1st New Build anytrhing Missing/cut costs

[mokpo]

Hi All

This is my 1st build, I'm raw with very little experience and I'm hoping to get a little help form my friends on the web.

I'm interested mainly in multimedia TV, photographs and I use a flight simulator for my big gaming experience but I have in the past been hung up on other games such as Prince of Persia and Lara Croft. I would like to use a good video HD/TV card.

Please tell me know if I have everything I need to build a PC that will last for a while and I can expand on if desired.

I'm using existing monitor, keyboard, mouse etc... I need advice for what's in the box, is everything compatible and is there anything I can get to make my building experience easier?

1. Do I need cable, fasteners, thermal compound etc...? What's the compound used for?

2. Am I overbuilding for my needs, any suggestions on cutting costs?

Here are the components that I have chosen but all subject to change based on your advice. Budget around $1000.00 and I'm now over by about $300.00 but that additional third is ok according to my financial adviser and spouse, I have a kitchen pass to build. However, if I don't get this working properly I will be raked over the coals. Any and all advice will be welcomed happily with open arms.

Case:CHIEFTEC GIGA GH-01B-OP Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready
Mobo:ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core
Ram: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000333AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
FDD: Sony Optiarc 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model AD-7220A - OEM
Aud: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface
Vid: EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked
OS:Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

[shadowpr]

Drop the ram to 2x2gb ddr2-800

Change the hard drive to a western digital caviar black sata drive oem

Change the dvd burner to either a lite-on, asus, or lg sata drive

You can drop the sound card altogether as many say the onboard is almost as good as a separate card anyway.

You could probably save money by getting the plain P5Q instead of the pro.

[mokpo]

I'll also be doing multitasking with this PC - do I have sufficient mem to open up to six programs

[jdeb]

follow shadows lead.
nice build by the way

you might want to pick up some zip ties to make it clean and neat inside but not totally necessary. I am really particular about cable neatness and the least amount of airflow obstruction as possible. You will not need any thermal compound if you buy a boxed CPU, it is either pre-installed on the heatsink or they will supply a small pack of it. The thermal compound dissipates heat from the cpu so you don't fry it or the board.

[mokpo]

I like neat, zip ties Thanks

[mokpo]

Shadows got me back in budget - financial advisor is smiling

[shadowpr]

You can definitely multi task with that build.

[mokpo]

That's Great!

I'm about to push the order button and I'm breaking out in a sweat, got sweaty palms, hope I can build this insturment, I'll be having nightmares until the box arrives.

[not important]

If you haven't ordered yet..I would drop the audio card. Onboard sound on the newer MOBO's is quite good. You can always get an audio card later if you need one.

[mokpo]

done - Thanks for the info

[shadowpr]

If you want to make the build go easier, I suggest reading the sticky about having trouble with a new build.

We recommend doing that before you build inside the case. Saves time if there is a problem.

[mokpo]

Will do, thanks for the tip

[mokpo]

I can test the assembly out of the box Great! I'll try it as soon as I rec'v the components!

I've placed my order with newegg - it came in at $1184. I paid 1.5 x that for a stinking Levono lap top about a year ago that I'm now having problems with and unfortunately I did not get a good Video card - I wonder if I can cgange the video on a levono lap top????.