I've never built a system before so I spent the last several months researching brands, components and configurations and playing around on Newegg for build costs. I do light gaming so I wanted a system that could handle almost anything reasonably well. Since this is my first build I wanted to keep it simple...single gpu, potential raid setup later as well as mild overclocking when I feel like exploring it. I'm more interested in quality than flash & speed.

Here is my list. I wanted to know what you think and hear any suggestions. With tax & shipping from Newegg, total price comes in at just under $2000. I was also thinking about the Q9450 Yorkie but wasn't sure it is worth the extra greens.


1 ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail $35.99

1 COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $74.99

1 Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $84.99

1 Acer B243Wbdr 24" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support and Height & Pivot Adjustments - Retail $399.99

1 HT OMEGA CLARO Plus+ 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail $174.99

1 SeaSonic M12 SS-600HM ATX12V / EPS12V 600W Power Supply - Retail $134.99

1 Logitech UltraX Silver/Black USB Standard Media Keyboard - OEM $18.99

1 Logitech LX3 Silver/Black 3 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB + PS/2 Wired Optical Mouse - Retail $18.99

1 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail $104.99

1 ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $129.99

1 Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM $109.99

1 MSI R4870-T2D512 OC Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $294.99

1 Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail $194.99

Subtotal: $1,778.87

Paying too much for the power supply. Get a Seasonic built Corsair 750w for less, then spend an extra $20 on an Asus P45 motherboard that supports CF. You don't have to use it, but it gives you a little upgrade room for the future just in case.

Samsung as a 22X SATA DVD burner with Lightscribe for only $28. I'd go wiht that.
NewEgg has a deal where their 640GB Caviars are only $85 right now, the normal price is $90. I'd still upgrade if you can't get them when they're at $85. At $90, it's worth the performance and size increase.
Corsair has a 650W PSU with one rail, 80+ certified, and only $80.
You should look at the Asus 4870 for the best price or the Visiontek for the best warranty. Everything else looks good. Do you have speakers already?

Right on the PS. I was looking into the PCP&C 610 but the coolermaster case is made for dual fan modular PS. I'll check the others you mentioned & the DVD burner. I am going to hook my pc up to my home stereo, hence the HT Omega Claro +.

I think CF would be better with an x38 or x48 MB since the p45 you mentioned only has only one PCIe2.0 x16 lane.

Instead of the HT OMEGA CLARO Plus+, I would look at the Auzentech X-fi Prelude 7.1 , it supports EAX 1-5.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6829156005

CPU magazine recently reviewed higher end consumer sound cards. This particular model came out on top.

IMO going with the quad core is future proof over the dual core, especially if your dropping 2k on a computer.

Spend the extra $5 and get a WD caviar 640gb HD too.... gain 140gigs for 5 bucks? heck... why not!