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Fun Stuff => CLIKC => Topic started by: trolley on 13 Jun 2005, 10:20

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: trolley on 13 Jun 2005, 10:20

Hello there fellas. I'm wanting to build myself a computer, since buying a ready made one always feels like a poor investment as they are generally not  upgradeable and go out of date fast.

Here's what I've come up with for my plan:

1 x    CRUCIAL 1GB DDR PC3200 400MHz 184-PIN UNBUFF 128MX64 Memory Modules    65719    £76.99    £76.99
1 x    Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe S939 NF4 SLI ATX - Sound 2xgln 1394 USB2 SATA    82818    £89.31    £89.31
1 x    AMD (Winchester) Athlon 64bit 3500+ 939pin 512kb L2cache 90nm Retail Boxed Processor With 3 Year Warranty and Fan Included    79192    £153.06    £153.06
1 x    Seagate Barracuda ST3200822AS 200Gb 8Mb Cache 7200RPM - OEM    74108    £59.01    £59.01
1 x    LG GSA4163 16X DVD Dual Layer R/RW/RAM Internal IDE (Beige) - OEM    82782    £27.22    £27.22
1 x    Ebuyer Anti-static Wrist Band    60609    £2.82    £2.82

Works out as  £486.37 once VAT is added.
Anyone able to make any suggestions/improvements/aditions that i've left out? I'm a heavy computer user, I hate computer lag or waiting. I use heavy duty programs like photoshop, dreamweaver, itunes. I watch alot of downloaded movies etc. The usual really. I'm also a newbie to building so any idiot proofing of your help would be awesome. Thanks for any help guys.

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: Tanka on 13 Jun 2005, 10:31

Get a different fan for the CPU.  Stock fans have a tendancy to not even come close to cutting it, especially if you plan on overclocking your AMD.

Seagate.  Good choice.  Very good choice.  I applaud your decision.  :D

Get a CD-ROM/RW as well.  Better thought, get a DVD-ROM/CD-RW.  Then you can direct copy DVDs and CDs instead of having to rip them then burn them.

Can of air!  You can get those at most supermarkets, but by George are they handy!

Now, if you're going for heavier photo manipulation and video editing, grab another stick of 1GB RAM.  1GB is the bare minimum these days, and 1.5 passes pretty well if you just plan on doing some gaming.  Since you said you like Photoshop and Dreamweaver a lot, grab that extra stick up now.  You won't regret it.  (Do not grab a dual-channel 2GB stick.  Those are unstable as hell and are more likely to cause crashes than they are to prevent lag issues.)

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: nihilist on 13 Jun 2005, 10:32

I'd go with a 16MB SATA drive from Maxtor.  Check into OCZ RAM as well.  And must suggest a better HSF for the CPU.

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: trolley on 13 Jun 2005, 10:56

Thanks alot for the suggestions guys. I'm gonna get another stick of RAM. Sticking with the Seagate, and the Cruical Ram is also quite a bit cheaper than the OCZ so i'm gonna stick with that as well. Ok, is this a good choice of fan? Will it work with what i'm buying?

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=62707

And also this case, same questions:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=87607

I'm having a hard time getting my head around what makes something compatible or otherwise with something else.
I don't like having to make others work it out for, but i also don't have unlimited cash funds and can't afford to make mistakes. I really do appreciate your help.

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: nihilist on 13 Jun 2005, 11:17

Good for when your CPU gets hot, but it'll be loud:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=003500&cid=FN.349

Quiet only, but may not do well when the CPU gets hot:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=003501&cid=FN.349

Case:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007036&cid=CS.664

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: Trollstormur on 13 Jun 2005, 12:53

water cooling. simpler than it seems, but harder than it should be. also, if you have all the money in the world, look into that non-electrostatic fluid cooling agent. just dunk your whole board in it.

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: nihilist on 13 Jun 2005, 12:58

I have a watercooled system.  Wasn't hard to put together at all.

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: lil_john_pi on 13 Jun 2005, 17:25

i see no mention of a graphics or sound card there.
graphics i would go the nvidea route, i know raidon has a large folowing but all i hear is problems and nvidea, i have 1 and it beats raidons that cost twice what i paid.
sound i would go the creative route. i have a audiology 2 and i get a beautiful crystal clear sound.

what i see there is good but i dont see why at the moment why you would need any more that a gig of RAM

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: nihilist on 13 Jun 2005, 18:08

Taking advice from somebody who cannot spell the name of companies and products, now there's a winning proposition.  It's nVidia and Radeon.  I have had ATI cards since I bought an 8500 and would recommend them hands-down.  Single-slot, no massive cooling needed, no obscene power requirements.

Also, I think you were referring to the Audigy 2, from Sound Blaster.

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: est on 13 Jun 2005, 18:22

although conversely, the best bang-for-buck in Australia at the moment is apparently an nVidia 6600gt.  so it's either-or.

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: lil_john_pi on 13 Jun 2005, 18:28

i seriously doubt my lack of ability to spell has any baring on my computing ability. Also true the sound blaster audiology 2 is what i have, well done only problem is that they are run by creative *gasp*.  My fx 5600 has done me proud, getting better benchmark scores than that radeon 9800. one cost me £40 on special offer the other costs an arm and a leg. OH an fan that came with my graphics card has suited me well and i am running off a 350W power supply so i have no idea what your problems with nVidia are but they are yours and only yours.

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: nihilist on 13 Jun 2005, 19:10

Well, I'm gonna close this because you've gone and made things personal.  Congratulations.

Title: Building a computer for the first time
Post by: est on 13 Jun 2005, 21:49

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y177/waxploitation/spartacus.jpg)