1st time computer build...

[wheels101]

Hello all,

I am considering buying a new computer, as mine is a bit dated now, and have been considering building one using a nova tech bundle as a starting base.

I have drawn up a list of components that I am wishing to use. However, am slighty concerned that i may be missing something important or some of the below are not compatible. If anyone thinks they can help in anyway would you please. This is all rather new to me...

Here is a series of links showing my choices. If you know of anywhere that could provide a component etc... any cheaper this would also be a great help.

Novatech Bundle (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?BB-8304G)
ROM Drive (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/OpticalDrives/SATADVDWriters/Sony/DRU-870S.html)
Graphics card (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/Graphics-Nvidia/Nvidia9500Series/Novatech/9500GT1GB.html)
NIC (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Networking-Wired/NetworkInterfaceCards/PCIAdapters/Novatech/M266.html)
Sound card (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/SoundCards/Novatech/7.1PCISOUNDCARD.html)


This whole build if correct would amount to around £535.00 making it better than any complete instore buy. I am just curious to know whether the 400w PSU will be enough and if i actually need the NIC, Sound card and card readers.

Hope you all have some helpful tips.

:xsmile: Merry Christmas :xsmile:

[Mr. Lime]

Careful with linking to competitors there

what will the comp be used for?

[wheels101]

Shall i remove links is it not allowed?

General usage really... Maybe a bit of gaming just want a reasonable spec computer that can wont need upgrading for while?

[sniperdude]

links are allowed links to other computer stores are not

all shop forums are this way.


whats your budget ? does it have to be intel does it have to be quad core ?
do you have your own copy of windows or do you need one ? what version is it

[wheels101]

Budget is around the 500 mark. Quad core is a must... I already have windows 7 or a choice of all other operating systems.

[f12f12]

first off i dont think you will need a network card unless you really need gigabyte LAN
2 do you need a graphics card onboard video is good for 2d stuff.
3 are you a graphics designer or photo editor as the set up looks like that's what it might do.
4 do you need a sound card? maybe you do film work?

[wheels101]

I am a computing student so it is needed for a lot of different tasks. I am doing web designing, programming and much more so i do need a relativly high spec computer. Also alot of the software i use and have installed is quite demanding and i often require many different applications open when studying. for example sometimes i may be running network sumulations whilst designing a website so i need a computer that will be able to cope. You may be right about sound card and NIC...

[f12f12]

well the PSU should handle it just dont go putting 10 hard drives in it. thats a point what you doing for hdd's?

[wheels101]

I have found a western digital caviar 1TB HDD on another site. I cant link it but is only £65.00 so its a bit or a bargin. I have also opted for a 22" monitor for £107 with a contrast ratio of 16000:1 and a 52 in 1 card reader... So what is your overall verdict? Should i buy? Have i missed anything?

[f12f12]

looks all good.
if i was extreme i would say get 2 hardrives and put them in raid 1, so you have every thing backed up, but depends how important you feel the work is. but thats a new subject, every things fine

[wheels101]

I did consider that option. I was considering getting a 120gb raptor drive for all of my program files ect.. then having two 500gb standard drives mirrored for all my data. However, when i weighed up my options i decided it was too expensive for what i wanted.

Thank you for your advice : )

[f12f12]

the case isn't going to be though so dont abuse it

[I3R0K3N7FEET]

why dont you just get a 1tb samsung f3? :S
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/HardDrives-Internal/SATA500GBto1TB/Samsung/HD103SJ.html

[f12f12]

why dont you just get a 1tb samsung f3? :S
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/HardDrives-Internal/SATA500GBto1TB/Samsung/HD103SJ.html

good point wont it be faster or at least the same speed?

[system7]

I did consider that option. I was considering getting a 120gb raptor drive for all of my program files ect.. then having two 500gb standard drives mirrored for all my data. However, when i weighed up my options i decided it was too expensive for what i wanted.

Thank you for your advice : )

LOL, I'd be surprised if a G31 board supports RAID anyway. Tends to be something you find on enthusiast boards and would be marked as ICH7R south bridge rather than ICH7. These sort of boards often only have 2 SATA ports, and an IDE for your old drives. :)

[I3R0K3N7FEET]

good point wont it be faster or at least the same speed?

nearly as fast and far cheaper

[Smudger]

I wouldn't bother with the soundcard/NIC. The samsung HDD is very good, and reasonably priced.
A card reader is great, and mine (Akasa Allinone2) has fan control as well, perfect for any home system!

[f12f12]

LOL, I'd be surprised if a G31 board supports RAID anyway. Tends to be something you find on enthusiast boards and would be marked as ICH7R south bridge rather than ICH7. These sort of boards often only have 2 SATA ports, and an IDE for your old drives. :)

my motherboard has 4 sata 1 ide and supports raid 1/0

and was from a bundle a couple of years ago

[system7]

my motherboard has 4 sata 1 ide and supports raid 1/0

and was from a bundle a couple of years ago

Currently, Nova seem to be fitting this specialist version of an Asus P5KPL-AM:

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/35/novap5kplam.jpg (http://img259.imageshack.us/i/novap5kplam.jpg/)

FWIW. :D