First time builder needing advice.

[agengo02]

This is my first computer to build, although i have tinkered on all of my computers since i was a kid. Here is what im looking to order:

$199.99 Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz / 1MB Cache / 800MHz FSB / Prescott / Socket 478 / Hyper Threading / Processor with Fan

$39.99 Mach Speed Matrix P4M800 Via Socket 478 MicroATX Motherboard / Audio / Video / AGP 8x / 10/100 Ethernet LAN / USB 2.0 / Serial ATA / CNR

$64.99 Xion II Black ATX Mid-Tower Case with Clear Side Front USB and Audio Ports and 450-Watt Power Supply

$84.99 Maxtor / DiamondMax 10 / 200GB / 7200 / 8MB / SATA-300 / RoHS / OEM / Hard Drive

$91.99 Kingston 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory

$91.99 Kingston 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory

$184.99 Diamond Radeon X1600 Pro / 512MB GDDR2 / AGP 8x / DVI / VGA / TV Out / Video Card

So how does all this look? Everything should be compatible with one another. I am reusing my mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitor, cdrom/writer drive, and floppy drive. This computer will be for alot of gaming and for school so I should be covered on both fronts. I can get a copy of XP and Office from work also. So any advice or anything wrong with what I am going to use? This is my first post but I enjoy reading all the great information that yall have posted so keep up the good work!

EDIT: Almost forgot, will the 450-watt power supply that comes with the case be enough to push everything, or should I upgrade to 500, 550, etc?

[cosmic201]

I'm sure lot's of other people can help you more, but my 2 cent's on the matter is to upgrade the motherboard to something that has a PCI-E slot for video cards.

AGP slots are becoming old tech and alot of company's have stoped produceing cards for it.

Maybe try this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127213

[blue60007]

It appears to be compatible, however, it's outdated. You should use the latest LGA775 CPUs/motherboards with a PCI-Express video card. The newer Intel's also use DDR2 RAM. What you've got right there is a dead end - it has no upgrade potential (No new CPUs have come out for Socket 478 for a year or two and no new video cards are coming to AGP). Also, a similar CPU on the LGA775 socket is about $35 cheaper. Also, you should consider something from ASUS, their motherboards are much better. They are more expensive, but $40 is VERY cheap and you get what you pay for.

Also, the power supply in that case is likely junk...I'd recommend the Antec Sonata II - it's a quality case with a quality 450W power supply. If you want that case, try getting it without a power supply and get something quality, seperate, from Antec or FSP to name a few.

Also, if we are talking US dollars here, that RAM seems a bit on the expensive side. A 2 gig dual channel kit from Corsair (Value select) at Newegg is $160. Again though, a newer Intel system uses DDR2 (a few bucks cheaper)

Hard drive wise - this is a better choice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144701

After a $10 rebate it's cheaper and has more space, as well it should perform better since it's got a 16MB cache.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by agengo02 EDIT: Almost forgot, will the 450-watt power supply that comes with the case be enough to push everything, or should I upgrade to 500, 550, etc?

PSUs that come in Xion cases are rebadged L&C - I wouldn't trust it.

kram

[agengo02]

ok so switch to the suggested motherboard (ABIT AW8 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 955X ATX Intel Motherboard) and the suggested hard drive (Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive), what would a good video card, power supply, cpu, power supply, ram, yadda yadda yadda that would be compatible with the two stated above? thanks for all the great help so far!

[blue60007]

A good choice for the CPU would be an Intel 631 (or 630) or, if you wanted to go the dual-core route, a 930 would be a good choice (not too much more expensive than your current choice).

Video wise, something along the lines of an eVGA 7900GT - it's the current sweet spot in terms of performance vs. price. Some Corsair Value Select, DDR2 533 would be good for the RAM. A good power supply would be the Antec Truepower II 550W. You would also want to throw in a DVD-RW...LITE-ONs and NECs are good choices.

[agengo02]

hmm looks like ive got some things to look for while im watching the clock tick by at work! anything else?

[agengo02]

ok big update. i scratched the whole first system now im looking at this:

ABIT NI8 SLI NVIDIA nForce4 Socket 775 ATX Motherboard and an Intel Pentium 4 641 3.20GHz OEM Processor

Intel / Socket 775 / Intel Prescott 3.4Ghz / Ball Bearing / Copper Core / CPU Cooling Fan

Aspire / 500-Watt / ATX / Dual 80mm LED Fan / Black Aluminum, Clear Top / Power Supply

Aspire Black/Black X-Plorer ATX Mid-Tower Case with Clear Side, Fan Controller, Front USB and Firewire Port

DiabloTek GeForce 6600 GT / 256MB GDDR3 / PCI Express / SLI / DVI / VGA / TV Out / Video Card

So how does all that look together? Anybody have suggestions (with links) for a hard drive and ram? im wanting to put 2gigs of ram in. Ive still got about $400 left of my budget (prolly closer to 300-250 with tax/shipping) so theres a little bit of room to maneuver. Do yall feel like helping me a bit more?

[Alaron]

I would suggest checking Newegg for prices. They are a much more reputable dealer then TigerDirect.

I would skip that bundle and combine the motherboard and CPU yourself. Pick up the Abit NI8: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127211 and get a Pentium D 930: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116238 . For only a few more dollars, you have a dual core CPU, which is certainly worth it for the extra performance.

No need for a heatsink/fan. The included one is adequate, and using any other units will void your warranty.

Aspire power supplies are junk. If you like the case keep it, just buy another power supply. This one is excellent: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103931

The 6600GT is a good card, but if you can afford it, the 7900GT is an incredible bang for the buck.

The Western Digital hard drive you mentioned earlier is a good choice.

Great RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145526

[agengo02]

thank ya

[glc]

Don't get a SLI or a Nvidia chipset board for an Intel processor unless you are planning on running SLI. Stick with an Intel chipset. If you do plan on running SLI, you will need a certified power supply.