First time build..some help please?

[UchihaHeir]

Hello this is my first post on PcMechanics and i've finally decided to build my own computer. Here's what I have included in it:

1. CPU: Intel Pentium 4 650 Prescott 3.4GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116196

2. MOBO: ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131142

3. Case:Thermaltake Matrix VX VD3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811133008

4. RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145568

5. Video Card: EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130062

6. PSU: XCLIO GREATPOWER X14S4P4 600W ATX12V 600W Power Supply 100-240V / 200-240V UL, CUL, TUV, CB, VDE, FIMKO, DEMKO, NEMKO, SEMKO - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817189007

7. Hdd: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148231

I know I need some other things, like optical drives, but I just want to make sure that everything is compatible. I am just basically making a budget pc, that I will mainly be used for burning, playing movies, music, browsing, hw, etc. My budget is kind of tight so any help is appreciated. Thank you.

[shadowpr]

might want to get this mb: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131177

and then you could get a newer core 2 duo processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115014

for an optical drive, look at lite-on retail drives.

and get an oem os. probably xp home or pro.

[maxnik]

P4 Prescott is a really outdated CPU.
Go with Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad. Also, I would look for P5B or P5K chipset motherboard. If you will not be playing games or doing anything with intense graphics you could even go with integrated video Like the P5B - VM.
Look for HDs with 16MB buffer, not 8MB.
If you decide to go with a separate video card - try 8600GT, they are about $100, but will support DX10.

For DVD burner look for Lite-On SATA retail drive, it will come with software.

[LeftyAce]

That powersupply is overkill. Something around 500W would be fine, since you're not putting a high-performance video card.

I'd get the ASUS P5K; it's got support for the newer Quad core cpus, should you choose to upgrade down the line. If that's out of the question, the P5B will do just fine.

Otherwise, I agree with the recommendations above.
We recommend Seagate 7200.10 harddrives (As maxnik said, get one with a 16MB cache). The 320GB version is the best $/GB.

[Cricket]

My budget is kind of tight so any help is appreciated.What is your exact budget?

Right now with the parts you've listed you're basically building a 3 year old computer. We can help you pick up more up to date parts and still stay within your budget.

:) Cricket

[UchihaHeir]

my current budget is about 650-700 bucks. I basically want to use this computer for watching movies, anime, net browsing, music, normal homework, and burning media. Im gonna go with the processor that shadowpr suggested. should i get my own video card or should I get a motherboard with an integrated video card on it already?

[Krazeee]

I spent a few minutes putting together some parts that I would suggest for that particular budget.

Motherboard: ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131180) - $135

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz LGA 775 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115030) - $179

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068) - $50...I have this case, very good quality for the price. They have a few models to choose from, so if you like lights or windows, you can find one for just about the same cost.

Vid Card: EVGA GeForce 7600GS 256MB PCI Express x16 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130075) - $75

PSU: OCZ StealthXStream 600W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010) - $90
But many here will suggest the CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001) - $125

Ram: A-DATA 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211064) - $46...2gb Ram is super cheap right now after mail in rebates, but this would be a good budget choice.

HDD: Western Digital Caviar 250GB 7200 RPM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144701) - $68

Total comes to $643, add an optical for $35 and you're right under that $700 mark. I hope this helps.

[Cricket]

Here's the parts for a basic budget computer I would build for someone if they asked:

Fortron Source FSP400-60THN ATX2.0 400W Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104032) - $41.99 (you don't need a 600 watt PSU for what you want to build)

Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 Allendale 2.0GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115014) - $125.99

ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131030) - $114.99

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145568) - $39.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140) - $79.99

HIS Hightech H155F512N-R Radeon X1550 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161096) - $65.99

LITE-ON Black 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106057) - $31.99

That comes out to $501 without shipping...you have to add a case, operating system, a DVD drive (if necessary for disc to disc burning), soundcard (if you're picky about how good your sound is), monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers.

:) Cricket