First time Build Help

[ragnarok8245]

Hello all,

This is my first time building a computer. I just want to make sure that all of these parts are compatible and are the best option for their category. I am a pretty avid gamer, but not an extreme gamer. Are all of these parts good? Can I get a better deal? I am hoping to keep the price under 1500$ (but cheaper is better of course).

DVD Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106057
HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140
Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130082
PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139001
Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590 (2 of these for 4 gb)
MoBo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131187 (the memory standard on these is ddr2 1066, will my ddr2 800 still work?)
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029
Case
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5
http://www.newegg.com/product/Produc...82E16811119068
and an extra fan: http://www.newegg.com/product/Produc...82E16835103031

Also, do I need a soundcard with this MoBo or is the onboard good enough? if i do need one, is this one good?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102003

Also, Windows Vista Home Premium for $115

Any help or advice is appreciated, Thanks

[LeftyAce]

Your links are broken :-(
Can't comment on the DVD 'till I can see it.

The 320GB model of that HDD is the sweet spot for $/GB (it's $80).

I would not bother with SLI. It's not cost effective, as 1 next-get card outperforms 2 older cards in SLI. You end up spending money on a motherboard that would be better invested in a better Vid Card.

I believe there's a 1333 MHz fsb intel cpu for a little less than the e6600 (Which is probably a mistake on newegg's part, because it's a better processor.)

More than that is hard to say without good links...

[ragnarok8245]

thanks, i fixed the links up above and I updated the processor to the 6750,

what motherboard would you suggest? and is that video card any good? it seems too cheap for a 512....

[LeftyAce]

I'd switch that dvd drive to a LiteOn Retail SATA unit. LiteOn 'cause they're reliable, Retail because the retail lite-on's come with burning software, and SATA because modern motherboard chipsets don't support IDE natively.

something like this would work: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106057

This Corsair PSU is great quality, and has modular cabling, which makes tidying up the case easier. IMO it's worth the extra $20: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=corsair%2b520

This processor is faster than the e6600, and for some reason is cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029

You most likely do not need 4GB of ram. Even extreme gaming only requires 2GB at this point. 4GB won't hurt, and it is within your budget, so it's up to you.
Regardless, I would switch to Corsair XMS2; better quality and great customer service: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

If you agree with not going SLI (the video card you listed isn't SLI compatible anyway; it's an ATI card), switch to an ASUS P5K motherboard. Better reliability&performance using an Intel chipset with intel processors. (The P5N is an nVidia chipset to support SLI).

Lastly, even with those changes you're well below $1500. I would suggest you upgrade the video card to an 8800GTS. It's DX10 compatible, and quite powerful. Has more longevity than the ATI card you've got listed.

[ragnarok8245]

thanks for the help LeftyAce. I made a few changes based on your suggestions which are all reflected in the edited OP. a few questions though:

the memory standard on the MoBo is ddr2 1066, but my memory is ddr2 800, will it still work correctly?

also, is the onboard sound on the MoBo any good or should I upgrade it?

[shadowpr]

don't forget that if you're getting 4gm of ram, then you're going to want to get vista 64bit.

Edit: you might want to check out zipzoomfly for windows vista, they might be cheaper.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by shadowpr don't forget that if you're getting 4gm of ram, then you're going to want to get vista 64bit. Edit: you might want to check out zipzoomfly for windows vista, they might be cheaper.

Also, take into consideration the problems people have had with the 64 bit of windows (or from what ive herad) might not be worth the extra gig, just get 3gb with the 32 bit.

[Alaron]

For the sound, most people are happy with onboard sound these days. It has come a long way. We usually suggest to try it out for awhile to see how you like it. If it seems lacking, you can always add a soundcard later on. The Soundblaster X-Fi is a popular card now.

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by Chazell29 Also, take into consideration the problems people have had with the 64 bit of windows (or from what ive herad) might not be worth the extra gig, just get 3gb with the 32 bit.

i'm actually running vista HP 64. Czan't say that i've had any problems with it at all. Any problems i did have is just with learning where to find things and customize windows, but that's to be expected no matter what version of vista.

most of the newer hardware has updated drivers, at least they did for everything i'm using. just go to the manufactures website and download them, and run. i didn't use any of the supplied disks on my new build, just got the latest and greatest from the manufactures.

[LeftyAce]

the memory standard on the MoBo is ddr2 1066, but my memory is ddr2 800, will it still work correctly?

Yes, the motherboard supports up to ddr2 1066. ddr2 800 will work fine.