Advice Needed – Building My First PC Next Week

Everton | Dec 18, 2005 | View Comments


I’ve finally had enough of my desktop. My latest repair involves a piece of string (honestly!) to hold my disk controller card in place, which is crazy.

I think it’s time for a replacement and I’ve decided to build my first PC. Over the years I’ve replaced graphics cards, added memory, installed new drives etc so I’ve done everything apart from installing a chip and a motherboard so I think I’ll be ok. Plus I like the idea of the challenge.

If there are any knowledgeable PC people out there could I get feedback on my spec please. I’m going to buy the parts next week so that I can build the machine over the Christmas break.

Here’s my full spec:

Monitor: NEC MultiSync LCD 1970GX
CPU: Intel Pentium D Processor 830
Storage: 2x Hitachi T7K250
Memory: 2GB Crucial DDR2
Motherboard: Abit AW8-Max
Graphics Card: ATI x1600
TV Card: Hauppage WinTV-PVR-500MCE
Case: Antec P180
PSU: Akasa AK-P460FG BLV2
Heatsink: Zalman CNPS9500LED
WiFi and Optical Drive: Salvaged from current PC

This setup will cost me about £1,400 – about 70% less than buying an equivalent setup from Dell. Plus, it’ll be a hell of a lot easier to update over the years, and more fun.

I’m not much of a PC gamer so I haven’t gone for an ultra-powerful graphics
card. My machine will be used to power two Windows Media Center
Extenders and to encode videos so that they work on my Video iPod and
on my Xbox 360, so I’ve gone for a Intel Dual-Core CPU as I’ve been told
they are better at encoding.

What do you think of my setup? Do you have any suggestions for replacements?


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About the Author: Everton is based in London and has worked in the internet and mobile space for over ten years now, and before that worked in corporate strategy and consulting. He has a degree in Economics from Cambridge University.He also writes for Windows 7 News, Windows 8 News and One Tip A Day.

  • Anonymous
    The heatsink is used to cool the cpu is that right ? I have troubles with the english terms ;)
    Every new graphic adapter comes with a cooling device of its own. Some make lots of noise will others are more silent. Even if you don´t play games some make that much noise that it distracts from work.
    If you have the choice get a regulated heatsink, one where you can regulate the fan to make it spin slower and reduce the noise level this way.
  • Everton Blair
    Thanks for the link Martin-I'd been told that AVI cards would be better for encoding, it's nice to have the proof.
    Cooling is an area I'm a bit stumped in. By 'cpu cooler' and 'ati cooler' do you mean more cooling in addition to the heatsink Ive listed? Or are you refering to water cooling? Any recommendations? Remember this is my first build.
    Thanks
  • Anonymous
    Martin here from www.ghacks.net . You´ve definatly made the right choice to get a X1600 card from Ati. Take a look at this article if you did not know already.
    http://www.chip.de/artikel/c1_artikel_17670022....
    its english dont worry.
    I have not read much about the other components. If you want to build a "as silent as it gets" pc I suggest you take a look at cpu cooler, psu and hd. Also the ati cards cooler should be taken into consideration.
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