First time build

[splashmonkey]

Hey everyone, I am going through the process of picking out parts for my first ever build, and I am asking your advice. Basically I have a somewhat flexible budget of ~$1100-$1500, and I already have a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers. I know alot of the basics, but there are some areas (especially hdd) that I don't know enough about. I would also like to run Windows Vista.
The computer will be used for gaming (not super intensive but I would like to be able to run any given game fairly well), watching videos, as well as all of the everyday web browsing and whatnot.
Anyhow, I'll break down my thoughts so far:

CPU : Debating between Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, Intel Core 2 Duo E6600, and the Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
I don't really know if the quad core is worth it, I am thinking it is not? All of these cards are around the
$250 range

Video Card: EVGA GeForce 8800GTS SSC 640-P2-N829-AR Video Card - Retail is what I was thinking. I would just go with one of these for now, but with the option for SLI later? Would this one card be adequate for
my needs. The cost is around $230

Motherboard: This is an area that I do not know a whole lot about. I was thinking the
ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail $149.99 this
supports: • LGA 775
• NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI
• 4×240pin DDR2 800
which seems consistent with my needs. Cost is $149.99

Memory: Thinking of two Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Memory - Retail 2x $57.99 = $115.98 Again not an expert of memory, but this seems ok, and got decent reviews

Power Supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W Power Supply – Retail $129.99

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card - Retail $90.99

DVD drive:
ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail $34.99

HDD: this is the area that I really do not know much about. I do not know what options would be best (RAID etc) so any advice here would be greatly appreciated!!

Case: I think I could figure this one out myself but if you could make any recommendations off the top of your heads it would help alot, as I have no experience and thus am having trouble judging what I need from a case.

and finally if there's anything ive forgotten please let me know
Thanks!!

 

[mihirkula]

1) For the HDD go for the Seagate ST3500320AS 7200.11 500GB : $85. Its the fastest 500gb drive out there.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005939&prodlist=celebros

2) I'm not very impressed with SLI...at the moment its not really worth the money... upgrading to a different lightening fast single card IMO is a much much better option than spending $$ for SLI. I suggest you stick with a good non SLI board... the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L is th every best of that kind

3) The 8800GTS is a very good card indeed...but if i were you, i would wait for the new Radeon 4800 series of cards.... according to prelim tests the $350 Radeon 4870 outperforms even the $600 Nvidia 9800GX2 by a large margin ... so they're very promising...they'd be out in late May.

4) Although the brand is excellent, that PSU is quite overkill.... stick with the Corsair 550VX instead.

5) Also you would need 4GB of RAM to run Vista.

6) And finally regarding the CPU, since you mentioned you would be using your rig mostly for gaming, i strongly suggest you get th E8400 ...its faster than the Q6600 in all games and almost all apps.

 

[splashmonkey]

Thanks so much for the help.
I may be reading things wrong, but the RAM i was going to order was listed as (2 x 1GB) so if i got two of those that would satisfy the necessary 4 gb correct?
Other than that thanks for the help.
And if anybody has any suggestions for cases it would be great

 

[snajper69]

Yes it would be 4gb if you got two of those. But I would recomended going 2x2 instead. You paying little bit extra but you leaving your uption open for future upgrades since you using only 2 slots.

 

[xshyguyx]

CPU: right now, the E8400 is your best bet for gaming and it only runs up about $200

Video Card: that is a very good card. make sure you get the G92 version. It runs at 512mb but is faster than the other 8800GTS's out there.
and as far as SLI goes, it's better to either start with SLI or not do it at all. By the time you'd get another of the same card, there will be one that can outperform the SLI for pretty cheap.

Motherboard: If you want to keep your options open for SLI, i'd go with the Asus P35K-EPU, otherwise just go with the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L

Memory: it's better to get a 4gb (2x2gb). they are cheaper this way and leave you open for future upgrade

PSU: Corsair is a great brand. If you don't plan on doing SLI, go with a 550watt...if you do want SLI, go with a 650watt

everything else looks good and the HDD that Mihirkula recommended is very good.

a great case is the Antec 900

hope this helps