First PC, help.

[graveyardmosh]

Building my first DIY PC, just wanted to make sure everything in here is compatible and nothing is total junk. Thanks to anyone who helps me out.

Case
Mobo
Video Card
PSU
CPU
RAM (x2)
HDD
CPU Heatsink/Fan

[Brencog13]

Have you already got an OS?

For the Mobo, Gigabyte are good, but Asus have the best reputation here. (based on quality and support) The standard P5Q is $10 less, and the P5Q turbo is $5 more (with the $15 mail in rebate its same as the standard)
P5Q
P5Q Turbo

For the RAM, 1066 is overkill, you only need DDR2-800 unless you're doing some serious overclocking. And why buy your 2 sticks of RAM separately, when you can buy them together?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

For the HDD, if you can stretch to another $5, get the WD Caviar Black 640GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319

And you don't need an aftermarket CPU cooler, if you use one it will void the 3 year warranty on the CPU. And besides, if the stock was no good, why would Intel give you a 3 year warranty to use it?

I hope I helped

[Killer01]

you can find some cheaper costing RAM if you buy 2x(2GB).

like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227298

[Khalil]

Kingston is a much better brand than OCZ, great replacement support as well. I don't recommend you replace your heatsink or fan for the CPU. That is a great power supply and CPU you picked. An Asus P5Q will serve you better than that Gigabyte. Poor choice for a video card. I recommend an ATI 4870

[graveyardmosh]

Well, I'm looking to overclock the Wolfdale to around 4.0ghz, so the aftermarket heatsink and RAM are pretty crucial I think. Doesnt the RAM speed also have to match the MOBO RAM standard?

Is that ATI video card really all that much better than the 9800GTX+? Its only 30 dollars more so I might just go for it, if its worth it.

I'm not sure as to what OS to use on it, any suggestions? I'm definitely locked in on using a Windows OS, but I'm not sure if Vista or XP or 7 is the right one.

[Khalil]

In my opinion the ATI card is twice the card the 9800GTX is so the $30 is for sure worth it. I would go with windows 7 for sure.

[graveyardmosh]

The only thing abouts Windows 7 is, I can only get it from torrent sites and the like, and its not supporting updates at this time. Also, x32 or x64? Pros/Cons?

[Brencog13]

Nope, you can download the RC straight from MS, its about 3/4 down the page.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win.../download.aspx

EDIT: Though you are right about the updates thing, but its only an RC so you have to buy a full copy at some point. (the RC stops working normally at the beginning of March 2010)

[Khalil]

64 bit allows more than 3.2GB of Memory however you need to look at what software you plan on using and compatibilty issues. Games pretty much don't care if you use 64 or 32. For gaming and for 8 or 16GB of memory 64 bit is the way to go, otherwise it makes no difference.

[graveyardmosh]

My concerns are this, I'll only have one HDD, and I don't want to have to back-up everything on DVDs and Flash Drives when the RC runs out next March, and the full release isn't out until October, I don't really want to wait until then, as I'll be ordering this sometime next week.

I almost feel like 32 bit is easier as almost everything is compatible, but is it really going to affect my gaming to only have 3.2 gigs of RAM running? I'm not super up to date on what people are running as far as gaming rigs go (mind you mine is about 815 bucks start to finish with shipping.)