First time builder.

[Stapler]

Ok, so I've decided to build my own PC from scratch, and there are a few things that I want to know before I start buying parts. I have already somewhat decided what I am going to by, so here goes:

Case: Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811133154

Motherboard: EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813188009

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115003

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar RE WD3200YS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136053

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145034

Video Card: eVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130071

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829102188

DVD-ROM Drive: SONY Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827101131

Floppy Drive: SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16821103116

PCU: Thermaltake W0106RU Complies with ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version 700W Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817153039

Monitor: Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824254005

Keyboard: Logitech G15 2-Tone USB Wired Standard Keyboard - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16823126179

Mouse: Logitech G5 Laser 931376-0403 2-Tone 6 Buttons 1x Wheel USB Laser Mouse - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16826104191

Speakers: Creative I-TRIGUE L3800 51MF0305AA002 48 Watts 2.1 Speaker - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16836116179

So, all in all, it came out to around $2100 - $2200. Firstly, is that a good price for what I am getting, instead of say, a desktop from Dell? Secondly, will all those parts gel together, or am I going to be having compatibility issues? If so, what would I possibly need to change? Thirdly, about how difficult will it be to throw all that together and get it working? I consider myself a fairly intelligent person and have read up on this stuff and it doesn't look too difficult, but it's very possible that there may be something that I'm missing. Also, would I need to get additional cooling for this rig? I believe that the case comes with 4 fans already, but you can never be too careful.

Any response that would help me shake these uncertanties would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

 

[b3atofang3l]

You bet its worth it. A computer from Dell will rip you off by 20-30% from the regular price.

 

[Stapler]

Heh, thanks, now I know that I'll finally be getting my moneys worth. But will it all go together and work?

 

[7angofragger]

go for it. only thing i dont like is the hard drive. i currently have a seagate. i have had it for 5 years, and it works fine, but it is loud. if i were you, i would get a western digital hard drive. its a 250 gig sataII with 16MB cache.

 

[maroon1]

There is also a 320GB hard drive from western digital
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136053

 

[Grey410]

I'd pay the extra $30-40 and get the EVGA 680i SLI mobo on newegg for $250 it's newer and better. Here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813188009

 

[Stapler]

Ok, I think I'll take your suggestions and run with it. Thanks a lot! I feel a lot better about building this comoputer now.

Edit: Oh yea, I was reading some of the reviews for the video card (8800GTS) and decided that I might need a fan. Is the ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink any good? http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835118003

 

[Grey410]

The new 320GB from Seagate is not loud. It's my drive of choice especially with the new PPD tech. It's faster than my current 300GB WD and quieter.

 

[Stapler]

Ok, so your saying that I should stick with the Seagate? I have to say, the Seagate did sound better to me because of the PPD technology. How about I just get both and see which one fails first. But really, what is the advantage of having PPD technology?

Edit: I have been reading the reviews for the Western Digital hardrive, and a few people stated that the Western Digitals were faster, quieter, and overall better than the Seagate, specifically the one with PPD tech.

 

[Grey410]

It's really personal preference I guess. I have a Seagate 320GB with PPD and a 300GB WD. I love the Seagate. It feels faster and I hear it less. But that's just me. Either way I doubt you will be let down. I think the $95 320GB is an awesome deal and I'm getting it for my friends Birthday Suprise build.

 

[Stapler]

Well, if it's about personal preference, then I'll just go with my gut feeling.

 

[Grey410]

Well, if it's about personal preference, then I'll just go with my gut feeling.

Good call. Toodle pip!

 

[Stapler]

Anyways, thanks for all of your guys' help. It really put a lot of my fears and uncertanties to rest.

 

[Grey410]

Anyways, thanks for all of your guys' help. It really put a lot of my fears and uncertanties to rest.

Anytime good luck I think your computer is going to rock!