My First Build (Shooting in the Dark)

[SystemredX]

Hey guys,

Im going to order all the parts to build myself a new desktop within a week or so, and I was hoping that someone would give me some input as to whether I am heading in the right direction. The computer will mainly be used for gaming, but I also want one that is dependable in the next few years. I realize it would be alot easier to get one from best buy or something, but I'd rather build one myself just for the learning experience from it.

These are the parts that I came up with and plan on buying.... I believe they'll all fit together....

XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish 1.0 mm SECC Chassis ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103011

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

BFG Tech BFGEGTX2801024E GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143141

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664AA80A - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148212

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

and for the monitor:
Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009145

For putting this computer together, I have a screwdriver and a bottle of crown, if there is anything else that I need like maybe extra fans or some kind of glue or something, I have no clue about it unless someone tells me. If my power supply is to low and im about to ruin anything, let me know!!! Any help or thoughts about my upcoming project would be GREATLY appreciated!!! :D

[RickyTick]

Check out this deal on the GTX285 that also includes Far Cry 2 and Call of Duty 5.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150334

The GTX285 is a step above the GTX280 and is reported to run a little cooler and require less power.

The 650TX psu is probably fine, but I would be tempted to go to the 750TX just in case.

Otherwise it looks like a great build.

[SystemredX]

I think I am going to take your suggestions, thank you for the comment :) Is this really all I will need? No extra fans or any special thermal glue or anything?

I also ordered an oem version of XP. I considered getting vista instead since there are rumors they will be allowing people to upgrade from it to Windows 7 (which is supposedly turning out better than vista) , but they havent released a price yet so I'll wait.

Im eager to get started. :D

[RickyTick]

You didn't list a mouse or keyboard. Otherwise, you listed everything you'll need. The processor will come with thermal compound for mounting the heatsink. I didn't check the case, but it should already have fans.

If you install Windows XP and plan to upgrade later to Windows 7, it will require wiping out your hard drive and going with a fresh install of Win7. However, if you install Vista, you can upgrade to 7 without trouble, and I would imagine an upgrade would be cheaper than a full install. Don't dismiss Vista. Its very mature and runs very well, plus you'll need the 64-bit version of Vista to take full advantage of the 4gb of ram you listed. Also, XP does not take advantage of DX10 in newer games, and Vista and 7 will.

[SystemredX]

Okay, here's what I ended up ordering a few days ago. The graphics card arrived yesterday & the rest came in this morning.

XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103011

Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 USB Ergonomics Keyboard and Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109156

Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

LG Black 22X (CAV) SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

GIGABYTE LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148212

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

and for the monitor

LG L227WTG-PF Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005109

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Im pretty sure Ive got everything hooked up right, went to get something to eat before hitting the power button. Oh, and when I started out putting everything together, I didnt notice the temperature cable coming from the tower, only saw it after everything was together, so not going to have temperature displayed unless I get bored one day and decide to take the cpu fan back off.
I do have a few questions though, Im used to the IDE cables so when I looked on the back of the HD and dvd drive to plug them in, I was confused for a little bit. The whole SATA thing is still new to me. I ened up finding the sata cables in the box for both of them, got them both hooked into the motherboard, but the directions for the motherboard just confused me. Was there a certain order they had to be hooked up or specific ports for it to plug into? Or as long as there plugged in does it not matter?

My other question was about the case, I have all the leads for the power switch & reset switch etc hooked up to the motherboard, but theres 2 power cables coming from the tower that im not sure what they go to. Should I just hook them up anyway? Do the external usb & 1364 ports on the tower need power cables or something? Thanks in advance for any help!

[The Wise Monkey]

Glad you got (almost) everything sorted and working.

The CPU temperature sensor doesn't actually go on the CPU, as it would interfere with the transmission of heat; just try and get it as close as possible.

Are you sure they are power cables coming from the tower? Did you plug the external USB and firewire cables into the motherboard?

If they are definitely the molex power connectors, then they are probably for the case fans.