Looking to build a PC

Alright thanks so much for all the help! One final thing, there are a ton of cases price around 20-30 dollars? Will that fit my motherboard? I just really am not worried about the appearance of the thing, so is it alright if I go cheaper than that antec?

Yeah they're probably fine, the (wait which motherboard) motherboard should be ATX, look for ATX compatibility. Or link us up and we can check if you're unsure.

oops, get the one above it, the 9.95 affair. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=thermal_compound-_-35-100-007-_-Product
Yes it will come with pre-applied 'thermal pad' , however its terrible. scrape it off , clean it up with rubbing alcohol, and apply the AS-5.
Rubber soled shoes on carpet in winter is not a good combo! this is a great $8.00 investment if its your first time building.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...nti_static_wrist_strap-_-99-888-207-_-Product

Second that, just remember a $ 30 case will most likely be flimsy./ if your ok with that great. otherwise an extra $20 will get you a decent quality case like the Antec 300 I linked too.

I've built two computers, and I haven't used any sort of anti-static; did everything on carpet too, albeit carefully.
Also, I personally wouldn't bother with thermal compound, but whatever your choice.

I linked to it above too if you didn't know...but that's just two blind votes toward the same thing. Antec 300 is indeed a quality case.

You by no means have to, I build many machines for my customers without an anit stat and haven't zapped anything yet, I just think for first time the $9.95 thermal, and $8.00 anti-stat are cheap insurance, however, entirely your call.

So was wondering, I Have an old HDD with XP on it, but it's really seen better days. If I was to put that in before installing my new HDD/OS would it run? Noobie question, I apologize.

edit- also is the thermal compound on it or no? I'll probably just order the 9.99 one, but who knows.

no it would not...99.5% of the time. when you install the OS, it 'marries' the hardware you are installing it on. if you just plug the HDD into a new machine, its going to be looking for the hardware identifiers and not find them. And your asking for problems installing a "seen better days" HDD anyway.

yes the stock Heatsink will come with a thermal pad on it.

Alright I figured as much. I'm probably going to have to slave that drive somewhere else and extract the files off it that I'm looking to save.

Also is this case alright? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119161

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023

also this one is only 40, is this one any good?

yeah its okay, I built my daughter a gamer with that for Christmas. its basic, but the fit was pretty good.
watch out for some sharp edges in the drive bays.

Sorry I edited in a second one. It's really the last thing here, once I pick the case I'm ordering it all. So should I go with the first or the second?

after building with both, I like the Antec 300 a bit better.

IMO cooler master has higher quality.
Rosewill is fine for cases, but I would definitely NOT buy their powersupplies.

I bet after using both of these particular cases, you would go for the Antec. its finished better.

It is also more expensive. I am really impressed with the Antec 300 though. Only thing is that it was a little big for it's purpose.

alright so I guess I'm going with the cooler master. So I guess that's it for now. Anything else I should consider looking into?

If that's it for now, thanks so much for the help gys, I'll probably be bumping this when I recieve my parts! When the parts come, does it usually come as one, or will everything ship seperately?

thats for better air circulation! it is on the tall side for a mid tower

I think both times I've gotten everything together.
Newegg has pretty quick shipping too.
EDIT: Come to think of it, maybe my case shipped a day earlier...

If its one order, Newegg will usually ship the internal components together, and the case separate.

Would it be a bigger drawback to have a case that's too big, or one that's too small.

I currently have a desktop computer built in an Antec 900, and another in a Cooler Master Storm, "Scout".

Both cases are approximately the same size. Both cases, (IMO) have similar build quality. However, when it comes to airflow the CM doesn't come near the Antec.

The CM "Scout" is (again IMO) a bit more stylish, (or perhaps, "stylized").

So, at the end of the day, the "Storm Scout" is more show, and The Antec 900, is more "go"!

There is a version of the Antec 300, called the "300 Illusion", it ships with a full complement of LED fans, for not much more than a standard 300. Look for it on sale, that version would meet your needs, and be more ready to go right out of the box.

I have to add, that the handle on the Scout, along with its blacked out interior, does appeal to me very much.

This is a bit of a slam dunk, since most cases aren't reboxed, shipping in their factory container.

I'm a bit superstitious, and separate component orders by virtue of promotion and free shipping offers. In my case, I'm very close to Newegg's North Jersey warehouse, and if it's in stock there, then it's overnight guaranteed, via UPS Ground. "Do-dads" seem to all come from CA, and delay delivery to the East Coast.