Buying Parts for a Computer

[Ginger_Ale]

I'm needing a new computer, and before I go off and try to convince the money-makers in this family to chip in a bit, I want to make sure the parts I'm looking at are compatible and will work sufficiently. First I'll just explain a bit about my computing: I'm not look for a top-of-the-line PC, just one that will last me for quite I while - I don't really like upgrading, I'd prefer to start from scratch. I'd like it to be able to run some current games (Civ4, other recent/upcoming games), but also be decent just when multi-tasking with multiple programs open (Firefox, Word, IRC, image editing, etc.). So far this is what I've come up with:

Processor:	AMD Athlon 64 3700+				$223.00
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539

RAM:		CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2x1GB)				$236.00
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145574

Hard drive:	Western Digital Caviar 160GB			$89.50
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144175

Video card:	AOpen GeForce 6800GT 256 MB			$275.00
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814135171

Motherboard:	ASUS A8N-E 					$109.99
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530

Case:		Antec Solution Black ATX 350W Power Supply	$58.99
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129150

CD Burner:	ASUS Black 52X CD-R CD-RW 52X			$23.50
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827135042

DVD Burner:	ASUS Black 16X DVD-R DVD-RW 6X			$39.99
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827135046

Floppy Drive:	NEC Black 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive		$7.49
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16821152005

Sound Card:	Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 	        $45.50
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102179

OS:		Microsoft Windows XP Profession SP2		$139.95
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102062

Applications:	Microsoft Office 2003 Student and Teacher	$134.95
		http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102062

Heatsink/Fan:	None						$0.00
Keyboard:	None						$0.00
Mouse:		None						$0.00
Monitor:	None						$0.00

							Total:	$1383.86

As you can see, I'm just going to keep my same Keyboard/Mouse/Monitor as they work fine. So I have a few questions:

1) Are they all compatible? Will they work together?
2) Is there anything I'm missing?
3) Do I need to buy a heatsink/fan, or will the ones with the motherboard and video card work fine?
4) I'm assuming a sound card will be with the motherboard.
5) I'm not quite sure what an AMD 3700+ is in Intel GHz. I've read that a 2200+ isn't 2.2 GHz, but maybe that was incorrect. So what is 3700+ in GHz?
6) If I do go along with this, it'll be my first time building a computer. My brother knows a bit about it, but I'll also be using this guide. Anything that it is missing? Any hints/tips?

I might have a few more questions...thanks.

 

[dragokatzov]

the only issue is your power supply. its 20 pin, and the motherboard is 24 pin. other than that everything looks awsome! its a very powerful system and will last you for a long time

 

[Ginger_Ale]

So how would I fix that? Just get a new case, or just a new PSU? Would something like this work? It said 20+4 pin.

 

[MarineCorps]

As you can see, I'm just going to keep my same Keyboard/Mouse/Monitor as they work fine. So I have a few questions:

1) Are they all compatible? Will they work together?
2) Is there anything I'm missing?
3) Do I need to buy a heatsink/fan, or will the ones with the motherboard and video card work fine?
4) I'm assuming a sound card will be with the motherboard.
5) I'm not quite sure what an AMD 3700+ is in Intel GHz. I've read that a 2200+ isn't 2.2 GHz, but maybe that was incorrect. So what is 3700+ in GHz?
6) If I do go along with this, it'll be my first time building a computer. My brother knows a bit about it, but I'll also be using this guide. Anything that it is missing? Any hints/tips?
I might have a few more questions...thanks.

1. All are fine expect as said the PSU.
2. Not that I can think of
3. So long as you don't want to overclock it
4. There's built in sound on the motherboard. But a sound card is like a video card. Only for sound
5. They dropped that a while ago. GHz don't mean much now.
6. Best for others to anwser that.

And yes that PSU should work.

 

[Gainy]

It might be just me, but I found with my old computer onboard sound really reduced the performance. I upgraded by purchasing an Audigy 2 soundcard, and the difference was very noticable.

The 3700+ runs at 2.2ghz, but really that means nothing now. My old processor was a P4 2.4ghz, my current one is an AMD64 4000+ @ 2.4ghz. The difference in performance (for gaming) is huge.

With regards to building it, if you are worried about messing up or whatever, you could always just take it to a computer store and have it built for about $20.

 

[Jafendel]

I just wonder if 350 W is enough these days or am I just a victim of hype
If your CPU/Mobo temperatures reach alarming levels then a fan blowing outwards might be a good choice. PC's today generate a lot of heat...

If you plan to toy around with sound files (Like Fruity Loops or such) then a Creative sound card might be useful.

 

[dragokatzov]

as long as they will work in a 24 pin motherboard, it should work.

 

[Speedo]

I would get a heftier PSU. 350W is the bare minimum for a 6800GT.

A good sound card is worth the money. Onboard sound gives a performance hit of 12-35% in my testing.

 

[FriendlyFire]

I just wonder if 350 W is enough these days or am I just a victim of hype
If your CPU/Mobo temperatures reach alarming levels then a fan blowing outwards might be a good choice. PC's today generate a lot of heat...

If you plan to toy around with sound files (Like Fruity Loops or such) then a Creative sound card might be useful.

Thats nvidea recommended psu for a 6600GT 350w
for a 6800utra the PSU requirements are 460W

Dump the CD burner theres no need for it:
I had a DVD burner and CD burner setup but I endedu using the DVD to burn my CDs and removed my Old CD burner.

No need for the Floppy drive either. (USB stick)

the 320Gig HDD is kinda Overkill and rather pricy
your better of buying a 160Gig HDD unless you have specifice need for such massive storage space.

 

[Ginger_Ale]

It might be just me, but I found with my old computer onboard sound really reduced the performance. I upgraded by purchasing an Audigy 2 soundcard, and the difference was very noticable.

The 3700+ runs at 2.2ghz, but really that means nothing now. My old processor was a P4 2.4ghz, my current one is an AMD64 4000+ @ 2.4ghz. The difference in performance (for gaming) is huge.

With regards to building it, if you are worried about messing up or whatever, you could always just take it to a computer store and have it built for about $20.

Ok, I will check out a sound card. It can't be that expensive...but taking it to a shop is a good idea.

I would get a heftier PSU. 350W is the bare minimum for a 6800GT.

For a better PSU, would this be good enough??

Dump the CD burner theres no need for it:
I had a DVD burner and CD burner setup but I endedu using the DVD to burn my CDs and removed my Old CD burner.

No need for the Floppy drive either. (USB stick)

the 320Gig HDD is kinda Overkill and rather pricy
your better of buying a 160Gig HDD unless you have specifice need for such massive storage space.

The CD burner not that expensive, and I would like to be able to have 2 drives. For the cost it's fine. Or should I just swap the CD burner with a regular CD drive (cheaper) and just use the DVD burner to burn both DVDs and CDs?

Regarding the floppy...it's not that much, and I sometimes need to read floppies for some things I do. I agree though, USB flash drives are much better.

Honestly, yes, I don't really need the 320 GB HD. 160 gigabytes should work fine...I'll go find another one. Cutting costs is nice! So I'm off to find a HD and sound card. Thanks guys.

 

[Ginger_Ale]

Hardware changes:

Sound Card
Is a reative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card good enough for just regular music? I won't be editing/modifying music, just playing it. If not, can you recommend a better one?

Hard Drive
Replacing my 320 GB Western Digital with a 160 GB, for $50 less.

Power Supply
Replacing my 350W PSU with a 430W PSU. I take it this one will be compatible with my motherboard?

Speakers
Since I'll be keeping the same speakers, do they just plug into the computer, or will I have to do something special because there'll be a new sound card? I'm assuming it's the former, but I just want to be clear.

I hope I can get a final list of parts soon.

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

If you have a DVD burner the CD burner is unnecessary, the dvd burner can burn both.

 

[FriendlyFire]

Hardware changes:


Power Supply
Replacing my 350W PSU with a 430W PSU. I take it this one will be compatible with my motherboard?

thermaltake PSU have know certain "problems" with them. Though thats just from traweling the forumns. Which I did prior to buying my Coolmaster 430w

 

[MarineCorps]

Hardware changes:

Sound Card
Is a reative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card good enough for just regular music? I won't be editing/modifying music, just playing it. If not, can you recommend a better one?

If your just playing it there is no need for a sound card. Sound card are like for people who need perfect sound in their life.

 

[Speedo]

If your just playing it there is no need for a sound card. Sound card are like for people who need perfect sound in their life.

If you play games, you want a sound card.

 

[HawkeyeGS]

It is always a good idea to have a floppy driver and for the cost why not? If you ever get a SATA or SATA2 harddrive you may have to use the floppy drive to get drivers for it. If you are running an IDE HDD you should be ok but its always nice to be sure