Building first computer

[Bonzi]

My brother and I both have computers about the same age (around seven years old), and we decided we'd try to build our own. So we're gonna do his first and see how it goes. :D

I've lurked here for a bit, and got some ideas on what it would take to build a decent pc in the $600 range. We're not gamers, so we don't need anything too crazy, but I may do some video editing in the future and would like a pc that could handle that. I also would like to watch video clips that aren't choppy like they are on my old rig now, but I'm assuming that any newer pc wouldn't have that problem.

Already have a fairly new monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers.

I have several questions below also.

How does this sound?:

Power Supply: XION
450 Watt ATX 12V Power Supply (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0255735)- $20

Case: NZXT
Alpha ATX Mid Tower (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0276561)- $40

Processor: Intel® Boxed Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0283289)- $190

Mobo: Gigabyte
GA-EP35-DS3L (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0289205)- $110

DVD Burner: Samsung OEM
Super-WriteMaster Dual/Double Layer DVD±RW Burner SATA (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0267321)- $35

Video Card: XFX
GeForce 8500 GT 512MB GDDR2 PCIe Graphics Card (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0278662)- $50 (after $20 MIR)

RAM: Buffalo Memory
Select 2GB PC-6400 DDR2 CL5 Memory Kit (Two 1GB DDR2-800 Memory Modules) (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0279216)- $47

Hard Drive: IPSG
Barracuda 250GB 7,200RPM Serial ATA-300 Hard Drive OEM (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0280310)- $65

Total: $557

Is there anything I'm forgetting? I guess I need thermal paste? Any other odds and ends I'll need, like cables (I guess all necessary cables are included?)?

I'm probably going to want the new Microsoft OS when it comes out next year. Is there any benefit to holding off on this until that comes out, or will everything here most likely work just fine with it?

Is there recommended book I should have handy for putting this all together, or is there a good free guide online somewhere?

Does the DVD burner act as a CD/DVD drive also, or do I have to buy that separately?

How many USP ports will I have in the front?

Will the RAM I chose work with the mobo?

I really appreciate the time anyone takes out to help.

[Bonzi]

Another question:

I just read somewhere else that someone recommended not going with a quad core because they would get more usable performance from a dual core.

Should I go with the processor linked to below and save $60, or will there be a noticeable drop in performance going from a 6MB Level 2 Cache to 3MB?

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0288157

[RickyTick]

According to the link you provided, there are 2 side mounted USB ports.

Product Specifications
Case Material Steel, Plastic
Case Color Black
Side Panel Design Clear Acrylic Side Window
Mainboard Supported ATX, mATX, Baby AT
External 5.25" Bays 4
External 3.5" Bays 2
Internal 3.5" Bays 5
Expansion Slots 7 Expansion Slots
Ports and Connectors (2) Side-mounted USB Ports, (1) eSATA Connector, (1) Microphone Connector, (1) Headphone Connector
Cooling System Bays Three Fan Bays (Front 120mm Fan Bay, Side 120mm Fan Bay, Rear 120mm Fan Bay)
Case Fans Exhaust Rear: 120mm Exhaust Fan
Power Supply Power Supply Sold Separately
Dimensions (WxDxH) 8.58" x 21.46" x 19.69" (218mm x 545mm x 500mm)
Weight 13.78 lbs. (6.25 kg)
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year Limited Warranty

Everything looks fine. You might consider a larger hard drive since they are very cheap these days. You could get 500gb for about $20 more.

The ram is fine, and the Samsung Optical drive is R/W (Read/Write), so it plays and burns.

[RickyTick]

That E7200 is a hot item right now. It all depends on what you expect your computer to do. If you're using it for basic email, word processing, surfing, some gaming, videos, etc, then you may not need a Quad Core. But if you plan some future hard core gaming, rendering, photoshop, and the like, the quad might be a better option.

Read some more reviews to get a better feel.

If you decide on the Core2Duo instead of the Quad, take a close look at the E8400 also.

[Bonzi]

Thanks for the advice, RickyTick. What do you think of the power supply I picked out? Someone told me it won't last five minutes. Should I not risk getting that one and spending a few more bucks on a different one?

[RickyTick]

I don't have any experience with that particular power supply, but to be honest, a $20 psu would make me a little nervous. See if you can find some reviews on Xion psu's. Take a look at Antec Earthwatts psu's. Not expensive, and very highly rated.