First Build - web design, games, video editing

[RS68]

I want to build a computer for around $600 using some new components, and items I already have. I do some gaming, web design, video editing... ect. I can't afford high end performance, but I want something that I can easily upgrade and impove as I have more disposible income. Will I have any compatibility issues with these items? THe total of the new items is just under $600. I will install windows on the new hard drive. Will I still be able to access the old hard drive?

I already have:
ATX Case w/ 3 case fans but no power supply
Old 17" Monitor
Speakers
Keyboard
Mouse
IBM 40gm 7200 rpm hd
BTC 4xx12x48 cd-rw
MagicSpin DVD-RW 16x IDVD16DL
Windows XP Home
ATI-TV Wonder VE PCI Card
256mb PC2100 PC266 DDR Memory

Items I am thinking of buying:

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822135106

ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131517

PROLINK PV-N43ET(256KD) Geforce 6600 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814108143

COOLMAX CP-500T EPS12V 500W Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817159040

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835100007

BELKIN F8E093 Anti-Static Wrist Strap - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16899888207

gigaram 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model GR9053-512MB/400/SA - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820221005

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 1GHz HT Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103535

[Freakitchen]

Welcome to the forums! Here are my suggestions:

1. You can drop the Motherboard to a non-SLI board, like the Asus A8N5X, or A8N-E, unless you really want to keep the SLI option. Keep in mind you'll need an SLI certified power supply for this.

2. You'll need a more powerful graphics card for gaming, the Nvidia 6600GT is considered a minimum these days. Go for evga for a manufacturer.

3. No need for thermal compound - it comes already attached to the heatsink that comes with your proccessor.

4. I'd change the RAM to Corsair Value Select - great quality memory. I'd say 1GB was needed for a gaming system at the moment.

The only other thing I'd suggest would be to avoid using the existing PC2100 RAM you list. It will downclock your new Memory to its slower speed and actually hurt performance.

FK

[glc]

Coolmax power supplies are not quality units. You can get a 400 watt FSP for less than that which will power a single card fine.

I concur - to keep from blowing budget, get an A8N5X, 6600GT, and a Corsair Value Select 2x512mb dual channel ram kit.

[MakeYourslf2012]

You beat me to the PSU comment, glc.

I agree, I've had a Coolmax unit that has failed on me.

[RS68]

Thanks for the feedback. I think Im going to have to lower my budget a little more because I also need to purchase a car at this time. I don't do alot of gaming but I would like to be able to play games like Americas Army, or Richard Burns Rally.

I need to know if I can build this system using my old hard drive without erasing its contents? or do I need a blank hard drive to build a new system? (Im trying to avoid getting a new HD if possible)

I noticed the A8N5X motherboard only supports ATA100 and SATA I. Should I be concerned that it doesnt support SATA II?

The power supply I selected does not include PFC. I don't understand what that is, but would like to know if it is something I need.

Can I run two monitors with the with the video card I chose?

Are there any DVD burners that are cheap and reliable. I don't need fast burning speeds just solid performance. I have a DVD burner but it cant make a dvd without errors.

Will I have any comatibility issues with the following components?
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AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 1GHz HT Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3000BPBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103537

ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131569

ASUS EN6600/TD/256 Geforce 6600 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814121179

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX400-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.0, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 400W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817104953

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model VS512MB400 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145026

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822135106

BELKIN F8E093 Anti-Static Wrist Strap - Retail

This setup puts me at $480 with shipping.

[Freakitchen]

That looks fine to me.

Don't worry about not having SATA II. The speed increase is negligable in terms of real transfer rate.

That video card has two outputs, so you should be able to run two screens.

Lite-on DVD burners are reliable, and great value.

THE FSP PSU looks fine to me.

FK

[RS68]

I built the computer with the components listed in my second post. I enjoyed assembling the hardware. I didnt enjoy setting up the software and operating system as much because of my lack of knowledge in that area. I had a few small issues but I have them sorted out now. The computer runs as well as I expected it to. I will definitely build, instead of buy computers from now on. Im really happy with the results. Thanks for all your help.