Trying to build my own computer. Any suggestions on my component selections?

Question

case: APEVIA (ASPIRE) X-Dreamer ATXB3KL-AL

motherboard: ASUS A8N5X

cpu: amd 64 x2 3800+ manchester

hardrive: 2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3808110AS 80GB

ram: CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail

dvd 1: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DV+RW (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106256)

dvd 2: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106027)

video card: POWERCOLOR X300SE or Albatron 6600LEQ Geforce (not really sure about either)

wireless adapter: SMC SMCWPCI-GM PCI MIMO

monitor: Tyris T701DB Black 17" 8ms DVI LCD Monitor (have no clue how to judge the quality of a monitor, so i just picked the cheapest)

Xp Home Edition

Any suggestions or compatibility issues would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks a lot

Answer 1

Well dude do you realize that you just bought yourself a SERVER. Wow what a Configuration this is but I would like to suggest that there are some problems in your Stuff. Coming to them one by one.
Hardware:
1)The AMD Processor & Motherboard that you bought can be used in a Server so no comments on that(great Choice).

2)Why did you buy a Seagate Baracuda and that too 2 in Quantity. Get yourself 1 HDD and buy a 120 GB that is cheaper and unless you are opting for a Server you don't require a 160GB which is too huge a space. Secondly why go for a 7200RPM one when you are spending so much Money. Go for the 120GB SATA or SATA II but the second will be a bit costly. SATA is 10000 rpm so performance ratio compatiable with the Proccesor and Motherboard won't be that good in case of Baracuda since the HDD won't be able to match up with their Performance.

3)Your RAM choice is not good. You have such a good machine and your RAM is 400MHz which is not worth it. The RAM which will good for this machine performance is DDR II which is 533MHz. The FSB being higher you will see the Difference.

4)Monitor what I know, the best is SONY but it will cost you a fortune so go for a good quality one but cheap and i.e ACER 17" TFT which is good.
Software:
Don't go for the Windows XP Home Edition but go for the Professional Edition which is much more compatiable to softwares than home and try to go for the 64 bit Edition.

Compatiability: Today AMD Processors are absolutely compatible with the Programs and you should not be worried about that. All Programs will run especially games will run better since you have the NVDIA card on an ASUS motherboard. The performance will vary if you are running things on a 32 Bit OS i.e the present versions available mostly since 64 bit ones are rarely found. According to the reviews AMD works awsome fast and much better than Intel if you run a 64 Bit application since the Hardware is 64 Bit but running a 32 Bit application won't diminish performance but will be same as Intel. So it is suggested that if you can afford then buy the WinXP 64 Bit application.Again since you have so much space and have such a computer you must also run the latest version of linux and check out the how the machines perform with any other OS. Be careful to check the Graphics Accleration and Sound. Be careful about the drives too. 32 Bit drivers will not run on a 64 bit one.

Answer 2

I would choose an Nvidia video card instead and also choose a better monitor that isnt cheap but not expensive either - they make LCD monitors that are around $400 that give you HDtv ready but I forget the make right now - other than that, I would stick with what you selected as it sounds like a great selection

Answer 3

I would look into a different motherboard. I love Asus Motherboards but you might want to look into a higher end Mobo so you can upgrade later on.... an extra 75 bucks can give you a longer life on your motherboard for future upgrades.

Why two DVD writers... not necessary I always copy the image to hard drive instead of DVD to DVD...

Spend more time looking into the monitors... speed is one thing (8ms good) but also look into contrast ratio and brightness...