My first-time build, any thoughts?

[Charlem9]

After quite a bit of looking I've assembled this list of components for a PC that I would like to build.

I'm mostly interested in getting something that can run Secondlife on high at a decent speed, if not on ultra settings. Otherwise I'm generally notorious for having a dozen chrome windows open at the same time with half of those being youtube, as well as various office and IM applications. As for gaming, I usually go for not-online strategy and rpg's, so I think this should handle that.

This build is pretty much right at the limit of what I wanted to spend on hardware alone ($600) so I'm not really looking to add more power to it. That being said, if you have any suggestions for better parts that aren't more than say $10-15 over what I have now feel free to suggest them.

More importantly, are there are any major compatibility issues/something else I am overlooking here due to this being my first ground-up build? Additionally, any tips on assembly would be appreciated as well.

Here are the parts:

PSU
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Newegg.com - SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

MOBO
MSI 870S-G46 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - MSI 870S-G46 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T Thuban 2.8GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT55TFBGRBOX
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X6 1055T Thuban 2.8GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT55TFBGRBOX

HDD
Western Digital WD3200AAKX Caviar Blue Hard Drive - 320GB, 3.5" SATA 6Gbps, 7200 RPM, 16MB
Western Digital WD3200AAKX Caviar Blue Hard Drive - 320GB, 3.5 SATA 6Gbps, 7200 RPM, 16MB at TigerDirect.com

RAM (X2)
Kingston KHX1333C9D3B1/4G Desktop Memory Module - 4GB, PC3-10600, DDR3-1333MHz, 240-pin DIMM, 9-9-9-27 CAS Latency, 1.5V, Non-ECC, Unbuffered
Kingston KHX1333C9D3B1/4G Desktop Memory Module - 4GB, PC3-10600, DDR3-1333MHz, 240-pin DIMM, 9-9-9-27 CAS Latency, 1.5V, Non-ECC, Unbuffered at TigerDirect.com

GPU
EVGA 01G-P3-1361-KR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1361-KR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

OD
SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-222BB/BEBE - OEM
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-222BB/BEBE - CD / DVD Burners

CASE
Cooler Master RC-430-KWN1 Elite 430 Mid Tower ATX Case - ATX/Micro-ATX, USB, Audio, 120mm Blue LED Fan, Black
Cooler Master RC-430-KWN1 Elite 430 Mid Tower ATX Case - ATX/Micro-ATX, USB, Audio, 120mm Blue LED Fan, Black at TigerDirect.com

Total price for the build is $636.

[jdeb]

I would change the motherboard. It has the advanced BIOS, USB 3.0, and ability for CPU upgrade. Overall a much better board and chipset.

ASUS M5A97 AM3+
Newegg.com - ASUS M5A97 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

You do not need a 6 core CPU. This one will autotune (overclock) like a dream while remaining cool.

AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo)
Newegg.com - AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor FD4100WMGUSBX

Get this memory with it. Very stable.

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

I would go with this card, higher frame rates
SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Do not go with a samsung dvd

LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer
Newegg.com - LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS-324-98B

Excellent power supply

[Charlem9]

Okay, I've updated my list as you per your recommendations. I went ahead and found a case an HDD on newegg for a little more just for the convenience of ordering everything from the same website, since after the changes it and the case were the only items not from them.

Any thoughts on what to look out for on assembly?

Here is the revised component list:

PSU $80
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Newegg.com - SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

MOBO $100
ASUS M5A97 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Newegg.com - ASUS M5A97 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

CPU $120
AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor FD4100WMGUSBX
Newegg.com - AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor FD4100WMGUSBX

HDD $95
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKX 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKX 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

RAM (x2) $49
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

GPU $165
SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

DVD DRIVE $20
LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS-324-98B
Newegg.com - LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS-324-98B

CASE $50
RAIDMAX Skyline ATX-948WB Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Newegg.com - RAIDMAX Skyline ATX-948WB Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Total $679

[jdeb]

Looks good and you should be very happy with the build. Follow the steps in post #1, steps 2 through 10 of this sticky prior to putting in the case. Can be a big time saver.

Do you have an old sata hard drive? If so, you could use that until the prices come back down so you can afford a faster sata III 6gbs 64 mb cache drive. If not, the one you chose is about the best value you can get currently.

[glc]

Here's the most GB for the money that's reliable:

Newegg.com - HITACHI HDS721050CLA362 (0F10381) 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

[Charlem9]

I like the price and size of that drive, although I have never used a Hitachi before. The feedback on it seems generally positive, so I'll settle for that.

However, would there be a noticeable difference in performance with this unit being a 3Gb/s instead of the 6Gb/s one that I have listed?

The only other HDD I have at the moment is quite large, 1Tb, but it is in my current PC (http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/ace...-33965130.html), which I plan to give to my brother after I assemble this new one. His desktop died last year, and he has been making do with a rather weak laptop, so I figured I would be nice.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Charlem9 I like the price and size of that drive, although I have never used a Hitachi before. The feedback on it seems generally positive, so I'll settle for that. However, would there be a noticeable difference in performance with this unit being a 3Gb/s instead of the 6Gb/s one that I have listed? The only other HDD I have at the moment is quite large, 1Tb, but it is in my current PC (Acer Aspire X3300-U1322 Overview & Specs - Desktops - CNET Reviews), which I plan to give to my brother after I assemble this new one. His desktop died last year, and he has been making do with a rather weak laptop, so I figured I would be nice.

I have had good results with all the Hitachi's I have used in builds. Either one is fine. Leave the other one intact sense you are giving it to your brother. 6 gbs is better but not hugely noticable. When you are talking 64mb of cache, then you can notice some performance gain but the drives are ridiculously overpriced because of the shortage.

[Charlem9]

so as it turns out my brother still has his old pc, and I believe the hard drive is salvageable from it, so instead I will just swap his out for the one I have in my current compy:
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Instead of buying one. That takes a lot off the price for me, and saves getting another copy of windows to boot.

[jdeb]

Those green drives are pretty slow, I only use them as external drives for backing up data. It should do the trick though until the prices come back down. Not sure about the License for Windows though, I think it violates the terms. As long as you have the key code you should be o.k. but you may have to call Microsoft to get it activated which is not a big deal. Make sure they understand it is being installed on one PC. Is it Windows 7?

[Charlem9]

Yes, it is. Windows 7 64-bit. It came with the operating system already loaded on it actually. Would I still have that problem though?

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Charlem9 Yes, it is. Windows 7 64-bit. It came with the operating system already loaded on it actually. Would I still have that problem though?

Just tell them you replaced the motherboard which you essentially are. All you can do is try it. Probably will not work if it is a Dell or factory PC but I have not tried that it in so long, I can't remember.