This is currently what I have planned to buy from Newegg, was hoping if anyone had any suggestions for the components I listed. http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] r=10032768 I hope this wishlist thing works. I know I havent listed a Harddrive or PSU thats where I was hoping someone could help me.

with a decent hd and psu you're going to blow your $500 mark... what size hd are you looking for? i can't really recommend a psu as i only buy PC Power & Cooling, but they're not exactly budget psus. for the hd you'd probably be happy with a seagate 7200.10 500GB for $80, bit noisy but not bad

Drop the 8400 to a 7200 and instead of the mobo ur getting get a ds3L or something like that to save a bit of cash. If ur gonna be gaming i recommend you swap your video card to something like a 9600 gso its almost the same price after rebate.

I had a 1KW pc power and cooling PSU and it bit the dust so i RMA it and they sent back the same one fixed. Awhile later it starts making noise and shuts the computer off periodically. I find out that the contacts on the P1 connector arnt making contact.

Also, get more ram, look at a better video card. Honestly dude, take this for what you want, but as a certified computer tech, I think you've really got too much processor. What are you using this for, games?

You need to go with a lower processor, I'm thinking something cheap, dual core. Maybe like a Core 2 Duo E2160 or 2180, something like that. Granted, I am more up on AMD but Intel right now is the performance king. But for what you are spending on that processor, you can do way better.

Ask some of the other guys here, but with Intel you should be able to get a decent processor for cheap that will overclock and perform like a champ. If you don't want to overclock, maybe look at an AMD chip.

For example....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103210

Don't let it fool you this chip isn't the fastest, but I have one pretty close to it, mine is the Windsor core I think, but also the 5200+, and it's plenty fast for that amount of money. Your board, I think you can knock 30-40 bucks off that and get a decent motherboard. Between those 2, you've saved nearly 120-150 bucks alone. Then drop the memory you've got, get at least 2 gb, go to a cheaper kit if you have to, but maybe look at ddr2 800 instead of 1066.

Also, your video card is a rip off. Save your money. Look at something like this...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150295

or save some money, pick something like this up....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121255


the second should come out costing about the same as your original card, but I'm betting you'd see a huge difference for performance. Remember, the key is balance. Don't go too heavy on the processor or anything else, balance your system with mid range processor, good amount of memory and decent video card, and you will be much happier in my opinion.

Buy a cheaper CPU and overclock
Buy the Gigabyte P35 board EP35-DS3l? Its $90 and its still good
2gb of memory can be found cheaper
that video card sucks, find a cheap 9600/8800gs/8800gts 320mb

do what the others say and you need at least 2gb of ram lol and in dual channel

Okay here we go lets increase performance and save some cash

8800GS for 79.00 after rebate its at least 1 1/2 times fast if not twice as fast http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130332

e7200 $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product /Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052
overclock it to be as fast as the e8400 because the e8400 is just goign to bottle neck your cheap graphics card and this will save you 60 bucks for a psu

Ocz Reaper 2x1gb 800(overclockable) ($29 after rebates) so extra gb for a dollar
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227231

Antec earthwatts EA430(powersupply) $299after rebates)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227231

here is your new wishlist
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] D=12161107
its 495 before rebates and after its roughly 400 (95 total rebates, they don't show on wish list only in cart so move it into your cart.)
This system graphics wise is way faster and once you overclock and the cpu( there is an automatic overclock utility in your board) and once you bump the ram this system will be a beast but also i suggest you put case fans or increase your budget to get an antec 300 which is 10 dollars off if you but it in combo with the psu i chose for you. anyway good luck

Good suggestions from jpbg ^

Thanks everyone, I didnt expect so many replies. I plan on upgrading later so thats why I had just 1G of memory it might not of even been the right channel. I was up late making the wishlist and was tired so everything might not be accurate. The reason I listed a 8400 is I'm gonna be playing TF2 and right now my current rig P4 2.8 dosent handle firefights or anything intensive in the game, also plan to play Warhammer once it comes out. What I would like out of it is be able to play Tf2 at a resolution like 1024x768 as the game seems to be very CPU intensive.

I plan on doing the build jpbg posted, and a 160 or so Harddrive, I just need to decide wether or not to go with a "cheap" crappy looking case or a good "nice" looking case.

with your current setup you might even be able to play crisis at that resolution (though maybe not on super high detail)

im thinking you might need a better case for cooling

To the op, remember, balance is the key. In my opinion, a slower processor is better with a better video card and more memory than a fast processor with a junk video card and little ram.

What about the Antec Sonata III /w the Earthwatts 500W PSU for $125?