My proposed build

[taco1435]

Here is my proposed build. Total it is going to cost me $1500 including tax and shipping. I am looking to shave off some unneeded spending. Please let me know if you notice something that I do not really need, and tell me what I should get instead.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA3800BVBOX - Retail
$295.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103562

ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$86.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131569

ZALMAN CNPS7700-CU 120mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Copper Heatsink - Retail
$49.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835118115

eVGA 256-P2-N517-AX Geforce 7800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
$314.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130249

CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
$220.00($40 mail in rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145575

ENERMAX Liberty ELT500AWT ATX12V 500W Power Supply 90V~265V (Auto Adjusted) UL, cUL, TUV, CB - Retail
$109.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817194003

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$105.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144701

Antec Performance I P180 Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$114.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129154

 

[kmrivers]

maybe consider getting some value ram. that will save you about $60 on the initial cost.

 

[taco1435]

Specifically, I'm not sure if I need that psu. Is it overkill?

 

[bamacre]

Almost everything you have up there is cheaper at ZZF, especially after shipping (or lack there of at zzf).

Asus A8N5X nForce4 Athlon 64(FX)/64 X2 Dual-Core Skt939 DDR ATX Motherboard
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=247024

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Processor Socket 939 Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80721-1

Zalman CNPS7700-CU CPU Cooler Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373035

Enermax ELT500AWT Liberty 500W Power Supply Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=270341

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB Serial ATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101220-12

Antec Performance One P180 Advanced Super Mid Tower Case Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=140118


That will save you some money right there without downgrading any parts. I have no idea why so many people are so stuck on NewEgg.

I assume you are OC'ing that cpu, otherwise, you could save a lot by ditching the added HSF, going to VS memory, and getting a cheaper PSU. Think about how much money you are spending just to OC your cpu when the big difference in gaming is in the video card. You could literally not OC the cpu, and take that extra money into a better video card (GTX for example) and get better gaming performance.

For example...

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Processor Socket 939 Retail
$295.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80721-1

Asus A8N5X nForce4 Athlon 64(FX)/64 X2 Dual-Core Skt939 DDR ATX Motherboard
87.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=247024

eVGA e-GeForce 7800 GTX W/ACS3 PCI Express 256MB DDR3 Video Card w/HDTV, Dual DVI & VIVO Retail
$459.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=322745

Corsair VS2GBKIT400C3 2GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 Value Select Memory Retail
$162.80
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-86

Antec TruePower 2.0 TP-II 430 430W Power Supply Retail
66.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=270027

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB Serial ATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer
$101.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101220-12

Antec Performance One P180 Advanced Super Mid Tower Case Retail
$117.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=140118

That's $1292.75 (plus shipping on the P180).

Cheaper, no OC'ing the cpu, but faster gaming performance with the GTX. And I am positive you can at least get some OC on the cpu with the retail HSF.

 

[JasonE4]

Go for an XP-90 for $25 instead of that Zalman if you're going to get a heatsink other than stock. It'll perform better and it's lighter and cheaper.

 

[LionHeart27]

If you plan to overclock or would like to consider it I'd go with an opteron dual core 165. Dual core=future proof, plus it will overclock right out of the box at stock voltage to 2.2Ghz which puts you at exactly the same specs as a X2 4400+. Then get yourself some G.Skill Extreme Series DDR500 and your smokin. I currently have this exact setup with the same psu and have overclocked to 2.4Ghz prime stable. I'm currenty very close to getting 2.6Ghz prime stable. In case you don't know that put's this chip right on par with an FX55 which retails for $811 at newegg and the FX isn't even dual core. For a motherboard, go with a dfi nF4 ultra d, or get the sli version if you want dual graphics. If your really interested in the best bang for your buck you can't beat this setup.

 

[Einy0]

Nice build a co-worker of mine just built a similar system a few weeks ago very pleased with the 3800+X2. I would however recommend if you aren't intersted in SLI and you are going to use the built in audio consider the A8N-VM CSM. I have a very similar build I just did up:

ASUS A8N-VM CSM on-board video disabled.
Athlon 64 3500+ re-used from my old system
2x Corsair CMX512-3200C2PT re-used from old system
eVGA 7800GT
crappy 7200Rpm Maxtor 120GB SATA Hd re-used from old system
Lite-On SHM-165P6S DVD-RW because lite-on drives are the shortest depth available
ASPIRE X-QPACK-BK/420 mini case with 420W PS

I'm not too impressed with SLI or Crossfire. So I decided on this board because it had everything I need for about $80. Seeing as it is mATX I decided to build a mini box. I got the lite-on burner so I could fit a full size PS like my OCZ Modstream 520 in it. I didn't expect much from the included Power Supply. I'm still using the PS that came with it to my surprise they've enhanced it with dual 12V rails and a 20+4 pin ATX power connector. It's been rock solid thus far(about 2 weeks). The board has built-in HD Audio so I cast aside my old SB Audigy card. I'm blown away by this setup. It's pretty quiet, yes my cpu is running a bit hotter but nothing to even consider worrying about. Now I just need a new HD and 2GB of ram and I'll be happy. I recommend the Thermaltake W0101RU PS. I know a few people who recently built systems with it and for just under a $100 it's impressive. Active PFC dual 12V rails sleeved cabling, if only it was a modular design... Stick with Newegg, the service and speed at which your order gets to you is SOOOO worth it. It's true once you know you Newegg...