My first PC build

[mnmavery]

Hi everyone this is my first computer build from scratch. This computer is for my wife mainly and some day trading for me. She will be using this computer for her schoolwork, E-mail, lots of family pictures and surfing the Internet. We currently are using a HP 724c pavilion with 2 GB of SDRAM and a 512 MB graphics card. She uses I say excessive open windows and programs while on the computer and it tends to freeze up and bogs down to where it will do nothing at all.
Here is what I have been thinking!!
1. AMD Phenom II x4 965 Black Edition 125w processor $180
2. Gigabyte GA-890fxa-ud5 motherboard $198
3. XFX Radeon HD 5770 Graphics card $170 to run Dual monitors
4. 4GB 2 x 2GB - 1600MHz DDR3-1600/PC3-12800 - Non-ECC - DDR3 SDRAM - 240-pin DIMM - MPN: TW3X4G1600C9D) $155
I need to find a suitable PSU I was thinking of a
Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750-Watt TX Series 80 Plus Certified Power Supply $109
My wife picked out an Apevia X-Dreamer3 tower
I still have no Idea on a good CPU cooler any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[MadAdmiral]

I'm going to go ahead and say no to most of that. That board is WAY too expensive. The 5770 isn't needed for a non-gaming build. The RAM is incredibly expensive. The 750W PSU is overkill.

Just off the top of my head:

CPU: X4 955 $160
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-770TA-UD3 $80 after rebate
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $120
GPU: HD 5450 $34 after rebate
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 380W $40

You should follow the guidelines for some more specific advice. The link is in my signature. We need to know how much you're looking to spend, what you already own, and other information.

 

[mnmavery]

Well thanks for the quick reply. In regards to the motherboard was thinking longer terms for upgrade ability and reliability with all the new programs and hardware coming out in the near future. I am probably wrong on that. I know my wife would like two monitor set up. Happy wife happy life!
Thanks again

 

[dndhatcher]

Unless you are planning to get into online MMO or FPS games, the build MadAd recommended will do everything you ever need, including handle up to 3 monitors. Web games like facebook, online poker and apps like online stock trading do not make use of a graphics card so a minimal one like the 5450 will be fine. If you did decide to get into 3d gaming, you could just replace the 5450 with a $300 5850 and have a strong gaming system.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Just look at what you're paying a lot extra for. You get three more PCI 2.0 slots (which you won't use in a non-gaming build) and the ability to drop a six core CPU in without a BIOS update (which is free and not needed).

The GPU will handle a dual monitor setup too.