My old computer literally exploded...here is my new build, need help!

[Krisbot]

Hey guys, it's been a very long time since I've posted on this board, but I need some help again critiquing my build. Here it is:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

ASUS M2V AM2 VIA K8T890 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU ATX 12V 2.0 500W Power Supply - Retail

AMD Athlon 64 4000+ 2.6GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA4000DHBOX - Retail

GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop

Seagate SV35.2 ST3320620SV 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM write and LightScribe Technology Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model LH-20A1H-185 - OEM

LITE-ON 52X CD Burner Black ATAPI/E-IDE Model DH-52R2P-08 - Retail

These are my questions: what can be changed, combined, or replaced for better performance? I'm a gamer, but I mostly play World of Warcraft and games like that, not so much FPS, although I do sometimes just for kicks. My old computer was destroyed by a power surge, burned the motherboard and the power supply (smelled like burning hair). At this point though it was about four years old, so I guess maybe it was someone's way of tell me "Hey...upgrade your machine." Also, I don't really find myself burning DVDs that much so I guess that is expendable, I just wanted it since I may want to someday. Another question is do SATA drives still require a floppy drive to set them up? Cause my last PC did so I had to purchase one.

Another big concern is about Vista and upcoming operating systems. Can this build handle it? Do I even need to worry about Vista at this point in history?

That being said, I gave an estimated budget of $700-800 dollars to the guy ponying up the cash for the build. I might be able to go as high as $900, but that is the cutoff. Help me out bros I really need some feedback! Thanks.

[Cricket]

Look for a motherboard with a NVidia chipset, not a VIA if you want to have a stable system.

I wouldn't get a XFX video card, I'd get a EVGA.

I wouldn't use a Thermaltake power supply either...I don't trust them.

The rest of the parts look okay.

Cricket

[Krisbot]

You might be right Cricket...it could have been the Thermaltake that screwed me this time on the power surge. Could you link a build or post one that you think would be a good setup for my price range?

[Cricket]

I use only Fortron Source power supplies in my own computers...never had a problem with them. The only other brands I would trust are Corsair, Sparkle Power, Seasonic and PC Power & Cooling.

Cricket

[Krisbot]

Another thing I hate to bring up is AMD vs. Intel, but things have changed so much since my last build I'm feeling a little lost. I read the sticky about dual-core processors, but I'm still torn between brands. Also, nice avatar Cricket, that has to be one of my favorite games of all time.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Krisbot Another thing I hate to bring up is AMD vs. Intel, but things have changed so much since my last build I'm feeling a little lost. I read the sticky about dual-core processors, but I'm still torn between brands.

Currently, Intel has the performance edge over AMD.

Originally Posted by Krisbot Also, nice avatar Cricket, that has to be one of my favorite games of all times.

Thanks. I first learned about Sam & Max when I was collecting comics back in the 80's and 90's and have a bunch of their comics and graphic novels. And I heard there's another Sam & Max game out now...I think it's a on-line based game over at TellTaleGames.com.

Cricket

[Krisbot]

Cricket what about a floppy drive? Last time when I got my SATA HD I had to have a floppy to install the drivers for it just to install windows. Is that still the case?

[Cricket]

Most newer motherboards have native support for SATA HDDs now so you don't need special drivers on a floppy like before. I don't have any floppy drives installed on my computers anymore, I just keep them handy in case I need to run diagnostic software.

Cricket

[Krisbot]

Here is what I think I'm gonna stick with:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

EVGA 256-P2-N761-AR GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP

SPARKLE ATX-400PN-B204 ATX 12V 2.01 400W Power Supply - OEM

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA5200CSBOX - Retail

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA804 - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Saitek PZ30AU Black USB Wired Standard Eclipse Keyboard - Retail

Logitech MX518 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB + PS/2 Wired Optical Gaming-Grade

ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3T OEM - OEM

I think I trimmed off some unnecessary things and picked up some performance enhancing pieces as well. Special thanks to Cricket for the power supply suggestion, every review I read for Sparkle was fantastic. Overall this build comes to just a little over $800 including shipping, so if I get positive feedback from the boards I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good setup. Thanks again.

[Alaron]

That is a solid list. You may want to swap that Asus drive for a DVD Burner instead so you can burn, as well as read, CDs and DVDs.

[Krisbot]

Swapped out ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3T OEM - OEM for SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM per Alaron's suggestion.

[shadowpr]

Might want to check out a retail version so you get the software too. It's usually only a few $ more.

A brand that is highly recommended here is Lite-On.