New Build (first Build)

[Calpolyjb]

CASE - Thermaltake Dream Tower Series -Tsunami - PSU -included - 400W
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=371210 - $138.44

MotherBoard - Asus A8N5X nForce4
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=247024 - $81.50

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 - X2 4200+ Processor Socket 939
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...ctCode=80725-R - $355.40

RAM - 4GB - "2X" - Corsair - 2GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 Value Select
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...tCode=80098-86 - $134.90 x2

Disk Drives

HDD's - 800 GB - "2X" - Western Digital Caviar - 400GB Serial ATA 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...=101254-316603 - $195.50 x2

OPTICAL 01 - Samsung - 52x32x52 CD-RW Drive
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=172625 - $27.00

OPTICAL 02 - Samsung - 16X Double Layer DVD±RW
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=172669 - $44.99

FDD - Mitsumi - 7-in-1 Internal Memory Card Reader / Writer + Floppy Disk Drive
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=110407 - $26.25

Components

MONITOR - Veiwsonic - 19in Wide Screen LCD
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=231795 - $299.00

KEYBOARD - Logitech - G15 Gamming Keyboard
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=211159 - $73.99

MOUSE - Logitech G7 Gamming Mouse
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=211157 - $68.99


I Haven't yet picked out a Video card. I would love suggestions. Thank you, and please tell me what you think about what i'm looking at so far.

[freakitchen]

Here's some suggestions for the build.

1. I'd get a case without a power supply. You've got some powerful components there, and Thermaltake power supplies - whilst not being the worst - are not the best. Consider the Antec Truepower 550w.

2. Good choices on the processor and Motherboard, but there's no need for 4GB of RAM. XP cannot address more than 2GB.

3. Stay clear of Samsung optical drives, they're not good quality. I'd get Lite-on. The ideal combo for twin opticals is a DVD-ROM (reads anything) and a DVD-RW (burns anything).

What is your budget for a video card? Something like an eVGA Nvidia 7900GT would fit well with that build, in my opinion. The GTX version is top dog, but more expensive. ATI is also an option, of course, but I'm not familiar with their product line.

I can recommend the monitor you chose, I use it myself and have been very happy with it.

Hope that helps you.

FK

[blue60007]

The X1900XT/X is ATi's top of the line. How much money you've got left will decide what video card you can get.

[786ARS]

vid cards as FK said, 7900GT is good, or for slightly less, the 7800GT. ATi wise, there is the x1800 range i think the 1800XT is good and in the same range as the nvidia cards, but not quite sure.

[glc]

If you are planning on using XP x64, then you can get the 4 gigs of ram. Otherwise, stick with 2gb.

[786ARS]

dont go for x64 win, at least wait untill the transition period gets truly underway, i have had soo many compatibility horrors, just give it a wait for the meantime.