Suggestions for a new computer builder

[sulanebouxi]

Hi guys, I'm new to building computers and I figured this would be the best place to get some advice. I've replaced parts before but I've never actually built one from scratch. I'm actually having fun researching and figuring out what parts I'll need. My budget is about $1500 and I have several parts that I'm gonna gut from my old compie which I'm going to re-use(like HDD's, optical drives, a monitor and peripherals. I'm planning to use this computer for gaming and Maya 6 (processor/memory/video card-intensive animation software). I may overclock a little but I won't try to eek out every last drop of power. I need my computer to be stable.

Another one of my concerns was cooling. I know that many of the parts will be running very hot at times(rendering in Maya may take several hours at 100% CPU usage).

Here is my config so far:
-Silverstone TJ05 case (has 2 120mm fans)
-600-650W power supply, Antec maybe?
-Asus A8N-SLI premium
-AMD Athlon X2 3800+
-Thermaltake Blue Orb II CPU cooler
-2GB Kingston PC3200 maybe?
-ATI X1900 XT (I may overclock it slightly)
-simple 5.1 Audigy ZS sound card

I guess my question would be if this is a good configuration? Should I be getting faster RAM? Should I be considering DX10 at this point? Are there any recommendations for an alternative part in this config?

Thanks for any help

 

[InlineFour]

zalman cnps9500

if you're going to spend that much for a cpu heatsink, mine as well get the best. zalman is much more reputable in aftermarket cooling than thermaltake.

corsair valueselect 2gb (2 x 1gb)

no need for faster ram if you're not a hardcore overclocker.

seasonic s12 430w

plenty of power since you're using a single video card.

i couldn't find the silverstone case, but it looks a lot similar to the wave master by cooler master.

 

[halfpower]

Unless that video draws a whole lot of power, I would look for a power supply with less juice. I would guess that 350w would be enough.

 

[pkme2]

Since you got a SLI board, you might consider upping your PSU up to 530W+, just in case you add dual video cards.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: pkme2
Since you got a SLI board, you might consider upping your PSU up to 530W+, just in case you add dual video cards.

Good point, get rid of the SLI board, it's a marketing gimic for 99% of the world. If you're definitly not going to get SLI at some point (with an ATI card you're probably not) then it's a waste of money.

You can save at least $50 on that to go for a better sound card.

Edit: Ditch the blue orb, if you want LED lighting then get a zalman 9500 instead.

 

[InlineFour]

SLI != CrossFire

 

[sulanebouxi]

Thanks for the comments guys! I'll definetely look into the Zalman fan, InlineFour. Oh and yeah, the Wavemaster is very similar to the case I'm looking at. I may change it though if I think I'm spending waaaaay too much. Here's a link:

Silverstone Temjin 05

As for the power supply, I've heard that it's not a good idea to run it at any more than 75% capacity. I just wanted to play it safe. I was thinking around 500W initially. I actually mis-read the power requirements for the ATI card so that kinda accounts for why I chose such a beefy PSU . I researched again and I've read that the X1900 XT takes about 100-150W so I should be pretty safe with something around 450-500W correct? Right now, I'm not sure if I'll get another video card for an SLI config, although I'm not against it. Maybe I'll get another card when it drops to around the $200-ish range In which case, I think I'll get a 550W PSU right now just so I can have that ability to upgrade parts when needed.

Thanks again for the advice! I appreciate any other comments anyone may have

edit: Hmm...I'll have to look into the Crossfire config for ATI cards.