Built my first computer

[niterydr]

Good deal brandon! NewEgg is a great site!

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1156607398343




AMD dual-core technology enables you to work or play with multiple programs without impacting performance

512KB + 512KB L2 cache memory for efficient system processing

250GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 rpm); front-panel HP Pocket Media Drive expansion bay to easily add a second, removable hard drive (not included)

NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE graphics with up to 256MB shared video memory; high-definition audio (8-channel support)

Front-mounted 9-in-1 media card reader supports CompactFlash Type I/II, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, xD-Picture Card and Microdrive

2 IEEE 1394 (FireWire) ports and 6 high-speed USB 2.0 ports, both front and rear accessible, for fast digital data transfer and easy peripheral connectivity

HP multimedia keyboard and scroll mouse

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system preinstalled; software package included with HP Photosmart Premier, muvee autoProducer, Sonic MyDVD Plus and more

Microsoft Windows Vista Premium Ready — learn more


I don't think I have "amd live" but A1630N ( same part number) is the computer I got out the door for $782. Your comp seems nice too but I'm not really seeing where you save the money. Also, Mine came "pre upgraded" as a 5200+ (dual 2.6ghz processor)

[JET]

The video card is the big weak point I see in your system, other than that it looks pretty solid. Not a bad deal either. Your has a faster CPU and more memory, but his has dual DVD's, dual HD's, better video card, better MB and is $92 cheaper. To each his own.

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

Yeah I suppose if I made my own I would have changed a few things in this system. I'm already looking into a new video card lol. This one blows. Hell I think my GeForce mx 440 worked better than this POS and that one is ancient.. I can't decide on what though, because I don't know much about the specs and what they mean.

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

Originally Posted by ju-on

Just got done building it, and getting her up and running, and most of the basic software stuff I need. Pretty cool though. It really wasn't that hard at all, and man I saved a ton of money. In the end, it cost me right around $690 for everything, including the case. Here's a couple quick snap shots I took!

Some of the specs...
AMD Athalon X2 64 Dual-Core, 2.0ghz
1gb ddr2 ram
sataII 80 and 250gb Hard Drives
Abit KN9 motherboard w/ 1000MHz FSB
ATI 256mb/256bit video card
LG DVD burner
Sony DVD ROM
Centurion Case

What opperating system do you use?

[Pushit2.0]

I would look into a fan for the back of you case other than that I would think Brandon has more room to expand on his Mobo vs store bought, more PCI and Ram slots, could support more processor(water cool and over clock proccesor) stuff like that, and the I built this my self factor.

~John

[Halon]

I have a fan rear fan that I am installing today after work.

I'm using Windows XP also.

Also, your SATA hard drive, is it Sata 1.5 or Sata 3.0 (aka sata2)? Both mine are SATA2. My processor also has the 512x2 L2 cache, and is capable of 2000MHz Hyper Transport. I tried to make sure I had good performance all around, not just focusing on processor speed. I didn't want some fast processor, but not very good "supporting mods" so to say.

[DoughtCom]

There's only sata 1.0 and sata 2.0.

sata 1.0 = 1.5Gbits/s burst
sata 2.0 = 3.0Gbits/s burst and has native command queing.

XP (32 bit) is the best good choice... Don't ever run the 64 bit version it's a pile of crap.

[Halon]

So you figured out what I meant by "Sata 1.5 and Sata 3.0 (aka Sata2). " Congrats. Anywho, I chose XP because it's what I had a disc for. It's XP professional if that means anything to ya.

[92EvilTalon]

Originally Posted by ju-on

So you figured out what I meant by "Sata 1.5 and Sata 3.0 (aka Sata2). " Congrats. Anywho, I chose XP because it's what I had a disc for. It's XP professional if that means anything to ya.

If you have XP Pro SP2 then that be great. If not you can not update to...SP2 or higher. Microsoft desided to stop upgrading to SP2 from SP1. But eh...it don't matter.

Don't shy on cooling factor. I have a Mobo that has poped 12 Caps out of 22. Because of one little fan quite. As for fans get Duel Berings. Do not buy them sleave crap ones. I have had two give out on me. One on my GForce4 Ti4400 and another one on that mobo. My free PSU that came with the case burnt out. Now I have a 480w PSU.... Oh that is another thing power ... if you have 2x HDD, 2x DVD/CDROMS, and 2x CPU's. You are going to have to look at a bigger PSU. Or even duel PSU's hehe now thats crazy.

Question on Water cooling. Was it hard to install? What kinda stuff are you using? And how offten do you have to change the water?

Next year I am building a new computer. This one right now is to old.

Oh as for Graphixs cards. First off do you have PCIExpress or 8xAGP. Either or ... Nvidia cards are the best. ATI's kinda suck from what I hear. Then again I am sticking with Nvidia cards.

[Halon]

My video card is PCI x16. As far as cooling, I just have the one intake fan, and I'll be installing a fan on the back of the case tonight. I don't have water cooling. I'm not sure totally how that little pipe thing works on my motherboard. I'm guessing it just takes heat over to the other heat exchanger, and that just helps it dissipate more heat. My video card probably isn't the best out there, but it's working well so far for me. We will be doing some basic video editing, which was the purpose I built this. And if the video card becomes a weak point, well I will upgrade. But I figured I'd give this one a shot. Thanks for the compliments so far! I'm guessing most of the people on this site could build one of these. I'd say if you think you can build your own, then go at it. Just takes a little research to figure out what parts to pick out. And the assembly is cake!

[92EvilTalon]

Assembly is easy. I built 4 comps. And custom one case. My case sounds like a vacuum cleaner hahaha. Its pretty loud with 7 fans running. And its a light show.....

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

Yeah I kind of wish I still have XP pro on this computer. This XP media edition came with alot of software that is un-needed. Something else I don't like about a store bought comp is that SOMEHOW some way.. I had 24GB pre used before I even booted it up. I mean I do have 250GB hard drive, I just don't like that 24gigs were used up with advertisements and stupid programs I don't want.

I've talked to alot of my comp nerd friends who build their own PC's and they all say the same thing to me. IN A SENSE you save money. In the sense they imply, they mean you get to pick and choose what you want to have for hardware. You won't get into a position like me where I love my comp, but I need a new video card. But penny for penny, you typically don't spend less building a similar computer to one they would sell in a store.

I'd love to build my own PC or maybe just get an aftermarket case and upgrade some things at the same time. Last time I tried to use a aftermarket case - I couldn't get the computer to get power. I never did figure it out and I still have the case :P I think it was related to a missing ground and / or spacer for the case / mother board / power supply. Did you have any troubles with this?

My video card is a PCI x16 256mb GeForce 6150LE. The numbers look fine but the card blows. My buddy has a 6200 go card in his lap top with 128 MB and it blows mine away. I really don't understand what makes a card good or bad ;/ Can anyone explain this?

I don't mean to whore up your thread Brandon. If you don't want me to post questions in your thread, let me know. I'm just avoiding adding another computer thread :P

[Halon]

I don't care. I didn't have any problems powering it up. Just turned on the power supply, and then hit the On switch on the front of the computer, and Walla!

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

Originally Posted by ju-on

I don't care. I didn't have any problems powering it up. Just turned on the power supply, and then hit the On switch on the front of the computer, and Walla!

Is there some sort of spacers you use on the mother board or something? Maybe it was spacers for the power supply.. uh - Did you need a ground? This time around, I'll have my buddy help me do it so it doesn't get messed up since I did spend like $800 bucks.

[Halon]

the motherboard does have spacers under it. I didn't put in any extra grounds or anything out of the ordinary.

[92EvilTalon]

Your problem could lie with the plugs from the front panel. I never heard of cases being grounded. You also could have a bad PSU. Most cases that have PSU's with them are crap PSUs. Like I said were you connect the HDD light, case speaker, reset switch, power switch, power light connector. Maybe you got it mixed up very easy to do. Its hard to tell what pin is ground and what pin is power.

Your Graphics card. I will try to figure out why his is better then yours. Is it built into the Motherboard or what?

[JET]

Hopefully this doesn't crap on the thread too much, but I am wondering about memory speed. The CPU will have at least 1000 mhz FSB, but the memory for that is a lot more expensive. How much will it slow the system down if I use something like 600 mhz memory?

[Halon]

How exactly do you tell the speed of the memory? I'm curious what mine is.

[JET]

When you bought it they would have said, it is also stated as PC4200, PC5000, etc.