Motherboard Asus P5N-SLI Socket 775 nForce 570 SLI ATX
$99
CPU Intel Core 2 Due E6600 2.36 GHz 1066FSB 4MB
$230
Video Card eVGA GeForce 7900 GTO 512MB PCIe
$260
CPU Cooler Zalman CNPS9500 LED
$52
System Memory Corsair Value Select (2 x 1GB) DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
$100
PSU Enermax Liberty PS-ELT620AWT (Modular)
$136
My new upgrade components. I added a Zalman cpu cooler because it is quieter and more effective than the stock Intel cooler. However, so far, all of the components here are runnig extremely cool.

The Tech Report System Guide (just type 'system guide' into the search box, and it'll take you there) is an invaluable tool/guide for the home-builder.

 

Buidling your own?

Click on the logo. Tech Reports (TR) takes you through how to build your own computer, step-by-step. You can't fail.

 

Fully populated motherboard in slide-out tray

 

The back panel. There are six USB2 connectors here and two in front.

 

Finished! Which is why many people don't want to attempt this stuff. I just installed single device cables for the optical drives, rather than have them share an IDE port.

 

Samsung 500 GB HD & hitachi 160GB SATA (internal),

Thermaltake Muse SATA alu case w. Western Digital. 120 GB SATA (ext.) backup storage,

Ben-Q DVD writer,

Toshiba 1612 DVD/CD player,

Sound Blaster Audigy,

Kensington Expertmouse Trackball,

WACOM Intuos 2 GraphicsTablet,

Dell Ultrasharp LCD monitor,

Creative Labs Inspire T3000 speaker set,

Epson Stylus Color 760 printer (which seems to live forever)
The rest of the hardware
The only near-term upgrade plans I have is a Nvidia 8800 GT graphics card. After that I will be good for some time, until the new 45 nm quad cpus are commonplace, i.e. cheap.

 

The aluminum Directron SF-201-B Superflower

This case is tool-free. All screws are thumbscrews

All of the sellers I used have a high rating on the Web. That is important to me. I rather pay a few dollars more for an item, than spend days of anguish trying to get things straightened out with an uncooperative merchant. So, while price is important, don't let it be the sole motivator for your purchases.

I use round IDE and Floppy cables. They look nice and enhance access to parts and improve internal airflow. I have not experiences any problems and suggest their use to everyone. The newest cases actually route the cables behind the motherboard, for a completely 'clean' mobo surface (pretty, excellent airflow, & unhindered access to all on-board components).

So, after you finally have your new computer up and running make sure that you revisit the component manufacturers to see if there are BIOS or driver upgrades available.

reviews & prices Tom's Hardware & Store
reviews & prices The Tech Report
reviews & prices CNET

 

Note the (smoothly running) motherboard pull-out tray

 

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