Looking to build first PC

[manofmany]

Alright,

I've currently already got a thermaltake 500w W0100RU PSU sitting here I got for $20, brand new. Also have an Nvidia 7900GS XFX card which is perfect for my needs.

I'm thinking a Gigabyte board would be best
I want to go with an Intel Core 2 Duo, no more than 3.0ghz
Western Digital 500gb 7200RPM drive (although I have heard that many come DOA)
NO idea on a case/cooling, etc
Also need a DVDRW
Media card reader interface possibly.

My concerns are that I need a PCI-E port, DDR2 or DDR3 doesn't make a difference. I plan on purchasing from newegg and I am in the US.

The Mobo bios needs to allow me to switch my DVDRW from Sata to AHCI. If someone can recommend me a complete build I would be very, very thankful as I want to pass this current nice AMD system to my inlaws who need it badly.

Considering I have a GPU, PSU, and Wireless card already I don't think this should be TOO expensive. One last thing, is soldering required or does the CPU "pop" in per se?

 

[LinkedKube]

wait for rages post, he'll hook you up

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

the CPU should simply be "plug and play".


Koutech IO-RCM620 USB 2.0 3.5"/5.25" Card Reader - Retail



Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7400 - Retail


Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM


Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-116DBK - OEM


G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail


OCZ Vista Upgrade 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2VU8002GK - Retail

NO idea on a case/cooling, etc

With no overclocking, you will hardly need any additional cooling aside from your case's default fans, just choose a case off newegg's midtower (normal sized) section.


GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
This should be a solid motherboard, however i have NO idea if it will support AHCI.

 

[manofmany]

Awesome, thanks.

What about this Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128364

 

[iMoose]

OOOOOooooooOOOOOooooo!!!!!!

You could get one of the totally clear ones!

They aren't that expensive either. $50?

I'm tempted, but I'm kinda "married" to my current one.

And I don't mean that in the biblical sense. Ewww!

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

This is fine, though the only difference is the memory support and price. The motherboard you selected will support more expenive DDR3 RAM, again there is no real point unless your planning on heavily utilizing memory.

 

[manofmany]

Which I don't. What board would you recommend? And I've always used Kingston memory; is that acceptable?

 

[iMoose]

P.S.- Are you totally committed to Intel?

I've been checking out the AMD 4850e lately.

And it's CHEAP! $54?

 

[manofmany]

Totally committed to Intel.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Kingston is good, i would recommend the motherboard i picked just because its about $20 cheeper, along with either 2 gigs or 4 gigs of DDR2 800 RAM.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345


2 (2 x 1) gigs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134583

4 (2 x 2) gigs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134606

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Excellent recommendations so far by hellokitty[hk].

@manofmany, you can get a WD6400AAKS drive instead of the 500GB version. It's available for real cheap here. Also, if you need a case, I recommend this one.