Advice needed on building first comp

Ok, this should be my final updated component list, would appreciate what any of you think. Will probably be buying everything around the 10th of February, so I have a little time to ponder yet. Here it is:

cpu - AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor - Retail

mobo - ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 Socket 939 ULi M1695 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

dvd burner - LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATAPI/E-IDE DVD Burner - Retail

floppy drive - whatever

hdd - Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

memory - Kingston ValueRAM 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory - Retail

video card - eVGA e-GeForce 6600 LE PCI Express 256MB DDR Video Card w/TV-Out, DVI & VGA Retail

case - Black Antec Solution Super Mid-Tower ATX Case SLK3800B, w/ 400W SmartPower 2.0 PSU, 120mm Fan, USB2.0.
 
1. LiteOn dvdburner isnt anything special
2. Motherboard is crap
3. How much are you paying for it?
 
Price for everything listed above should be exactly $576.30, that's with shipping included.

The lite-on dvd burner I'm not too worried about. As long as it holds up over some time and basically works, I'm fine with it. Not too worried about any special performance/speed out of it.

The mobo is pretty much the only thing I have a tough time deciding on. I'm looking for one around $60-$75 that is reliable, has at least one pci-e slot, DDR 400 ram standard, 1 AGP slot, onboard video, and at least 2 sata connectors.

The problem is, there simply isn't one that has all of that, let alone decent reliability according to reviews. Nothing comes up in a power/advanced search. While the AGP slot isn't necessary, I have an older card now (Geforce 4 MX440) that is AGP...and I would be using for a few weeks' time until I bought the 6600LE. I'm trying to juggle a few mobo options spread out over a few mobos in various combinations, then figuring in their reputations. As of right now its between the Asrock 939Dual-Sata2, Abit UL8 Uli M1689, and the Asus A8N-VM CSM. Saving an extra $30 for a better one I'm out on..I've saved long enough and am getting fidgety :), I've suffered long enough with the 733 Mhz cpu, and if I did that I would rather use it for a better video card anyway.

Like always Praetor, you've given very sound advice, thanks again for everything. I know you're just dying to set me straight here :)
 
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Have a question

Quick question for you guys/girls. Will a motherboard with Sata2 connectors work with a Sata1 hard drive? Probably a stupid question, but I can't find the answer anywhere.

Btw, one more quick question...will a Micro ATX motherboard fit okay in an Antec mid-tower case? The specs on the case say it supports up to standard ATX motherboards, so I assume so. For any reference needed, the Antec case is the SLK3800B version. Thanks in advance.
 
From my experience, all of the ATX cases I've had supported Micro-ATX. I just recently built a comp from scrap parts and put a micro-ATX mobo into an ATX case and it worked fine, just lots of empty space.
 
My components for my 1st build -

I'm wondering what extra parts I will need to buy as far as cords, cables, etc, etc, that won't or might not come with the following. Thanks.

cpu - AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail

mobo - ASUS A8N-VM CSM Socket 939 NVIDIA GeForce 6150 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

optical drive - LITE-ON Black ATAPI/E-IDE DVD Burner Model SHW-160P6S - Retail

floppy drive - NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive - OEM

hard drive - Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

memory - Kingston ValueRAM 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model KVR400X64C3A/512 - Retail

video card - eVGA 256-P2-N363-TX Geforce 6600LE 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

case/power supply - Black Antec TX640B Mid-Tower ATX Computer Case, w/ 400W PSU
 
A retail PCI-express gfx card SHOULD come with the 6-pin PCI-E power cable, The PSU in the case might have one but thats doubtful. The mobo usually comes with SATA connectors, if not I'm not sure if the HDD will, somethign should. Thats about it as far as things that MIGHT not be included. The things I listed should be included somewhere but wait until you get everything before buying more stuff. IDE cables almost always come with retail mobos, so no worries there...

Also, since I'm too tired to do it right now, I hope you made sure that if the mobo is 24 pin, the PSU in the case is also 24-pin. It's possible to use mismatched power cables but not reommended.
 
Thanks a lot gamerman. As far as the mobo - case connection, the mobo is a 24 pin, and I can't find anything on the Antec case. Even checked their website, it doesn't say.

I had checked this when I first was researching components and everything pointed to Antec cases as being very compatible with many mobos, so I stopped trying to find out the pin connection on them.
 
Thanks again gamerman. :)

I also started a list of things I at least might need in building the comp, in terms of supplies/tools. This is my list so far...let me know what you think.

- Anti-static wrist strap
- Arctic silver thermal paste
- twist ties
- screwdriver (probably only phillips)
- flashlight
 
wellcant u get rid of static without that wrist strap? i thouched my metal desk when i built my computer and it worked fine.
edit when i put my cpu in.
 
Just touch something grounded like your PSU or something and all static will be discharged. There is no reason that static should build up if your just sitting on your floor, even if its carpet. It takes a lot of moving to build up enough for an electric discharge.

Twist ties are good...flashlight is a definite must-have...screwdriver is useful but you might need many different bits because I've seen screws in PCs use flat, philips, star-shaped, allen wrench screws...etc I use a screwdriver with a removable bit.
 
Price for everything listed above should be exactly $576.30, that's with shipping included.
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Nothing particularly special about that price.

The mobo is pretty much the only thing I have a tough time deciding on. I'm looking for one around $60-$75 that is reliable, has at least one pci-e slot, DDR 400 ram standard, 1 AGP slot, onboard video, and at least 2 sata connectors.
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Why would you want a PCIE/AGP board? They do exist but [1] are generally novelty items and [2] arent that great (in any respect)

A retail PCI-express gfx card SHOULD come with the 6-pin PCI-E power cable,
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Its' more likely going to come with 2xMolex --> 6P PCIE rather than PCIE cable per say (i.e. a la Modular PSU)

and I can't find anything on the Antec case
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What do you want to know?

I also started a list of things I at least might need in building the comp, in terms of supplies/tools. This is my list so far...let me know what you think.

- Anti-static wrist strap
- Arctic silver thermal paste
- twist ties
- screwdriver (probably only phillips)
- flashlight
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Dont need thr wrist strap or flashlight

touching the PSU while it is plugged in? or while its outside of ur case.
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Why take the difficulte route??? Just touch the case, table, etc :)
 
Its' more likely going to come with 2xMolex --> 6P PCIE rather than PCIE cable per say (i.e. a la Modular PSU)
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That is what I meant, obviously they aren't going to package a modular power cord as most people don't use modular PSUs...
 
- Praetor, I've decided I'm going with the Asus VM-CSM board.

- I figured a flashlight would be handy, not like I'll have to buy one.

- As far as you saying there is nothing special about the price...first of all why even comment on that, secondly, I gave the price of the my planned comp build because you asked for it.

- As far as your question of what do I want to know about the Antec case, read a few posts above that post of mine to find out. Btw, I found the answer to that question I had.
 
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That is what I meant, obviously they aren't going to package a modular power cord as most people don't use modular PSUs...
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Just being thorough (not that ive ever seen a VC come with those types of cables either but ya never know)

As far as you saying there is nothing special about the price...first of all why even comment on that, secondly, I gave the price of the my planned comp build because you asked for it.
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Put two and two together before you fire up the Hostility(TM) engine
1. I asked about the price so I could comment on whether or not you got ripped off or not (so that you can do something about it potentially)
2. Since you didnt get ripped off nor did you get a spectaular deal, guess what? There's "nothing special" about the price

read a few posts above that post of mine to find out.
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I saw. But i reply to an entire thread top to bottom and when i replied to that quote, naturally, i hadnt gotten to the answer yet
 
1. I haven't bought my computer components yet = no ripoff

2. The only way to buy this computer I'm building cheaper than the price I listed would be to get lucky off ebay in terms of price and quality, or find some individual seller somewhere. Even then the price difference would be small. Not that it matters, but hey...its the truth.
 
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1. I haven't bought my computer components yet = no ripoff
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Thats good :) So now you have extra information (i.e., nothing special about the price)

Even then the price difference would be small
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I wont contest this too much but you'd be seriously surprised.

2. So basically you reply to most all of the information people post (in order), regardless of whether or not you already know the answer, is pointless to respond, or means absolutely nothing to the person it concerns?
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- The number "3" comes after the number "2"
- Sounds like someone got their feelings hurt with my "nothing special about the price" comment. There I'll take it back. It's a really good deal
 
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