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Staxed · #1 10-14-2006, 05:39 PM

I've decided to build my own computer. I've need a new one for quite some time...so i'm finally ready to take the plunge.

I don't want to buy a pre-config because i want to go through the fun learning process of doing it myself...not really because of price differences or anything...i've just always wanted to build my own.

So...with that...i'm a complete newbie at this...all i really know about is the harddrives and processor...and i've already got those picked out.

Processor: BX80557E6400 Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
main drive: WD1500ADFD Western Digital 150Gb SATA, 1.5 Gb/s, 16 Mb Cache, 10000 RPM
Storage drive: WD3200YS Western Digital 320 GB SATA, 3.0 Gb/s, 16 MB Cache, 7200 RPM

this leaves me with
Floppy Drive: (6/12/18 something or other in 1 media device is what i'm thinking here)
CD/DVD Drive: not much of an idea here...i do know that i want two drives...and i want to beable to burn cd's and dvd's quickly...
Memory: 2 gb...don't know of what though...
Power Supply:no clue here
Video Card:...i'm a web designer and graphics designer...and a few games every now and then
Case: no clue
Motherboard: no clue...

ok...so a bit about what i want:

I'm a graphics/web designer...so i need something that can handle macromedia suite, photoshop, and other programs like those. I also like to play a good game now and again. I want it to be fast...which i why i want the hardrives and processor i have listed...but not sure about if the ram plays a big part in that either...i'm guessing 2gig would be good for that over 1gig...but i don't know if i should go with normal ram or some sort of performance ram.

I don't want a huge case if it's not necessary...i'd like something quite, but also something that isn't going to give me overheating problems.

The CPU comes with it's own fan correct? or do i need to add that to the list of things to get?

Ok..any suggestions or advice on how to pick the rest of these parts...or suggestions on what part/what to look for in a part would be greatly appreciated

MRGTB · #2 10-14-2006, 10:49 PM

you really need to post your budget. How much are you talking about spending. As that matters a great deal.

SaintDog · #3 10-14-2006, 11:21 PM

A budget sure would help. I could go on for days with various hardware configurations and setups, though at the end of each day, they would all be useless without first knowing how much you have to spend

.

Staxed · #4 10-15-2006, 02:04 AM

i'd cap myself at about 3 grand...maybe a little more if it's really worth it. But i don't HAVE to spend all that...i'm just looking for something that would be an excellent web design/graphics/business type computer that could play a few games...don't need some 1000 graphics card, etc...

MRGTB · #5 10-15-2006, 07:02 AM

Memory wise. Don't buy anything except Corsair memory in my opinion. And get the best type your motherboard can support (check the MB specs for corsair memory). Motherboard wise, I'd buy either Asus or Gigabyte. But choose one very wisely that has the right specs to suit your needs now and in the future in you have plans to expand your system further down the line. Check things like how many HD's it can connect. Lots of motherboards now only come with one IDE slot these days. So if you want to use more than two CD/DVD-RW drives. You'll need to look for a motherboard that has two IDE slots. Becuase most HD's now use SATA connection instead of IDE. They are losing an IDE slot these days because of that. But if you get a motherboard that still has two IDE slots, it gives you the option to install 4 CD/DVD drives, while using the SATA connections for your HD's like I did. To get 4 HD's and 4 CD/DVD drives installed.

I would also consider building an SLi based system (twin graphics). But make sure your power supply and motherboard are both SLi ready. And buy the biggest power supply you can - about 650 watts. So you have the right power supply to expand in the future if you wish it to cope with the power demands of adding extra fans or drives etc. Get a good case, aluminum ones are the best because they help to cool air down faster and prevent system overheating. And good ones like SilverStone cases come with plenty of cooling fans fitted as standard. No use building a top spec system to find it's overheating all the time.

I just spent about ?2500 building my own system. I'll post some pictures later for you to have a look at to give you some ideas of what you can build for your money. Basically just plan very wisely, buy the right case to suit the motherboard first. No use buying a case that can only take up-to 2 HD's, and then installing a motherboard that can connect up-to 4 HD's etc. You'll be stuffed later on when you want to expand. You also say you don't want a large case. Think again. If you install plenty of internal hardware, a large case is a real must to give you much needed space for air circulation and cooling. Plus to let you arrange all the wires well away from the motherboard itself to improve air flow around the motherboard. Larger the better, and don't be conned into buying a cheap small case. You'll regret it later on!

I'd highly recormend using the same case I did here: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-tj03.htm

They also make a great SLi based 650 watt power supply to match it, which blows the air from the unit straight out the rear of the case, rather than some power units which blow the air down inside the case over the motherboard (that doesn't help cooling). Which I use here: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-65zf.htm

Buy Raptor Hardrives I'd say.

Freesteyelz · #6 10-15-2006, 07:51 AM

*To achieve good imaging detail you'll need a decent to high-end graphics card.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irisfire

i'm just looking for something that would be an excellent web design/graphics/business type computer that could play a few games...don't need some 1000 graphics card, etc...

If your system is for business then an LCD will be the ideal monitor. The LCD's are bright and sharp/crisp (perfect for text).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irisfire

i'm just looking for something that would be an excellent web design/graphics/business type computer that could play a few games...don't need some 1000 graphics card, etc...

Here, the advantage still goes to the CRT (unquestionably). The CRT's render color more precisely and motion is better controlled (smoother) than the top LCD's.

Staxed · #7 10-20-2006, 09:14 PM

i'm not looking for a monitor...i already have 3 excellent ones

...just a graphics card

thanks for that info gary, it helped a lot

(and if you don't mind me asking...why on earth do you need 4 cd/dvd drives?)

MRGTB · #8 10-21-2006, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irisfire

i'm not looking for a monitor...i already have 3 excellent ones

...just a graphics card

thanks for that info gary, it helped a lot

(and if you don't mind me asking...why on earth do you need 4 cd/dvd drives?)

I have 2 DVD Rom and 2 DVD Writers. No real reason why I installed 4 to be honest. I had the space and DVD writers and Roms are cheap these days. So I installed 2 of each to fill all the bay slots up, and use all the IDE slots up on the motherboard. Plus I can use Nero to copy DVD/Writer to DVD/Writer etc. Along with other configs etc.

The Sony writers were only ?20 each and the Rom ?9 each, so I thought I might as well get the extra ones to use all the IDe slots up, seeing as all my hardrives are SATA 3 cable connections and not IDE

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