THE Budget Computer :) Help Needed! (long)

[BaboonGuy]

I've been using the original iMac for 4 years now. Specs are 233 MHz G3/4 GB HD/64 MB RAM/OS 9.1/24x CD-ROM. Now tell me that's outdated. And I'm a gamer...really I am! I've been getting along these past 4 years playing perhaps the best PC game ever, StarCraft. However, with Warcraft III out, I soon found out what I had already known, my iMac just wasn't cutting it anymore. So the search began for a new computer. I found out early on my quest that building a PC was the way to go. Cheap, customizable, and cool. Like Queen, I'm just a poor boy, every dollar counts for me. So here I am, with a list of components that were cheap and to my liking (for the most part). I'll hopefully be ordering the parts within the next 10 days. Check it out.

Case : Evercase E4252W005A 10-bay Case Retail -Black-
$26
$15 Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-127-003

Power Supply : Heroichi Electronic corp. Power Supply 350watt HEC-350LDT-R
$44
$0 Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=17-104-003

Motherboard : EPoX EP-8K5A2+ w/RAID, LAN, USB 2.0 & AUDIO
$99.51
$8.51 Shipping
http://direct.mwave.com/mwave/doc2/a16117.html

Processor : AMD Athlon XP 1600+ 1.4 GHz OEM -AGOIA Cores-
$52.99
$0 Shipping
http://newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=19-103-303&DEPA=1


Heatsink/Fan : Taisol CGK760092 Copper Insert
$15
$5 Shipping
http://www.kdcomputers.com/eui/prime/profile/87/78/component.htm


Thermal Paste : ARCTIC SILVER III 3G
$6
$6 Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=35-100-003

Memory : Samsung IC Chipset 512MB DDR333 PC2700 OEM
$127
$0.50 Shipping
http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80040

Kingston 512MB DDR333 PC2700 Retail
$127
$0.50 Shipping
http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80065-K

Hard Drive : WD Western Digital "Special Edition" 80GB 7200 RPM EIDE Model #WD800JB
$108
$0 Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=22-144-122


Video Card : ATI Radeon 8500LE 64MB DDR
$89
$0 Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=14-102-226

CD Burner : Lite On 40x12x48 CDRW Model: LTR40125S Retail
$57
$0 Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=27-106-176

Speakers : Logitech Z540 5-Piece Speaker System
$57
$12 Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=36-121-103

Keyboard : Compaq Black "Lite-On" Multimedia Internet PS/2 Keyboard
$6.99
$8.24
http://www.enpc.com/cgi-bin/enpc/KB-SK-2850C.html

Mouse : Pine Group Optical Scroll Mouse w/Red Light Scroll button
$7
$6 Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=26-150-001

Subtotal : $695.49
Shipping : $61.75
Total : $757.24

Here are my concerns:

1) The case. Will it fit these components? Will it have good airflow? What extra case fans should I get with it?

2) The power supply. Eventually I think I want to put in a DVD-ROM drive, so will the 350W be enough?

3) The memory. I listed the same memory (512 MB DDR 333) from two different manufacturers, Kingston and Samsung. I'm torn as to which to get. I am going to be, ideally, overclocking this 1600+ to 1.75 GHz. Therefore is this memory going to be sufficient for this, they are both CL 2.5 CAS 2.5? What brand will be the better for oc-ing?

4) The heatsink/fan. This came highly recommended from Insane3d, and even though I highly respect that man (look at his silent rigs, crazzy) I just want to make sure about this. Will it be enough for the overclock? And will it fit on my mobo (EPoX 8K5A2+)?

5) The keyboard/mouse. Anyone got any better recommendations at comparable prices?

The last thing I have to say is that this will be my first experience building a PC, anyone got any other suggestions for me?

Pleeeease comment freely on anything and everything!

 

[Insane3D]

1. Yes, that case will fit the Epox.

2. I'm not familiar with that model, but I have a very similar system running like a champ with a Antec 350W. With PSU's, a good brand is important. A quality 350W is usually better than a generic 400W.

3. Between those two, I would get the Samsung. Both are rated for 166mhz operation, so running your XP @ 166mhz FSB/Memory will be running the memory at normal speeds.

4. That HSF will work fine for you. There are some better choices, like the Alpha 8045, but it's a good deal more money...like $34 with no fan. That HSF unit, and even the larger 80mm size ones, like the Alpha, fit fine on the Epox. One of my 8K5A2+ boards has that same Taisol, and the other is running the 8045 Alpha.

5. Those look fine. It's really up to you how much you want to spend, and how much you like the looks.

I would be glad to walk you through setting up your system. If you enable your Private Messages, we can talk more. Just send me a PM or I can send you one when you enable them. Once you have everything, we can talk via AIM or MSN and I will be glad to help you through step by step. Your first system build can be great or horrible, depending on how you do things.

One more thing...check the Offical Epox 8K5A Series Thread in the Motherboards forum for links to all the files you will need when installing the OS. There is also a step by step guide for installing the OS on this board.

 

[Insane3D]

Bump for you...

BTW - Enable your Private Messages..

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Pls enable your private messages. I have a 64 MB ATI 8500 (not LE) I'd be willing to sell you.

 

[BaboonGuy]

alright, PM enabled. thanks for all the help so far guys

 

[BaboonGuy]

*shameless bump*