First time building a PC, recommendations wanted.

[Babnux]

Project: Technerd
Budget: $900
Description:

I have become tired of Windows fucking over my MacBook Pro, and more importantly, my computing experience. It has destroyed the partition map, causing me to lose about a week's worth of stuff and another week fixing it, and just generally is a pain in the ass. If I am going to use Windows, I am going to do it properly and stop hurting my computer. So I am building a Microsoft Windows PC and I have no experience really with it. I know processor and graphics card and memory specs, but as far as a case and motherboard go, I have no idea, because I have never had to deal with them. So I ask you, fellow facepunchers, to recommend me some parts. I have a few general outlines, however.

First off, please, leave all Mac hate at the door. I just don't want to deal with it.

Secondly, if possible, all parts recommended should be on Newegg.com. Buying them all from one place is easier and I might run into a combo(breaker?) and save a lot of money.

Thirdly, I have my heart set on an Intel Core 2 Quad processor and a nVidia graphics card, preferably of the 9000 series or newer. PLEASE do not suggest AMD CPUs or ATI cards.

Fourthly, I would like to use Windows XP compatible parts. I have several copies of XP I can use, but would have to buy Windows 7 if I am going to use it.

I know this seems more like a "Make my computer for me" post and not a "suggest parts" post, but I do know how to do most of this. I just need help picking a motherboard and case specifically. I am also a little out of date on graphic cards. EDIT: and hard drives and disc drives. Another set of things I have never had to deal with. EDITEDIT: and a power supply. Best just to suggest anything to me that isn't ram and a processor. Yeah I know, I suck.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[ADT]

Firstly, you just should stop this AMD/ATI hate, even if you won't get these components for your budget.

Core2Quad processors and Nvidia 9000 Series are too old, and not worth it for a new build, and especially on a 1200$ build

For your build:

i5 750/760 or i7 870
Akasa Freedom Tower CPU Cooler or CoolerMaster Hyper 212 + CPU Cooler
MSI P55-GD65 Socket 1156 Motherboard
4 GB of RAM DDR3 1333Mhz (From Corsair, G.Skill, Crucial, Kingston)
Nvidia GTX 460/470/480 (or wait a little for AMD Graphic 6000 HD Series)
Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB or 1TB
750W PSU Antec TruePower/Corsair HX/Seasonic X-Series

[phlexiglass]

please leave fanboyism at the door

[Kurodragon]

$1200 with a C2D and nVidia 9XXX series? Those are way too cheap for your budget. You're better off with ADT has, i5/i7 or Phenom X4s. You can get a GTX 470 or Radeon HD 5850.

[G-Guy]

[QUOTE=MacTrekkie;25191368]PLEASE do not suggest AMD CPUs or ATI cards.[/QUOTE]

Being ignorant doesn't help you build a better PC, you need to consider all options.

Whoever convinced you to avoid AMD and ATI at all costs should have the shit slapped out of them, as prices are always changing and new products are always being released.

[Babnux]

[QUOTE=G-Guy;25198074]Being ignorant doesn't help you build a better PC, you need to consider all options.

Whoever convinced you to avoid AMD and ATI at all costs should have the shit slapped out of them, as prices are always changing and new products are always being released.[/QUOTE]

I have my heart set on a core 2 quad because there are five computers in my house with core 2 series processors. I swear by them. Like I said, I am way behind the times on graphics cards, so I do not know what the latest nVidia is. But, all said computers have nVidias. I am simply going with what I know. But if ATIs are really better and not too much more expensive I am happy to get one.

Plus, I just looked at my savings account and it looks like I was a bit optimistic. I am amending my budget to $900. Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Okay, I think I found a case. A: it looks cool. B: decent price. C: lots and LOTS of room for future expansions. and D: a good (I think) power supply built in.

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133175[/url]

And how about a couple of these?
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319[/url]

Got the processor.
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115060[/url]

Motherboard. Is this going to fit my things? I think it will, but I don't know much of anything about motherboards. It has enough memory slots for me and, more importantly, a DVI port.
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121438[/url]
However, after looking at the one reader review, I might look at this instead. Is there a way to get a DVI port on even if it is not included?
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130280[/url]
Its reviews look much more promising.
[b]EDIT[/b]: Oh duh, the video cards have the video out. Rate me... smiles. And the second card only has a PCIE x16, which does not support many cards at all. Then again I could just splurge for 2x 4gb RAM and get a completely different less annoying mobo.

[b]EDIT2[/b] how about I just give up on motherboards. There are too many different things to think of.

Reason I want a mobo with four ram slots is I want to use 3x 2gb ram.

As always, feel free to suggest better parts. Except for the CPU. I am dead set on a C2Q.

[AncientGrandpa]

Don't get that CPU. Go for an i5 build with a GTX460/470, or wait for the 6xxx series.

Case: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216[/url]
PSU: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022[/url]

[ADT]

Like we already said, Core2 processors are now too "old" (and too expensive) to be worth it on a new build.

[phlexiglass]

i've got a feeling he already bought the C2Q and this thread is now pointless because he just ignored us

[ADT]

If he found the MSI P45T-C51 mobo (like mine), maybe that would be okay for his budget. But since it's pretty hard to find good P45/P43 mobos from 775 socket, for under 65$/€, OP is screwed.

[Babnux]

[QUOTE=xxncxx;25202635]i've got a feeling he already bought the C2Q and this thread is now pointless because he just ignored us[/QUOTE]

I haven't bought anything yet. And since when is a 3 gigahertz quad core bad/out of date?

Also, a friend of mine just said something about server CPUs being able to handle overclocking far better than 'normal' ones. Is this true?

EDIT: I wasn't able to find one on newegg that's a p45t-c51, but I found a p43-c51. Is this a good one?
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130252R[/url]

[AncientGrandpa]

[QUOTE=MacTrekkie;25204216]I haven't bought anything yet. And since when is a 3 gigahertz quad core bad/out of date?

Also, a friend of mine just said something about server CPUs being able to handle overclocking far better than 'normal' ones. Is this true?[/QUOTE]

Go with an i5.

C2Q's are no longer being supported.

[Babnux]

[QUOTE=Quantuam VTX;25204267]Go with an i5.

C2Q's are no longer being supported.[/QUOTE]

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211[/url]

[b]?[/b]

[AncientGrandpa]

Are you doing any CPU intensive tasks, or just gaming?

[Babnux]

[QUOTE=Quantuam VTX;25204418]Are you doing any CPU intensive tasks, or just gaming?[/QUOTE]

I plan on doing heavy 3D rendering and gaming, with a spot of audio processing.

[Tukimoshi]

For a case: You'll want something cheap, but not too cheap. Often, you can even get tool-less installations (very convenient) but it may cost you more. The Antec 300 is an example of a cheap case. It's not tool-less but it'll do the job very well. I'm running a very decent computer out of it, note: the fans are a little loud on low. You probaly won't sleep with it on.

[phlexiglass]

[QUOTE=MacTrekkie;25204551]I plan on doing heavy 3D rendering and gaming, with a spot of audio processing.[/QUOTE]

then why are you getting core 2

with your budget at least get an i5 or if possible an i7

[AncientGrandpa]

[QUOTE=MacTrekkie;25204551]I plan on doing heavy 3D rendering and gaming, with a spot of audio processing.[/QUOTE]

Go with this i7 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225&cm_re=i7_930-_-19-115-225-_-Product[/url] to save a few bucks.

[ADT]

[QUOTE=Quantuam VTX;25206520]Go with this i7 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225&cm_re=i7_930-_-19-115-225-_-Product[/url] to save a few bucks.[/QUOTE]

i7 860/870, not the i7 930, goddamn

THAT would save a lot of bucks, thanks to 1156 socket

[editline]12:05AM[/editline]

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115213[/url]

[editline]12:05AM[/editline]

And i7 870 outperform i7 930 in benchmarks

[Babnux]

I just went to Fry's to look at stuff and found a really cool inexpensive case. The Apevia X-cruiser 2. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144245&cm_re=x-cruiser2-_-11-144-245-_-Product[/url]

And a suitable power supply. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148040[/url]

Changed my hard drive choice to one of these. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433[/url]

[Reapaninja]

[QUOTE=MacTrekkie;25208640]I just went to Fry's to look at stuff and found a really cool inexpensive case. The Apevia X-cruiser 2. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144245&cm_re=x-cruiser2-_-11-144-245-_-Product[/url]

And a suitable power supply. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148040[/url][/QUOTE]

they're both shit

[Babnux]

Care to expand upon that thought?

[odellus]

[QUOTE=MacTrekkie;25208640]I just went to Fry's to look at stuff and found a really cool inexpensive case. The Apevia X-cruiser 2. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144245&cm_re=x-cruiser2-_-11-144-245-_-Product[/url]

And a suitable power supply. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148040[/url]

Changed my hard drive choice to one of these. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433[/url][/QUOTE]

case:

1. ugly as fuck
2. made of mainly plastic and the lowest quality steel
3. small as fuck
4. 1 year, limited warranty that they probably won't honor
5. ricer

psu:

1. 58A spread over 4 rails which probably aren't even balanced properly
2. way too much amperage for the 3.3 and 5 volt rails, this isn't 1995
3. probably going to break in a year or two, it's cheap because of the fucking terrible quality components it's made up of (like the case)
4. 1 year warranty they probably won't honor
5. because of the improper rail balancing, you can expect less than 400W allotted to your most power hungry components at its [i]maximum[/i] rated efficiency
6. ricer

[Babnux]

Thank you. So I should stick with my original case choice?
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133175&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3640869&SID=skim629X1198[/url]

[odellus]

well, not necessarily, but you do save a shitload of money on the PSU (which is very nice, actually) so I think it might be alright

[Babnux]

That case says it supports mini ATX, which is not the same as micro ATX, right? Darn. most mobos I'm looking at are micros. Like this one, which looks like a fine little board.
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130264[/url]

Then again, maybe I am just looking at the wrong motherboards. Think I may have found a better one now.
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130291[/url]

And I think I may have found a graphics card, too.
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130557[/url]

[b]EDIT: I think I got my list of parts down, finally![/b]

Case: Thermaltake Element G VL18501W2Z Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Gaming Case w/ 850W Modular Power Supply
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133175[/url]

PSU: included in case

Motherboard: MSI P55A-GD65 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130291[/url]

CPU: Intel Core i7-870 Lynnfield 2.93GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I7870
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115213[/url]

GPU: EVGA 01G-P3-1467-AR GeForce GTX 465 (Fermi) Superclocked 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130557[/url]

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277[/url]

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433[/url]

There. Tell me what you think. I think it's not too bad for not having made one of these ever before.

[Axiom :D]

Can't you just buy the normal gtx 465 and overclock it yourself?

[Babnux]

[QUOTE=Axiom :D;25211086]Can't you just buy the normal gtx 465 and overclock it yourself?[/QUOTE]

I dunno, can I? I just picked this one because it has decent specs and it will be $199.99 with a rebate.

[Reapaninja]

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185[/url] better HDD, use the promo code and it's the same price

the 465 kinda sucks, the 460 is a better choice
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127510&cm_re=gtx_460_cyclone-_-14-127-510-_-Product[/url]

[odellus]

[QUOTE=reapaninja;25211286][url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185[/url] better HDD, use the promo code and it's the same price

the 465 kinda sucks, the 460 is a better choice
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127510&cm_re=gtx_460_cyclone-_-14-127-510-_-Product[/url][/QUOTE]