Hello All,

Below, I've listed the computer components I've chosen for my first rig. If anyone can warn me of possible fatal inconsistencies amongst the chosen parts, I'd be grateful. I've received two suggestions for a better power supply. Can anyone tell me why the 500W power supply won't work? Checked specs, thought it was compatible and serviced enough power. I want to know for future references.


Case and Power Supply
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case With 500W Power Supply - Retail
can be found at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156062

Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor
can be found at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813135075

Processor
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor
can be found at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103211

Ram
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
can be found at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231098

Hard-drive
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
can be found at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136075

Network
LINKSYS WMP54G IEEE 802.11b/g, PCI 2.2 and 2.3 32bit PCI2.2 Wireless-G Adapter Up to 54Mbps Data Rates WEP, WPA, CCX 2.0
can be found at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6833124115


All comments and suggestions are welcomed and encouraged. Thank you for your time,
Jack

500watts is enough power, but the quality of power supplies included with cases are basically crap. Short lifespan, unstable, less than advertised wattage.

thanks for the input

Raidmax is considered a tier 5 PSU. This means it's best used as a doorstop.

Other than that, you are OK.

The Antec Sonata comes with a Earthwatts 500W, all for 80.00... Oddly, this is less than the EA500W costs alone:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129024

That PSU is fine for that system. If you want to put in a power hungry video card though then it would be best to get the SMILODON without the PSU and then choose an appropriate PSU. Do you plan to play any games on it? The onboard graphics are o.k, but they are only at the level of the 3470. I suppose it's O.k if you're on a budget and plan to get another video card latter. I'm not really too fond of ECS motherboards though. You may want to look at something like this instead.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131324

Or if you want to overclock and are considering crossfire latter on then you may want to think about this board if you can afford to spend a little more money

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128352

While I'm at it, I prefer Mushkin RAM so you may want to take a look at this 4GB set with a good mail in rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146692

Or if you think you only need 2GB right now and don't like mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146118

Personally I say the more RAM the better

Dont waist your money on that combination of stuff.

What is your budget and what are you going to use your PC for?

Jack,

Time for me to put in my .02 cents. I agree with the others in reference to your budget and the primary use for the computer. We need to know what we are working with to help you the most.

Also: Consider a 2x2 (4GB total) RAM kit. Mushkin is great stuff. You will find that in the near future 2GB of RAM won't be enough. 4GB is far more future resistant. I use this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146726

and I recommend it. Any mushkin will do though. Again...4GB is the way to go.

I would also recommend a different hard drive. For a few bucks more you can have twice the capacity and more speed. Consider:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152096

Or most Seagate drives. Just read the reviews on newegg and go from there.

William