Trying to figure out this whole 'build your own computer' thing.

[GoddessVirage]

I, like so many other people on this forum, are a giant noob when it comes to building computers. I've always wanted to try, so now I am trying to plan out my first build. I think I have mostly everything in good order but before I go ahead and start purchasing parts I'd love some more experienced people's feedback. I am aiming for a PC that can handle Photoshop/Adobe Creative Suite like a mac can so I choose the quad processor. Otherwise being an artist, I am addicted to World of Warcraft so I'd love a computer that could run the game very well and not give me 4 frames per second in Dalaran :P This is currently what I have lined up (I took a lot of advice from the main list that mysuperpc.com provided)-

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail
>>http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-GIGABYTE-_-13128358
-$114.99

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad-Core Processor, 2.40 GHz, 8M L2 Cache, LGA 775
>>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000LRMR26/qid=1008036386/sr=8-4/mysuperpc-20
-$197.99

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive – OEM
>>http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
-$79.99

Memory:
1GB, Ballistix 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-8500 memory module
>> http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=bl12864aa106a&pid=862686
-$19.99x2

Video Card:
GIGABYTE GV-N95TOC-512I GeForce 9500 GT OC 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
>>http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814125257
-$39.99

CD Drive:
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe – OEM
>>http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-CD/DVD+Burners+(RW+Drives)-_-SAMSUNG-_-27151173
-$25.99

Hmm, can't decide between these two PSU setups-

Broadway Com Corp 939PL-BLACK Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Okia ATX 550W Power Supply - Retail
>>http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811162042
-$49.99

OR

TOPOWER TOP-550PCM 550W ATX / BTX Power Supply - Retail
>>http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817342015
-$29.99

&

ATOP AT-AP103WSB-KM Black / Silver SGCC steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case w/Black color keyboard/mouse combo - Retail
>>http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811105021
-$49.99

-I like the last case because it comes with a mouse and keyboard which I do not have.

[RickyTick]

Welcome to the forums.

I have a few areas of concern.

The case combo makes me nervous. Its a no-name case with only 1 review. To be honest, its looks a little cheap. I have the same reservations about both power supplies.

Are you trying to stay within a certain budget?

Take a good look at the Antec Sonata III. Its a known solid performer with a very high quality power supply. It doesn't have a mouse or keyboard, but you can get those fairly cheap usually.

Since you do indulge in a little gaming, I would recommend you step up that video card one notch to the 9600GT. Its a little more money, but a much better bang for the buck.

Lastly, the Q6600 is one of Intels most popular processors, and for good reason. Its fast, powerful, easy to overclock, and reasonably priced. If its within you budget, consider the Q9400. For only about $30 more, you're getting a noticeably better cpu.