The parts you posted should work fine, with no changes.
That said, I do have some preferences.
If your intended use is heavy multitasking, then the quad is good, although I like the 45nm parts better because they run cooler.
If your intended use is gaming, then I would take the higher clock speed of the E8400 for the same price.
The 9800GTX is fine, but a 9800GTX+ variant should appear in a week or so that will be using 55nm parts and should be better. I would get the EVGA card to preserve your option to use their "step-up" program if a much better card should show up within 90 days. The radeon 4850 is now getting good reviews at that price point also.
The P35 motherboards now have stable bios'es. I prefer them, unless you want to do high overclocking. The Gigabyte DS3L and DS3R boards are good.
A good quality PSU is important. Coolermaster is not highly regarded on this list:http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088 I would look for a unit from seasonic, corsair, PC P&C, and maybe fortron or Antec on a lower budget. This is not the place to go cheap. Even the corsair 450vx
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010320058%2050001459&bop=And&Order=PRICE should do the job. Buy.com sometimes has the corsair units at very good prices.
Any 7200rpm hard drive will be good, there are only minor differences in performance because of cache..etc.. . If you only need 250gb, then get that. If you might need more, then the extra capacity of a larger drive is a good buy up front. If you want to splurge a bit, consider the new WD 300gb velociraptor at $300. It is noticeably faster.
The corsair memory is good. C2D processors don't need anything faster. Only if you plan on high overclocks should you pay for faster speed.
The 2x2gb configuration preserves your option to go to 8gb.
For a new build, and your parts, vista 64 bit will not be a problem for drivers. The only category of programs that have trouble on 64 bit are old 16 bit dos programs. Vista was designed to utilize the large, cheap memory that we have today. Stick with Vista-64
Shopping tips for Vista:
1) Do you qualify for an academic license?
If so, you can get Vista at a discounted price.
2) Look for an upgrade version of home premium instead of OEM.
Upgrade is a retail version which gives you support from microsoft, unlike OEM,
and allows a more hassel-free ability to transfer the os to a different pc(motherboard).
For $10, microsoft will send you the 64 bit DVD.
I saw Vista home premium upgrade recently at Costco for $85, amazon for $89.
There is a legitimate two step instalation process to install an upgrade version
You install vista from the cd, but do not initially enter the product code.
just tell the install which version you bought, and do not activate.
After it installs, you have a fully functional vista for 30 days.
Step 2 is to insert the cd again, while running vista and then do an upgrade.
This time, enter your product code, and activate.
After activation. you may delete the initial version which is named windows.old.
If you get a retail or upgrade version, you will still be able to upgrade to ultimate later.
I would not buy a ide dvd burner today. Look at the Samsung 203B sata unit. Sata cabling is much easier, and the burner is even cheaper.
I like the Antec 900.
I would suggest installing an aftermarket cooler initially. They are not expensive, and will keep your cpu cooler with less noise. Look for a unit with a large 120mm slow turning fan. I like the tower units that direct the hot air out the back of the case. There are many, and any will do the job.
If you are buying a monitor, get the best you can afford. It is the most important thing you will touch on your computer every day. Better, yet, get two of them.
-------------------------------------------------------------
On how to do it:
1) download the manuals for the mobo and case in advance. Read them and understand what you need to do.
2) google for how to do it whith photos.
3) The only tricky part is installing the cpu cooler. The pushpins are notoriously fussy. Read the included intel instructions, and fuss with the cooler until you understand how they work. Install the cooler while the motherboard is still outside of the case. This is so you can look at the back side to verify that all 4 pins are properly inserted.
---good luck---
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram