OK so I'm about to build my first system

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Mar 10, 2008
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I've picked my parts, I've read the stuff I need to know, and got advice from friends. I've built one system in the past with a friend.

Here's the problem

IM SCARED ****
 
Relax.... This can be alot of fun. Set the board on the box it came in, install the CPU and heatsink, drop in the video card and a stick of ram. Hook up the power supply and see if it post before you even put it the case. This may save you a headache later. What parts did you get?
 
Well I haven't purchased anything yet, but I'm planning on this stuff:

Rosewill R604-P SL 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard
EVGA 8800GT 512mb PCI-e 2.0
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS ATX12V / EPS12V 500W Power Supply
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 -OR- Q6600
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

Monitor, keyboard and other stuff.

 
I would get a better power supply. The power supply your looking at only has 36amps total on 2 rails of the 12v rail. I just built a Computer over the weekend for my nephew that included a Q6600, his old ATi 1950xt, and his Antec 500w with the same specs and it wouldn't even boot. I had to put my power supply in just to get it up and running. It really pays to spend a little extra up front for a good power supply, it will save you a lot of headaches.
This would probably be the one I would run. It is an excellent power supply with a single 12v rail which is better and more efficient.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005
 


The PSU is the most important computer component in the system, its directly linked to how long you computer will last. A Corsair 520W or a 620W HX series would be a wise choice, the 620W is better for future upgrading.

Corsair 520W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=corsair%2b520

Corsair 620W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002&Tpk=corsair%2b620
 

That PSU only has about 28A on the 12V rail. You have to look at the PSU sticker closer to figure out the amps on the 12V rail(s). Reading the sticker this is what I got: 481.5 watts for 3.3V, 5V, & both 12V rails. Then you subtract the 3.3V & 5V rails to figure the maximum wattage left for the 12V rails and you get: 481.5w - 152w (for 3.3V and 5V rails) = 329.5 watts max for the combined 12V rails. Then you have to convert the wattage to amps by using this formula: Watts/votage = Amps. So plugging in the #'s you get 329.5w/12V = Amps, which is 27.45 amps. The manufacturers try to confuse the public about how much "power" their PSU can handle. This PSU has a 3 yr parts warranty and 1 yr labor warranty, which is not bad, but could be much better. OCZ isn't a bad company, but you have to read between the lines to figure out if a PSU is solid or not and can handle your particular needs. In this price range I'd suggest the PSU linked below. $85 shipped - $20 MIR = $65!! It has 41A on the 12V rail, which will handle any single GPU out right now! Has a 5 yr. parts and labor warranty and is about the same cost as the OCZ one.
Corsair VX 550W ATX Power Supply - CMPSU-550VX
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx-550w-atx-power-supply/q/loc/101/205852646.html
Manufacturers link below, so you can investigate it further and also compare between the 2 PSU's.
Corsair vx550w PSU product page link:
http://www.corsairmicro.com/products/vx.aspx
OCZ Stealth link:
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/power_management/ocz_500w_stealthxstream_power_supply

On to the rest of the build. For the most part I'd say your build is pretty good. You don't need to get the AF7 Pro HSF, if you don't want to, but I'd recommend it if you decide to OC and/or get the q6600. The mobo is quite expensive, so I'd suggest a good p35 mobo, like the Gigabyte DS3L/DS3R or Abit IP35-e/IP35 or Asus P5k series. They are solid and very affordable. I believe the x38/x48 mobo's aren't worth the extra $, IMHO.
 

Yes it is!! It is a solid PSU and one of the better ones in it's price category ($120). If the OP can afford it, it would definately be one to consider.
 
I don't think you guys understand what I'm feeling. I'm about to drop 1400-1500 dollars on something where anything could go wrong and cost me hundreds of dollars. :|
 


You don't think we understand what your feeling, thats strange because I was where you are at last March. So we do know how you are feeling, don't be so negitive about it. Its up to you to do all the research before attempting the build, because thats what I did for three whole months before my build. Theres lot of "how to build you first PC" out there on the internet just waiting for you to find it. If you don't feel like you can do it then have someone who knows what they are doing do it for you :) .
 

Get a good PSU like Lunyone & Systemlord recommend
1. Take your time.
2. Read your motherboard manual.
3. Use this if you need too http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/
4. Have another computer up to message this thread if you get stuck in process

Suck it up....Relax and have fun... everyone on the forum is here to help
 
Get a Seasonic 😀

they MAKE the PC P&C PSU, some of the better Antec Models, and Corsair's PSUs. I just picked up their M12-700HH Semi-Modular PSU. yes, it's expensive, but I was still impressed by it. johnnyguru.com said it was the cleanest PSU he's ever tested (almost 0 noise in the power all the way past maximum rated output) 80plus certified (and verified!) and DEAD QUIET. their warranty is not only on-par with the other big names, but they have an insert and on their site, guarantee a 7-day turnaround on RMA'd defective PSUs. I emailed them for an extra cable and they not only shipped them the SAME DAY, but when i got it, they had thrown 2 in the box!

I'm starting to feel like im in their advert department lol.

Have Fun, and just take your Time building it. Some people can do it quickly, but I like to make an afternoon or night of it, and just methodically mount and insert all the proper plugs. heh, I'll even get a movie going in the background. Bottom line, don't stress yourself out over parts, and if possible, have an old machine hooked up to the net in case you need to do some digging for drivers or advice :)
 
The reason I recommended the PC Power 610 is that it has a single 12v which is better because with multiple low amp rails one can get overloaded while other can go underutilized. In a single high amp rail you don't have to worry about your video card drawing more than a single low amp rail can deliver. Not to mention PC Power is one of the top brands in powersupplies, allong with SeaSonic, Silverstone, and Tagan. They are all top brands and you can't go wrong with any. At 120.00 the 610 is a tough power supply to beat. Since your leary about your first build I noticed in Maximum PC's latest issue they had a step by step build which would be helpful to the first time builder. In their $1500 pc they built used the 610 as well, with a Q6600 and a 8800 GTS 512mb, if its good enough for them it's good enough for me.
 
Okay so I have all my parts except for my graphics card. I plan on putting everything together until my graphics card comes so I can just drop it in and go. I'm still scared 🙁.
 
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