Help request with new machine

[bigolclown]

Hello all!

I'm looking at getting a new machine, and I'm slowly convincing myself that building would be better than buying a prefab. I've never done this before, so I could really use some advice before I shoot myself in the foot.

I'd like a machine that will allow me to do some gaming... for instance, I'd like to run Spore and have smooth action. I'd also like to run Vista, either Home or Ultimate.

I'm looking to spend around $1400. I've looked around NewEgg and have come up with the following list. I'd really appreciate it if you would offer your opinion, and also let me know if I'm missing anything.

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119138

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182069

Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835887011

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128358

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115054

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227298

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136284

DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151173

Video: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150318

Audio: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102019

Thanks in advance for any advice you might offer!

[shadowpr]

First, forget the cooler unless you plan on overclocking.

Get a better psu: What Power Supply should I get? How many Watts? Who made it? Guide Inside

You can drop the ram down to ddr2-800 unless you plan on overclocking.

Look at either asus or lite-on dvd drives. Get sata, and retail.

For a video card, I would get the 4850 instead.

The rest looks good, but you can save money and lose just a bit of performance by using on board sound, and dropping the cpu down to a e8500.

Also look at seagate 7200.11 1tb drives. Seagates offer 5 year warrenty.

Look at the Asus P5Q mb as well.

Don't forget the include the OS, keyboard, mouse, monitor, and speakers.

[Doom]

First of all... I recommend dropping the case and going with an Antec 900 or a Cooler Master CM 690. That will cut $70 from your costs and give you plenty of room to build with. Both of these cases will hold even the biggest graphics cards. I recommend the CM 690 for first time builders as it's much easier to wire and the too-less installation makes things very easy.

For a short summary... check out the most recent build in my signature line. It performs very well for even heavy gaming and cost me approx $1300 including everything except for the monitor. If you take rebates into account... it only cost about $1200.

Finally, building your own rig is very easy and about 99.9% sure to get you a better deal. Read up and research before building (to include reading all documentation with your products). Go slow and take your time. Your computer's performance should be racing... you're construction process shouldn't be.

[bigolclown]

You guys rock. Thanks a ton for the advice.