New computer, first time building

[Particle]

Should be a nice one!

In related news, my new computer case's frame was welded together tonight.  If the last one was a boat, this new one must be a tank.    It's also aluminum, so it weighs 12 pounds.

Pictures soon.

[Darwin]

Cool stuff particle.

Hey deisawhatever, what LCD did you buy?  Does it have good response time and high contrast ratio?

[Particle]

He bought the 19" version of my monitor.

It's an 8ms P-MVA; 1000:1.  Lower than that and you get into TN panels which have a poorer viewing angle and less color response.

[DeinGesicht]

Cool stuff particle.

Hey deisawhatever, what LCD did you buy?  Does it have good response time and high contrast ratio?

I bet you'd like to know how to pronounce my username. It's german, so don't try to anglicize it.

"Dein" is pronounced "dine", as in eating.
"Gesicht" is pronounced something like "geh-ZICSHT". That "CSH" may only be difficult to pronounce if you don't hear it. It's like "sh" but with a "c" sound, too. Particle has a tough time. It's easy to try, but more difficult to get right (I'm not a German, so I don't even know if I have it right!). Do an "sh" sound with your mouth, then shift the sound lightly to the back of your mouth. That's the best advice I have.

Anyway, about the monitor, I think I'll like it better than what I've been using: a 17" non-flat CRT at home and a 12" laptop screen. And actually, Particle, your screen always seemed overwhelming... but maybe that was because you always have your icons so puny!

I'm new to PC gaming, too. Tried... I think it was Quake... on Particle's comp, and I got decimated easily. Man, I've been doing d-pads and analog sticks my entire gaming life. Getting accustomed to a mouse for games is difficult for me. Fortunately, Elder Scrolls games should be more forgiving than stuff like the Doom and Quake series. Not sure if I should get HL2. It's not working well--or maybe, at all--on the Vista beta. I want it, though, so I might get it. Garry's Mod is especially appealing. Oh, and what, exactly, are the episodes that are coming out now? Are they expansions?

[DeinGesicht]

My Newegg order's already shipped! That has everything but the HDDs! Newegg is quick!

[Darwin]

I was pretty close when I tried to pronounce your name.  I try and talk with my friend who is a german-language student sometimes.

I mean, what make, brand, model of your LCD did you get?  Some LCD's are many times better than others.  I learned that the hard way when I got a family member a 17" lcd online a couple years ago.  The contrast ratio is so bad on it that alot of games are nearly unplayable on it, especially Doom III.  90% of the screen during Doom III play on that monitor is completely black because of the sucky contrast ratio.  Also, response time is very important.  The lower the response time, the better.  I recommend 8ms or lower.  My LCD is rated at 2ms.

[DeinGesicht]

Here are the specs from Newegg. I just copied them over from the site. If you want to see everything--or if you want to see this stuff more organized--go back a few pages; the link is in my exhaustive parts list.

SpecificationsModel
Brand ViewSonic
Model VP930b
Cabinet Color Black
Display
Panel Active Matrix, TFT LCD
Screen Size 19"
Widescreen No
Display Type SXGA
Recommended Resolution 1280x1024
Viewing Angle 170°(H) / 170°(V)
Pixel Pitch 0.294mm
Display Colors 16.7 Million
Brightness 250 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio 1000:1
Response Time 8ms
Horizontal Refresh Rate 24~82kHz
Vertical Refresh Rate 50~85Hz
Connectivity
Input Video Compatibility RGB analog (75 ohms, 0.7/1.0 Vp-p); DVI (TMDS, 100 ohms)
D-Sub 1
DVI 1
Power
Power Supply AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz (auto switch)
Power Consumption 38W (typ)
Convenience
User Controls Auto image adjust, contrast, brightness, input select (analog, digital), ViewMatch® color adjust (sRGB, 9300K, 7500K, 6500K, 5400K, 5000K, user color - RGB), information (resolution, H. frequency, V. frequency, pixel clock, model number, serial number), manual image adjust (H. size, H. position, V. position, fine tune, sharpness, scaling), setup menu (language, resolution notice, OSD position, input priority, OSD timeout, OSD back ground, OSD pivot), memory recall
Regulatory Approvals UL, cUL, FCC-B (ICES), CB, CE, ICES-003B, ISO13406-2, TUV/GS, TUV ERGO (covers ISO13406-2 & MPRII), TUV-S, NOM, GOST-R, HYGIENIC (20 copies), ENERGY, ENERGY STAR®, CCC, BSMI, PSB, C-TICK, KTL/MIC, SASO, WEEE, RoHS
Adjustable Stand Height, Pivot, Swivel, Tilt Adjustments
Built in TV Tuner No
Built in Speakers No
Features Replaces Model VP191
Dimensions
Dimensions (W×H×D) 16.2" x 19.3" x 11.4"
Weight Net 15 lb. (6.8 kg)
Gross 19.4 lb. (8.8 kg)
Temperature Range 32-104°F (0-40°C)
Humidity Range 10-90% (no condensing)
Warranty
Manufacturer Warranty 3-Year parts, labor and backlight limited warranty

[Particle]

I don't feel like repeating my stance on TN panels again, Darwin (which is what you have).  Suffice it to say, there's a trade-off between rich, accurate color and response time.

TN panels range 2-6ms usually.
P-MVA and IPS panels range 8-16ms usually.

TN panels are good for gaming--for gaming's sake.  However, they sport a poor viewing angle and their color is neither vibrant or accurate when compared to the second type.  An 8ms panel is fine for gaming, IMO.

As a side note, you can't trust ratings on panels anyway.  There are dozens of ways to measure each attribute and nobody uses the same one.  This includes response time, viewing angle, contrast, and brightness.  Those are probably the worst offenders.  "Peak watts" anybody?

His panel will be quite nice, Darwin.  I've used the exact same one in 20.1" for half a year now.  It's bright without blinding you (300Cd vs 500Cd), has as good of contrast as average CRTs (and extremely high for LCDs), is fast enough for FPS gaming and video, and has vibrant color.  There's almost nothing about it that's bad.  The only thing is the slight light bleeding that mark has already seen on mine.  It isn't even noticible unless you have a pure black screen and are looking for it.  I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.  Doom 3 looks better on my LCD than it did on my CRT.  Colors are better and the contrast is about the same.  Blacks are blacker on my LCD, too.  Overall, dark games are a better experience than they were on my CRT.  I had a nice one, too.  It was a 21" FD-Trinitron.  FD-Trinitrons were the pinnacle of CRT technology.

Aaaand that's all I'm going to say on it.  A discussion on this forum is just two people saying the same thing over and over for three pages, and I don't feel like it.  This is my third or fourth post on it already.

[DeinGesicht]

Got zee hard drives today from ZipZoomfly.

[Particle]

Cool.

I finished my case today.

[DeinGesicht]

My mobo has built-in LAN. That means I don't need a network or an ethernet card, correct? What about a modem?

Also, is there anything else missing in my list? I know I need thermal paste for the proc. Got a wrist strap at Radio Shack.

Got the rest of my parts today. Nice stuff!

Oh, and is there any general advice you guys could give me with regard to putting the thing together? Maybe an order or something? I've had a little experience, but I'm practically new to this.

[Particle]

Most of the stuff can only go together one way.  Heh.  It's pretty easy.

- Make sure all add-in cards, memory modules, the CPU, etc are seated securely.
- Make sure you don't have extra brass standoffs installed under your motherboard.
- Make sure to use thermal compound (your processor should come with some) on your CPU.
- Try to avoid static while assembling.  However, it's not as much of a hazard as they make it out.  You'll notice that I've never used a strap when working on my machine.  I periodically ground myself (every couple minutes) to the case and don't rub balloons on my hair when working.

Other than that, it's pretty easy.

[DeinGesicht]

Thanks for that. Not sure if it'll be enough in the end, but I'll give it a go!

My proc. didn't come with thermal paste. My mom should have some from Radio Shack when she gets back from work.

[DeinGesicht]

My mobo has built-in LAN. That means I don't need a network or an ethernet card, correct? What about a modem?

Also, is there anything else missing in my list? I know I need thermal paste for the proc. Got a wrist strap at Radio Shack.

[slorge_gridlock]

I'm still letting my case ferment a bit before putting it to the real test.  Last cheddar I built was a bit runny  when I started...had to scrap that one.(it was good on crackers though)

Congrats on the superb collection of gear....is it a computer yet?