First time builder

[D3T0X]

Hello I am going to buy parts really soon to build a computer. I have never attempted to build one myself before and I am very excited. I am goin to be on a very limited budget and I am trying to keep it at the best price/performance level I can. I will be using onboard video for a while and buy a video later. I am probably going to buy xp for it I doubt I am going to get vista unless someome thinks I should. Here is what I have so far bear with me, if there is something better than a part I have here please tell me .

Case
PSU
Motherboard
CPU
Ram
HDD
DVD\CD
FDD

I have these to get too I don't know if I will need them or not, if I don't need them please say so
PC repair kit
Thermal compound

I am also thinking about buying rounded cables for air flow.

Any input would be greatly appreciated I am very eager to hear from people

[freakitchen]

Welcome to the forums!

What IS your total budget for this system, and what are you looking for it to be able to do?

My first suggestion regarding what you've picked out already, is to spend more on the power supply - it's hugely important to get a quality unit, and that isn't one. This 450w Sparkle IS one, and will give you the headroom you need for adding a decent dedicated video card later:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103024

I'd change the RAM to a matched pair of 512 sticks from Corsair - this will enable dual channel operation:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145566

The hard drive - you can double your storage for $10 more:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144415

You can drop the floppy drive if you like, in addition to the repair kit and the thermal compound. The heatsink comes with compound pre-applied, and if you've got a cross-head screwdriver, you're good to go.

[D3T0X]

My total budget is going to be around $500-$550 with xp included. so i will have $410-$460 for parts. right now I am at $383 and I switched the ram, psu, and hdd. Right now it looks beautifull I will stay where I am at now if I can, but if there is anything that is gonna give me alot more bang for the buck I would probably be willing to spend the extra money. With this computer I would like to be able to game decently like Counter Strike Source and World of Warcraft. I know the onboard will not do it but I just want to start building as soon as I can. I will probably drop $200 or so on a video card a month or two after I build this. Thanks alot for your input FreaKitchen.

[freakitchen]

Normally I'd recommend an ASUS motherboard, but Biostar aren't a bad manufacturer, and the particular nVidia chipset on that board is newer than anything i could find on a compatible ASUS with on-board video. In terms of bang-for-buck, if your budget can stretch I'd consider going for 2GB of RAM. If not, then add another 2x512 sticks when you do the video card upgrade.

One more thing, I'd go for a retail optical drive - it will get you bundled software.

[D3T0X]

With this HDD will I have to buy cables for it since its oem or does it come with it. Also will I have to download drivers for it or anything? These might sound like funny questions but I have no idea lol. I am now getting this CD DVD combo. I will probably try to get 2gigs if I do should I get 2x1g sticks or 4x512 sticks?

[doubledragon5]

No cables reqired the mb box will have them already. I do believe your had will come with one as well.. That lite-on is a good deal

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by D3T0X With this HDD will I have to buy cables for it since its oem or does it come with it.

The data cable comes with the motherboard.

Originally Posted by D3T0X Also will I have to download drivers for it or anything?

No.

You don't need a floppy drive or the tool kit.

You really need to get a better power supply than the one you listed...it's rubbish. The power supply is actually the most important component in your computer and you want a good quality one for a couple of good reasons...good quality power supplies provide clean power to the computer. This ensures stable performance and longevity of the other parts. And good quality power supplies have over-voltage protection...this is very important and keeps your other component safe from damage if the power supply should suddenly die. With cheap power supplies (like the one you chose) they more than likely provide dirty power to the system and don't have over-voltage protection and usually don't last very long. Many times when they die they send a big surge of power to the system and other components get fried. So instead of just changing the dead power supply with another, you also have to replace other more expensive components that got killed by the cheap power supply. It's cheap now but it's much more costly in the end.

Cricket

[freakitchen]

If you're buying 2GB of memory right now, you should get 2x1GB sticks.

[D3T0X]

Thank you all very much for all the information you have provided me. I am sure with all of your input you will make this a much more pleasant and enjoyable experience. Here is the final build
Case
PSU
Mobo
CPU
Ram
HDD
DVD\CD
XP

Total---$480 w/o S&H and Tax

I might buy the 2x1g version of the ram if my budget will allow.

Again a big thanks to everyone for everything

[newbuilder14]

Your selections look good given your budget. Per usual, if you can stretch for the Asus motherboard that would be excellent.

[D3T0X]

On the webpage for mobo i am getting, under the specifications tab in the package contents part it doesn't say it comes with sata cables. I look at some other ones and they all say they come with them. So if it indeed doesn't come with them does it matter if I buy sata or sata II cables?