Let's hope this all works out okay...

[Rikash89]

I've been considering building my own pc for a while now, have done quite a bit of research and decided I might as well go ahead with it. I've got a budget of $1400 dollars (I can go a little over) and I'm looking for a gaming comp (with other more mundane purposes, namely music, movies, etc.) that will be upgradable for as long as possible and that I can overclock if I decide to try that out. To that end I compiled a list of components that I think will achieve what I want. I'm mainly looking for advice on compatibility and general improvements. At the moment I hadn't added any peripherals since I'm content with the keyboard and mouse I have, but my moniter I'm iffy about. I have a HP vs17e moniter available. Will that be sufficient (it has a resolution I'm content with) or will I want something better? If so any recommendations (staying in the $1400 budget.)

Here's the List:

Case-

LIAN LI PC-60BPLUSII Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811112100)

Mobo-

ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131028)

Video card-

SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814102061)

PSU-

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX500-A, 2.0 version, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 500W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104934)

CPU-

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115005)

RAM-

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145590)

Hard Drive-

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140)

DVD drives

LITE-ON Black IDE DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106014)

LG Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-ROM E-IDE/ATAPI DVD-ROM (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827136083)

Operating System-

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16832116175)

That totals (at the moment, on Newegg) to about $1370 (before shipping, which is fine).

And a little bit of Artic Silver 5 Thermal paste for my CPU heatsink. The second DVD-Rom is intended to prevent any wear and tear on the DVD Burner.

This would be my first build, so any other advice would be great! I have read the guide on this site, but other then that not a whole heck of a lot. Thanks for any and all replies!!

[Mr.Ferrari]

Good start. Just two things..

Not so good choice on the powersupply. Built by Sirtec, which is a OK manufacturer. BUT not the greatest build quality of a powersupply. And crazy overpriced. If you looking into that kinda price range I would suggest this:
Corsair 520W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817139001)

Also replace that video card with this: X1950PRO (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102061)
5 bucks more but a whole lot better.

[Rikash89]

Didn't think a 20+4 pin PSU would work with a 24 pin Mobo. does the seperate 4 pins just go in the remaining slots? Taking a look at the handy power supply list (http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195) I don't see Corsair listed. Would something like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937) be better (or even compatible)? It's cheaper, supplies the same amount of power and is from a highly recommended vendor.

The video card looks good and I'll definitely change it out with the 1900gt.

thanks for the suggestions. sorry for the backtalk.:rolleyes:

[newbuilder14]

Yes, you've got the connector thing right. The Corsair unit is awesome! It is made by Seasonic, which is on the list. :cool: Now let me say this about Antec units: I like them and have never had any problems with them - however, supposedly they have been experiencing some quality control issues. Fortron Source makes good units, too. :)

[Rikash89]

That being the case I'll go ahead and go with this slightly cheaper Fortron Source (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104934) power supply. Look ok to everybody?

How does everyone think I'll manage with the monitor I mentioned?

[Mr.Ferrari]

Rikash, both the FSP and the Antec are of lower quality then the Corsair. If you want something in the $80-90 range I would suggest this one:
Silverstone ST50EF (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817256001)

Whether it be 20+4 or 24pin, eithe will be compatible with a 24pin motherboard. 20+4pin means they are cross compatible with older motherboard which only require a 20pin connection.

[Rikash89]

My apologies if it seemed like I dismissed your advice. :( I was under the impression the Corsair was of lower quality then the Fortron Source I'd picked out. I'm looking for high quality parts, so I'll go with the Corsair. :cool:

Thanks again for the advice.

[Mr.Ferrari]

LOL no way, its your job to ask questions :D. Its hard to keep that powersupply list up to date when there are new products coming out every other day.

If you really want the best with quiet take the Corsair, if your on a little tighter budget then take the Silverstone. :)

And for some reassurance, that corsair is actually on that powersupply list.
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

See if you go down you will "Seasonic", that is the company which actually makes the Corsair powersupply.

[flanzig1]

You don't need the Artic Silver since the HSU that comes with the CPU has a thermal pad on it. That being said, it's not bad to have the AS on hand for future problems.