Computer Build

I am going to be building a new comp from scratch. Here are the current specs of what I am planning on buying. Please leave any comments on your thoughts on what I should or shouldn't buy.

Component Link Cost
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $162 (Combo Price)
CPU AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor $162 (Combo Price)
RAM G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) $70
OS Windows XP Home $90
Hard Drive Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" $60
DVD Drive PLEXTOR 24X DVD/CD Writer Black SATA Model PX-880SA $40
Video Card    
Case APEVIA X-SUPRA G-Type X-SUPRAG-BL Black / Blue $40 (After Rebate)
PSU APEVIA ATX-AQ700W-BK 700W ATX12V $60 (After Rebate)
  Total: $522

Comments

TenCan said...

Looks good.

Did you consider paying an additional $60 and using the MB Raid 1 (mirroring) option for data backup?

TenCan said...

The $60 would be for a second sata harddrive. The Raid 1 is built into the MB (from what the specs show).

It may not be worth it to you - depending on the data you're keeping on the PC.

Bradwich said...

Going with xp instead of Windows 7? I've heard really good things about 7, though I haven't tried it out myself.

TenCan said...

I have a Windows 7 demo install - good for 1 year then you have to register it.

I've been going to try it but haven't had time yet. (And don't know if the surplus hardware I have will run it. Guess I'd better look at the specs. :-) )

JC's picture

JC said...

I am pretty sure I am going to use Vista now (see my newest post). I just had XP listed because it was cheaper at the time. I would go with Windows 7 but there are a couple of reasons I am not:

1) The computer is for my wife and so I need things working right. Most software isn't completely ready for Windows 7 yet and she knows Vista. I may upgrade down the road, but for now I will stick with Vista.

2) Windows 7 doesn't come out for another month. I need to build quickly because our old computer is about dead.