Semi-Clueless. Advice on build...

[JDMDA9]

It's time for a new system. I've been using my 5 year old laptop sans display hooked to an external monitor and external harddrive. I'm tired of how slow and messy it is. I was going to try an iMac after using them at school, but they're way expensive for whats inside, fairly quirky and Photoshop Elements 5 is too far away.

I've decided to attempt to build my own unit. I just want something for internet, music and photo editing. But I also want it to be relevant hardware-wise for another 5 years (at least). The only game I ever envision playing is Sim City 3000 or Diablo. I want reliable components that will go together easily with minimal fuss (I'm average in computer knowledge). I also want it to be quiet

There's so much great info on this site that it's a little overwhelming. I've done a lot of research and this is what I've come up with. It's probably best to post my proposed components for the experts. If there's any changes I should make or extra small parts I need, let me know. Thanks

Case
Antec NSK6500 Black/Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811129015

Motherboard
ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131142

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6420 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819115016

Video Card
EVGA 256-P2-N541-T2 GeForce 7600GS 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814130075

Memory
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-5400c4 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145015

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822136074

DVD Driver
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM write and LightScribe Technology Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model LH-20A1H-185 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827106055

Card Reader
LINKSKEY LKA-CR15B 19-in-1 USB 2.0 Black Card Reader/Writer - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827106055

[minsonngo]

Go with a SATA optical drive instead. Here is a good one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106057


You may also want to consider a stronger PSU for future upgradability. But looks like the one included in the case may be enough though.

[Cricket]

Are you going to be running two video cards in SLi? If you're not (and I don't think you are because you don't have a proper power supply), don't get that motherboard. Get one of the P5B variants instead. Very solid motherboards with proven performance. With Intel processors it's best to use a motherboard with a Intel chipset.

And SLi is more of a marketing gimick than a true performance booster...it has a poor performance-to-cost ratio.

Cricket

[JDMDA9]

Originally Posted by minsonngo Go with a SATA optical drive instead. Here is a good one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106057 You may also want to consider a stronger PSU for future upgradability. But looks like the one included in the case may be enough though.

I changed it to the SATA interface DVD drive. You mentioned that the power supply may not be enough. How do I determine what I need? I really don't plan on getting crazy with future upgrades, but I'm curious as to what to look for in a PSU.

Originally Posted by Cricket Are you going to be running two video cards in SLi? If you're not (and I don't think you are because you don't have a proper power supply), don't get that motherboard. Get one of the P5B variants instead. Very solid motherboards with proven performance. With Intel processors it's best to use a motherboard with a Intel chipset. And SLi is more of a marketing gimick than a true performance booster...it has a poor performance-to-cost ratio. Cricket

I see what you're saying about the motherboard. How about one of these?

GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...28012

ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/...31030

I appreciate the help. Thanks for the replies!

[minsonngo]

Go with the ASUS P5B motherboard. Its a great one that you will not regret.


As for the PSU. The 430 watt Antec included with the case may be enough for your system. The video card requirements are a 350 watt power supply. I just suggested a stronger one in case you wanted to do major upgrades in the long run.