First Build for Music and Multitasking

[Jdatphhs]

I'm building my first computer so I don't have to listen to my mom complaining about how my music is slowing down her computer. I will use it primarily for schoolwork, ebaying, listing and downloading music and every now and then watching some Utube. I'm pretty big on listing to music while searching a website or 3 at the same time and I would like to be able to with minimal lag. I never play computer games so no worries about that. I kind of went off of counterfiction's build but picked and choose a few things. Here is what I'm working with so far. Please critique and comment.

Case:_Rosewill R5604-TBK 0.8mm SECC Screw-less Dual 120mm Fans ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

PSU: Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply - Retail

Mobo: _____ASUS M2NPV-VM AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6150 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail ___

CPU: __AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX - Retail


HDD: ____Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3160815AS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM


RAM: _____G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail


Pri Optical: ___LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S - Retail



OS: ____Windows XP

So far I'm up to 506.93 and I would like to keep it under $650. I do have a couple questions though. Since I'm not going to use the computer for gaming do I need a video card or sound card or will the built in one work fine? I'm not opposed to buying them if they are necessary. Also is that PSU overkill for my needs? If I wanted to could I run Vista with no problems?

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech.

Looks like a fairly solid list. The motherboard you chose has both onboard video and onboard sound. Both are fine for your needs. You can always add a soundcard later if you want. The video should be fine if you don't game.

The PSU is ok on wattage but that model is older spec. You need an ATX 2.0 unit. This would be a great choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104953

[Gen.Ben]

You also might want to get a bit larger hard drive, especially if you are a heavy music downloader. A bigger 320GB hard drive would only be about $25 more dollars.

[Jdatphhs]

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate the advice guys. I was also thinking about doing 2 HDD's one specifically for music and random crap that I download. Is this a good idea or would 1 big drive be good enough? Also I'm ordering mostly retail parts so they will come all the required cable right?

[backithink]

one big would be fine... two would be just as good.. also if you have to reformat for some odd reason... the second hdd would ensure that you have all the files and folders you want to keep even if the worst happens... less back up time if you have your stuff on another drive already

[Katreat]

Generally, you buy a retail burner because they come with burning software, at least the Lite-ons do and only cost an extra 2-3 bucks. For the HD just order OEM. The MB will come with cables for at least 2 SATA HD. MB and CPU are always retail, dont mess with open box returns. OS OEM is fine, you can get the manual online if you need it. I have never seen OEM RAM so you would call that retail also

Kat