Suggestions on my 1st build

[Guest]

Hello. I'm new here. I've been reading the articles here for a long time but haven't ventured to the boards until recently. Anyways, my budget is $800 and after tons of research I've come up with a system on Newegg that comes to $799.01. Perfect, right? Well, let me know what you think of this. The catch is I have a 6 month old 500 gig hard drive so I don't need to purchase a new one. Also, I've never built a computer before. I'm looking for something to last a few years like the Gateway I've had for the last 5 years without any problems. I really only need it for normal use and the occasional video game. The only game I've played recently is C&C RA 3 and I do some HDR photo editing. Here's what I'm looking at:

HP dvd burner: $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827140031

Antec 300 case: $49.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

HIS Radeon HD 4850: $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161259

Mushkin 4 gigs Ram: $46.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731

Intel q6600: $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7: $29.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX combo w/ ASUS P5Q Pro: $206.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.155648

Plus a free 4 gig flash drive and 15 ft. usb cable, plus shipping and handling comes to $799.01. Also, I'd get back $45 in rebates.

A few questions I have:
All of that should be compatible, right?
It's all in retail packaging so I shouldn't need any cables or anything else?
Do I need a better cpu cooler if I'm not overclocking?
And everything I've read says overclocking is a good idea, so if I take my chances at it and do some very minimal overclocking, will the above cooler be sufficient?
What kind of software can I get to monitor the hardware performance and temperature?
I should be able to take the 500 gig hard drive I'm using right now and plug it into the new system and fire it up, right?
Is 650 watts enough power?
What type of configuring am I looking forward to or does everything pretty much have default setting so I just have to plug it all in?
I think that will all fit in the Antec 300?
Finally, does all of that seem sufficient for what I need a computer for?

Any suggestions and help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!

 

[Mrbumbum]

All of that should be compatible, right?
Yes all looks compatable, be sure to get a 64bit OS

It's all in retail packaging so I shouldn't need any cables or anything else?
Your good to go, you can actually get an OEM dvd burner and save $5 the p5q pro comes with 2 sata cables

Do I need a better cpu cooler if I'm not overclocking?
If your not overclocking the stock cooler is fine.

And everything I've read says overclocking is a good idea, so if I take my chances at it and do some very minimal overclocking, will the above cooler be sufficient?

The freezer 7 pro is enough for some overclocking, but I would get a Xigmatek HDT-s1283
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
Make sure to get artic silver 5 or ocz freeze thermal paste, the paste that comes with the s1283 is like elmers glue.

What kind of software can I get to monitor the hardware performance and temperature?

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide

ctrl f, to bring up the find box and type in 5. Required Software

I should be able to take the 500 gig hard drive I'm using right now and plug it into the new system and fire it up, right?
Do yourself a favor and do a fresh install, back up what files you need and reinstall the OS

Is 650 watts enough power?
Plenty and that powersupply is excellent I own it.

What type of configuring am I looking forward to or does everything pretty much have default setting so I just have to plug it all in?
If your asking about BIOS settings pretty much you have to set boot device priority to dvd / cdrom at first to install os, make sure multicore is enabled, Set ram voltage / timings to spec, then I usually set everything to auto at first and see if its stable.

I think that will all fit in the Antec 300?
Yes it will fit fine in a 300

Finally, does all of that seem sufficient for what I need a computer for?
Should serve you well.

 

[batuchka]

This would be my suggestion - check 1650 x 1050 or higher resolution gaming benchmarks to confirm ^^

 

[Guest]

thanks guys, i appreciate your input.