My first build

[Nutrocobra]

This'll be the first build I'm doing, my plan is to set it up as a dual boot machine, XP Pro and Server 2003, hence the extra HD's. I won't be playing any graphics intensive games. The most heavy stuff I'll be doing will be running a couple of virtual machines. My budget is in the area of $1000. I just want to make sure I haven't missed any compatibility issue or anything. I'd appreciate any suggestions that people have.

Here's what I got so far,

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103747
Motherboard: MSI K9A Platinum Socket AM2 ATI CrossFire Radeon Xpress 3200 ATX AMD Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130057
PSU: Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 ATX12V 650W Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371001
Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102022
HDD1: Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822135106
HDD2: Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
HDD3: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140
Optical: LITE-ON Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model LH-16D1P-187
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106066
FDD: SAMSUNG Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model SFD321B/LBL1
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16821103203
Case: APEVIA X-PLEASURE-BK Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144128

Someone suggested I go with the Asus M2N-E Mobo instead, but I'm hesitant after reading about all the issues that people have been having with it. Also, I've been told that I'm going overboard with the power supply, that a 520W would be enough.

Thanks in advance!

 

[oynaz]

1. Any reason to pick AMD over the faster Core 2 Duo CPUs?

2. If you are not playing any graphics intensive games, why are you getting such a fast and expensive graphics card? The Radeon X1900GT seems like huge overkill.

3. The PSU is overkill. About 400 watts should be plenty.

4. Why a full tower case? These things are huge.

 

[Nutrocobra]

I went with the AMD because of price, waiting until April 22 doesn't look like an option. I went with the full tower because it comes with 4 fans and room, however I've since found another case which not only has the fans but also comes with a 500w PSU.

I admit I did the least amount of research on video cards, I though I was picking up a cheaper model. Now I've narrowed it down to 2:

MSI RX1550-TD256E Radeon X1550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127275

GIGABYTE GV-NX73G128D-RH GeForce 7300GS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125033

Any suggestions?

Now that I've saved some money I may consider going for the C2D anyway, maybe the E4300.

 

[Boyo]

If I were you, I would go with the C2D option. You get more for your money first of all, and second, it's a faster rig.

 

[oynaz]

Those two graphics cards sound sensible, but now a 500 watt PSU is way, way overkill. 350 watts is more than enough. 200-250 is plenty for what you have, but you wight want to upgrade something later. A good quality 350 watt PSU is the way to go (assuming you have not got a super-offer on the 500 watter. Then again, a quality 350w is much better than a poor 500w).

Why do you want 4 fans in your case? They are noisy, and use power. 2 should be plenty, and might even get by with none, though this might require some strategic placement of the HDDs.

 

[Nutrocobra]

Ok so I'm going with the Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor, and I've narrowed it down to 2 Mobo's: the GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 and the ASUS P5B. Specs seem to be similar between the two, just wondering if there's a reason to choose one over the other.

Oynaz, I'm wanting the 4 fans because where this machine is going to be living it gets incredibly hot during the summer and there's no way to put air conditioning.

 

[oynaz]

"Oynaz, I'm wanting the 4 fans because where this machine is going to be living it gets incredibly hot during the summer and there's no way to put air conditioning."

That sounds sensible.

Watch out for the quality of the PSU however. The ones which comes with cases are often (but not always) of poor quality. This is not good, especially if you use it in difficult conditions like you are going to.