[bear(NP)]

Hey guys,
As a summer project I want to build a nice desktop that will last me for a while. I'm going to start looking for parts now so I can find some decent deals (kicking myself for not deciding to do this before black Friday / cyber Monday). I've listed below the different components, and I have three questions about them:

1- Will these work together? (Dumb, but I'm a software guy- this is my first venture into hardware)
2- Are there better deals than what I've found below?
3- Are there better components than what I have? (Better meaning cheaper with same/better stats or slightly worse but extremely less costly)

Graphics Card:
http://www.newegg.co...rce%20480%20gtx

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.co...-642R-_-Product

Blu-Ray/CD/DVD burner/reader:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827136181

RAM:
http://www.newegg.co...4-854-_-Product

CPU:
http://www.newegg.co...ntel-_-19115211

Hard Drive:
http://www.microcent...duct_id=0347360

[xclite]

Those parts will work together. Velociraptor drivers are nice. You will need to select a power supply and a case still (which are important choices). I would also get an aftermarket cooler for the CPU, but that choice is up to you.

[calvinthedestroyer]

Nice

That will make a nice PC.
Do you have a Monitor chosen yet?

[navalhawkeye]

I think you will be very happy with that computer. Like others have said, you still need a case and a power supply. For a power supply, something in the 800 watt range will likely be needed.

You could probably save quite a bit of money on the motherboard, but I'm not up on Intel stuff. Also, if you don't plan on building it until the summer, I would wait to purchase parts. That video card will likely be half the price or close to it by then because the 500 series cards will be fully out. Intels new line of CPU's will also be out which could be another point of interest. I think they might be a little bit cheaper as well.

So while it's good to research things before you buy, I wouldn't buy until you plan on building it because of the amount of money that can be saved.

[bear(NP)]

Very good advice guys

Can you guys recommend a power supply / case?

Also, for a monitor, will any plug-and-play PCI or USB unit work?

[navalhawkeye]

Either of these should be good I believe.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139006

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139009

For a case, you can pretty much choose whatever you like. Some are obviously better than others though. I would suggest a full tower case though because of the room inside them.

I know quite a few people that use this case though (it's a mid tower).

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129021

I built a computer for a friend not that long ago and used this case.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811103011

It's very quiet even though it has two huge fans on the side.

For a monitor, I've never heard of a PCI monitor. The video card has DVI outputs (it will come with a DVI to VGA adapter though if you don't have a DVI input on your monitor). USB monitors are usually really small, so I can't imagine using one as your main display.

Start here...

http://www.newegg.co...ING&PageSize=20

[bear(NP)]

Wow! That was really helpful thanks- I'll start looking into a monitor soon

[hawk4031]

Looks solid. Here is a recommendation based on what you have:

For about 10 dollars more you could get the VelociRaptor drive that uses the new SATA 6.0Gb/s technology. Same space (300GB) but it has twice the theoretical transfer rate as the one you referenced (768MB/s as opposed to 384MB/s).

VelociRaptor Drive SATA 6.0Gb/s

Other than that everything looks good. Both of those Power Supplies that @navalhawkeye referenced will be perfect!