*Another* first time builder, please critique!

Maybe it's just me, but I clicked the link and I see no parts.

Bah sorry, I guess I don't know how to link it properly. I'll just do it the hard way:

Case: Raidmax Smilodon ATX 612 Black
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E1681...

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33Ghz
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E1681...

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100196L Radeon X1950 PRO 512 MB, 256-bit, GDDR3
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E1681...

MOBO: Gigabyte GA P-35DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E1681...

DVD: LITE-ON 16x DVD-ROM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E1682...

Memory: A-Data 2GB (2x1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E1682...

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 320 GB, 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E1682...

Was planning on going with XP for the OS

*bump* any comments?

Get an 8800GT 512 when it comes out. Around 250, the performance will annihilate the Radeon you have. (Or you could wait until the 16th and see what performance the HD3800's have.)

For a little more, you could get the e6750 which is around $200, and comes stock at 2.66ghz.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If you wanted to wait until January, you could get 45nm Wolfdale quad core for the same price that is much cooler and better.

thank you guys for the reply. I decided to go with the e6750 as I am in need of an upgrade fast. My current CPU is showing signs of immediate demise heh.

As for the cooling and power supply, is what comes standard with the case sufficient? or should I think about getting something else.

Raidmax fans can be a bit noisy, but they do work. I would not however, use a Raidmax power supply. This would do nicely. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Raidmax is tier 5 "not recommended", That Corsair 450VX is nice. Buy a case without the PSU and use the 450VX. Check to see if the RAM is on Gigabytes compatibility list, it doesn't have to be but it is a plus. You should look for a case with a 120mm fan, preferably with the option for a front 120mm as well, more air flow with less noise. This one will work COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 . It doesn't appear to have a front fan option, but at least it's a 120mm rear, and it's cheap. Do not get a Cooler Master or Rosewill PSU.

Here is a good deal on a really nice budget case with the option of the second 120mm fan - Antec Sonata III. IMO, much nicer than the Centurion. It comes with a Seasonic built Earthwatts 500 watt PSU, which is a decent PSU. See the video review of the case here. I recommend getting an Antec TriCool 120mm Case Fan for the front, if you get this case.

Here is a selection of Raidmax cases w/o power supply. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submi...

Another popular case brand similar in style is Apevia. Their PSU's are crap also, but the cases are fine. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...

if you can afford it, look at the coolermaster CM 690 it has the airflow of the antec 900 (and a lot of other things that will make your life eaier, like cable management and bottom mounted psu) but is cheaper

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

My two cents:

Forget the ATI GPU. Go nVidia from the start.
Also, when I checked out your motherboard, the page you linked to had two bad reviews staring me in the face as soon as it loaded. Are you sure you want to buy it?

Wow, thanks for all the input guys. I think I am going to just try out this PS and see what its like. If it really is a piece of crap like everyone says I'll just buy a new one.

Is there a reason you recommend nVidia over the Sapphire 1950 PRO? Both seem to get great reviews, and I really just want to be able to hang in there with games, don't need them to look perfect.

Mostly, it's a brand preference. Back in the day of 16MB 3d cards, I went from a Voodoo3 (remember those?) to an ATI-All-In-Wonder (ie wonder just what the f><k is wrong with this thing?) After the GeForce 2 I had in my next computer, I never looked back. And, still today, nVidia chipsets give me better (by personal observation) perfomance than the comparative ATI chip.

Sometimes, with todays xfire, sli, pciex16, agp, alphabet soup, I'm not as sure which is better...At those times, I feel my age   i've been in this racket since the 8086 first came to the home, lol I never thought I'd be running two cpus in one package, at 1000x Hz of that old thing, with something like 15000x the RAM, and a 16.7billion (or is it million?)color, 1600x1200 graphics setup. Hard to imagine that while staring at a monochrome black-and-green text display the size of your head.

Way to go, IBM! They were the pioneers. Sure, there were TRS-80's and C-64's but IBM is responsible for a large amount of the way our computers are built today. Them and Intel. (and m$, but i don't wanna admit it in front of the anti-m$ party ive seen stalking the forums...)

Anyone remember what the first AMD chip was called? A RISC! (reduced instruction set chip) How's that for an acronym? Still stands, according to some video's I've seen recently. You AMD guyz better use some serious Crazy Glue on those monster heat sinks! You all know that if that heavy awkward thing falls off, your $200+ chip will burst long before you can flip the switch in the back...

I seem to be full of rants today...Sorry.

*quote* "Get an 8800GT 512 when it comes out. Around 250, the performance will annihilate the Radeon you have. (Or you could wait until the 16th and see what performance the HD3800's have.)" *quote*

Only thing is, that's 100 more dollars and I really don't see a need for it. From the reviews i've read and the specifications the Radeon I have performs just as well in all the games ill be using for it, and I don't need to play all the up and coming games at full graphics. But thank you for the advice.

Well, if you ever do decide to upgrade, currently the 8800GT is your best bet. Really, it's all up to you, and your wallet...

How, exactly, are you going to determine if it's a piece of crap? When it blows up your system, or just damages your hard drive? Be sure to post back and let us know when it blows up.  

LOL! Or, you could get a good PSU and sleep better at night...

There are very few 500w PSU that can produce the 30amps needed for your GPU. The lowest I would suggest is quality FSP PSU rated for 360w on the 12v1 and 12v2 or a total of about 30~31amps.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104037 $59.99.

The only 2 dual cores I would suggest are the E2180 or E4500. The E2180 being the top bin will easily hit 3.2GHz beating any stock E6X50 and the multiplier allows for a cheap mobo. The E4500's multiplier again allows for about the best OC with a cheap mobo and can easily beat the fastest stock E6X50. Price of both are very important because most E6X50 are high priced or require a high priced mobo to get good OC'es. For their price or required mobo prices for good OC'es you would be better off getting the Q6600.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052 $91.99.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031 $126.99.

With those savings I suggest you look hard at the newer 8800GT or the soon to release HD3800's. The performance differances in games to the X1950pro would make any CPU look worthless. The 8800GS may be your best choice near the price range of the X1950pro. The 8800GS should release next month.