1st timer needs encouragement

[ckman]

Case: Raidmax Smiddon-ATX-612web
PSU: Thermalyte 500W
Motherboard: Foxconn-m7vmx-k lg 775 Nividia Geforce 7050/ nforce 610i
CPU: Intel core 2 duo 2.66GHz
RAM: corsair xms2 (2)-2x1GB sets
Graphics card: EVGA 512-p3-n954 GEFORCE 9500-512 MB
Sound card:
Hard Drive(s): WD 500GB
Optical Drive(s):Samsung 22x DVD RW

Monitor:
Speakers:

Operating System:
Windows Vista 64 bit Home Premium

[RickyTick]

Hey ckman. Welcome!

Can you give us a little more info.
How much do you plan to spend?
What will the pc be used for?

Thanks

[ckman]

I've been checking deals on Newegg and Amazon all day. I'd like to stay around $500 for my first one. Wife doesn't think I can do it so I gotta prove her wrong! Just think I should go with some of the bargains. Any suggestions or tips are appreciated. Thanks!

[chunkylover53]

Not that there's anything wrong with some of what you have there, but the budget build list we have posted here http://forums.mysuperpc.com/showthread.php?t=1642 are all tried and true components. With the sales this weekend, you can probably get it done for less than the $439 posted. That mobo has integrated graphics, so if you aren't a gamer you don't need the GPU listed. Add in an OEM copy of Vista Premium, and your under $500, but without the monitor.

I personally wouldn't consider the monitor as part of the cost, as I consider it the most important part of the entire PC experience, but you might be able to get in close to $500 with this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254018. Can't vouch for it personally, but the folks on newegg seem to love it.

PS. A year ago my wife tried to talk me into a Dell, so I got her a Dell and built my own Super PC. She's regretted it ever since, as she uses mine more than hers. :cool: Those "deals in a box" look great, but they end up costing you in the end. I just got fed up with the Dell's and emachines that were outdated in 2 years and impossible to upgrade.

[RickyTick]

and impossible to upgrade.

There's the key issue right there.

[The Wise Monkey]

Plus, Dell use their own proprietary components which are never as high in quality as stuff you buy separately. :)

[ckman]

Case: Raidmax ATX-612web
PSU: Thermaltake 500W
Motherboard: ASUS m3a78-em/700GB
CPU:AMD 64x2 5000 2.6MHZ
RAM: Corsair (2)-2x1GB sets
Graphics card: EVGA 512-p3 9500GT 512mb
Sound card:
Hard Drive(s): 500GB Western Digital
Optical Drive(s): Samsung 22x DVD writer

Monitor:
Speakers:

Operating System: Vista Home Prem. 64bit

Thanks for the reply, this is what I went with. Got it from Newegg for $405 after rebates. Is it all compatible?