I am going to build my first PC and want to get some opinions on what I have planned. I currently have a:
Dell XPS 400
3.0 Pentium D
2GB Memory
160 GB HD for OS
500 GB Media Drive (Share for network)
Nvidia 6800 (256 MB)
XP Professional
Office 2003

This computer is used primarily for schoolwork, mp3s, and internet surfing. I play the occasional Command and Conquer 3 and Company of Heroes but am not a hardcore gamer. I would like to keep it below $1200 but also want to build a decent system that will last for a few years with only minor upgrades if needed. Is the CPU and motherboard overkill for what I do? I appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thanks in advance.

I was looking at the following to build a new one.

Coolermaster 830 case - have it

Ultra X3 600 Watt Power Supply (129.99 tigerdirect.com)

Intel DX38BT Motherboard CPU Bundle - FREE Copy of Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 PC Game, Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Processor 3.16GHz Retail (499.99 tigerdirect.com)

Vista Ultimate (289.99 newegg.com)

Nvidia Geforce 8500 GT (512 MB) – have it

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3160815AS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (47.99 newegg.com) Hard drive for the OS

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (74.99 newegg.com) Mirror Drive for Raid setup

Memory- need recommendations

8500GT isn't a good gaming card. In fact, I don't call it a gaming card. 9600GT/8800GT would be the minimum for me. They can be had for $100 after rebates/discounts. You're wasting a good board on 8500GT. If you want to keep the 8500GT, get a cheap board like GA-EP45-DS3L/R + E7200 + Xigmatek HDT-S1283. Holler if you want to walk through overclocking this to 3.8Ghz.

I kinda figured the video card wouldn't go far. I am not dead set on that video card. It was one I already had at home that I thought may be usable.

My first goal is to get the computer up and running so the overclock is on the backburner for now, but I appreciate the offer.

I will look into the 9600GT/8800GT. Thanks again.

Thanks.

a better and cheaper power supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] &CatId=106
You can find much better prices at www.buy.com or even www.newegg.com Get a Corsair brand or a PC Power and Cooling brand over 550w for most crossfire

Vista Ultimate SP1 64bit OEM $180 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116493
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R $150 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128344
C2D E7200 2.53Ghz CPU $130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115052
CORSAIR 4GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $86 ($20 rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145184
LiteOn SATA DVD Burner $24 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106263
A-Data 4GB USB Flash Drive $15 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820211269
MSI 9600GT video card $135 ($20 rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127362
Corsair 450VX power supply $70 ($10 rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139003

Your 2 Seagate HDD choices: $123

$913 before rebates

Get the OEM version of the operating system and save yourself a bundle there.

Get a better video card, 8800GT at least, and get at least 4GB of RAM for vista.

Get an E8400 processor, it's cheaper than the E8500 and you can just OC it to be faster than the E8500.

Get this 700W PSU only $95 after mail in rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341002

Get a P35 or P45 Mobo if you aren't going to SLi, if you are planning to SLi, get an X38 Mobo.

Wow, thanks for the quick responses. I am looking at all the recommendations and will let you know how things work out!

Sean

Yes, if you plan to OC, do not get an Intel motherboard.

They are great for stability, but they are not good OC'ers.

What? Intel chipsets overclock alot better than Nvidia chipsets. Now if you mean a board made by Intel, I'll agree with that. Also you cannot do SLI with the X38, only Crossfire.

Lol, yeah, that was such bs. -1
Current oc record holder: (out of stock due to popularity/hype)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138118

As for 9600gt, a g92 8800gts priced at $119.99 after mir, compared to $114.99 after mir for 9600gt, is a better deal. It performs far better.
http://fxvideocards.com/ZOTAC-GeFo [...] 16280.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/HD_4850/6.html