New here, First Build!!! *(screams for help)*

[transeja]

Hello everyone, i spent most the better part of this morning and last night reading through these forums. You guys seem pretty helpfull, so I decided to build my own pc instead of buying a prebuilt one.

I know how to install video/sound cards/ethernet/cd etc.

but i've never chosen a motherboard or even tried to install one.


I've done some research and have picked out my parts.

Parts are as follows:

ANTEC Performance Plus Metallic Gray SOHO File Server Case without Power Supply, Model "PlusView1000AMG"

Aspire 520W 12V Black Triple Fan Aluminum Power Supply, Model "ATX-AS520W BLACK" -RETAIL

Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD360GD, OEM Drive Only (2 of them)

OCZ Enhanced Latency Series Dual Channel Kits 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail

GIGABYTE "GA-K8NSNXP-939" nForce3 Ultra Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL

AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 512K, L2 Cache, Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor 939 Pin - Retail

XFX nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, 8X AGP, Model "PVT40AUA" -RETAIL

-

total comes to about 1700 on newegg (without shipping). I was trying to keep it at 1500.

I know i could save a bundle if i knock down the video card, for that kind of cash i could get a nice washer/dryer combo ( i suppose). but i can't help myself....

I want to save cash on the motherboard, so please give me suggestions on which way to go.

Please post suggestions or any comments regarding compatability.

Thanks!

oh and yeah, this is a gaming machine. I havn't run anything on full settings since Quake 2.

[splatfreak]

WOW sounds like a nice PC?Sorry I can't help with the motherboard.Nice computer you should post some pics when you get them.

[transeja]

Hopefully i won't have to much trouble putting it all together.

[bombledmonk]

I would suggest the K8T800Pro chipset for your mobo instead of Nforce3. The Nforce3 chipset has a but in the AGP bus that degrades the performance as much ass 33% when compared to the K8T800 chipset. Just check out any board with good ratings on newegg. You'll be happy.

You might also want to think about dropping the Raptor HDs. They will give no real performance increase while gaming. The only difference you may find is that they will increase your map loading speeds or video editing. If don't care about that you might as well get one(or two) larger SATA drives (you could run in RAID-0, with two). Stuff will load quicker with the Raptors, but with 1GB of ram and a 256mb vid card I don't think you have to worry about the bottleneck of accessing a page file off the HD.

**just suggestions**

[transeja]

hmm.. i might go with that K8T800Pro chipset. THx for the suggestion.

Yeah, i'll probobly be dropping the raptors.

I lucked out yesterday on the 6800 GT at fry's yesterday, they were 100 bucks off, although it was instore so i would of paid taxes.

[Ro1]

Always remember that if you go for a custom made pc you have to update drivers, bios etc. seperately. If you select a brand machine like Dell or HP you can download and update everything from one place. It really depends if you want it for fun or business.

Hope that helps.

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EvilRick

[rrcn]

Having to update the BIOS and various drivers is not difficult or too time consuming. You never really need to flash a BIOS, only if you are having some issues that only a BOIS flash can fix.

Motherboard drivers can be found at either VIA's, nVivia's or SiS's sites. Not difficult to find. Same with the videocard, either nVidia's or ATI's site. So it's not really an issue.

Try to find a brand name computer with the same exact specs for the same price. I think you'll be extremely happy with that setup.

I also agree that you should drop the raptors and go with SATA.

[batmeat]

I also agree that you should drop the raptors and go with SATA.

The raptors are SATA. I think you mean to buy a different SATA drive. Anways, I agree with the above posts. Drop the Raptors (They're nice I know. I had one) and go with a motherboard with the K8T800Pro chipset. You won't be dissapointed

[rrcn]

Hehe...I was half asleep.

[rrcn]

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