Help a newbie to select what parts to get

[MQ1zhooter]

Hello, first time posting here.

Currently we're using Compaq Presario 4620NX in our room so we'll be giving it to our girls for their room so that we can have my first built pc in ours.

We stored LOTS of pictures and the wife always like to play music on it. We also like to watch some movies. More like an Entertainment and multimedia PC. We're not much of gamer but if its capable to then I'll play some.

Willing to spend about $900 on all parts including case and speakers. Plan to spend other 200 on a 19" LCD monitor.

Either AMD or Intel CPU is fine.

Not sure what motherboard. Prefer to get all the supplies from Newegg

Thanks.

Edit: Forgot to mention, to do a photo editing too such as Photoshop.

[chunkylover53]

Doesn't look like you need a powerhouse machine if you aren't a heavy gamer or doing a lot of video editing. Sounds like you just want to take a crack at doing it on your own, and feel really good about the quality parts you are putting in it.

Why not start with Rob's recommendations on the main MSPC site? I started there, and tweaked my "wishlist" as I kept reading the forums. :D

[MQ1zhooter]

The list from Rob's are kinda over budget for me.

Here's the list I've been thinking to get. I've decided to go with Intel and XP. Please let me know if these will suit to our need?

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029&Tpk=Intel%2bCore%2b2%2bDuo%2bE6750

Crucial Ballistix 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148090

Western Digital Caviar 250GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144701

Creative Sound Blaster
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102002

EVGA GeForce 7600GT 256MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

Antec 900 with CORSAIR 520HX

Not sure which optical drive or burner to get:confused:

$745 excluding OS and speakers and monitor.

[RickyTick]

"We store LOTS of pictures"

Then get a bigger hard drive. That 250 will fill up before you know it. The Western Digital Caviar SE 750gb is around $160.

Take a hard look at a 8600GTS or GT video card. It will be a little more expensive than the 7600GT, but far superior.

Otherwise you look great. Not a biggie, but also check out the Intel E8400 processor in lieu of the E6750. Just a thought.

[chunkylover53]

I agree with Ricky accross the board, but I get the sense you're trying to stay within the budget, and that budget will still build you a great rig.

My POV would be to skip the sound card. I think you'll be surprised at how good the on-board sound is, and you can always add a sound card later if you feel it's not good enough.

I have Crucial RAM, but Corsair has a good reputation and you can get 2 GB of RAM for $34 after rebate. I think you'll be happier with your performance if you have 2GB right off the bat, and this is an amazing deal.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145034

Ricky is right about the hard drive, but "lots" means different things to different people. At minimum, I'd go with the 320GB version below for $5 more. I don't get the sense that there is a mind boggling hard drive technology on the horizon that you'll want to upgrade to in the near future, so get some size now. ;)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136098

This optical drive is all you will need, as it burns everything from CD's to Dual Layer DVD's.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827136120

Finally (and I'm going to get beat up for saying this :o ), if you really don't play that many games, you get away with the 7600 now and upgrade in the future. It's still going to be far superior to the on-board graphics you would get on a mass market computer, but to Ricky's point the 8600 is a big step up for only $24 more. In my mind, you'd get more "bang" for this 24 bucks than you would spending it on a sound card.

Anyone else want to chime in with thoughts?

[Ross CR334]

Ricky, the Compaq PC that we're using has 80GB HD and it still runs fine even with lots of picture stored. I'd imagine 250GB-320GB is good enough.

CL53, are you sure that the Corsair stick will work with the board I chose? Curious because the link you posted it is DDR2 800. The board spec said DDR2 1066 or it won't make any difference?

BTW, I added that optical drive to my list. Thanks

[Jamie Nixx]

The Gigabyte supports upto 1066Mhz meaning it supports 667 and 800Mhz memory as well.

Corsair XMS is probably the best performance memory around and at $34 for 2GB its an absolute steal.