First build please help

[jdwashere]

This is my first time building, please give suggestions.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next week

BUDGET RANGE: I want to get it around $1.000 after rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Hardcore gaming, video editing, image rendering/photoshop

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE: newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD, Nividia

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: In the future

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Need to have a window and lots of bling to show off to friends/lan

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CPU and Motherboard Combo: $284.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165048

Video Card: $359.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130446

Hard Drive: $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

Memory: $61.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146785

Fan/HS: $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Power Supply: $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Case: $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166004

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Questions

1. Do I really need to apply thermal paste. I have never used it before.

2. Is the parts compatible with each other

3. Is the graphics card going to fit in the case and when I SLI

4. Is the power supply enough?

5. Is there any additional items I need to buy such as cables

6. I am going to use windows 7 most likely, 64 or 32 bit?

7. What parts can I oc?

Thanks in advance

 

[stonebattle]

Here's some answers to your questions

1. In short, yes!!
2. They look ok. Shop around though
3. You'll need to check that out yourself, but a quick look says it should be fine.
4. Yes
5. Check out the case to see what hardware it comes with.
6. I would say 64
7. Check out the AMD overclock guides

 

[caniba]

I agree with stonebattle.

Get this psu instead the one you have chosen is not safe, this corsair is way better.

 

[jdwashere]

updated the psu

 

[gkay09]

Well about your 3rd question...

3. No u cannot SLI on that board...its a CROSSIFRE ONLY board ...
U have to add a ATI card to take advantage of the CROSSFIRE capability...
So if u add the Nvidia card, u cannot SLI on that board...
Get the Sapphire 4870 1GB and u can add another later in crossfire...

Next a general suggestion about the CASE u have chosen...
It has only gud looks and no proper air flow in it...
Take care while choosing the case because u can have heat issues with such high power components...
Get a gud quality case like this...

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

But if u want still better one, get the Antec 900

U can also add the LED case fans to make it look more attractive...And it has so many slots for adding additional fans...

Next about the RAM
The one u have chosen i very gud...but you wont notice any major performance difference between a DDR2 800 and DDR2 1066 ...So u can save some cash there by going with a gud quality DDR2 800 RAM like this one...

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

It has a voltage of 1.8 and not 2.2V...so u can use this overhead and overclock this easily...

 

[gkay09]

Well lets again give a clear idea about the answers u are looking fr...

Questions

1. Do I really need to apply thermal paste. I have never used it before.
Ans. Well it is better you use the thermal paste...the paste which come pre-applied on the components are not of gud quality...So it is always better to apply the thermal paste...Get the Artic Silver....

2. Is the parts compatible with each other

Yes most of the parts are compatible with each other...But you will not be able to utilize the full potential of certain components(Motherboard's crossfire capability)

3. Is the graphics card going to fit in the case and when I SLI

U cannot SLI on that mobo...It supports only Crossfire...

4. Is the power supply enough?

The Corsair which u have changed to is one of the best out there...stick to it...

5. Is there any additional items I need to buy such as cables
Depends on the items you get with the mobo and your other special requirements...
Mayb you would have to buy additional case fans...

6. I am going to use windows 7 most likely, 64 or 32 bit?
64 bit - To utilize the full 4GB RAM...

7. What parts can I oc?
CPU - check the TOM's AMD overclock guide...
Mayb the graphics card...
RAM...

If you are going to try overclocking for the first time, go thoroughly the overclocking guide and other documents about How to overclock carefully...

 

[computabug]

Word of extreme caution: if that mobo ships with the older version of BIOS, it's not going to be compatible with your Phenom 940, since it's 45nm. BIOS update should make them compatible, but you need an old cpu to flash the BIOS, which means either buy a sempron or borrow a friend's and buy some thermal paste. Windows 7 664-bit for sure, and you might want to get 8 gigs of ddr2 800mhz for much less http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3228139&CatId=3412 you probably won't notice the difference. It's just a suggestion, feel free to turn it down