Decided to build a comp. for the first time, advice needed

[Mobilus]

So, I have never built a comp. before. I have never pieced one together and have no clue how the parts go, or extra stuff like interior cables and parts that are needed and might not come with stuff. Also, what tools are needed?

Here is a parts list I assembled from newegg. Please have a look over it and tell me:
-Is everything compatible?
-Anything stick out as crappy or overpriced?
-Anything missing?
-How hard will this be for me to assemble and get working?
-Is this all compatible with windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit?
Also, does anyone know any good building guides that will tell me exactly what to do when I get this stuff out of the box all the way to starting up Windows?

Qty.Product DescriptionSavingsTotal Price1<img alt="XCLIO A380BK Fully Black High Gloss Finish SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Full Tower Computer Case" title="XCLIO A380BK Fully Black High Gloss Finish SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Full Tower Computer Case" width="60">
XCLIO A380BK Fully Black High Gloss Finish Computer Case With Side Panel Window
Item #:N82E16811103010
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$35.00 Instant
$129.99
$94.991<img alt="ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard" title="ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard" width="60">
ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813131284
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

$288.991<img alt="SAPPHIRE 100249L Radeon HD 3850 1GB 256-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card" title="SAPPHIRE 100249L Radeon HD 3850 1GB 256-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card" width="60">
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 3850 100249L Video Card
Item #:N82E16814102793
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate
$109.991<img alt="Antec TPQ-850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply" title="Antec TPQ-850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply" width="60">
Antec TPQ-850 850W Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817371009
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
-$100.00 Instant
$249.99
$149.991<img alt="Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600" title="Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600" width="60">
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
Item #:N82E16819115017
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

$189.992<img alt="CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5" title="CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5" width="60">
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820145184
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
$25.00 Mail-in Rebate
$160.00
$130.001<img alt="Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive" title="Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive" width="60">
Western Digital VelociRaptor 300GB 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Item #:N82E16822136260
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$279.991<img alt="LITE-ON Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DH-16D3S-04" title="LITE-ON Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DH-16D3S-04" width="60">
LITE-ON Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DH-16D3S-04
Item #:N82E16827106261
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$17.991<img alt="Silverstone FP34-B USB 2.0 Card Reader" title="Silverstone FP34-B USB 2.0 Card Reader" width="60">
Silverstone FP34-B USB 2.0 Card Reader
Item #:N82E16820131008
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$39.991<img alt="LG 25GB 2X BD-RE(Blu-ray) Single Disc" title="LG 25GB 2X BD-RE(Blu-ray) Single Disc" width="60">
LG 25GB 2X BD-RE(Blu-ray) Single Disc
Item #: N82E16817143001
Return Policy: Consumable Items Return Policy


<img alt="LG Black 6X Blu-ray Disc Burner & HD DVD-ROM Drive SATA Model GGW-H20LK" title="LG Black 6X Blu-ray Disc Burner & HD DVD-ROM Drive SATA Model GGW-H20LK" width="60">
LG Black 6X Blu-ray Disc Burner & HD DVD-ROM Drive SATA Model GGW-H20LK
Item #: N82E16827136155
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$15.99 Combo
$235.98
$219.99Grand Total:$1,521.91

[Twix]

That mobo is kind of over kill unless your the king of over clocking even then it's not needs I would say go with this Newegg.com - ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards it has a nice BIOS even if your not over clocking now who says you might not do it in the future. Also that power supply is not crossfire ready if you want to go with 850 watts I would say go with this one Newegg.com - Antec TPQ-850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies If you plan to play any good games such as crysis and etc I would say go with the 4870 specially if you playing with a high screen res Newegg.com - ASUS EAH4870/HTDI/512M/A Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards Everything else looks pretty good and since your running 4 gigs of ram and Intel aren't true quad cores running Vista 64 bit is the only way your getting the true power out of your computer.

[CrazyGerbilEater]

id reccomend not going with the q6600, its a reletivly old quad core, one of the first intel let out. since you seem to be going for some high performance parts, i reccommend a yorksfield quad core, or a wolfdale dual core.

heres a quad core id suggest thatd oc better, and give around 5-10 percent performance boost in all areas per clock cycle.
Q9450
or if your in a hurry and cant wait for restock, even this quad core will perform better
Q9300

they both also use less energy and generate less heat since their made on the 45nm line

PC Power and Cooling makes high quality PSU's id reccomend them. also i really dont reccomend last generation cards, id say get a 4000 series, or 200 series.
the 260's are nice i have one runs really cool, 70C max(EVGA), 280's are monsters, be prepared for the extra power plugins on a psu, mine doesnt support a 280, the 260 alone uses 2 4pins(is it 4?)i think the 280 uses two 6pins(or is it 8?)
the 4850's are good deals, the 4870's arent bad either, id say the 4870 X2 is a bad deal, a 280 would be more worthwhile.

and yeah, you can get a cheaper motherboard, i wouldnt personaly spend over 200 on one, but its all personal preference.

and better ram would be good, i finaly clocked my ram up to 1066 where it should be(from 800), and wow, i can see the improvements already(i didnt before because i wasnt sure on correct voltage)

[Twix]

If he is going to order from newegg and wants a quad core I would say go for the 9550 it's only 10 dollars more and it's better all around. I really don't see much wrong with his ram besides the timing.

[CrazyGerbilEater]

i meant higher speed ram, instead of the 800mhz, get 1066mhz

nothing against the quality

and do you mean a phenom 9550? if thats that case, which it must be, then id say intel performs a crap load higher still.

[Twix]

No I meant the Q9550 Intel quad core, and If you overclock at 1;1 (which you should always do) unless you hit like 4.2ghz your not going to see any difference out of your 1066 then your 800 so it's really just over kill and waste of money to get 1066.

[CrazyGerbilEater]

unless your not overclocking at all?

he may in the future, but im not assuming he will in the beginning, as their wont be any reason to unless he gets the q6600

and he'll save that 10$ and just clock the q9450 up past the q9550, since their the same model only with different clocks right?

[Eppie]

The power supply is overpowered. You only need ~600 watts at most. Make sure it has Active PFC. Newegg.com - OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI 600W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

Get a cheaper motherboard. Check out this one: Newegg.com - ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

If you're looking for gaming: Newegg.com - EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards You can afford it, with the savings on the power supply and motherboard.

If you can afford it, go for the Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops If you can't, the Q6600 is plenty fast. I have it myself.

I don't know how much you care about speed, but you definitely picked the fastest hard drive out there. The thing is, it's WAY overpriced for it's capacity. Here's one with more than twice the capacity, with a still above-average speed Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Everything else looks fine. I like your case. I almost bought that one myself.
Building a computer is not all too difficult. Follow the instructions that come with everything, and you should be fine. If not, I would be happy to help you. I'm sure some others here will also offer good advice.

And yes, it will run Vista Ultimate x64 just fine.
A good how-to: HowStuffWorks "How to Build a Computer"

[Mobilus]

Ok after reading all of your comments I have revised the list.
Qty.Product DescriptionSavingsTotal Price1<img alt="ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard" title="ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard" width="60">
ASUS P5Q Pro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813131299
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$139.991<img alt="Antec TPQ-850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply" title="Antec TPQ-850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply" width="60">
Antec TPQ-850 850W Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817371009
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
-$100.00 Instant
$249.99
$149.991<img alt="SAPPHIRE 100243-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card" title="SAPPHIRE 100243-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card" width="60">
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 100243-1GL Video Card
Item #:N82E16814102795
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$309.99
$299.991<img alt="Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550" title="Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550" width="60">
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor
Item #:N82E16819115041
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

$324.992<img alt="CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5D" title="CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5D" width="60">
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820145214
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
-$35.00 Instant
$40.00 Mail-in Rebate
$338.00
$268.001<img alt="Sony NEC Optiarc Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s" title="Sony NEC Optiarc Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s" width="60">
Sony NEC Optiarc Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s
Item #:N82E16827101131
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$17.991<img alt="Silverstone FP34-B USB 2.0 Card Reader" title="Silverstone FP34-B USB 2.0 Card Reader" width="60">
Silverstone FP34-B USB 2.0 Card Reader
Item #:N82E16820131008
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$39.991<img alt="Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive" title="Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive" width="60">
Western Digital VelociRaptor 300GB 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Item #:N82E16822136260
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$279.991<img alt="XCLIO A380BK Fully Black High Gloss Finish SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Full Tower Computer Case" title="XCLIO A380BK Fully Black High Gloss Finish SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Full Tower Computer Case" width="60">
XCLIO A380BK Fully Black High Gloss Finish Computer Case With Side Panel Window
Item #:N82E16811103010
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$35.00 Instant
$129.99
$94.991<img alt="LG 25GB 2X BD-RE(Blu-ray) Single Disc" title="LG 25GB 2X BD-RE(Blu-ray) Single Disc" width="60">
LG 25GB 2X BD-RE(Blu-ray) Single Disc
Item #: N82E16817143001
Return Policy: Consumable Items Return Policy


<img alt="LG Black 6X Blu-ray Disc Burner & HD DVD-ROM Drive SATA Model GGW-H20LK" title="LG Black 6X Blu-ray Disc Burner & HD DVD-ROM Drive SATA Model GGW-H20LK" width="60">
LG Black 6X Blu-ray Disc Burner & HD DVD-ROM Drive SATA Model GGW-H20LK
Item #: N82E16827136155
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$15.99 Combo
$235.98
$219.99Grand Total:$1,835.91

Any problems there?
Also, I am surprised newegg doesn't have some kind of builder-program to check if you have everything you need to make the PC work and for compatibility.

Most of that stuff is retail so it should all come with the necessary internal cables and mounts right?
The hard drive and both optical drives are OEM so does that mean I have to go buy stuff for them additionally?

Also, after I do go about hooking everything up, how do I installed and load vista ultimate 64 bit onto it. Will the hard drive and optical drives work right off the bat so I can install windows?

Also, about the power supply and if I should get a cheaper one: how can I be sure exactly how much power each part of my system uses? It's not on the spec.s on every part. :S

[Eppie]

The RAM spec on the motherboard is DDR2 1200, your RAM is DDR2 1066. Something needs to change.

eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Lite v2.5 Power calculator

Make sure you select single socket, socket refers to separate physical dies. You may have 4 cores but it is only 1 die.

[Twix]

I already said 1066 was over kill nobody has noticed a difference from the 1066 and the 800mhz yet I bought this Newegg.com - Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory for my new computer last week and they have worked wonders and they have amazing timing but they do use 2.1v so watch out for extreme heat but with your case it shouldn't be that much of a problem. Also the 1 gig version of 4870 is also over kill and for some reason sharrpie stopped making the 512 mb so I would go with eaither Newegg.com - ASUS EAH4870/HTDI/512M/A Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards or Newegg.com - DIAMOND 4870PE5512OC Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards personally I like the Diamond version but the ASUS is on sale

[Eppie]

Yes, you usually don't notice much a different in RAM speed upgrades.

[bat]

Grand Total:$1,835.91

Most of that stuff is retail so it should all come with the necessary internal cables and mounts right?

ya

The hard drive and both optical drives are OEM so does that mean I have to go buy stuff for them additionally?

no

Also, after I do go about hooking everything up, how do I installed and load vista ultimate 64 bit onto it. Will the hard drive and optical drives work right off the bat so I can install windows?

ya

Also, about the power supply and if I should get a cheaper one: how can I be sure exactly how much power each part of my system uses? It's not on the spec.s on every part. :S

eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Lite v2.5
rough estimate

thoughts that come to mind:
diminishing returns.
and what a gay looking case. what are you, 12?
jk, but it's probably the ugliest case ive ever laid eyes on.

[Eppie]

Really? I like the look of that case. Plus, it offers EXTREME cooling!


I used the calculator I suggested, it came up with 474 watts, when your system is under 100% load. That is, when you are using all 4 cores at once, and playing Crysis or a similarly graphically intense game.

[Bonum83]

seems like u have a big budget on ur new build. My opinion is that I wouldn't pay so much on it. I think under 800$ for a new build is good.

[Eppie]

I spent $600. If he wants to spend more and get a better computer, that is his choice.

[CrazyGerbilEater]

i noticed a difference when i clocked my ram up to 1066(i have it on 2.1V) the giant heat pipes seem to keep it cool enough, and the 2 25cm fams blowing directly on them probaly helps.

i spent almost 1700 on mine, but i had a moniter too. took me like 7 months to get the money(i get paid badly, and i get almost no hours a week)
under 1000 is typically an ok gaming build, but not amazing, over usually generates a great gaming machine, as in everything on high settings for a few years, instead of medium setting on a sub 1k.(im talking about on high rezes, like around or over 1900x1200).
i got a diferent xclio case, and it works great, although i got lazy when i started having trouble installing my motherboard, couldnt fit it in with the metal plate the goes around the inputs for the sound/mouse/keyboard area. and i jsut kindof screwed my MB to my case, (im very sure i did it wrong, but wtever).

i see no real problems with that build, and i would assume the ram would work fine. what it says is more of a guidline, or so i imagine it in my mind.

[Eppie]

Yeah, it will work, but it could be better.

[CrazyGerbilEater]

true, 1200 is probaly faster, if he can get it without increasing the price too far id say go for it.

but theres a limit to how much you should pay for performance, the price difference between 800 and 1066 isnt that great, i havent looked at the 1200 so i cant say.

[Pete_Zahut]

-Is this all compatible with windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit?

Yes