First Build, Need Help Please, Thanks.

[doje1999]

Hello, this is my first build so I pretty much have no idea what to look for or what I'm doing. My powermac just broke down and I don't have $1500 laying around to buy one so I'm gonna build a pc, hopefully. Anyways, i was going to go to a website like cyberpowerpc.com but i heard too many bad things and most people just say to build your own so here I am. Here goes.

case: RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEBP 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower With 500W PSU - $94.99 ($25 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156098

cpu + mobo: Intel Pentium
E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz + GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L(combo) - $144.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.181198

ram: G.SKILL HK 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $42.99 (will this ram work with the mobo i chose?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820104020

video: XFX GS250XYDFC GeForce GTS 250 512MB - $129.99 (is it worth it to spend $15 more for the 1 GB version?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150357

hdd: Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM - $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136320

cd/dvd: LG 22X DVD±R DVD - $22.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136144

I have a copy of Windows XP which I'll be using. Do I need anything else besides whats on my list? Thanks.

This build costs about $550 including tax. Any input/ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'm don't know much about computer builds and this is my first one in a long time. I'd really appreciate any help. I definitely want to keep it under $600 including tax. I'm going to be mainly using it as a graphic workstation and for gaming. Also, I was wondering if I should go for a cheaper case and a decent PSU. I read the reviews and heard mixed things about the PSU it comes with. I read so many good things about the Smilidon case and the main selling point for me was that it's very easy to build. THANKS!

 

[Why_Me]

You have the right idea, just a few changes to be made.

That Raimax psu is good for two things...paper weight and door stop...well one...it's too light for a door stop.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012 $59.99 ($49.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

Save yourself some money and go for this mobo / cpu combo down below. That mobo will allow you to over clock also if you choose.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.181196 Combo Discount: -$10.00 Combo Price: $112.98
GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail

Your links are broken, but that LG burner you have in your build is EIDE...never ever go with an EIDE component. They are old school...they are a pain not to mention they block air flow. SATA ftw.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 $24.99 Free Shipping*
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106 $49.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150070 $4.99
MASSCOOL FD12025S1L3/4 120mm Case Fan - Retail

 

[xthekidx]

I would actually stick with that P43 MB if you can, I have used the G31M ESL2 and the bios is sorta limited, not much room to play around with overclocking features, and easytune 5 or whatever it comes with is useless for OC'ing. It gives you 4 ram multipliers to chose from, and you can't set the ram timings manually, you just have to live with the ram timings it sets in the bios.

+1 to those other changes though.

 

[jsc]

If your budget will stretch a few $'s more, for hard drive WD640 Black.

If you plan on overclocking, the stock cooler won't do. Xigmatek HDT S-1283V is very popular.

 

[doje1999]

Thank you guys.