Ok now check out this Build

[Hilance]

Ok guys here's the build I decided on with your advice. I'm getting this off of Newegg.com and keep in mind I have no idea what i'm doing. I dont know if this hardware is even compatible, but that's what ya'll are here for right :) Alright for the grand total of about $1046.97 (By my calcs and allowing for about $400 for software) here is my build:
Antec Lifestyle Sonata Case $89.00
Athalon DFI "LAN party UT NF4 Ultra-D" Motherboard $133.00
Athalon64 3000+ 512 KB 64 bit PCU $146.00
Nvidia Geforce 6600 GT 128 MB DDR3 128 bit Video Card $185.00
Western Digital 80GB 7200 RPM HDD $61.00
OCZ enhanced Bandwidth 512 MB DDR2 PC2 4200 RAM $149.00
NEC 16x Double Layer DVD + RW CD Drive $61.99
CMV CT-222a 17" LCD Monitor $199.99
Microsoft Digital Media 1.0 USB Keyboard $21.99

All of these are off of Newegg.com so check em out there if you need more info. Anything I haven't thought of or just general suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot guys

[jack222]

No DDR2, gotta have DDR. If you are OC you need abetter psu lke fortron or OCZ.

[nicknomo]

I'd switch monitors... I think the Samsung 710n is a better monitor for the price. It's a little more expensive, but well worth it.

I'd also avoid the digital media keyboard.
I like going with the logitech cheapo keyboards:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=23-126-148&depa=0

If you want a card reader, something like this comes in handy
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=21-104-103&depa=0

Also, make sure to buy DDR 1; DDR 2 won't work with your board.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-231-012&depa=0
That is great ram for the price.

[batboy]

Don't think there is an AMD mobo that supports DDR2 yet, so you better double check that.

[nealric]

Get a gigabyte of corsair ddr1 xms for the same price.

amd= no ddr2- its really not any faster anyways.

[shellshock]

Is that an IDE or a SATA harddrive

sata would be faster

[Hilance]

Ok instead of going with OCZ ram, i'm going with 1 GB of Corsair XMS 184 pin DDR PC-3200 Ram. I picked up the Mitsumi Floppy/Card reader you suggested and I changed to Logitech internet Pro PS/2 <--(Wtf does that mean?) OEM Keyboard. Not sure about that one. I also liked the Samsung 710n 17" LCD that was suggested and a Logitech Red performance Optical mouse. Yeah so in light of those changes what do ya'll think?

[jack222]

How is it OCZ ram if its Corsair ram?

And like i said. If you are OC'ing, a better psu should be next to order.

[hainer36]

ps2 means the port on your mobo that it plugs into

[squasher]

Its not OCZ it cosair
I agree you need a good powersupply

[Hilance]

Ok guys i'm gonna post my final build per your suggestions. I guess I just need to know if all of this hardware will be compatible. I've never built a computer before so I dont know if i'll be able to assemble all of this in terms of physical slots that the stuff takes up and whether or not there will be hardware conflicts. Anywho here it is:

Antec Lifestyle Sonata Case
Athalon DFI "Lanparty" UT NF4 Ultra-D
AMD Athalon64 3000+ 512 KB 64bit Processor
Nvidia Geforce 6600 GT 128 MB DDR3 128 bit Video Card
Corsair XMS 184 pin 1GB DDR PC-3200 RAM
Mitsumi USB2 Digital Card Reader
NEC 16x double layer DVD + RW Drive
Samsung 710n 17" LCD Monitor
Logitech Internet Pro PS/2 OEM Keyboard
Logitech Red performance optical mouse

This totals to $1253.00
And by the way, I have no idea what overclocking is, except tweaking your processor, and I doubt I wanna do that since I'm not even totally sure how to assemble the whole damn thing. :p
Anyway thanks for the input and the help so far guys, keep it up :)

[nicknomo]

Very nice..

The Corsair XMS is nice.. but the best ram for the buck (that is cas 2) would be the G Skills, listed here
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-231-012&depa=0

Its not a no-name brand, even though many people never heard of it... They will be as fast as those XMS sticks for $60 less.

If you really want to save, and stick with corsair, their cas 2.5 value ram can be had at almost half the price
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-440&depa=0

If you are concerned about the cas latency, go with the g skills.. you can't go wrong there.. But if you aren't overly concerned about your ram timings, then by all means go with the 85$ gig of corsairs. It almost seems silly to spend twice as much though to spend twice as much on the cas 2 Corsair XMS than spending half that on the cas 2.5 Corsair Value ram. 80 buck for a half a cas :-P. However, for an extra $10 over the value ram($95), getting the g skills might be worth it...

The antec sonata has a 350w power supply, which should hold up fine if you stay at stock speed (and dont overclock).

[nicknomo]

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

Make sure you buy this Athlon 64 3000+
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-501&depa=0

There are two listed on newegg for $146. You need the 939 pin one, NOT the 754 pin one. The description should read this:

Model: Athlon 64 3000+
Core: Winchester
Operating Frequency: 1.8GHz
FSB: Integrated into Chip
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/ 512KB
Voltage: 1.5V
Process: 90 nm
Socket: Socket 939

If you buy the socket 754 one, it won't fit in your motherboard!!

[fabulouscoops]

Did you forget your hard drive in the second list?

[supraway]

Athalon DFI "LAN party UT NF4 Ultra-D" Motherboard $133.00 If you are going with an nForce4 motherboard, the SerialATA controller has NCQ support. Rather than this Western Digital 80GB 7200 RPM HDD $61.00 which does not have NCQ support to my knowledge, you should think about getting something like this: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-148-040&depa=1 . It is only $4 more, and NCQ is a very nice feature to have.

I'm not too sure about the drive itself, although Seagate is always regarded as highly reliable although not always the fastest.

[Hilance]

What is OEM Drive only, it says that on my Hard Drive i'm adding to my cart

[Hilance]

Ok I changed to that Seagate, you're right I forgot about that, but it says OEM still, just not OEM only

[fabulouscoops]

OEM is Original Equipment Manufacturer, It means a bare drive in bubble wrap with no cables or software. That's fine for drives as you will get cables in the retail motherboard box.

[supraway]

What is OEM Drive only, it says that on my Hard Drive i'm adding to my cart It means the drive comes without instructions, drivers, cables, or significant packaging. Your motherboard comes with all necessary items.

[Hilance]

And which Video card should I get, there are 3 Geforce 6600 GTs all look about the same...I would assume the one with PCI express but i dunno...

[Hilance]

Ok and I want to get a keyboard that isn't OEM i'm guessing

[Hilance]

oh and does this http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=27-152-035&DEPA=1 Read Cds as well as burn them?

[supraway]

And which Video card should I get, there are 3 Geforce 6600 GTs all look about the same...I would assume the one with PCI express but i dunno... My recommendation would be this MSI: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-147&depa=0 (normally I would give an immediate "Gainward", but I don't see a PCI-E Gainward). I have an XFX AGP 6600GT which is good, but it doesn't seem to be of the same quality as Gainward, and one of the retention clips for the HSF was broken when I received my XFX.
Ok and I want to get a keyboard that isn't OEM i'm guessing I wouldn't worry about it.

[supraway]

oh and does this http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=27-152-035&DEPA=1 Read Cds as well as burn them? Yes, as well as DVDs :)

[Hilance]

Awesome guys thanks a lot i've got my Shopping Cart saved and i'm gonna call it a night, talk to ya'll 2morrow

[CeeDeeJay]

I think it is great your going for your first build.And you probably know there are people around here that will be glad to try to help duing your build.I would suggest that you find a buddy(male or female) that has some experience building a computer to come over on the day of the planned build just to watch and assist as you do your build.It is a great expiernce to share and someone with expiernce can encourage and just make sure you do not make a error that could cause you problems.Just make sure the buddy does the watching and lets you do the building.

[SpazTech]

!!!!!IMPORTANT!!!
Don't forget an anti static wrist band.

[YoMatta]

the build takes a little getting used to, but you do 2-3 and you're a pro (for the most part, there are still many little intricacies that come with further experimentation).

good luck to you!