-in rebate.

Balance 19" LCD Monitor - $298.

or

This one if you want silver. - $250.

Logitech Elite - $25.

Logitech Mouse, very basic.

Speakers (High Quality [5.1]) - $60.

Speakers (Low Quality [2.0]) - $15. Personally, I don't like subwoofers, so I just showed this one.

Headphones, just in case. - $12.

 

[damasta55r]

Get the newer nec-3540. Don't forget windows if needed. Looks good.

 

[sikyon]

Hmmm... looks like the two video cards apre pretty comparable in specifications. The only real thing I noticed that the Geforce had that the ATI didn't was the SLI(which I'll assume works with the motherboard since I don't acutally need 2 separate PCIe 16x... right?). Otherwise the ATI has a faster core clock... of course, I know very little about how these cards actually perform in relation to one another. Could you enlighten me please?

 

[sikyon]

Oh, right, I forgot my last question. I'm kinda worried about heat, as I hear(read, actually) that both the AMD and the 6800GT(If I get it) run really hot. While I don't plan on overclocking right now, I was just wondering if the cooling systems would probably be enough.

 

[Flanker]

True, the specs for the two cards are very similar, but the 6800GT has some features that enable it to outperform the X800XL in some situations. Basically, if you can afford the extra money to buy the 6800GT, you should.

As for the processor; You bought a 3700+ with a "San Diego" Core. That core gives off less heat than any other processor, with the possible exeption of one with a "Venice" Core. Even some Pentiums run hotter than the San Diego.

However, you DO have to have adequate cooling. Without any cooling (except the stock heatsink and fan) my 3200+ Venice runs at 55*C Idle, and my system temperature is 38*C. After I added a 120mm rear fan, the processor temperature went down to 52*C and the system temp went down to 30*C. Not much of a difference in the processor temp is it? So you will need atleast 2 good fans in your case. More if you want to overclock.

You can buy a Heatsink for your video card if the need arises.

 

[sikyon]

Cool (hahaha) I'll look into another fan and some heatsinks. Do you have any recomendations for fans (ie. quiet), or any tuturials on how to add a second fan? Oh, and do you think the 450 Watt power supply that comes with the case will be enough, or will I need something more like a 500 Watt?

 

[Flanker]

Sorry, I can't really recommend any, but if you look on Newegg.com they have the noise level and the amount of air it moves listed below their fans. If you have space for an additional fan already in your PC case, then it should be very simple to add another fan, however, if you don't have any more space, then you might have to take off the front cover and add some more fans there, or carve into the case and add a side fan, but thats a really big hassle.

As for the Power Supply, that 450 Watt PSU should be fine.

 

[sikyon]

Hmm... a second fan looks like it might be abit of trouble. I might try for a different case, but alot of the ones with multiple fans don't have a power supply, and I want to try and cut the hassles down to a minimum. What would you say would be the minimum number/type of fans needed? Say, 2x80, 1x120 and 1x80, 4x80, 2x120 or what?