First Time Builder Seeking Help.

I've been planning these parts for two weeks and have been refining the list ever since, but more input from pro's can never hurt. I was wondering if anyone would mind giving some pointers? Are these parts compatible? Are they good parts? Is there anything else I should invest in? Is this a good system to have for when Vista finally comes out? Any help would be great. I plan on using the computer for alot of graphic design, especially Adobe products, and I guess a little gaming. Thanks alot!

$933.30

EPoX EP-9NPA+ SLi Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813123246

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 1GHz HT Socket 939 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103539

CORSAIR XMS 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM System Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145488

NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE/ATAPI Model ND-3550A - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827152058

eVGA Geforce 6800GS CO SE 256-P2-N389-AX Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130271

Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 120GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148106

Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-480 480W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103929

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007

COOLER MASTER Centurion 532 RC-532-SKN1 Black Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119094

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Stealth

For starters, you might want to go with an nVidia card, seeing how your mobo choice is an NVIDIA nForce4. Secondly, you might want to get a good HeatSink Fan.

I should also add that if you want to upgrade to Vista, you might also want a DirectX 10 card (None of which are out yet). So your best bet is to get a fairly cheap video card now, and hold out until they start producing the DX10 cards.

Alright, I've got a heatsink, is the particular one I chose alright? What about the new videocard, is it any better? It's nVidia, it's SLI ready...is that any cooler? I'm rather...excited.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by BlueMikey

Superb choice of case, by the way. That will make your job as easy as possible.

"...."

I guess it would help us to know if you have any special needs. If you just want to stick some parts together and go, you can definitely save some money on this machine. If you're looking for massive customization, lots of overclocking and such, you might need some upgrades in places.

I removed the heatsink from the list and that's about it. I kinda like that the current mobo is SLI ready, just in case I ever decide to get a second video card in the future. I also decided to stick with the original power supply simply because I trust it more and spent a good two hours comparing power supplies until I narrowed it down to the Antec.

As for my requirements, I really just want to use my new computer to play tons of music, burn CD's, play Half-Life 2 and FEAR, and use Adobe products. I'm going to be attending the Art Institute of Dallas, so I definitely think a computer that can properly handle graphics is a huge benefit.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Haha...well, I would go for the 3000+ Ghz, but I'm kinda on a budget. I definitely don't want to spend more than $900 on this bad boy, but that's still alot considering my original budget was $600. You guys are really giving me good ideas, and I like that you're helping me lower the price slightly. I'll be looking through all the suggestions as soon as I get back from work, and see if I can refine the list some more.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148106

I found this SATA hard drive, it's only about two dollars difference. What are the advantages to running a SATA HD than running an IDE HD?

I was speaking idiomatically.

I've upgraded my CPU from 1.8GHz to a 2.2Ghz model. I also went ahead and upgraded my memory to a more reputable brand, and combined the two 512's into a 1GB stick.

Is there a significant difference in, for example, getting a 1GB RAM rather than getting two 512 RAM's? Which would be the better option?

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I'll keep that in mind for when I upgrade, but for now, I think I'll stick with the single stick.

Alrighty guys, I'm gonna let this thread die down a little while I save up the money to actually buy this stuff. I work at Subway part-time, so it should only take me about another month to get enough dough together. Hang tight!

FELIPE NO

Alright, so I got the parts a couple of weeks ago, and scrapped the video card for a 6600 nVidia something-something. After having an amazing failure with the motherboard, I boxed it all up to RMA it and ship it back. As I was about to actually drop it off at the post office, I decided to try ONE more time...lo and behold, it worked! I spent the next weekend importing my stuff from the old hard drive and setting my new computer up...it's awesome, and I have the support of awesome Gamingforcers to thank for it...thanks dudes.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?