Ok, I'm currently getting a list of parts together to build my first computer... well first by myself. I've helped some friends build theirs, but I have no one helping me and I don't want to screw up like they did :P.

Using newegg.com to do my shopping.
Couple of things I have on the list:
Core 2 Duo
8800GTS
2x1gb DDR2 800

Here's a link that I hope works, I made it public so it should. link removed by admin
1. PCI slots on Mobos: Ok so I figured out the difference between Micro ATX and ATX. 1 PCIx1 vs multiple ones. But I was hoping to find a mobo with multiple PCIx16 slots to have the option of expanding to SLI graphics cards in the future but I was only able to find 1 such mobo. I'm reluctant to buy because I like to shop around and read reviews and such but with only one option its kind of hard.

Also the one that I did find says this on the spec sheet:
PCI Express x16 : 3 (1 electrical x16 or x8, 1 electrical x8, 1 electrical x4)

And I have no clue what that all means.

2. Sufficient power supply: Since I'm not very familiar with actually running a high end computer like this, what do you all think would be a sufficient power supply for this system? Currently on my list I have a 400W (Cont) 430W (peak) from Cooler Master.

3. If anyone sees anything on the list that is bad or wouldn't fit with other things please let me know.

Thanks to all in advance.

list of components added by admin

New Comp - Matt

Avg Rating:


1 COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: CAC-T05-UW
Item #: N82E16811119068

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$49.99 $49.99

1 Intel BOXDG965RYCK LGA 775 Intel G965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: BOXDG965RYCK
Item #: N82E16813121048

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
$99.99 $99.99

1 EVGA 640-P2-N825-AR GeForce 8800GTS Superclocked 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 640-P2-N825-AR
Item #: N82E16814130080

Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$399.99 $399.99

1 COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RS-430-PMSR/P ATX12V Max: 400W (Continuous), Peak: 430W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: RS-430PMSR/P
Item #: N82E16817171007

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$32.99 $32.99


1 Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6750
Item #: N82E16819115029

Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

In Stock
$194.99 -$5.00 Instant $189.99


2 G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail
Model #: F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ
Item #: N82E16820231098

Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

In Stock
$89.99 -$40.00 Instant $99.98


1 Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD800JD
Item #: N82E16822135106

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
$42.99 $42.99


1 Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
Model #: 70SB073A00000
Item #: N82E16829102006

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$79.99 $79.99
Subtotal: $995.91

pci-e SLI's not an option for the future with +1x16 and +1x8 and +1x4; look for a board with 2 full x16 slots, aka x32 "pci-e SLI ready" For future proofing towards an sli upgrade...

You may want to reconsider the motherboard, and videocard; Find a board that will support ati-crossfire and look at the new ati cards.

As for the Power Supply, high end computers need a specific "amperage" rating for specific voltage's

The PSU needs to be able to handle certain number of amps/watts to power the video cards, ontop of the rest of the system..

For a decent CPU/Videocard, hard drive/optical drive, you want something like a solid 520-800 watts, for sli you're looking at 800+. Voltage stability is key to overclocking> if you are overclocking you want the overhead of a 1000 watt PSU so that the voltages do not drop too much while the videocards sucking power... The whole system may not actually draw 1000+ watts, but it will be able to handle peak loads without voltage drop's, which might cause system instability etc...

pci-e SLI's not an option for the future with +1x16 and +1x8 and +1x4; look for a board with 2 full x16 slots, aka x32 "pci-e SLI ready" For future proofing towards an sli upgrade...

That is good to know, I can't seem to find any like that so I may just get one with 1 slot and if I decide to upgrade I'll just have to buy another mobo down the road

You may want to reconsider the motherboard, and videocard; Find a board that will support ati-crossfire and look at the new ati cards.

I'm not as familiar with the ATI cards as I am with nVidia, what model of ATI is equal to the 8800? I shouldn't have any trouble getting a mobo to fit though, would I?


For a decent CPU/Videocard, hard drive/optical drive, you want something like a solid 520-800 watts, for sli you're looking at 800+. Voltage stability is key to overclocking> if you are overclocking you want the overhead of a 1000 watt PSU so that the voltages do not drop too much while the videocards sucking power... The whole system may not actually draw 1000+ watts, but it will be able to handle peak loads without voltage drop's, which might cause system instability etc...

So I definitely need a larger power supply, I'll probably look for one in the 520-800 range, I'm not really an overclocker so I don't think I'll need the 1000+ watts. Again I can just buy a bigger one down the road if I decide to.

Thank you very much for your help.

You're welcome, Currently there are three very good radeon cards that perform as good if not better, as well as, consuming less power than the 8800gts.

I recommend looking at toms hardware guide "CHARTS" for video card benchmarks that compare the ati cards vs the nvidia cards, and others.

I have the 8800gts, but looking at crossfire due to the power consumption.. Don't like to waste energy... the electric bill can go up if you game alot n you could have paid for the difference in the bill for a slightly more expensive, similar/better performing video card.. Likewise with your monitor selection, some of those CRT's are like having a 180watt incandescent bulb on "all the time" where's the LCD's are more like a 50-80watt bulb.