New to computer building

This is my first post on this site. I have always been into computers but have never really researched motherboards. Ive never built a computer from scratch. I'm looking to build my first from scratch computer. I was looking around at different places. TigerDirect, newegg, microcenter, etc... I found two mobo/CPU combos that I think seem to be a good deal.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=2235

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=2235

Same CPU different boards but the same price. I know they are boards from the same company and im guessing they are not that much different. one because of the price and two from there product line. I like to do gaming, autocad, im a web design student and i like editing pictures and videos.

What im looking for is some advice on what to do, are those mobo/cpu combo's good? Which one is better? Idea's on other parts. Currently i have a Nvidia geforce 9500 gt in my computer now. Would buying a 2nd one with the SLI be beneficial or should i buy new?

thanks ahead of time for you input.

XFX MB = less than stellar support.

Pentium D = With the curent selection of i7, C2D/C2Q's and PII 2 45nm CPU's available, building a new Pentium D has no merit.

Try finding an i7/x58, PII/975 or C2Q/945 combo. ASUS or Gigabyte provided top rate MB support.

Yeah that just lost me there. I feel stupid right now. lol

I am starting to agree with badge... Go with a better processor, that way you dont have to upgrade soon...

What is the purpose of your build anyway? Gaming? Video editing? HTPC?

Well, perhaps post a new thread asking for build suggestions in the Homebuilt section. The Core i7/x58 would be the most expensive build to do. And probably an AMD Phenom II 955/975x MB would be the budget build. Like someone mentioned, newegg has some nice combos available. I recently bult this quad core system for a few hundred dollars. I had everyhing but the CPU and MB. Great for video editing, multitasking, etc.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103471

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131324

A much more expensive Core i7/x58 combo. Looks more reasonable after your head stops spinning around from sticker shock.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.190227

lol I wont mention it I promise! Funny thing is I showed it to my teacher for my architecture and OS class and he said it was good. lol. One thing i did have to ask tho. I've heard a lot about the quad cores and how they are still unstable. Whats your position on that?

Quad cores being unstable?!?! Is it 2005? Lol.

With the puroposes you listed, you REALLY need the latest Phenom II or i7, depending on your budget.

haha i think i should just change my name to NOOB! yeah last i heard i guess it was back around 2005 was that quad cores are unstable. the budget isnt really in question. I have a running computer I can use right now. So as i get money im going to buy it piece by piece or go max out another credit card.

I enjoy my four Quad systems. Especially using Vista 64 and eight GBs of RAM. I also have several dual cores running:

e8400
e6600
AMD 5000 upgraded to the 940 PII
AMD 4800

I prefer the quad cores over the dual cores. Lots of RAM and 64 bit OS. Hands have to pried away.

current computer I'm working with right now is a dell dimension DM061 (my mom got a deal from her work)

intel pentium d 2.8ghz
3gigs of ram
vista home basic 32bit
240 gig hard drive
nvidia geforce 9500gt
21inch monitor

the HD is almost full
came with 1 gig of ram (had to upgrade to do anything on vista)
came with integrated video

didnt seem that bad for $450 over a year ago

Upgrading from a Pentium D 2.8GHz. to the systems we are talking about is a major upgrade regarding everything you mentioned you use your system for. The difference would be a rush to you as a computer user and enthusiast.

You said gaming... What games specifically? FPS? RTS? MMO?

I play a wide range of games. I love FPS! thats my all time fav right there if we are talking bout types of games. My cousin is big in MMO games like ragnarok, WOW, silkroad. I also plan on getting diablo 3 as soon as it comes out and starcraft 2

A Quad core with 4 to 8 GBs of RAM and a 64 bit OS would solve the multitasking situation. My son games a lot with a Q6600. Speaking of making do with what you have available, I still have these running and use most of these every day. All are updated and running great. Most in business environment. They are stable and serve their purpose.

Pentium I 133MHz. currently down
Pentium I 450 MHz.
AMD ATHLON 3200 2.2GHz Socket A
Two systems: AMD 64 3400 2.4Ghz Socket 754
AMD 64 3700 2.4GHz 754
AMD 64 Socket 939 Three systems running...FX55, 4800X2 and 4000+

I have Windows 7 64 RC dual booting on an older socket 939 AMD 4000+ system. I'll buy Windows 7 64 as soon as it is available. Sails along just great on an old single core 2.4Ghz. with 2GBs of PC3200. So, you are leaning towards a dual core budget/semi budget system right now? Intel e series has a pretty good performance edge with the dual cores right now. I have an e8400 with 4 GBs RAM, 8800GTS 640 and an ASUS G45 MB. Not used for gaming. An e8500 dual core with P45 MB are priced very reasonable and would make a fast gaming system. Your Pentium D wouldn't compare to a C2D 45 nm. Night and day.

This is what I am leaning towards after hearing all of your input

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156226

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.190732

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371007

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820104098

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319

total so far is 509.94

Any suggestions or comments would be great. Thanks