I am preparing to build my first system from scratch. It is way past time for me to upgrade my P3 800 MHZ 256mb ram Win98 dinosaur. So pretty much as long as I buy new parts I am looking at a massive upgrade. The system will be used as a general multimedia system with some very light gaming possible. Here is a list of the parts I am planning on. Trying to keep the cost around $1500. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Case: Rosewill R5604-BK 0.8mm Japanese Cold Rolled Steel Front Mesh Design Dual 120mm Fans ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147037

Power Supply: Antec earthwatts EA500 500W ATX12V v2.0 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371007

Processor: Intel E8400

Mobo: ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131295

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166

Heatsink and Fan: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148288

Sound card: Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6829102002

Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N802-AR GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130319

Optical Drive: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106072

Moniter: LG W2452TTF 24" LCD

And Vista Home Premium 64bit.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

I'd replace the video card with a 4850. It performs a lot better than the 8800gt and you might be able to find one for around the same price.

edit - also the sound card is probably not needed unless you're an audiophile. Most motherboards have more than adequate onboard sound

If you're only going to be doing "light gaming".....try a 9600GT....something like this.....

$129.99 w/ MIRhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150304

I also agree with janky...about the sound card...especially if you are going to be using Vista.....you don't need the extra sound card...your Mobo's onboard sound should be sufficient. Although if you were an audiophile an Audigy wouldn't cut it anyways.

Case/PSU - Save a bit and go with a Antec Sonata III w/500W PSU

CPU - Fine - You may want to look at a Q9300 or Q9450 if you have some cash left over from the rest

Mobo - Looks good the Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R could be an alternative

RAM - Fine

CPU Cooler - Hmm I'd look at the Zalman CNPS9500 AT

HD - Western Digital SE16 640Gb Caviar - Quite and Fast

Sound card - I don't really have much knowledge of sound cards... Never needed one

Video Card - Diamond Radeon HD 4850

Optical - Lite-on is a bit of a cheapo brand... Samsung SH-S203N

I take it you already have that monitor and vista?

Well that comes to about $930 ish

So it gives you some room if you do need to buy that monitor and vista

Thanks for the advice guys. I will scrap the sound card and look at switching the video card to a 4850. As for the case, I really want a case with the controls on the top as the case will be on the floor. That WD hard drive does look better as well. Is the Zalman cooler really $22 better than the AC Freezer 7? Also, as I haven't purchased any of the parts yet, any comments on the monitor would be appreciated. Thanks again.

Controls on top.....I know there are a lot that fit that requirement....the Antec 900 has the controls as well as USB and audio jacks on the top...along with a little tray which may or may not come in handy......

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggI [...] 021-08.jpg

I'm really happy with my Samsung 24"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001263