Advice for a first time builder please :)

Hi all, I'm starting college soon and I want to build my first PC. This is what I have put together so far. Any advice and tips are much appreciated!

Case - Cooler Master CM690

Mobo - EVGA nForce 750i Sli FTW

CPU - e8400 3ghz Wolfdale

GPU - EVGA GTX 260

Memory - 4gb Corsair 800mhz

PSU - Corsair 650 watt

HD - Western Digital 500gb

Optical drive - Light On Blu-ray player

I've been out of the loop with computers for the past year or so, so if I've put together anything that isn't compatible or if there are name brands here that I should avoid please tell me. I'm trying to not go over 1000$ on the build so keep that in mind if there is anything I could change. This will also be my first time ever putting a computer together so any advice in that area would be appreciated also.

Thanks

~JM

Looks great to me. I disagree with the PSU comment. I don't see it holding you back unless you use every single molex adapter on your rig. They do make adapters to go from molex to 4 or 8 pin. If you crossfire down the road you should be able to power it resonably well unless you get two true power hogs. But there is no reason to do so with a 260 unless you have a massive resolution and demand all of the eye candy all of the time.

Thanks for the comments, both of you. What about the 750 watt corsair? (it's the same price too after the rebate! Also has 4 6 pin connectors.) I don't plan on using Sli or Crossfire anytime soon, I hear using two or more cards can be kind of buggy and would be better off with just one High end card, but it would be nice to still have the option available in the future.

Also, when setting up my rig (when I get the parts) will I have to flash the Bios with my particular Mobo? I've never done anything in that area and that is the only thing I'm skeptical about with building my own computer.

I do not see why you would need to flash the BIOS. You might need to update if a major security or bug fix has been released, but that is normally not necessary. Some may disagree with me there, but check google on your particular board and see if anything big comes up, otherwise you will be fine.

As far as a bigger PSU goes... Go ahead if you want, you will have plenty of power with the 650watt, but you will also be perhaps a bit more futureproofed with a bigger one.

Thanks for the comments, both of you. What about the 750 watt corsair - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3438609&CatId=2533 I don't plan on using Sli or Crossfire anytime soon though. I hear using two or more cards can be kind of buggy and would be better off with just one High end card. Also, when setting up my rig (when I get the parts) will I have to flash the Bios with my particular Mobo? I've never done anything in that area and that is the only thing I'm skeptical about with building my own computer.jm92590

[QUOTE="jm92590"]Thanks for the comments, both of you. What about the 750 watt corsair - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3438609&CatId=2533 I don't plan on using Sli or Crossfire anytime soon though. I hear using two or more cards can be kind of buggy and would be better off with just one High end card. Also, when setting up my rig (when I get the parts) will I have to flash the Bios with my particular Mobo? I've never done anything in that area and that is the only thing I'm skeptical about with building my own computer.SgtMoreless

[QUOTE="SgtMoreless"][QUOTE="jm92590"]Thanks for the comments, both of you. What about the 750 watt corsair - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3438609&CatId=2533 I don't plan on using Sli or Crossfire anytime soon though. I hear using two or more cards can be kind of buggy and would be better off with just one High end card. Also, when setting up my rig (when I get the parts) will I have to flash the Bios with my particular Mobo? I've never done anything in that area and that is the only thing I'm skeptical about with building my own computer.jtschmitz

I didn't realize that about the 8-pin power slots on the newer cards, I see what you are talking about now. Do either of you have a suggestion on a good power supply that would last a good bit into the future? I don't mind paying extra for something I wont have to upgrade again for a while.jm92590

[QUOTE="jm92590"]I didn't realize that about the 8-pin power slots on the newer cards, I see what you are talking about now. Do either of you have a suggestion on a good power supply that would last a good bit into the future? I don't mind paying extra for something I wont have to upgrade again for a while.SgtMoreless

Any reason your are using Tiger Direct and not Newegg?Masterdj1992

Only reason is the 750i Sli FTW mobo isn't on newegg, a friend recommended it to me so I figured I would stick with that. Unless there is one of equal value on newegg I don't know about?

Hi all, I'm starting college soon and I want to build my first PC. This is what I have put together so far. Any advice and tips are much appreciated!

Case - Cooler Master CM690

Mobo - EVGA nForce 750i Sli FTW

CPU - e8400 3ghz Wolfdale

GPU - EVGA GTX 260

Memory - 4gb Corsair 800mhz

PSU - Corsair 650 watt

HD - Western Digital 500gb

Optical drive - Light On Blu-ray player

I've been out of the loop with computers for the past year or so, so if I've put together anything that isn't compatible or if there are name brands here that I should avoid please tell me. I'm trying to not go over 1000$ on the build so keep that in mind if there is anything I could change. This will also be my first time ever putting a computer together so any advice in that area would be appreciated also.

Thanks

~JM

jm92590

MoBo

RAM

GPU

CPU

HDD

PSU

Drive

Case

Very similar build but on Newegg for Cheaper. Almost everything has free shipping. Don't know if you want but there it is :)

[QUOTE="jm92590"]

Hi all, I'm starting college soon and I want to build my first PC. This is what I have put together so far. Any advice and tips are much appreciated!

Case - Cooler Master CM690

Mobo - EVGA nForce 750i Sli FTW

CPU - e8400 3ghz Wolfdale

GPU - EVGA GTX 260

Memory - 4gb Corsair 800mhz

PSU - Corsair 650 watt

HD - Western Digital 500gb

Optical drive - Light On Blu-ray player

I've been out of the loop with computers for the past year or so, so if I've put together anything that isn't compatible or if there are name brands here that I should avoid please tell me. I'm trying to not go over 1000$ on the build so keep that in mind if there is anything I could change. This will also be my first time ever putting a computer together so any advice in that area would be appreciated also.

Thanks

~JM

Masterdj1992

MoBo

RAM

GPU

CPU

HDD

PSU

Drive

Case

Very similar build but on Newegg for Cheaper. Almost everything has free shipping. Don't know if you want but there it is :)