Need mobo, psu suggestions, comments, please.

[bwlag]

I've been planning to build a new computer for about 8 months, but wasn't completely motivated until recently when my old desktop seemed to give up the ghost. Anyway, I've been doing research as much as I can, and I've got a list of components that I think will suit, but I still am not sure what sort of mobo or psu to get. You'll probably notice that much of what I've selected came from the mid- and high-end guide recently produced.
Anyway, I'm interested in gaming, plus I do a little bit of video editing. It is also the main home PC, so my wife and son will likely use it. I probably won't OC initially, but I can certainly see myself trying it in a while.

What I've got so far:
CPU: Athlon 64 3800+ Venice retail
Video: Powercolor X800XL
Memory: 2x512 OCZ Premier Value
HD: Seagate Barracuda 250 GB SATA, Maybe a WD Raptor 74GB as well
Case: Undecided, but not as concerned yet - should I be?
Speakers: Logitech Z-5300e
I already have a monitor, DVD burner, keyboard, mouse, etc.

My budget has about $300-350 left.
As for the PSU, my understanding is that a reputable name is important and more wattage is probably better. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
For the mobo, I'm leaning towards a PCI-e board, but don't know if SLI would be useful if I want to upgrade later, or if it's better just to get a non-SLI board, wait for a while and then upgrade to SLI if I want later. Or should I just go with an AGP board? I also would like Firewire support included and enough PCI to include a TV tuner and potential add-ons (e.g., sound card).
Sorry if I've asked any ridiculously obvious questions and please let me know if there's anything I've forgotten to mention that would be helpful, and THANK YOU VERY MUCH for taking the time to read this and comment.

 

[theMan]

move the cpu down to a 3200+ venice, and get a dfi lanparty nf4 ultra d. you will be able to overclock it like mad, maybe above 2800mhz. get an thermalright xp-90 heatsink. then you can probably afford a 6800ultra. get a seasonic s12 500 or an ocz psu. also, get corsair value select ram.

 

[MobiusPizza]

Originally posted by: theman
move the cpu down to a 3200+ venice, and get a dfi lanparty nf4 ultra d. you will be able to overclock it like mad, maybe above 2800mhz. get an thermalright xp-90 heatsink. then you can probably afford a 6800ultra. get a seasonic s12 500 or an ocz psu. also, get corsair value select ram.

Pretty much what he mentioned. Retain the X800XL card, best value right now. You'd probably have USD$500 left for maybe software or future upgrades, e.g. Dual core CPU (which would be good for video editing. Wait till they become affordable).

I am not sure the RAM bit. If you take the advice to get the DFi mobo, you can get a pair of OCZ Value VX RAM for the same price and getting nice overclocks with raised voltage. But I see that you are not an overclocker so you might be reluctant to try. In that case any ram would do fine

nForce 4 Ultra which is non-SLi should be better for you. The newer chipsets with newest features are all PCI-Express so you'd likely to go for PCI-Express graphics.

Case... I personally love the clean design and workmanship of Lian-Li aluminium cases. No chessy looks suit me best. It depends really what you want your PC to look like. And the new PC cases have all have excellent layout and features. Just get popular brands such as Antec, Coolermaster, Thermaltake, Lian-Li

 

[SVT Cobra]

Welcome to AT!

Since you will not be OC'ing right now, becuase i am guessing you do not have enough expeirence, ignore those comments. (come on guys read the orginal post....hes not going to be OC'ing a 3200 to a 3800)

You RAM sounds fine, OCZ is a very reputable manufacturer.

As for PSU I would recomend an OCZ Modstream 520w or 450w. Depending on what gfx card you get, and or if you go SLI. Or if you plan to upgrade to next gen cards when they come out get the 520w, as they will require a lot of juice. This PSU is rock solid and will nt give you any problems, it also has modular or detachable cables that you can remove if you do not need them so you can make your case neater. You are right about a reputable company, but more wattage is not neccesarily best, you only need as much wattage as your computer needs or for any future upgrades that you might plan on. Some companies may advertise 600w's but be a piece of crap, and others at 500w's made by a great company will outpreform the 600w one...the PSU is one of the most important parts of any computer...

As for the mobo, I would recomend a Gigabyte Nforce4 Ultra board (in your case, if you are only doing light gaming SLI would be a waste), they are packed with features and you get the most bang for your buck, unless you want to play a lot of new games then get a SLI board, a PCI-E one of course becuase PCI-e is now the standard...If you get a SLI board only buy one mid range gfx card right now becuase next gen cards are right around the corner that will be able to whip the hell out of anything right now...

As for the case i recomend Lian LI because they are very well made cases. thhey are a bit pricy though, so if you dont want to spend that much, most from Antec will serve you well...

Dont hesitate to ask any other questions.

BTW do you know about dual core cpu's? for your case i would not recomend it but you should at least know about that they are coming out soon...read the arctile on Anands home page....they will be expensive and not benefit gaming though...

BTW where do you plan to buy these components from? Newegg.com is a very great place to buy online and you will have no problems...Monarch computers is also great....

 

[theMan]

huh? this is what he said- " I probably won't OC initially, but I can certainly see myself trying it in a while. " besides why get a 3800+? the saved money on a better video card which will improve gaming way better than 3800+

everyone has to start somewhere. just because he doesnt have experience now, doesnt mean anything, if he has a problem, he can ask us.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: theman
huh? this is what he said- " I probably won't OC initially, but I can certainly see myself trying it in a while. " besides why get a 3800+? the saved money on a better video card which will improve gaming way better than 3800+

everyone has to start somewhere. just because he doesnt have experience now, doesnt mean anything, if he has a problem, he can ask us.

i do not recomend OC'ing for someone that does not have any experience, by the time he does he willl probably want to upgrade...OC'ing is not something to be done by asking help for on online forums...it can damage your system, wear it out, or cause a multitude of other problems...while OC'ing is fine if you know exactly what you are doing i would not reccomend it to someone who is new to builsing computers...

 

[theMan]

before i got my comp, i hardly knew what overclocking was. you arent born knowing everything. you have to learn it somewhere. its really not that hard.

 

[bwlag]

Thanks for the advice so far. Let me clarify on OCing for me. I doubt I will be doing any OC stuff for at least a year or two - I don't think I'm going to have time to fiddle with that stuff until I'm done with school (PhD program with three kids - a little time-consuming). However, after a year or two I will probably try to OC. Although there's no guarantee that I'll wait this long, this might make my computer a 'non-OC' for all intents and purposes at this point. And my interest in gaming is not just light, so I am interested in good video performance.
Again, thanks for the input.

 

[SVT Cobra]

i would buy a SLI board then...put put one 6800NU or GT in it....OC that and have some fun with it...or get a x800...dont spend to much money becuase when next gen comes out you can buy that...maybe if you have the money SLI em and have a killer killer rig...

In a year or two the system will still be good, but by then you'll prob want to upgrade to dual core and other things...also the system i recomended is also overclockable....you dont need a DFI to OC as many g00bers think...its great for hard core overclocking with volatges and things...but a gigabyte mobo is also good for your purposes/OC'ing needs.....MSI also makes good boards, along with asus...try to see what fits your niche the best