First build, just looking for advice

[nutrocobra]

This'll be the first build I'm doing, my plan is to set it up as a dual boot machine, XP Pro and Server 2003, hence the extra HD's. I won't be playing any graphics intensive games. The most heavy stuff I'll be doing will be running a couple of virtual machines. I'm just looking for advice or suggestions if I've missed some compatibility issue or if I'm going overboard somewhere. I'm trying to stay at or under a grand with this one.

Here's what I got so far:

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103747
Motherboard: MSI K9A Platinum Socket AM2 ATI CrossFire Radeon Xpress 3200 ATX AMD Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130057
PSU: Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 ATX12V 650W Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371001
Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102022
HDD1: Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822135106
HDD2: Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
HDD3: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140
Case: APEVIA X-PLEASURE-BK Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144128

I have an external DVDRW and a 3.5" FDD that I'll be reusing.


Thanks in advance for any knowledge.

[ChoboSeki]

I'd choose a different motherboard - say:
ASUS M2N-E Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131022

You also don't need that power supply. That rig doesn't need 650W. Go with the 520HX:
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817139001

[glc]

You may have an external DVDRW but you should get some kind of internal optical for installing the operating systems and to support bootable CD's.

[doubledragon5]

Lite-on retail version are good, and come with software...

[glc]

Not even necessary to go that way if you have an external burner - a $15 OEM reader is plenty.

[nutrocobra]

Good point on the internal drive, forgot about that .

ChoboSeki: Any particular reason to go with the M2N-E?

[Alaron]

The Nforce 5xx chipsets are a better match for the AM2 chips then the Crossfire chipsets. Plus Asus is a proven quality manufacturer. We recommend the M2N-E often.

[glc]

At this time, the Nvidia chipset is the best way to go for an AMD processor. The Radeon Express chipset is not very good, but I expect the new AMD chipsets to be a different story when they are out and debugged.

An Intel alternative would be one of the Core 2 Duos on an Asus P5B board.