Advice on First Build, do not want to screw up!!

[Nebbers]

CPU- AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Orleans 1.8GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor- $69.99

GPU- ASUS EN7300GS/HTD/128 GeForce 7300GS 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Low Profile Video Card- $55.99

Case- COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case- $49.99

PSU- COOLMAX CP-500T EPS12V 500W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CSA, TUV- $49.99

MOBO- GIGABYTE GA-M55SLI-S4 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard- $89.99

HD- HITACHI Deskstar 7K160 HDS721680PLAT80 (0A32721) 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard Drive- $44.99

RAM- Kingston 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory- $62.49

DVD- LG Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-ROM E-IDE/ATAPI DVD-ROM Drive Model GDR-8164BK- $17.99

OS- Microsoft Windows XP Home with SP2 - Retail- Holy Crap!- $189.99- This has got to be cheaper!!!

A little advice or comments from the more experienced would be nice, this is my first complete build. Thanks.

[Staren]

Some people might suggest a different motherboard. Personally I've had great service from the Gigabyte in my home theater PC so I'd say stick with it. Though SLI isn't worth anything in low end build. Looking at a few more options wouldn't hurt.

The one change I would make is to go with a Seagate or Western Digital harddrive that conects using SATA rather IDE like this Seagate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148231 Same price, but newer with a bit better performance. The Hitachi Deskstars are what people used to call Deathstars because of their failure rate back when IBM owned the brand so people still tend to shy away from them.

If you can afford another $12 or so dollars a DVD burner might be a good investment. I'd at least get a CD burner to make backups.

[freakitchen]

What do you want this system to be able to do? Do you have a max budget for this system we can work with?

FK

[Mr.Ferrari]

I would suggest for a dual core if you can find it in your budget.

I dont trust Coolmax, get something from Silverstone, FSP, Sunbeam, Xclio. The Xclio 450w is good bang/buck. SLi'ing those two cards is not worth it.

With such a finicky platform, I would definately go with a trusted board manufacturer, look at the Asus M2N-E. Nforce4 is not a good idea with AM2.

Swap that memory out for some Corsair.

[newbuilder14]

I'd go for a card that does not have HyperMemory or TurboCache (that one may or may not; it does say low profile), as that will steal your system memory. A 7600GS or 7600GT is a good choice.

[Mr.Ferrari]

It is not a turbocache model. Low profile just means its half width.

If you plan on gaming however, yes bump it up.

[Nebbers]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen What do you want this system to be able to do? Do you have a max budget for this system we can work with? FK

Initially I just want to get it running, which is why I am going so low budget, once I have successfuly built it, I plan on adding much more powerful stuff for gaming, ex; 2GB Memory, 5000+ proc, dual 7900 GS.

[glc]

That's false economy. Build it the way you want it now, using "sweet spot" components. You do *not* need SLI for effective gaming, a single 7900GS will do a fine job. You do not want to build with only one ram module and take a chance you can't get a matching module later. Examine the Intel alternatives to the AMD AM2 platform. Get a DVD burner now. To do it properly now is going to cost you a LOT less than building a bottom end machine now and rolling upgrades into it unless you have a way to sell off the replaced components for close to what you paid for them - which is not going to happen.