First time Building a PC

[kool aid man]

I did an extensive amount of research today on generic PSU's, monitors, disc drives, etc. and have updated my list again. This is going to be my build for a high-end PC gaming/ academic PC that I'm going to build for the first time. I want to know if these parts will work together with good compatibility, and will perform well. Please give me your input and tell me if I should go with this or not.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

GPU: MSI NX8800GTS-T2D320E-HD OC GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

Mobo: MSI P965 Platinum LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard

RAM: OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

hard drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KSRTL 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

disc drive: PLEXTOR Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM
2MB Cache ATAPI DVD Burner With Replaceable Beige Bezel

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD

case: Antec Performance One P180B Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel for durability through the majority of chassis 1.0mm cold rolled steel around the 4 x HDD area ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Power Supply Unit: OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB/CE/CSA/UL/FCC

Monitor: BenQ FP222WH Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen HDMI LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1

I want to know if I can buy this setup and construct it without any compatibility issues. I'm also wondering about cooling fans, should I buy one and what should I look for. Or are they even necessary since the Antec case has 3 120 mm fans. Thanks for your help.

[kmillerusaf]

That's a pretty good looking system you got going on.. A few things that I can see:

You want an high end system correct? Your video card is great performance vs cost but not the best out there when it comes to performance. If you are planning on overclocking, then your DDR2 800 ram is fine, but if you aren't DDR2 667 ram would be sufficient. Also, every build with a 6600 I have seen over the last few weeks - months has been recommended to use some form of a Asus P5B mobo. You may want to look into that as well. I think that case is highly recommend around here so I would tend to believe, you wouldn't need extra fans for cooling; it is probably fine just with the included fans. Hope this helps a little

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech.

You might also look at a new DVD Burner. Plextor's are great, but really not worth the price. Take a look at LiteOns. And no matter what brand you decide on, be sure of two things: SATA, not IDE and that it comes with burning software. Check out the sticky at the top of this forum about 965 chipsets and IDE drives for more info.

[kool aid man]

I've updated my build list yet again. I looked at mobo reviews and this one said that MSI P965 Platinum was preferred over a P5B: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/408/8

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

GPU: MSI NX8800GTS-T2D320E-HD OC GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

Mobo: MSI P965 Platinum LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard

RAM: OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

hard drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KSRTL 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

disc drive: LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD

case: Antec Performance One P180B Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel for durability through the majority of chassis 1.0mm cold rolled steel around the 4 x HDD area ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Power Supply Unit: OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V

Monitor: BenQ FP222WH Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen HDMI LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1

So this is it, I feel like I've revised my list enough times and have gotten enough feedback to finally buy and start building. All of these products can be found on New egg. I'd like for my list to be looked at one last time and get a little more feedback before I buy and build.

[minsonngo]

Looks decent to me.

[kmillerusaf]

Does that DVD drive come with burning software like Alaron suggested cause I think I had that same one on my list but it doesnt come with the software...

[doubledragon5]

Get the retail version the oem does not come with software...

[kool aid man]

Ok I' figured that in the future I'll will want to attempt overclocking my CPU so I'll go with the Gigabyte mobo. My question now is if a:

EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card
...will be compatible with the Gigabyte 965P-DS3? As for the rest, it still remains:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

RAM: OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

hard drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KSRTL 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

disc drive: LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD

case: Antec Performance One P180B Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel for durability through the majority of chassis 1.0mm cold rolled steel around the 4 x HDD area ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Power Supply Unit: OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V

Monitor: BenQ FP222WH Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen HDMI LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1

And if the Evga 8800 GTS works with the Gigabyte 965P-DS3 that will be the GPU and Mobo's I choose. I think I'll still go with Vista 32-bit premium even though there are some difficulties with it, I'm sure upgrades will fix these problems in the future. I'll also probably start building this Thursday, I'm wondering what tools and supplies I need to put this computer together that won't come with the parts, i.e. adhesive gel, screwdrivers, etc.

[minsonngo]

Looks good... you just need a set of screwdrivers really... mainly phillips.

Everything else will be supplied with the motherboard and case such as cables, screws, standoffs, washers, and etc.