Need some suggestions/input on 1st build

[almgnyny]

Hi. I am planning my first build and would like some input/suggestions regarding a few questions I have.

Purpose of machine is a general purpose PC and light development box. I don't do any gaming. I need something that can compile code *relatively* quickly and multi-task well. Typical tasks I perform are:
- run IDEs like JBuilder, Dreamweaver etc
- run Photoshop
- run database software such as MySQL and SQL and others
- run 5-6 apps simultaneously (Excel, Word, Visio etc)
etc.
as well as general PC usage such as net surfing, listening to music and such. I will hook up the PC to my home stereo for better sound and someday would like to use it as a DVR type of device and possibly watch my recorded shows.

I'm not looking for top of the line. I just need something more reliable than my old Thinkpad that I outgrew some time ago. I'm hoping that if I build it, I can upgrade as needed and keep it current for years to come.

Budget for hardware is $600-800. Less is better

This is what I'm thinking...

Processor: AMD Athlon 64
Question: I'm thinking of the 3200 or 3500, but I'm all confused about the Winchester vs. Venice cores. Any input?

Motherboard: ASUS A8N-Sli Premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131540
Question: Is this overkill? I see Newegg bundling it with a Biostar BIOSTAR NF4ST-A9 Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 for about half the price. I don't want to get stuck with a Mobo with limited upgradability. Should I just get the ASUS?

Memory: 1GB Corsair - two 512s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440
For now, I was going to get 1GB and upgrade if I feel I need to. I think right now I'm limited more by speed than by memory but I could be wrong.

Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 W0070 ATX 430W Power Supply 115/230 V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153023
Question: Is this sufficient?

Hard Drive: ???????
I'm still researching hard drive technologies, but would appreciate any advice. Still trying to learn if Cache or RPM is more important.. I'm thinking of getting a small-ish 80GB or so that I can use as a principal drive to install my apps and such and get a second drive to store files/docs/media. I'm also playing with the idea of dual boot Windows/Linux and install the OS on a separate drive and docs/files/media on a 3rd.

Case:?????
If I can, I'll gladly reuse my old Dell Dimension 4100 case. It just sits under a desk so I don't car what it looks like. However, I saw a couple of cases around $50 with decent voltage power supplies:
Atrix: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811209018
Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068
Atrix: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811209018

As far as optical drives, I intend to re-use a CDRW and a floppy drive from my old POS Dell.

Thanks in advance for any input! Happy new year to you guys. I've been reading for days...

Al

[almgnyny]

One more thing. I do plan on getting a better monitor if I can find a 19" or 20" with better than 1280 resolution otherwise I'll get a 17". Would be cool to have dual monitors, but not right now.

[freakitchen]

Question: I'm thinking of the 3200 or 3500, but I'm all confused about the Winchester vs. Venice cores. Any input?

The venice core is the newer core. Winchester's are being phased out, so go with the Venice. Whether 3200 or 3500 is up to you, get the best you can afford.

Question: Is this overkill? I see Newegg bundling it with a Biostar BIOSTAR NF4ST-A9 Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 for about half the price. I don't want to get stuck with a Mobo with limited upgradability. Should I just get the ASUS?

Although, as you say, getting a quality motherboard with upgradability is important, but the SLI Premium is overkill for a non gaming system. You're not going to need to run two graphics card, so go for the ASUS A8N-E. Same quality, but less of the unnecessary features you won't need.

For now, I was going to get 1GB and upgrade if I feel I need to. I think right now I'm limited more by speed than by memory but I could be wrong.

That should be fine for your needs at the moment. Saying that, the more the better for applications at photoshop. You can always upgrade to 2GB later.

Thermaltake TR2 W0070 ATX 430W Power Supply 115/230 V

Should be sufficient for this build.

I'm still researching hard drive technologies, but would appreciate any advice. Still trying to learn if Cache or RPM is more important.

The default RPM for hard drives today is 7,200 RPM. The one notable exception are the Western Digital Raptor drives, which are expensive, but quick. The alternative is the Maxtor Drives with 16MB cache, which are also quick drives, and offer much more storage for your money than the Raptors.

Freakitchen

[jayb1234]

The PSUs in the atrix cases are junk. If you want an atrix case get it without a PSU. If you enter no psu in the search box at newegg, they have around 300 to choose from.

FDD: Likely to be needed during setup.

OS: Get the OEM version and save yourself about $100

Thermaltake isn't the best PSU, Antec or Enermax would be better.

[almgnyny]

thanks fellas. i'm still researching a few things, but i'll post back with my final config.

happy new year.