Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

First time computer build looking for feedback/ suggestions

Jan 22, 2012 2:21PM PST

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
My suggestion
Jan 23, 2012 8:35AM PST

My suggestion is that if you have never built a computer before, and if you have not bought any of these parts yet, then ... DON'T!
For the nearly $1000 I see as your cost. plus taxes, PLUS the operating system (I don't see it listed), PLUS your time, PLUS the time of all the people who you are going to be needing and contacting to make this box fly, and then when things go amiss (as they usually do) then you still will have no one company who is going to claim ownership as to whatever problem you are having at that time.

- Collapse -
Thanks for that.
Jan 23, 2012 8:40AM PST

I look at the list and see the usual headache machine. It looks like a new combination. That is, someone went shopping and didn't copy a working system (I cheat and peek at tomshardware.com!)

And even if I did that, I challenge any new to building a PC person to get Windows installed and operating proper today. It didn't get any easier over the years from my view.
Bob

- Collapse -
Answer
I don't game and can't research to see if all of your
Jan 23, 2012 8:48AM PST

components are compatible but I can see some potential performance issues depending on how "hard core" you want to be. If you decide to go crossfire, your PS might be marginal, I don't know what "entertainment edition" RAM is and your 5900 RPM hard drive should be a 7200 or more. The 5900 RPM drives are something I might use in external cases or secondary drives. What you'll want to do when choosing RAM is check to see if the MB manufacturer has memory that's been tested and certified compatible. Another way is to check that board on the Crucial Memory site. You'd be buying their stuff but it is guaranteed to work. As well, if you're a first time builder, and haven't done so already, you might try completely disassembling some old PC and putting it back together piece by piece just to get the hang of it. It's not hard to build these but getting things to fit and the wiring neatly dressed takes some practice. Good luck.