Some help and reassurance please!

After researching and trying my hardest to understand better how all this pc building hot mess works--I finally decided to go through with it and build my own mainly after watching the simple "youtube video" on it and thought it looked abit easy. Im still very much lacking in confidence on it though--im a very selective person and kinda in need of some reassurance on this matter. This is what I have so far--

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/TemporaryWishList.aspx?BundleExist=N&ChangeQty=0

I think im missing just an operating program and a motherboard, and im not sure which one would be the best pick with those so if somebody could recommend something among the two, it would be highly appreciated. I just want to be sure I don't waste my time and money when I could be spending it doing way more interesting things.

Opps! Well I didn't have an account so I just simply copy and pasted for now.

== ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T ==

== XION II XON-101 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450W Power Supply ==

== Seagate ST303204N1A1A-RK 320GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive ==

== EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card ==

== G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ ==

== Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 ==

Hmmm...this is your best bet as far as the motherboard goes :D

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188024

That PSU is not going to cut it. So you might as well pick a nicer case sans PSU, then get a good PSU on it's own. Essentially none of the PSU's included with a case are going to be worth their weight in doodie.

For a motherboard get one of these:

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA775 Intel P45 $160

And ditch the 8800GTS for either one of these with the thought of a second later on for Crossfire:

Visiontek Radeon HD4850 $190

Visiontek Radeon HD4870 $290

Oh god, do I have to switch cases? I really had my heart set on that one! All those other ones were so ugly looking. I guess this one looks alright though, would this one be an alright choice and if so, what PSU would be best suited for me?--

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156209

Also, I see that alot of those reviews say that those video cards run hot or something--should I be worried?

Oh god, do I have to switch cases? I really had my heart set on that one! All those other ones were so ugly looking. I guess this one looks alright though, would this one be an alright choice and if so, what PSU would be best suited for me?--

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156209

Also, I see that alot of those reviews say that those video cards run hot or something--should I be worried?

TecmoGirl

You could just get the Xion case but buy a replacement PSU for the one that comes with it... I'm not a big fan of Raidmax, more partial to Antec and Thermatake cases myself. I prefer cases without frilly front bezels, and drive bay doors are anathema. Thus this is what I own: Antec 900 But pick something you like the look of as well as for it's technical qualities. Just if it comes with a PSU know you'll want to replace.

Anything 650+ watts from companies like Antec, ABS, Hyper, Thermatake, Silverstone are going to be good. Don't get a PSU that doesn't have modular cables. Here's an example of a decent PSU. Of course that's a pricey one. This one is good too and a bit more economical.

I would recommend the Corsair 650Watt for your power supply.

...Corsair ... Strifebringer

eeewww.

[QUOTE="Strifebringer"]...Corsair ... WDT-BlackKat

eeewww.

??? What's wrong with Corsair?

Also, I see that alot of those reviews say that those video cards run hot or something--should I be worried? TecmoGirl

That's because the default fan speed is set to very low. There's a fan fix to raise the speed and it lowers the temps to 45-50C at idle and 60C under load. Or if you buy the Asus hd4850 it comes with a software to control the fan speed. It's nothing dramatic.

You could just get the Xion case but buy a replacement PSU for the one that comes with it... I'm not a big fan of Raidmax, more partial to Antec and Thermatake cases myself. I prefer cases without frilly front bezels, and drive bay doors are anathema. Thus this is what I own: Antec 900 But pick something you like the look of as well as for it's technical qualities. Just if it comes with a PSU know you'll want to replace.

I actually think that case you have is pretty fly--im glad you pointed it out. I'll go with that one as well as that "Antec" power supply(mainly because I can't find the Corsair 650Watt that was noted by SB). Thank you BK! You've been a really big help!

The overall price of everything came up to alittle under a "$1000". Im sure that it will probably go beyond that once I pick an operating system, keyboard, and mouse sadly. But other then that, is there anything else I need? No extra tools or anything? Am I good to go?

And yeah, that's good to know "matrixian". That's the card I have actually decided to go with too so im glad to know that it won't be a big issue.

Phillips head screwdriver(s) are the only tool needed really. Zip ties are good for holding cables out of the way so they don't pop out from behind the drive cage or wherever you tuck them away to keep them out of fan airflow lanes. That's about it. Just be sure to ground oneself by touching the metal case frame before handling static sensitive parts.WDT-BlackKat

lol! Oh wow thats it? I thought I would need a anti-stactic band or whatever it was to keep myself form getting shocked 'n' stuff. I guess that saves me abit of money--well either way, Thankz again! Really appreciate it lotz sweetie.

You'll need to install the power supply into the case first. Then plug it in and set the switch to '0' (off). If the computer isn't plugged in, it's not grounded.

BlackKat, if there's anything I've learned about computers, it's this: flashy components are generally worse than their more bland counterparts. Nowhere is this more apparent than in power supplies. Companies concentrate on adding pretty colors and bright lights, but they skimp on the quality. These power supplies almost always can't put out what they're rated for or have voltage issues.

tl;dr: Buy Corsair and Antec-branded power supplies.

Here's the corsair 650 btw, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

If you've already ordered, that's fine. I just like the large 12V rail instead of smaller, multiple rails.

I see--thankz for the link. And nah! I haven't even ordered yet SB(don't plan to right away, just wanted to be sure that I was going about it the right way first though)--I was about to switch it around to that one just a moment ago, until I saw that "kodex" edited his post assuring that "Antec" is fine as well. I guess im sticking with it because I want that shining blue-light effect in my PSU if I can get it (can't beat both flash and quality right?). But the fact that the one you linked is cheaper is very tempting--guess i'll be hard-pressed to be selective about this matter too.TecmoGirl

I personally like Antec as well(BlackKat was posting while I was posting, so I didn't see his until I got done). The modular on the Antec is also very nice(I like the blue LED as well :)).

Either one should do you fine.

I'd get the Corsair 550VX for your setup. It's easily one of the best power supplies on the market. Even when overloaded, the power supply will just shutdown (as opposed to exploding, catching fire, or melting like many power supplies). I assume the Antec would do the same, but I'm a bit of a Corsair fanboy, so I can't recommend it. =P

EDIT: I should probably mention that, even with two HD 4850s, you'd only be using about 350W, so there's no danger (or possibility) of overloading either power supply.

Well that's good to know SB. :)

As for this two HD4850's mess, what do you mean exactly "kodex"--why would somebody even buy two of the same cards? That's seems kinda silly other then to have a backup one I guess right? And yeah, im begining to see and understand now why you would be a big fan of "Corsair" and that it is commonly associated with the word quality based on the reviews--I actually just switched my "RAM" over to that brand a moment ago--

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

Not sure if it was a good idea though when the other one seemed just as fine I think.

If you have a motherboard with two PCI Express slots, like the ASUS P5Q-E, you can run two graphics cards together for an increase in performance (usually around 30%, but often times much higher). ATi's technology is called CrossFire while Nvidia calls theirs SLi. CrossFire works on motherboards with Intel and AMD chipsets while only Nvidia boards can use SLi. With CrossFire you can mix graphics cards of the same series (such as a HD 4850 with a HD 4870), but the cards need to be the identical with SLi.

I personally wouldn't buy Corsair RAM, as they've performed a Bait 'n' Switch on a few sets of it. However, their power supplies are top-notch.

If you have a motherboard with two PCI Express slots, like the ASUS P5Q-E, you can run two graphics cards together for an increase in performance (usually around 30%, but often times much higher). ATi's technology is called CrossFire while Nvidia calls theirs SLi. CrossFire works on motherboards with Intel and AMD chipsets while only Nvidia boards can use SLi. With CrossFire you can mix graphics cards of the same series (such as a HD 4850 with a HD 4870), but the cards need to be the identical with SLi.

I personally wouldn't buy Corsair RAM, as they've performed a Bait 'n' Switch on a few sets of it. However, their power supplies are top-notch.

kodex1717

I think I get it--so does that also mean that the video card I had chosen initially in this thread(which was of "NVIDIA" brand) wouldn't have worked on the current motherboard because it's not a Nvidia board right?--

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131296

[QUOTE="kodex1717"]

If you have a motherboard with two PCI Express slots, like the ASUS P5Q-E, you can run two graphics cards together for an increase in performance (usually around 30%, but often times much higher). ATi's technology is called CrossFire while Nvidia calls theirs SLi. CrossFire works on motherboards with Intel and AMD chipsets while only Nvidia boards can use SLi. With CrossFire you can mix graphics cards of the same series (such as a HD 4850 with a HD 4870), but the cards need to be the identical with SLi.

I personally wouldn't buy Corsair RAM, as they've performed a Bait 'n' Switch on a few sets of it. However, their power supplies are top-notch.

TecmoGirl

I think I get it--so does that also mean that the video card I had chosen initially in this thread(which was of "NVIDIA" brand) wouldn't have worked on the current motherboard because it's not a Nvidia board right?--

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131296

Oh it would have worked just fine. Single NVidia cards work fine in boards with ATi Crossfire support, as single ATi cards work fine in boards with NVidia SLI support. But then if you ever wanted to use the Crossfire on the motherboard linked, you'd need to buy two new ATi cards, as opposed to just getting one more card. Thus it would have worked, but been kind of silly.

[QUOTE="TecmoGirl"][QUOTE="kodex1717"]

If you have a motherboard with two PCI Express slots, like the ASUS P5Q-E, you can run two graphics cards together for an increase in performance (usually around 30%, but often times much higher). ATi's technology is called CrossFire while Nvidia calls theirs SLi. CrossFire works on motherboards with Intel and AMD chipsets while only Nvidia boards can use SLi. With CrossFire you can mix graphics cards of the same series (such as a HD 4850 with a HD 4870), but the cards need to be the identical with SLi.

I personally wouldn't buy Corsair RAM, as they've performed a Bait 'n' Switch on a few sets of it. However, their power supplies are top-notch.

WDT-BlackKat

I think I get it--so does that also mean that the video card I had chosen initially in this thread(which was of "NVIDIA" brand) wouldn't have worked on the current motherboard because it's not a Nvidia board right?--

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131296

Oh it would have worked just fine. Single NVidia cards work fine in boards with ATi Crossfire support, as single ATi cards work fine in boards with NVidia SLI support. But then if you ever wanted to use the Crossfire on the motherboard linked, you'd need to buy two new ATi cards, as opposed to just getting one more card. Thus it would have worked, but been kind of silly.

Ohhh!..alright I understand now--yeah, even now that I understand it abit more, it still seems kinda silly too me, but I guess it's not a worthless idea if your somebody who's aiming for the best at whatever it is your doing I suppose. Newayz, one more question--I was kinda loving the look of this one, do you think it might be any good compared to the one you have? I know im abit superficial about what im picking going by only looks with the cases--but I can't really help it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103010

...

Newayz, one more question--I was kinda loving the look of this one, do you think it might be any good compared to the one you have? I know im abit superficial about what im picking going by only looks with the cases--but I can't really help it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103010

TecmoGirl

Seems like it would have pretty good airflow. I had heard many initial reservations from people that XClio cases "looked" flimsy, as in structurally. But based on the reviews on newegg I guess that's not so. A few people complained of electronics issues with case wiring but I suppose that could happen in any case.