Building A Computer...

[Brokenhope]

So Im going to be building my first computer, heres what I've picked out, tell me what you think:

Main Parts
Case With Fans (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1744159&CatId=0) 34.99
Power Supply (450W) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817182022) 39.99
Motherboard, and Onboard Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813186074) 86.99
CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819116198) 158.99
RAM (1GB) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231053) 68.99
Master Hard Drive (Samsung 250GB) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822152025) 72.99
Slave Hard Drive (Samsung 250GB) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822152025) 72.99
Firewire Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815104218) 11.99
Wireless Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833127145) 30.99 (Comes with an additional $10 Rebate)
CD/ DVD ROM+R+RW (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827101002) 28.99
Total: $605.90 ($10 Rebate lowers the price to $595.90)

Sub Parts
Keyboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823107120) $4.99
Mouse (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826147008) $4.99
19" Flatscreen Monitor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824252002) $189.99 [Might Change]
Total: $199.97

Grand Total: $805.87
With Estimated Shipping: $835 [My Rough Guess]


This computer is going to run Windows XP SP2, and because my Windows XP cd is pretty old, I may have to get a floppy drive in that computer to install the os to the computer [I heard that older Win XP versions require you to make a floppy drive or something when installing to a large harddrive]. Im gonna be doing graphics, and video editing on this computer exclusively, I may install Apache, PHP 5, and the latest mysql as well, and run it as a 'test' server as well [because it will be better than the one im using now, my current crappy computer]. I will also be able to store a decent amount of crap on it, I already filled up my 120gb hard drive on this computer, and part of the external 160gb.

My experience with working with internal computer components is very small, all ive done is install a second harddrive, and then just recently installed a firewire card. Both successful first try. So this should be a challenge and a learning experience if all goes well.

[oracleguy]

I'd maybe suggest getting a video card with DVI and an LCD with DVI. But if you are on a budget, thats something you can spare.

But on the memory, I'd recommend getting 2 512MB modules and not a single 1GB stick so it will run in dual channel mode. You can usually find dual channel kits for sale with matched memory.

[NancyJ]

If you're doing graphics work I'd suggest - if you can afford it, going for 2x 1Gb RAM sticks.
If you're going to be working with large graphics files theres no such thing as too much RAM.

[Brokenhope]

Yeah I was gonna get 2 1GBs [I would go for 4 512's because the motherboard can hold 4, and its better to be spread out, but I may upgrade in the future so I didnt want to have some 512's left over], but currently at the moment I cant afford an extra 1GB, as im a few hairs short of $900, and an extra 1GB would bring the total somewhere around $910. Maybe I will just get 2 512's and then later on I can get 2 1GB's when I have the money.