Hello, This is my first post here. I've already ordered and received most of the components to build my 1st system, wish me luck, haha. I have most of the components that I need to complete the system, at least enough to get it up and running. My goal with this system is to build a good system at the lowest cost possible that would also permit me to upgrade in the future. My budget is tight so I've ordered as I go. Not my 1st choice of a way to build a system but It's what I've done. OK, now to get this up and running I need a MB and CPU. The CPU I've decided on. I'm going with the AMD Venice 939, 3000 or the 3200 depending on the price at time of ordering. I almost sure, but would like some input on the MB. I'm still am not 100% Positive, although I have been and still am leaning toward the Chaintech VNF4/Ultra. A few other nforce4/ultra boards have came into my price range also. The Foxconn NF4UK8AA-8EKRS and the ECS KN1 Extreme. Only $12 separates these 3 boards. I've just about ruled out the Foxconn but I like the ECS due to the extra rear fan for pulling air off the CPU. Also the Chaintech when first released had passive cooling on the chipset but reviews I've read now says they have changed it to active, that's kind of got me wondering, which will I receive? I don't plan on overclocking so I'm thinking passive or active would not be an issue for me, also the stock cpu fan and heatsink should be ok, if not I can always add later. Anyway if anyone has any experience or thoughts on these three boards I would appreciate it. I've listed the system below. If you have any comments on any other component, I would appreciate those also. Thanks.
Premium 2526 Silver ATX supporting 120mm Fan Front and Rear, 80MM Side
$ 39.95
SEASONIC S12-500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply
$ 111.95
2 - Antec Pro 120mm DBB Fan
$ 10.15 X 2 = $20.30
1 - Antec 80mm DBB Fan
$ 5.99
Corsair Value Select 512MB DDR 400 PC 3200 CAS 2.5, 512 to be added later
$ 41.90
ASUS EN6200TC256/TD/64M Geforce 6200TC Supporting 256MB* DDR
$ 64.95
Onboard Audio for now
$ 0.00
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA II Hard Drive
$ 97.96
Pioneer DVR-A09XL Dual Layer DVD±RW Writer - Silver
$ 49.00
Mitsumi 1.44 Floppy Drive - Silver
$ 12.00
Acer AL1703SM 17" LCD Monitor
$ 214.99
Keyboard & Speakers
$ 0.00 Already Have
$ 658.99 Total
Premium 2526 Silver ATX supporting 120mm Fan Front and Rear, 80MM Side
$ 39.95
SEASONIC S12-500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply
$ 111.95
2 - Antec Pro 120mm DBB Fan
$ 10.15 X 2 = $20.30
1 - Antec 80mm DBB Fan
$ 5.99
Corsair Value Select 512MB DDR 400 PC 3200 CAS 2.5, 512 to be added later
$ 41.90
ASUS EN6200TC256/TD/64M Geforce 6200TC Supporting 256MB* DDR
$ 64.95
Onboard Audio for now
$ 0.00
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA II Hard Drive
$ 97.96
Pioneer DVR-A09XL Dual Layer DVD±RW Writer - Silver
$ 49.00
Mitsumi 1.44 Floppy Drive - Silver
$ 12.00
Acer AL1703SM 17" LCD Monitor
$ 214.99
Keyboard & Speakers
$ 0.00 Already Have
$ 658.99 Total