First time build, looking for advice

[ervinshiznit]

This is my first time building a computer. I am basically ready to order, unless you guys have suggestions.

I plan on using this computer for video editing and also just general computer uses. I plan on overclocking this, if anyone can help me with that, that'd be great.

Case: $70 ENERMAX Chakra ECA3052BS Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811124116

CPU: $218 Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115004

HDD: $0 (I'm pulling this from my old computer) Samsung SP1604N--its IDE interface

Case Fan: $12 Thermaltake A2029 120mm Case Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811999145

Ram: $130 G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231098

Mobo: $123 GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128012

PSU: $67 FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX500-PN, ATX12V, V2.2, 12cm Fan, 2SATA, PCI-Express, 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817104037

DVD: $0 (pulled from old comp) HP DVD640

GPU: $140 SAPPHIRE 100199L Radeon X1950GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814102034

CPU Fan: $45 Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835106061

ATA Controller: $10 Rosewill RC-200 PCI IDE Silicon Image RAID (0/1/0+1) Host Controller Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16816132004

Misc: $3 ATEN DVI to VGA adapter for Twin-View video cards Model DVI-2-VGA - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814999201

Total: $817.61, but -$30 MIR for gpu, so $787.61.

I have the ATA controller b/c the mobo only has 1 ATA channel, and if I put both my hdd and my DVD drive on the same channel, the hdd would run at ATA/33, which is dang slow.

There is no particular budget for this (my dad is funding it), but please keep suggestions within reason.

 

[senor_bob]

It looks like a nice build to me. There's nothing wrong with it as is that I see, but here are a couple of ideas to consider:

For only about $20 more, you could get a SATA DVD burner instead of using the IDE controller card. This brand got a good review here on Tom's:
Sony NEC Optiarc 18X DVD±R DVD Burner

Do you really need the DVI-> VGA adapter? Sapphire's brochure says that the package includes this (as has every videocard I've ever bought, I have about 10 of them floating around here). Of course it is only $3 and I could see being annoyed if the card didn't come with it and that held you up.

I don't know anything about that particular power supply, but it's a respected brand just not a model I've heard discussed. Your system doesn't seem overly PSU taxing so it's probably fine.

For video editing you might want an additional HD, as that can take up a lot of space. The Seagate and Western Digital 250 & 320 GB SATA drives are under $100 on newegg if you want one. That's also something that's easy to add later when/if you fill the Samsung if you don't want to get another HD now.

That RAM looks like a great bargain. Might have to get some myself...

Overall, looks good .

 

[akhilles]

Great ram choice instead of *cough* overpriced xms *cough*.

The Fortron has just enough amps - 30 to be exact for a full x1950gt pc build. Wattage shouldn't be the focus these days as many of the big psus have more than enough wattage to power modern videos, the focus should be amperage. If the video is upgraded, it MAY not have enough amps, depending on the video card.