My first build! Please Help

[flashdude]

As the title says this is my first build so I need some help on what parts to get and maybe some guides. I got a few questions:
1. Are there any kits you can order? Like the type of thing that has everything in it, ready to build.
2. What components would you recommend, I've heard ASUS is very good quality.
3. I have a old computer I have opened up to get a feel of the inside of computers. Are there any parts I can use from that computer? (Its pretty old so alot of the parts would be bad to include in my new build but there are some things, theres 2 128mb ram sticks, cd-rom read/writer, fans, power source, stuff like that.)

[Cricket]

First of all, how much do you want to spend? What is your budget and what does it have to include? Just the computer or the computer, the peripherals (monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers) and the OS?

Do you want a AMD or INTEL computer?

Forget about using any parts from your old computer.

Cricket

[perkster]

what will the computer be used for?

that and your budget are needed before we can advise you on the best parts, but you have to the right place

[flashdude]

photoshop/web design, music, internet, mild gaming, work/school, and photos are the things i would want to do. budget=500-600 . all i need is computer, no keyboard and stuff

[perkster]

is that 500-600 USD? we have many nationalities here?

as for Kits the only kits you can buy i think are barebones and they are usually some bad componts lumped together for a quick sale at good price, not what you really want to build a good system with, you want to order quality parts.

well as not a heavy gamer or overlcoker would imagine a simple intel core 2 duo with a middle range graphics card.

[flashdude]

500-600cnd(canadian)

[Alaron]

That is going to be very tight. But I can create a list with a good upgrade path. Prices from www.ncix.com

Asus P5K-VM: $144 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=ASUS
Intel Core 2 Duo E4400: $150 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ufacture=Intel
Crucial 1GB DDR2-667: $45 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...L%20TECHNOLOGY
Seagate 250GB Hard drive: $82 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=Seagate
Antec Sonata III: $131 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ufacture=ANTEC
LiteOn DVDRW: $49 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...facture=Liteon

That comes to $601. You'll need to use onboard video for now and upgrade the video card later for games. You can throw in a 7600GT for $100 if you can squeeze it.

[flashdude]

Originally Posted by Alaron That is going to be very tight. But I can create a list with a good upgrade path. Prices from www.ncix.com Asus P5K-VM: $144 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=ASUS Intel Core 2 Duo E4400: $150 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ufacture=Intel Crucial 1GB DDR2-667: $45 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...L%20TECHNOLOGY Seagate 250GB Hard drive: $82 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=Seagate Antec Sonata III: $131 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ufacture=ANTEC LiteOn DVDRW: $49 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...facture=Liteon That comes to $601. You'll need to use onboard video for now and upgrade the video card later for games. You can throw in a 7600GT for $100 if you can squeeze it.

Everything sounds great but I have a few questions:
1. I already have a DVD drive from and old computer, could I use that one instead of the one you suggested?
2. Is there anything on that list that could be cheaper,($600 is kinda pushing my budget) but not loose much power?
3. These parts are going to be replacing the parts inside an older computer. The old computer has everything it needs to have to run, but alot is old. Like I know the mobo and CPU can't be salvaged but there is stuff like a power source, fans, DVD Drive (said in question 1), and lots of wires. Can this stuff be used with the new parts?

[shadowpr]

the wires will most likely come with the new parts.

the psu, might be able to be re-used, but most likely not. it will probably not be powerful enough if it's from a store bought computer.

the case might be able to be used. depends on what type of computer it is. and thus the fans can be used. if not, a new case will come with fans.

the dvd drive should be able to be used, but if it's old, it's probably ide, and the new standard is sata.

[flashdude]

Im pretty sure the DVD drive is fine. As for the case, how do I tell what type of computer it is?

[shadowpr]

is it a name brand computer? if so, what model?

[Katreat]

And if it is not a name brand computer, take a look at the PSU and see what model it is. All new builds require a PSU to be 2.0 compliant so if the PSU is old, regardless of quality, it may have to be replaced.

Most new builds can use IDE burners, it is not the best fit but they do have IDE controllers on the MB so the burner can probably be re-used.

Kat

[flashdude]

Uhh the computer is a northern micro computer, and I am checking the PSU version now, wait a sec, where do I check?