Building my first P.C., need help with parts

Hi guys,
I was hoping to put it off but registry issues and a few other problems have made me decide to "pull the pin".

What I have:
1G DDR ram (not too fast but will upgrade later)
cd and dvd
keyboard
monitor
mouse
Audigy Soundblaster
ATI 9800 pro

What I need:
Case
Power supply
Motherboard
Processer

I have no money limit but I don't want the top of the line, maybe something about 10-15% from the top end. I play many games (UT2004, Nascar 2003, Doom3....) but no overclocking. I will be ordering from Newegg since I just got the video card from there and I was happy with them. Anyone have any recommendations for the above list and will my DDR memory work in any Mobo? Hopefully I will order it all tommorow after work.
Thanks

 

I would go with an Antec case. I have "Solution Series" SLK3700AMB.
No fancy windows or lights, but, everything that you do need. No sharp edges to cut yourself on, reliable 350W PSU included, and, you can get the
additional 120mm fan for intake in the lower front of the case.

IMHO, Antec is the minimum to go, and still have a good case, and, more importantly, a good PSU.

Get the extra fan for the front.

The front bezel is plastic, it may tear up a little with time, where it attatches, but, still my recommendation, if you don't care for "fancy windows", or alien faces on your case or other things like that...

 

for a really good psu that's 100% reliable, go with any fortron source power supply. the 350 watt can be found at newegg for just $40-ish. antec's are second in line, if not tied with the fortron in reliability and function.

motherboard... um, any taiwanese maker would do. look for stuff from asus, abit, msi, etc. avoid asrock, ecs, or any other company like them.

CPU: look at the athlon 64's or the pentium 4's. i can't say which one is better, but both are good options to look at. i'd just pick the cheapest one of the two and stick with it. IMO, amd's will be more cost effective in your situation, but i dunno about cheaper...

good luck!

 

Thanks guys, I kinda narrowed it down a bit. Here's what I found:
Case and psu:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-129-148&DEPA=1
Processor:
(on sale) http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-116-171&DEPA=0
(not on sale)
Mobo: This? http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-474&depa=1
or this? Not sure of the difference.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-474&depa=1

Any opinions welcome and I will be ordering tonite. Thanks guys.

 

Would anyone know if that processor would work with either mobo? Also, I have a gig of ddr ram (not sure of the speed). Should it work with that mobo.? I know it will be slow until I can afford better.

 

Actually, you have two links to the same mobo.

It will work with the 3.0ghz, but I think I would go with a better board.

Remember, your board should always be top notch. Its the foundation for the rest of your machine.

 

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-449&depa=0

For the best performance, go with PC3200 DDR.

 

Thanks Adrynalyne, that's exactly the info I needed. Will any older DDR ram work in it until I can upgrade?

 

Yes

The lowest it will take is PC2100, which is about as slow as you can find it these days.

 

i just finished building my computer...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1024721&CatId=1190
thats my mobo... i havent had any problems with it, and it works rather nicely... not the highest end.
for my processor i used an athlon 3000+ it also works very nice

those are my suggestions

as for a case and power supply i cant suggest much... i like cool windows, flashy lights, and mass fans... but power supply i went with an ultra 600w... it works

 

Thanks, also what is the difference between the mobo you posted and this one? http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-492&depa=1
Is the other one worth the extra $?

 

Different chipset

865 vs. 875.

 

Is the 875 worth it in your opinion knowing my other parts? Thanks you so much for the help, the first PC is scary to build.

 

http://www.digital-daily.com/motherboard/i865pe-875p-roundup/

 

Take a look at the reviews.

I'm an AMD guy, so my knowledge of Intel is somewhat scarce.

Looking at both, I don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

Great, can't thank you enough. I hate to be rushed but I my current pc has registry problems and I can't put it off anymore. Gonna buy it tonite.
Thanks again.

 

Sure thing

Its gonna be a nice computer, from the sounds of it.

 

Ooops, one last thing. Do I need thermal...paste I think it is or is there anything else needed to put this together? I added a 80 mm. fan to put in the front of the case as well.

 

If you are using a retail CPU, then it probably comes with a thermal pad, or grease already.

Use of third party thermal grease will likely void your warranty.

If you plan on overclocking, then you will want to use it though.

Make sure you get the good stuff, if you do.

As for the fan, my Antec case came with 4 80mm fans.

So, you might want to make sure you aren't ordering a fan it already comes with

 

It said only one fan in back but space for a 80 mm in front.

 

Oh, ok

 

Just ordered it all. *crosses fingers*

 

I never knew that. So when i put arctic silver on my new 3200 i voided the warranty?

Good luck with the computer tater! Hope it all works out smooth.



cooked

 

Yeppers.

Part of the reason I buy OEM.

Less guilt

 

Wow thanks... Good to know for the future.

Good thing i bought OEM too. Even though it had a 6 month supplier warranty.



cooked