Planning to start my fisrt build...need advice!

[GCKilla54]

I am planning on building my first computer. I have helped friends with building computers before, so i do know a little about what i am doing when it comes to putting the whole thing together. But unfortunately I do not know much about the parts themselves. Like which brands are good and which brands are a waste of money.
This computer will mainly be for gaming and general computer tasks (typing and browsing the web).

Here is what i plan to put in my computer as of right now:

PSU: Rosewill RD550-2DB-SL 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817182043

RAM: Cosair XMS 2GB (2x1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145594

VIDEO CARD: XFX Geforce 7600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150141

HARD DRIVE: Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144392

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Socket AM2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103735

MOBO: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131013


Any advice will be appreciated.

-Thanks in advance.

 

[maverick777]

One thing to note, you can't use regular DDR memory with AM2 socket. You need to get DDR2.

What kind of budget are you working with?

What kind of games are you playing?

I'd recommend a better power supply.

 

[GCKilla54]

I didnt realise that about the memory.

My budget is prolly going to be around $1500-$1700. Maybe a little more.

I plan on playing Battlefield 2, Call of Duty 2, Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, and other games which are similar those.

 

[shadowduck]

I am planning on building my first computer. I have helped friends with building computers before, so i do know a little about what i am doing when it comes to putting the whole thing together. But unfortunately I do not know much about the parts themselves. Like which brands are good and which brands are a waste of money.
This computer will mainly be for gaming and general computer tasks (typing and browsing the web).

Here is what i plan to put in my computer as of right now:

PSU: Rosewill RD550-2DB-SL 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817182043

RAM: Cosair XMS 2GB (2x1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145594

VIDEO CARD: XFX Geforce 7600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150141

HARD DRIVE: Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144392

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Socket AM2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103735

MOBO: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131013


Any advice will be appreciated.

-Thanks in advance.

Couple problems with your system.

1) The RAM you picked won't plug into your motherboard, so you might have some trouble there. AM2 requires DDR2 RAM. Use, this RAM insead.

2) There is no need whatsoever to get an SLI motherboard. Get this instead: Asus Non SLI 570 board

3) Like other poster said, get a better PSU like an Antec Smartpower 500 or Truepower 550W.

4) 7900GT or 1900XT.. 7600 won't be so hot in a year or so.

 

[maverick777]

With your budget, I'd recommend the following:

GPU: HIS x1900xt ICEQ3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161014

PSU: OCZ Gamerxstream 600w
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=316504

Mobo: Asus m2n-e
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131022

Ram: 2 choices
2gb Corsair CAS 5 Latency DDR2-800
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85025-5

2gb Corsair CAS 4 Latency with EPP DDR2-800
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85025-6

The x1900xt will beat the 7900gt in all the games you listed. Especially in Oblivion.

 

[INeedCache]

I would change the power supply. Rosewill's are garbage. Go with an Antec, Enermax, Seasonic, or Tagan.

 

[Newf]

I agree with the universal praise for the Asus M2N-E. It is so new that it's not even listed yet at the ASUS website. The specs look perfect and Asus boards are solid. SLI is just not needed.

RAM:
The Corsair CAS4 that Maverick777 chose is very good. It's also $270.
The Corsair CAS5 has a rebate that expires tomorrow.
Consider these also:

Patriot 4-4-4-12 2GB DDR@ 800 2.1v $186+5 AMR($40 thru 6/26) 6/20/06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220144

G. Skill 4-4-4-12 2GB DDR2 800 2-2.1v $200+5 6/20/06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231073

Power supplies:
Antec TruePower 550 is an excellent choice. They are very stable, long lived and have a pair of lowered voltage fan-only molex connectors. I have used this family of PSUs for years. Avoid the SmartPower though.
Another choice (this time mine's kinda pricey):
FSP FX600-GLN 600watt SLI 12v:4x15a PSU Active PFC $140+10 6/06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104014

Oh, and don't forget a Logitech G5!

 

[dhvd79a]

I would add that the Antec Truepower supplies I have are amazingly quiet. If noise matters I definitly can recommend them.

d

 

[maverick777]

Just a quick note. OCZ Gamerxstream PSU are just rebranded FSP units with different color casings. So you'll save a few bucks if you like FSP units.

I listed Corsair ram because there has been some report of compatibility issue with the new AM2 motherboards and so far all reviews that didn't have problems all used Corsair including builders like Falcon Northwest.

So I would say, buy other branded ram with caution. I know for a fact that the OCZ branded ram doesn't work with the Asus board.

 

[GCKilla54]

What would be good optical drive?