Building a new computer....

[Newfie]

This is going to be the first time I fully built a computer. Ive upgraded them before, but this is a next step. Is there much experience needed? Im always worried im gonna crack something or knock something off the card/motherboard. Is there any sites you reccomend as a reference and do you have any tips?

Heres the specs of the system im gonna make:

ASUS A8N-E PROACTIVE S939 MOTHERBOARD

AMD ATHLON 64 3500+ S939 PROCESSOR

Not sure on memory, hopefully you guys can help me with this

ATI X800XL 256mb PCI-E

SAMSUNG 16X BLACK DVD+-R/RW TS-H552

WESTERN DIGITAL 80GB 7200RPM SATA HARD DRIVE

Donno if i should get a sound card or not

AOPEN 10/100 PCI NETWORK CARD

IO VIBE 4 PORT USB CARD

MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP HOME

RAIDMAX SCORPIO 868 MIDTOWER BLACK NO PS - still making a decision on this case

ANTEC TRUEPOWER 550W POWER SUPPLY


That should be about it, If you guys have any tip on anything i should do or any thing I should change. (This is pushing my budget, so no change can be drastic)

On another note, would this be a good gaming computer? Just double checking because i think its gonna be one sweet rig =)

 

[mechBgon]

I made a guide with lots of photos showing how stuff fits, plus some other info: http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfadden/guides/build/index.html You are obviously a newbie, because I don't see pizza listed anywhere in your plan

Looking at your parts kit, skip the 10/100 network card and the USB card. The motherboard has a 10/100/1000 network port already, and lots of USB ports too. See, right there you save enough money for a large 2-topping pizza

If it were me, I'd try the onboard audio to start out with and make sure to get the TruePower 2.0 version of the 550W Antec, which has the newer 24-pin main plug and stuff, not the old-school 20-pin plug. Your motherboard takes 24-pin by design.

If you get the BenQ DVD burner, it comes with Nero 6 OEM software (not sure if the Samsung does or not). I got one, seems good.

It appears that 2GB of RAM is not beyond the realm of reason for the next-generation games and even a few of the current ones like EverQuest 2. Prices are good right now. If you want to buy some that is on Asus's approved list, two of this module would get you 2GB for not too much money.

Hope that helps

 

[Newfie]

Thanks ALOT m8, you dont know how much I appreacate this

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Newfie
Thanks ALOT m8, you dont know how much I appreacate this

You're welcome I have an Asus A8N-E, and one feature I could've wished for is onboard Firewire. I guess I can always add a PCI or PCI-Express card to get Firewire if/when I need it on this computer, they don't cost too much.

Here is a Qualified Vendor List for the A8N-SLI and its brothers, the A8N-SLI Deluxe and A8N-E: http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/qvl/A8N-QVL.pdf That doesn't mean those are the only modules you could use, but some of the listings are interesting. For example, Asus gives a passing mark to the popular Corsair ValueSelect 512MB DDR400 mark if you use one, or four, but not two There must be some basis for that. Maybe it will help as you decide about RAM.

 

[Newfie]

You are officaly my hero......

P.S: Ill get a jumbo pepperoni pizza and a 12 pack of coke so I wont be such a noob. Im makin my way up the ladder =D

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Newfie
You are officaly my hero......

P.S: Ill get a jumbo pepperoni pizza and a 12 pack of coke so I wont be such a noob. Im makin my way up the ladder =D

Hehe!