first build question, any advice would b appreciated

im looking to build a system that i can use for first time overclocking but mainly for gaming and music collection management, based on 2 words: intel and budget. being computer illiterate...i mainly need help as to which cpu, ram, and mobo to get. i've looked on newegg and the Intel Pentium D 915 Presler def. caught my eye with its price and specs. judging by the reviews other have left it seems like a good cpu for overclocking, any advice on this? as for the ram i think pc2 6400 and 2gb will be good but idk anything about latency and how that affects overclocking ability. for the mobo i have the slightest clue as to which chipset would b good for the budget..but not to cheap since i need 2 PCIe slots just in case. so far this is what i have, i no its not much but i have to start somewhere:

cpu: Intel Pentium D 915 Presler 2.8GHz
ram: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 5-5-5-15
mobo: i have no clue

thanks for helping this sad noob.

Intel and budget, eh? Get a C2D 4300, some cheap G.Skill 667 or 800 RAM, even keep the stock heatsink, and I can guarantee you'll hit 2.6-2.8ghz without even touching the volts.....just raising the FSB

Don't touch the Pentiums with a 10' pole. C2D all the way. Like comparing apples to watermelons. Don't bother trying to overclock a Pentium when a C2D will absolutely kick it back into the Stone Age without breaking a sweat.

Wait til after April 22 for price drops, then grab a 4300 for CHEAP.

Seriously, you won't be disappointed, and for the price, it can't be beat.

Depends how hardcore you want to OC. Most 800 RAM will let you hit 3.0 ghz. If you wanna start pushing higher than that, you should consider some better RAM, especially ones with Micron D9 chips.

So if you want a moderate-to-respectable overclock, then any 800 RAM (except Value RAM) will do. If you want an agressive or hardcore overclock, then spend some money and get the good stuff.

Lower CPUs with lower multipliers (7x on the 6300 for example) generally need higher RAM.......since the FSB and RAM are raised synchronously.....so to hit 450 FSB, your RAM will be doing 900. So 667 RAM at 900 is a stretch. 800 RAM at 900 isn't as much.

Lower multiplier needs higher rated RAM, generally speaking.

You might want to take a look at delloutlet.com for good deals.

BOLD = RAM.

and later on you can change the video card and add more ram..etc.

I'd downgrade them to XP though.

I'll partially disagree.

You can definitely upgrade a Dell system within limits. My current computer is a Dell 400SC with upgraded RAM, GPU, HDD, and optical drives. You can not upgrade the mobo or PSU in most Dell systems though (custom mobo, PSU, and case most of the time).

However, the PSU in Dells is decent but do not expect to put a super-high-end GPU in unless you buy a system that has that option to begin with (and not even then unless you verify that the PSU is the same regardless of options chosen).

I wouldn't expect to be able to overclock a Dell much either.

On the other hand, you can get some amazing deals if you watch Dell. I bought a "bare bones" Dell 400SC (case, PSU, mobo, P4 3.2GHz, 40GB HD, misc GPU, floppy, minimal RAM (least I could put in), and XP Home) for less than the cpu was selling for at that point. I then added a Raptor 36GB, 2GB dual channel RAM, and 5600 GPU (which later got upgraded more with an added Raptor 74GB and 6600GT). Runs very quiet and cool but is getting long in the tooth for current games (which is why I'm in the process of building a new system).

Ya I guess that's my point Wil, I didn't articulate it well. In a nutshell, Dell is GREAT for lower-end stuff. But for enthusiast (which is most of the people that come to these forums), then don't touch Dell with a 10' pole.

I'd never go with Dell for a decent system, but their monitors are GREAT. I hear they outsource to Samsung.....no wonder, they rock.

Interesting.........I stand corrected.

Still wouldn't buy though.....build your own 100% FTW!

me either, but if you want a decent gaming PC for relativly cheap. Then it's an okay place to buy. If I had to buy a PC id go with the delloutlet.
I got my laptop from the Dell outlet, about half the price it was going for new (and with a beautiful 1920x1200 display ). But I would definitely build it myself for a desktop.