Comments on: New computer build

By: Joey

Joey — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:01:08 +0000

Not a bad monitor at all man. Just be sure to use a DVI cable as opposed to a VGA if you want a clearer picture and better quality. =o

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 04:28:19 +0000

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009091

is the monitor I’m looking at

By: Carlo

Carlo — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 03:11:50 +0000

I think the GT is a good inch or so shorter than the GTX. I’ve got a GT from eVGA and it fit in my Lian-Li mid-tower case just fine.
And modular cabling is basically all the wires coming out of the PSU can come off. That way you only need to plug in what you need thus preventing air flow from being blocked by unused cables. There should be an option at Newegg for modular cabling. Just choose the Yes option and that’ll give you the rest of your choices. It’ll cost a little extra, but it’s worth spending more to keep your computer happy.
As for RAM, I wouldn’t pick up 4 gigs unless you’re sure you’ll be getting the 64-bit version of Vista. 64-bit XP isn’t all to well supported so I wouldn’t get that. But if you do get it, my God it’s a dream. It’ll make your system rock so much more.
Case-wise, just go ahead and get the CM Stacker if you’ve got your heart set on it. If not you can go with the Lian-Li 60BPLUSII. S’what I’ve got and my rig runs fairly cool at 45 degrees which is the sweet spot for temps. And by the looks of your mobo there shouldn’t be anything in the way.

By: Joey

Joey — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 23:29:13 +0000

Oh, trust me…the Cooler Master will be able to hold all your gear with no problems at all if that’s the one you go with. The reason I recommended it was because I kinda figured that maybe the 8800GT is about on par length-wise with the GTX, or maybe it’s a little bit smaller, I dunno. Just better to be safe than sorry, you know? If anything, maybe down the road you’d like to upgrade to something else, and you’d have plenty of room to work with. Sometimes I just like going a bit overkill if I can. But yeah, this thing isn’t going to be an ideal case for you if you plan on attending LAN parties. It’s colossal dude! =O

As for RAM, it’s entirely up to you. Most games only need at least 1 GB to run, but two would be good to handle pretty much everything out now. Just a head’s up though, if you get the standard 32-bit version of XP, it will only recognize 3GB max, so you’ll pretty much have one whole gig of idle RAM. Same thing applies to Vista as well. You’d need the 64-bit version of those OSes for it to pick up all four. =o

One thing that would be cool to do with the monitor you have now is to set it up as a secondary monitor if you can get a 19″, provided you’d like a dual-screen rig of course. =P

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:33:40 +0000

But the full tower is so shiny XD

Anyway, I was considering another HD anyway. Probably do a 100gb so I can keep qutie a few programs on there at once. I intend to actually *gasp* keep things filed this time. I’ve attempted to on this one, but ze programs, zey pile up so quick!

EDIT: Looked up that HDD you talkeds about, and a found a good one. Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive – OEM

More then enough HDD space, and it’s pretty cost effective comparatively.

When you say modular cabling, do you mean cables in the case? Also, any reccomendations on a mid-size tower? I’ve been looking over some other ones, but the CoolerMaster has really made a good impression on me.

either way, you guys are both awesome for your help :O.

By: Carlo

Carlo — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:36:52 +0000

Looks pretty rock solid to me. I agree with Joey on the wireless part. I’d switch over to wired for gaming or if you must have a wireless mouse, use one of Logitech’s RF mice/mouses/mouse.
All the parts look good to me. I’d also add a smaller harddrive for just your OS, say something between 50-150gb, and use the 500gb for storage. That way in case your harddive fails, you’ll just lose your OS and programs and not whatever you stored. If you have the green for it, I’d recommend a Western Digital Raptor.
As for cases, I’d go with just a mid-tower instead of a full-tower like Joey recommended. Theyre much easier to transport and usually a lot cheaper. Just make sure your 8800 GT will fit though I don’t see why it wouldn’t.
Also if you want to keep your case clean, I’d go with a PSU that has modular cabling. It’s very helpful if you don’t have a full tower and helps keep good airflow in your rig.
That’s all I really have to say for now. I’ll be on MSN if you ever need anything.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:27:15 +0000

This setup was actually done with a buddy of mine from the 75thid (The CSS group I’m an Officer in, and where I actually MET Carlo).

I’m thinking of XP, but alot of people are telling me the new version of vista is pretty good.

Does the Cooler Master case have slots for DR2 and 3? Note, I’m a pretty much noob when it comes to building computers (hopefully this will be a learning experience). Also, on the physical specs for that coolermaster, it says 25.2″ x 9.8″ x 21.1″ . Is that L W H? I hope so, because if it’s H W L then I can’t fit it XD.

The DVD/CD burner I can probably salvage from my current setup. I don’t really use it that much, so it isn’t top priority but it’s a true enough statement that I will need one.

On the subject of a new monitor, 19 was my hope, as I have a 17 right now (but it’s a fatty. Not slim and trim and sexy at all). With the wireless keyboard/mouse, they christmas gifts, so I might as well try them. I had a dell mouse/board with wireless last year, and I had only a few problems – batteries running out at critical times mainly. I think these have a warning sensor when the batteries are dying. Speakers, yeah, walmart or best buy will have something nice lol. Maybe I can actually get a subwoofer now.

One more thing, should I add another 2gb of RAM anyway? Or would that be overkill?

By: Joey

Joey — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:47:36 +0000

Yeah, everything looks good here aside from the wireless devices IMO. It may be my biased opinion, but I’ve never really cared too much for wireless components of any kind, because you usually have to put batteries in them to keep them powered and sometimes they go haywire in the middle of a game, or at least wireless console controllers I’ve used in the past did that a lot anyway. In short, wired doesn’t need batteries for power and is more reliable at the cost of convenience. ‘Course, I’ve never really used bluetooth either, so maybe it’ll do alright.

But yeah, 8800GT, Core 2 Duo, 2GB of RAM, 500GB HDD…all you need now is a case, a DVD/CD Burner drive and an operating system. Speaking of which, what OS are you going to go with? XP or Vista? If you go with Vista and have the extra money, I’d say go ahead and buy another 2GB of memory if you can. I’d also make sure that the case has good ventilation and can hold that video card. I’d say try to find a full-tower case just to be safe. I’d suggest one like the Cooler Master 830 Stacker (the one I got). It’s got an insane amount of room, and very good ventilation, so cooling wouldn’t be a problem. Or, look around for some other cases as well. Carlo’s mentioned to me before about how good Lian Li cases are, so maybe there’s another place to look.

As for the monitor, I’d try to find one absolutely no less than 17″, ideally 19″ or better. Speakers, well, you could probably pick up a decent pair of ‘em at a Best Buy or Wal-Mart for like $14 or so.

Carlo’s probably got better advice on this than I do, but as far as I know, it all looks good. Good luck on your new build dude! =P

Seriously, we should make a builder’s club or something. xD