New rig - any advice appreciated

[CleverUserName]

Hey all - this is my second posting on here. I'm building a new rig (specs below) and didn't get much response earlier, so I'm hoping I get something this time around.

As this is my first attempt at building a machine from the box up I'm a little apprehensive as to compatiblity or other issues - so I've come to the experts. I've tried to make it a bit easier to get info on my parts (something i didn't do in my last post) and noticed that some of the parts mirror those in Saphalline's sticky. Any advice as to compatibility of the components below would be greatly valued, as well as any tips on where to buy.

I've noticed that many users on here go to newegg.com and I didn't know if there was a particular reason for that...

Case
Thermaltake SViking VA4000BWS Black Steel ATX Mid

Mobo
Asus P5ND2-SLI nForce4 SLI Intel Edition P4/Pentium D/Celeron 1066FSB LGA775 DDR2 ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, RAID/Serial ATA Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133142)

Vid Card
GIGABYTE Radeon X800GTO GV-RX80256DE Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125213)

Memory
Crucial Dual Channel 2048MB PC5400 DDR2 667MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB) (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1558873&sku=C19-4338) Tower Computer Case Thermaltake SViking VA4000BWS Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

CPU
Intel Pentium D Processor 830 3.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 2x1MB Cache, Dual Core (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116212)

DVD/RW - CDRW
Plextor PX-740A 16X Internal Dual Layer DVD?R/RW CD-R/RW Drive (Black) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827131357)
Plextor PlexWriter PX-230A 52x32x52x E-IDE/ATAPI Internal CD-RW Drive (Black) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106258)

Power Supply
Thermaltake W0093RU TR2 Series 500W Power Supply w/Active PFC (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=371258)

HD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3160812A 160GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148103)

Thanks guys!

[capequahog]

off hand, you might want to go with a sata HD, i use Seagate myself, I think the mobo, ram, cpu and vid card are what you want to be sure of compatability on, gurus will know

[capequahog]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148105

[CleverUserName]

Thanks capequahog - Whats the difference between SATA and ATA?

[hockey man]

Okay, your off to a decient start- but there are a couple of things that need be changed.

First off what is your budget and what will you be using this pc for? That will determine what hardware to recommend.

[capequahog]

http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=serial+ata&gwp=13, SATA, newer technology, easier to install cables

[CleverUserName]

Thanks capequahog and hockey man - While I'm sure I'll game on it a bit, I'll be using this machine primarily to do audio/video work and programming (hence the Pentium and not the AMD). My budget is around 1500, though I'm priced out right now around 1100, which is good. Thanks!

[hockey man]

I don't have the time now to come up with a complete system recommendation. But, I do have a CPU recommendation: A Presler Pentium D 930 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819116238) at $340.

[CleverUserName]

Thanks hockey man - I think I'd like to stick with the Pentium D 830, because the price is already up from what I had initially started. It was my mistake. While my budget is around 1500, this includes a monitor(s), so my budget for core components is probably somewhere around 1100. I didn't mean for you to try and come up with a complete system spec (wouldn't want you to spend that much time on it). Just didn't know if there were any glaring compatibility errors or anything I was missing. Has anyone heard of any issues from ordering from zipzoomfly.com? I haven't heard to much about them and I don't want to order a lot if they're not reputable...

[hockey man]

I would seriously consider a 920. The Preslers sweep the Smithfields away in performance hands down. A 920 can be had for $260.

[CleverUserName]

You're right hockey man - I just read through Tom's Hardware and the Preslers are better. I will definitely get the 920.

[hockey man]

Now that we have that, lets look at MOBOs. Look for a Intel 945 chipset based MOBO like this Gigabyte GA-8I945P-G Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128294) for $100. With that MOBO you will need 240 Pin DDR2 RAM dimms.

Video editing does not require much from a graphics card. .. it needs more RAM. 2 GIGs would be awsome for editing. Since you want to game though, I would suggest this eVGA 256-P2-N389-AX Geforce 6800GS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130271) for $170. A 6800GS is better than a x800GTO.

RAM This CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145527) is a steel at $180. You won't really be able to tell the difference in the speed. . .you just need quantity for editing.

Hard Drive: Look for a SATA II (3.0 GB) HD like this $97 Western Digital Caviar SE 250 GB HD (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144417).

Optical Drives: Save some money by getting two of these Lite-ON DVD-RWs (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106013) for $45 each.

[CleverUserName]

Hey thanks a lot hockey man! I've taken a look at your suggestions and compared them to mine and did some more research...and I like your suggestions better. It looks like the nvidia chipset and 955x were more made to accomodate the intel extreme edition set of cpus, and the 945 will suit my needs just as well. I think the Seagate Barracuda HD below might be better. I was looking through some research on techreport and toms, and feel like the Barracuda has the better reputation for only a fraction more. Also, what do you think of the DVD burner below? While I've always been partial to Plextor, I've been reading some great reviews on the NEC and the price is also cheaper.

I'll do some further research into the vid card you suggested, though I'm betting I'll be more than happy with it based on your earlier suggestions. I've used Plextor drives for years and have never had a problem burning dvds or cds, which is why I lean towards them. Here's my list as of right now...

CPU
Intel Pentium D 920 Presler 800MHz FSB 2 x 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Dual Core Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116237) $258

VID CARD
eVGA 256-P2-N389-AX Geforce 6800GS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130271) $169

MOBO
Gigabyte GA-8I945P-G Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128294) $100

MEMORY
CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145527) $180

HD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB Serial ATA 7200RPM Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101571) $97

DVDROMS
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3550A - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152055) $88 ($44x2)

Case
Thermaltake SViking VA4000BWS Black Steel ATX Mid (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133142) $75.99

POWER SUPPLY
Thermaltake W0093RU TR2 Series 500W Power Supply w/Active PFC (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=371258) $74.99

[hockey man]

When it comes to HDs, there are many good ones out there. . .I chose that one because of the three year warranty over one year and the SATA 3.0. . .the one you linked to is SATA 1.5. This (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148111) is there SATA 3.0 one, it is $7 more, but has the 5 year warranty. NEC, makes great DVD burners. . .so go for that. A Plextor is like a BMW- pricy, but nice!

[CleverUserName]

Thanks a ton for you help hockey man! I'm going to go with the HD you selected and the evga geforce 6800gs also. I think I'll be ordering parts today or tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes!

[jlreich]

You will be very happy with the 6800GS. I just got one a little over a week ago and I love it. ;) eVGA also has a lifetime warranty once you register the card on their website. :cool: So don't forget to register!

[CleverUserName]

Hey thanks jlreich, I will definitely do that!

[hockey man]

Glad I could help . . .let us know when the parts arrive!

[saphalline]

Wow! I wasn't even needed for this thread! :D

[jlreich]

Hockey_man is good. :)

[Whyzman]

Well...2 minutes for the 920 crosschecking! :) :D

[hockey man]

Wow! I wasn't even needed for this thread! :D

What do you think of my recommendations? I always like to get your opinion on what I'm saying. . . since after all. . .you are the green pointy-eared hardware guru :p !

[CleverUserName]

Yes please saph and everyone - I think hockey man did great, but all comments would help!

[saphalline]

If I had anything extra to add, I would have said it. Everything looks good to me, nothing more to say.

[CleverUserName]

lol - great job hockey man! saphalline has given his blessing!

[rond36]

Has anyone heard of any issues from ordering from zipzoomfly.com? I haven't heard to much about them and I don't want to order a lot if they're not reputable...

Zipzoomfly.com is a great vendor almost as good as Newegg.com. I have ordered thousands of dollars in parts from both of them. Most of the time I compare prices and buy from the lower priced of the 2 sites.

I just bought an ATI A-I-W X800-XT video card from ZZF because it was cheaper than Newegg

Newegg $299.00 + $4.89 shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102492) = 303.89

ZZF $294.00 + free shipping (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321314) = 294.00