Need Help Selecting Computer Parts

[BaboonGuy]

Hi
I'm going to build a computer. I'm a mac enthusiast, with the original imac (about 4 years old.) I desperately need a new comp (for War3 and general use.) So, I've decided to build a PC since for about 600-700 I can get a great one. However I need help in deciding what to get.

Processor : AMD Athlon XP 1700+ 1.47 GhZ $67
I figure that's the best bang for my buck (I'm kinda on a budget)
I was wondering if I should try to overclock it?

Mobo : MSI KT3 Ultra $77
http://www.msicomputer.com./product/detail_spec/product_detail.asp?model=KT3_Ultra
I want to get 333 DDR RAM because it's the fastest, so I hear this is the best mobo to get for that. Although I think I want the ARU version of it because it has USB 2.0. Or does USB 2.0 not really matter? Another question, my friend said I might need RAID, but that's a good deal more to get. Do I need RAID? Or is the IDE good enough?

Case : Evercase Screwless Middle Tower $43
http://www.evercase.com/Products/e4252.htm
I'm getting this because it is only 43 bucks and is supposed to be good, but I don't know really know. If I should be overclocking should I get a case with more fans? Or is this good enough?

Video Card : ATI Radeon 8500 LE $94
I'm fairly confident about getting this. It's a high performance card for only $94. And I'm pretty sure it will play War3, right? Should I overclock this?

RAM : Crucial 256 MB PC 2700 DDR RAM $88
This is the 333 DDR RAM, and it's the cheapest I could find it at for good quality.

Hard Drive : Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM $100
This is the cheapest/best 80 GB HD I could find.

CD Burner : CDRW 36X12X48 CYBERDRIVE $56
For $56 this is the cheapest/best burner I could find. I'm not gonna get a floppy drive because I have this, plus floppies are becoming obsolete. Also, I'm going to be using this as my main CD reader, that's okay right?

Ethernet : Linksys EtherFast 10/100 LAN Card $20
Even though this is $20, and there are cheaper cards, I think I'm going with this for the quality. I'm pretty sure the mobo I'm getting doesn't have ethernet built-in.

Sound : I'm going to use the built-in sound on the MSI mobo and forget about a sound card.

Speakers : Logitech Z540 5-Piece Speaker System $57
I figure this is the best bang for my buck at $57.

Keyboard : Microsoft 114 keys (10 internet Hot Keys) Internet Keyboard PS/2 $17
This is again the cheapest/best keyboard I could find.

Mouse : Designer Scroll Optical Mouse Model H3003 $6
Supposedly a good optical mouse for just $6!

Total : $625

And there's my system so far. Feel free to make suggestions on the components, whether they will be good for me or if I should get something else. Please also comment on what else I will need! Also if you have advice for a first time PC builder on the building process or anything else, please tell me.
The website I am going to use to buy most of this is www.newegg.com
Thanks!

 

[Darthtoast]

Everything there looks fine. Make sure you buy the processor retail and not OEM to make sure that it has a fan and a heat sink, otherwise you'll be sitting around with nothing and have to pay/wait for the hsf to get to your house.

I would go with everything from one site such as www.newegg.com . You'll save on shipping (which will be in the upper 70-80 area I'd think).

Please tell me what you think of the onboard sound when you start using it, I'm not a sound enthusiast but I decided against built in sound just in case. It'd be interesting to know if it was the right choice or not.

I think if you look at Samsung ram it might be cheaper and it's really good quality.

I really wouldn't bother overclocking. If you're on a budget and you kill something you're going to be in a tight spot. Not worth the trouble if something dies on you.

Good luck

 

[Dabom]

You need a monitor.

Make sure your case comes with at least a 300-watt power supply, and if it doesn't, you're going to have to buy one. Also, I'd think about purchasing another 256MB stick of RAM. There's nothing wrong with the hard drive you have picked out, but the Barracudas tend to run a bit warmer than their competition. In my opinion, Western Digitals are the best all-around hard drives.

 

[BaboonGuy]

I'm pretty sure it has a 300 V power supply, but I also want to know if I'll need a fan to keep temps down?
Also I'm interested in what cases you guys have or what you think are good?

 

[Darthtoast]

If you're looking to keep costs down I'd stick with midtower ATX case. Check out the Enlight page at newegg. There's a $44 case on the page that look like it might be a bit easier to work with than the Evercase.

Your computer might run a bit warmer than others, but that's really not a huge problem. At stock speeds your computer shouldn't have any heat issues at all. If you were going to overclock, that would be another story.

NEXT!

 

[BaboonGuy]

bump - more input from u other folks pleasse

 

[Wargasm]

think you peeps got it all covered hehe

 

[Grimlock]

I'll throw in an oar, you bought surround sound speakers but I do not think that the on-board sound will have front and rear speakers connections.