Another noob's first build

[BoredOp]

First, thanks for the great site. Its good to find a place with so many people with so many hours of experience willing to help.

I've been looking around trying to soak in all the information here, and I think I've managed to put together a list of parts that will not explode when I assemble them. I'm going for a pretty decent build, between $1400 and $1500, but preferably lower (some of you might even know of better parts than what I've selected for cheaper). I'll be doing all the basics..internet, word processing, burning CDs/DVDs, as well as some Photoshop CS and a little Premiere. I do some gaming, and very much appreciate high resolution and high fps

So here are the parts I've selected, any input or comments would be greatly appreciated


CASE-Spire SP-ATX-PALU/B Pininfarina Black Aluminum 6.0mm | SECC 1.0mm ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811220018

MOBO- ASUS P5B-VM Socket T (LGA 775) Intel G965 Express Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131043

GPU- BFG Tech BFGR7950512GTOCE GeForce 7950GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814143071

PSU- SILVERSTONE SST-ST50EF ATX12V 500W Power Supply 90 - 264 V - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817256001

CPU-Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819115004

RAM- Kingston ValueRAM 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820134116
(Compatible?)

HDD- Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822144701

FDD-SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model MPF920 Black - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16821103116

OPTICAL- LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 1.5M Cache SATA Combo Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827106040
(Is there such a thing as a combo CD-ROM/RW DVD-ROM/RW?)

Plus monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse.

Again, thanks in advace for any suggestions.

[Alaron]

Welcome. Your list is pretty solid.

Any particular reason you went with a motherboard with onboard video? I'd stick with the plain P5B since you have a video card, and it gives you more room for expansion.

For the optical drive, I'd go with a DVDRW (They burn and read DVDs and CDs) and another DVDROM (for on the fly copying from drive to drive).

Don't forget a copy of Windows XP.

You can save a bit using the E6300 processor. The slight clock speed difference is not noticable.

[newbuilder14]

Alright... you got the compatibility issue down but you still are not taking enough advantage of what is out on the market today.

Let me create you a revised list...

Case: This is a personal decision - I shouldn't suggest one
Mobo: Why onboard video? Get the more versatile Asus P5B Standard
GPU: The 7950gt is great, but I think you'd benefit greatly from the X1950Pro instead
PSU: No problems there
CPU: Just get the E6300 - difference is minimal
Mem: The Corsair ValueSelect DDR2 667 is what is recommended as compatible
HDD: The Seagate 7200.10s are recommended but your choice is not bad
FDD: Alright, if you need it
DVD: Yes, there are DVD burner combos, get the Liteon SATA DVD Burner Retail package


Alaron beat me!

[BoredOp]

Thanks for the quick responses guys.

Originally Posted by Alaron Any particular reason you went with a motherboard with onboard video? I'd stick with the plain P5B since you have a video card, and it gives you more room for expansion.

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Mobo: Why onboard video? Get the more versatile Asus P5B Standard

Hmm can't find the one without the onboard video. If mine is the P5B-VM, is the one without video just the P5B?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...n=asus+p5b&Sub

Originally Posted by Alaron For the optical drive, I'd go with a DVDRW (They burn and read DVDs and CDs) and another DVDROM (for on the fly copying from drive to drive).

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 DVD: Yes, there are DVD burner combos, get the Liteon SATA DVD Burner Retail package

Thanks for the suggestion.
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827106046

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 GPU: The 7950gt is great, but I think you'd benefit greatly from the X1950Pro instead

Which brand do you recommned?

Originally Posted by Alaron You can save a bit using the E6300 processor. The slight clock speed difference is not noticable.

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 CPU: Just get the E6300 - difference is minimal

Done.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115005

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Mem: The Corsair ValueSelect DDR2 667 is what is recommended as compatible

Will these work?
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145568

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 HDD: The Seagate 7200.10s are recommended but your choice is not bad

Better to go with what's recommended I suppose.
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148144


Thanks for the suggestions guys. Everything look good?

[newbuilder14]

You've got everything right, looks great. I'd recommend the Sapphire x1950Pro.

[BoredOp]

Awesome thanks for your help. I'll post back soon when I'm ready to start the build.


EDIT: Just to make sure I've got the GPU you recommended:

SAPPHIRE 100176U Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Ultimate Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102070

[TimPoet]

Originally Posted by BoredOp Will these work? CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145568

If you are still under budget then buy 2 Gigs of that RAM, two 1 gig sticks that is.

[BoredOp]

You and me think the same way Tim. I just finished updating my newegg wishlist with that RAM.

[newbuilder14]

I like this X1950Pro: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102061