First time builder could use some guidance

[sonoflodbrok]

Hey guys, I've always wanted to build my own computer and finally decided I would go for it. Unfortunatly though, I am not the most tech-savvy person and could really use some help. Any criticism or advice at all would be a huge help. Thanks in advance!

Approximate Purchase Date: ~a month


Budget Range: <$1000 preferably


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Web browsing, and if I could run Autocad, Unigraphics, or Rapidform XOR bonus points!


Parts Not Required: case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, possibly soundcard..


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: N/A


Overclocking: Probably not


SLI or Crossfire: Sure


Monitor Resolution: Normal?


Additional Comments: I'm going for a solid gaming PC. Don't need anything over-the-top, but I would like it to last for a relatively long time and have some room for upgrades in the future. I work as a designer so if it could run autocad, UG, or rapidform that would be great too! Here's what I have picked out so far. If there are any glaring compatabilty issues and/or things I should upgrade/downgrade I would appreciate any input. Thanks!

MOBO: ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX640WFGMBOX

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

GPU: EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Memory: Kingston HyperX 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3K3/6GX

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply

 

[WR2]

Hello sonoflodbrok;

Monitor resolution is one item that determines what graphics card is a 'good fit' for gaming. 1280x1024? 1680x1505?

 

[WR2]

A couple things going on here:

Triple channel RAM kit (3 x 2GB) for a dual channel motherboard (M4A87TD EVO)
You mention 'Sure' to SLI but you have a CrossfireX only motherboard. And only a 650W PSU to support a 2nd GTX 470.
And a slow 'green' 2TB HDD is not what you'd like to see in boot drive. Data storage, OK, but not for OS and programs.

Anything that will run your games will do well on the other things you mention.

 

[jsc]

Because this is your first build, look at the following threads while you are waiting for your parts.
Build it yourself:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/274745-13-step-step-guide-building

And although this primarily a troubleshooting thread, the first part contains a checklist that will catch most noob mistakes:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-read-posting-boot-problems