new build help

[neptunestar]

i used to build my machines then i took a bit break from it by going with HP and then Macbook. now I'm back to building scene after years.

i have decided to go with Intel quad core cpu and most likely vista.
i need help with picking a case, mobo, memory, harddrive, and dvd.
its going to be used for school work, downloading torrents, playing music, watching movies. i already have a ps3 so it would see very little gaming if not none so an integrated graphics is ok. i leave my computer on overnight so a quiet case is needed. i will not overclock it.

any suggestions?

[willy]

$$$ ?

IMHO, I don't see why you need a quad-core CPU ... but of course, the choice (and money) is yours :)

BTW, "watching movies" ..... 720p/1080p HD movies ?

[Silver Bullet]

I can pretty much say this will be the quietest computer you've ever owned.

CPU: 45nm, less heat, less cooling required
CPU COOLER: cools chip as well as the whole top 1/2 of the mobo and run fan at 900rpm so you don't hear it
MOBO: good onboard gfx, hdmi, dvi, vga, can't complain
CASE: pre-installed sound proofing, just really damn heavy ;)
PS: Seasonic is pretty much the quietest brand and very well built
RAM: Cheap ... works just fine
HD: 500GB seems to be the going rate these days

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/2319/800ki0.gif
infonec.com - Jan 22nd

$235 for the E8400 isn't the best price .. you can do better see here: PriceCanada (http://www.pricecanada.com/detail.php?product_id=525317)

[neptunestar]

$$$ ?

IMHO, I don't see why you need a quad-core CPU ... but of course, the choice (and money) is yours :)

BTW, "watching movies" ..... 720p/1080p HD movies ?
well i was referring to watching regular movies but i wouldn't mind watching high definition movies.

[neptunestar]

I can pretty much say this will be the quietest computer you've ever owned.

CPU: 45nm, less heat, less cooling required
CPU COOLER: cools chip as well as the whole top 1/2 of the mobo and run fan at 900rpm so you don't hear it
MOBO: good onboard gfx, hdmi, dvi, vga, can't complain
CASE: pre-installed sound proofing, just really damn heavy ;)
PS: Seasonic is pretty much the quietest brand and very well built
RAM: Cheap ... works just fine
HD: 500GB seems to be the going rate these days

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/2319/800ki0.gif
infonec.com - Jan 22nd

$235 for the E8400 isn't the best price .. you can do better see here: PriceCanada (http://www.pricecanada.com/detail.php?product_id=525317)

thanks for the suggestions. btw if the motherboard and cpu can support 1066mhz bus speed, shouldn't i get ddr2-1066 memory too?

[Silver Bullet]

thanks for the suggestions. btw if the motherboard and cpu can support 1066mhz bus speed, shouldn't i get ddr2-1066 memory too?

You could, but for the money it's probably not worth it. You're looking at I'd say about 5% or less difference in real world apps. You will probably never notice ... save your money :)

[hotweiss]

thanks for the suggestions. btw if the motherboard and cpu can support 1066mhz bus speed, shouldn't i get ddr2-1066 memory too?

You might have compatibility issues with 1066 MHz memory, it's not worth it.

[neptunestar]

should i upgrade my mother board?

[Silver Bullet]

i'm buying off my brothers intel retail edge bundle:

Q6700 and intel 33chipset mobo, and vista home premium. so can i buy the rest of the stuff you recommended here and expect full compatibility?

should i upgrade my mother board or stay with the one that came with the bundle (Intel Desktop Board DG33TL)?

For just watching movies the Qcore is super overkill and will make more heat (which requires more cooling) the board will also limit your ram choices and don't expect any overclocking options.

[neptunestar]

For just watching movies the Qcore is super overkill and will make more heat (which requires more cooling) the board will also limit your ram choices and don't expect any overclocking options.

yea i thought about it and you're right its probably not for me. i'm going to stick with my laptop for now since i'll be going to oversees in a few months.

[neptunestar]

alright after giving much thought i have decided to go with it. anyway a few more questions before i pull the trigger.

i have decided to use windows xp professional on this system. i have had vista for almost a year but i like windows xp. also this system will be used for gaming because there are so many awesome pc games out there this year.

the motherboard will be Intel Desktop Board DG33TL (http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/DG33TL/index.htm) can I still go with the recommended memory? because I remember reading that OCZ doesn't play well with intel boards.

do i need to spend that extra money on the recommended cooling fans? i mean can i not stick with the CPU fan that intel include with the CPU?

while i like the recommended power supple, i was wondering what you think of Rocketfish brand, this Rocketfish 700W PC Power Supply (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10086924&catid=) or Dynex 500W ATX PC Power Supply (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10072461&catid=)?

i'm going to build this end of this week and every thing else going to be the same as the recommended. also thanks in advance and every advice is greatly appreciated.

[Silver Bullet]

If you plan on gaming then you're really starting out with the wrong board. This is a simple desktop board not really meant for gaming or oc'ing for that matter. This is more of an office pc motherboard.

If you plan on keeping this board then I would go with basic ram .. say Kingston ValueRAM - 2 GB ( 2 x 1 GB ) (KVR800D2N5K2/2G) (http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=330585) $59 ..

Stay away from both those power supplies, don't buy anything that from FS that you'll be using in a custom PC. Dynex and Rocketfish are just garage rebanded stuff and they way way over priced. I would go with a Corsair 450W VX power supply (quiet and cheaper), should me more than enough for the basic system you have planned out. 700W PS is really only need for major gaming systems with dual video cards, lots of HDs, etc.

You might want to add an Scythe NINJA PLUS Rev.B just to keep the noise down ... the stock cooler is ok, but it can get a little noisy at times.

[KorruptioN]

Buying power supplies at FS and BB is a lousy decision. Overpriced, under-specified, and a waste of money in general.

[neptunestar]

yea i'll stick with the recommended power supply.

i'm a bit confused as to why the motherboard is so important because the intel board seems to support the same processors, memory speed, and fsb. so is the asus that much better only if i decided to overclock or is there more to it than that?

also i saw infonec has kingston 2GB for $50 on sale now, what are your thoughts on putting 3GB (1GB + 2GB) of memory onto a xp pro system?

[carmaster]

yea i'll stick with the recommended power supply.

i'm a bit confused as to why the motherboard is so important because the intel board seems to support the same processors, memory speed, and fsb. so is the asus that much better only if i decided to overclock or is there more to it than that?

also i saw infonec has kingston 2GB for $50 on sale now, what are your thoughts on putting 3GB (1GB + 2GB) of memory onto a xp pro system?

I would just pick up 2 packs of OCZ Rev Plat 2 PC-6400 RAM (2 gb memory) for 25 after rebate.

[Silver Bullet]

yea i'll stick with the recommended power supply.

i'm a bit confused as to why the motherboard is so important because the intel board seems to support the same processors, memory speed, and fsb. so is the asus that much better only if i decided to overclock or is there more to it than that?

also i saw infonec has kingston 2GB for $50 on sale now, what are your thoughts on putting 3GB (1GB + 2GB) of memory onto a xp pro system?

Intel boards for the most part are very limited in bois adjustments, it for example will not allow you to add more voltage to the ram, limiting your choices. Some ram requires 2 volts to run (the OCZ ram recommend by carmaster as an example - great ram, but you need to run it at 2v and the intel board will not let you). In the end really you'll probably not notice any major performances differences, but i'm sure later on you'll be kicking yourself for purchasing a motherboard meant for an office computer and not for gaming.

Yes it runs the sames speeds, etc, but its just not going to be as fast or as expandable as an Asus P5K-E for example.

I would just pick up 2 packs of OCZ Rev Plat 2 PC-6400 RAM (2 gb memory) for 25 after rebate.

Will not work on the intel board neptunestar has chosen, needs 2V to run properly.