Hello, my name is PoohBear and I am a Noob. (New Build)

[PoohBear]

Dear Forum,
I am going to try and build my own PC and could use any and all advice. The purpose of the pc is primarly gaming and web surfing. The budget is around $1,000 and products will be bought both online and in-store to try and find the best deal.

1) The Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=antec%2bp182

2) The Motherboard ( I am using a Wi-Fi Connection in my home and I am hoping to get a board with built-in Wi-Fi, please review.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131181

3) The Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130303

4) The CPU: ( Is this overkill?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017

5) The PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...N8216817371007

6) RAM: Unknown... what would work with this board or any recommendable board? Atleast 2Gb I believe is needed/

7) HDD: Unknown: I feel I need atleast 160Gb.

8) DVD Unknown: I have not had to buy one for some time and I do not know how to compare modern features. I do know I want to read and write CD/DVD and have the option of writing them aswell. Otherwise I am ignorant of their features.

I already own a CD copy of Windows XP from my current pc, a Dell Dimension 8300, and will use that. I will also reuse my old 17" flatscreen 'till a deal comes along for a 22".

9) I will need a new keyboard and mouse, the Dell stock ones I have are a bit plain and I would like something better.

I do plan to overclock this system at one point, however I am unfamiliar with the process and any ideas on how and to what extent I should would be appreciated. For now, I will be using the system as it comes stock. The target games for this system are Crysis and Bioshock.

Thank you everyone in advance.

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech.

Drop the motherboard down to the Asus P5K. The P5K3 in your list only uses DDR3 RAM which is slow and very expensive. The P5K uses the much more common and affordable DDR2.

Your CPU is not overkill. Its very future-proof, a good choice.

For RAM, go with 2GB of Corsair DDR2-800.

We recommend Seagate hard drives. This is a good choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140

Here is the DVD Burner we recommend: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106072

You'll need to purchase a new copy of Windows XP, that copy is tied to your Dell and cannot be transferred.

Most gamers like Logitech peripherals. Check those out.

I recommend that new builders avoid overclocking. Your machine will be smoking fast as is and any bumps in speed would be unnoticable anyway.

Your Power supply link is dead. This is the unit we recommend: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...orsair%2b520hx

[PoohBear]

Ok, I will try to revise this so it makes better sense. Thanks for the help.

1) The Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...29025&Tpk=p182

2) The Motherboard ( I am using a Wi-Fi Connection in my home and I am hoping to get a board with built-in Wi-Fi, please review.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131181

3) The Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130303

4) The CPU: ( Is this overkill?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017

5) The PSU: I originaly wanted an ANtec Earthwatts 500, but I think the corsair you mentioned will work too. I just want to save power and heat.

6) RAM: ok, I will get the Corsair Ram, I will need to find a bargain for it too.

7) HDD: The Seagate you mentioned looks good I will try to price that.

8) DVD: Ok, I will try the Lite-On, is that a good brand? I have never heard of it.

9) I will need a new keyboard and mouse, the Dell stock ones I have are a bit plain and I would like something better.

As for the OS, I really need to buy a new copy of XP?! I was hoping to save some cash using the old one. Can you recommend a source to get a new copy?

This is going to get pricy... I hope I can find coupons.

[PoohBear]

I am still lost on as to which motherboard to get. Any recommendations on a board and ram to work with a Core 2 Quard E6600?

[Cricket]

Some of your links aren't working.

And please use the Edit button to edit a previous post instead of making a new one a few minutes apart. Thank you.

Cricket

[mwhaha]

Ehm, just a passing comment but you sure that the windows xp cd will let you put it on a non dell pc? I had that problem as my windows xp disk is only compatable will dell computers. Unless anyone knows a way around this?

[Alaron]

If you need built-in Wifi, here is the board to get: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131196

Lite-On is an excellent brand. I recommend that specific model because it comes with burning software.

To reiterate, you cannot use the Dell copy of XP with the new system. A new copy of XP Home is about $90 on Newegg.

I fixed your links.

[PoohBear]

Thanks again... is it worth buying Vista now instead of XP? I would hate to buy XP and have to upgrade later.

[shadowpr]

That's a purely personal choice.

Some like vista, while others prefer xp.

Personally, I don't think either one is bad, and I like both. I'm starting to enjoy vista more though.

[PoohBear]

Quick Question:

Any opinions on the popular Antec 900 case and the Antec Earth Watt 500 PSU ? I see them advertised everywhere!

[shadowpr]

I like the antec 900. I'm happy with mine.

Only possible drawbacks are that it gets dusty, and cable management requires some effort and creativity.

[Nuclear Krusader]

If you want to play Crysis and Bioshock, you do need Vista as they are DX10 titles. Yeah, sure, they can run on XP and DX9, but they'd not look as good.

[andper10]

You can get the Antec 900 from Fry's Electronics for $75+ Tax until Tuesday (it's on sale). Here are the store locations: http://www.frys-electronics-ads.com/...e-location.htm

I have that Corsair PSU powering an X1950XT and it seems to be a good unit. I got my PSU from here: http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-520w...203270716.html
It is a lot cheaper than newegg, even if you don't want to mess with the Mail In rebates. Be sure to create a new google checkout account to save $10 on your order if you buy from this website. Enjoy your build!

[The Village Idiot]

I prefer the Antec P182 just because of the way it uses compartments to seperate heat, as well as having about 1 million different layers so you probably can't hear anything.

[glc]

Look at the Antec Sonata 3 - it comes with a 500 watt Earthwatts and it's a very quiet case.