Building first machine...

I'm about to build my first full system and would appreciate any hints/concerns before I buy. I'm planning on using the machine mainly for video/photo editing and gaming. If there is anywere I should upgrade or anywere I can downgrade, please let me know. Thanks.

Here are the specs:

AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103529

ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131517

RAIDMAX Astro ATX-268WB Black 0.7mm Japanese SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811156018

ASPIRE ATX-AS520W BLACK ATX 520W Power Supply -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817148008

eVGA 256-P2-N376-AX Geforce 6800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130215

LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 4X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106966

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JD 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144154

CREATIVE Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS 70SB035000000 8 (7.1) Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829102162

CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145524

 

why not just buy a nvidia 7800gtx, its far better than that 6800gt, seems like you can afford it with the system your wanting to build
or if you cant afford the 7800gtx, go for an x800xt, it is suposed to perform better in most tests than the 6800gt.

you've got some nice ram there, and i like the case, i want it

 

As much as I'd like to get the 7800gtx, I'm already $100 over budget and $200 more is just too much. Is there something else that I should get a cheaper version of so that I can get the 7800gtx???

 

You can get a cheaper sound card for sure, maybe a cheaper 7.1 card from Creative range.
Also if you want to save a bit go for a slightly cheaper Seagate HD instead of that WD one. both are very good.

 

Great looking stuff dude:good:, if you want to save a bit of money you'd still be well served by a 3700 SanD, when overclocked to 2.6Ghz it's a tad faster than the FX55 Though the sound card is awesome there's really no reason you'd need to spend that much money, save $20-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102178
Though I can't help but suggest waiting for nVidia and ATI to release more cards by mid July or so I suppose if you want a rig you might as well just get it but it's possible you'll kick yourself when you see how awesome those 7600's are or whatever. Otherwise you're rig is top notch:good:

 

Do I need to add anything special if I'm overclocking a CPU?

What is the difference between the OEM and normal versions of the sound card? Anything missing?

Thanks everyone for all the tips! :good:

 

OEM does not come in original boxing, and have manuals and stuff, eg with a OEM processor all you get is the processor, you dont get the original boxing of a fan/heatsink with it.

 

If you plan on overclocking your cpu just make sure you applied some Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound evenly and you have a good heatsink/fan combo for cooling the cpu. With the sound card, as Will pointed out it won't come in the origional box with the manual or anything but you still get any necessary cd's and cables, at least you should:good:
If you need suggestions as to what sort of cpu cooler to concider we're here for you

 

I thnk you're paying way too much for your memory man,

Try some CMX1024-3200C2PT

its cheap, very fast, and I've had no problems with it so far, even after lightly oc'ing it

also if you can add a little more on, try getting the DVR-109 from Pioneer for a Dvd Drive, it has some pretty good awards, I also have it and its awesome, just remember its good to set the DVD drive as a master

 

I agree, this stuff is really good two, you won't see any performance difference between the two but you'll save $50, OCZ: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146890

 

I changed the memory to the OCZ. Thanks!

Now, I have to stick with the 6800 GT due to the price, but I had to change from the Evga to the following BFG:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814143029

This is because all of the other 6800GT cards have only DVI connections and my monitor doesn't have a DVI connection. Is this change OK?

 

Unless you're set on that chassis, I would change it to this
one. It has great airflow and room. And it is only 5 bucks more.

 

also be sure to visit your memory manufacturer's site to check if the memory will be compatible, sure other memory might work, but you can never be too safe when it comes to wasting a couple hundred

 

Can't say that its a pretty box, but no question that the airflow is better.

I may be changing...

 

You know I'm glad you said this. I checked the website for OCZ and my motherboard is NOT listed as compatible. While it probably would work, I'm not going to take any chances. The Corsair is listed as compatible, so I'm probably going to switch back.

Thanks!

 

The BFG is a very good card, it's about as cheap as 6800GT's get but they even bumped up the Core clock by 20Mhz for you. If you liked to games bundle better on another card that is DVI only you can simply buy a DVI to VGA adaptor or whatever you need, they're really cheap and probably come in the box anyway. My 6800 Was DVI as well but it came with two adaptors so it works great with my old CRT:good:

 

you can buy a converter for like 3 bucks.

 

no prob man, this is what HF is for

SPREAD THE WORD

 

OK, in that case I'll be going back to saving some money on the video card.

Thanks.

 

if you get the eVGA 6800GT it comes with two adapters and a TV Cord, check out the 6600GT, maybe it comes with the same kind of package contents.