First time builder help please

What's your overall budget?

Does the graphic design have-to-do with rendering anything 3D? If so, I would spend a bit more on a GPU.

If you are going to use the computer a lot and save many different, large files, I would go for at least 500GB HDD. I know you can get a 1TB for ~$65.

I don't think that you can plug-in an IDE HDD to any modern mobos anymore, including yours.

Overall, seems like a nice, cheap setup. But I don't know the reputability of all the cheaper parts, so I would be hesitant to buy something that cheap and expect it to run for three or more years perfectly. But I don't know, it should work ok.

I still don't understand your budget. I wouldn't buy the power supply it's janky. You can grab the Antec Earthwatts 380W for $40: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... A better graphic card won't help. It's best if he gets a better CPU. I recommend a Phenom II x2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... then find a motherboard that can unlock cores.

I was trying to get $400 or under as a budget. The 3D/CAD models aren't to complex, and usually don't contain 400+ parts in an assembly. The motherboard does have an IDE port labeled in the picture, but I decided to just buy an OS, less monkeying around. I don't need a huge HDD either, I have a 500GB WD external I can use. I did have doubts about the PSU, so i will change that. winterment, for the CPU wouldnt the x3 be close to the x2 when and if all cores are unlocked? I don't need anything TO powerful. BIOSTAR said on the site that the board BIOS has the "unlock-KING" feature, so it can unlock cores. Thanks for the tips so far! Really appreciated!