first build ever!!! noob

[twinkies777]

Hi, I am building my first system ever.

-Right now I have a really really bad computer with a celeron 1.8GHz, 128 MB of RAM, Integrated graphics, 30 GB hard drive, etc....

-I will be planning to do some hardcore gaming on the new system, use Photoshop, regular internet surfing, watch movies/listen to music, and possibility of using CAD software in future after college(4 years until graduate). Basically, I have until the end of January before I will need this new system. This is going to be a big leap in time for me.

-First off, these are the parts that I already purchased:
Case: SILVERSTONE TJ09-BW
Case Fan: 2 x SILVERSTONE FN121 120mm Case Fan
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
Heat Sink: ZALMAN 9700 LED 2 Ball CPU Cooler
RAM: G.SKILL F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 EPS12V
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
Drive: LG 18X DVD±R Super-Multi DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE
Mouse: Logitech G5

-Next, these are the parts that I am still undecided about:
--Video Card (No budget): I really want to get a DX10 card (8800GTX is what I have in mind). However, I heard the new ATI is coming out next year. Any thoughts when they come out? Or should I wait until the 8800GTX drop in price?
--Motherboard(Under $300): Needs to be compatible with C2D. I am planning to do some minor overlcock of about 3.2GHz, maybe more. I am really leaning towards the 8800GTX (still undecided), so SLI is a possibility in the future. Should I get a motherboard now or wait for new ones to come out? Suggestions of any current or upcoming motherboards?

-Finally, I have a couple of "noob" questions.
1) This is my first build ever, so will a floppy drive or video card be necessary when putting the system together and booting it up?
2) Is one optical drive fine, since I will be only using it to play games and watch movies?
3) If I were to get a 2nd hard drive Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache and put it in raid 0, how reliable will they be? Or maybe an estimation of how many years will they last?
4) I have a 46'' Sony 1080p LCD, I couldn't change the resolutions on my old computer high enough, so it was pixelated and distorted. Will my new system with a DX10 card be able to solve this issue?

I think that is everything. Anyways, this seems like an awesome forum. I hope someone can help.

Thank You

 

[pcfan10110]

Hi, I am building my first system ever.

-Right now I have a really really bad computer with a celeron 1.8GHz, 128 MB of RAM, Integrated graphics, 30 GB hard drive, etc....

-I will be planning to do some hardcore gaming on the new system, use Photoshop, regular internet surfing, watch movies/listen to music, and possibility of using CAD software in future after college(4 years until graduate). Basically, I have until the end of January before I will need this new system. This is going to be a big leap in time for me.

-First off, these are the parts that I already purchased:
Case: SILVERSTONE TJ09-BW
Case Fan: 2 x SILVERSTONE FN121 120mm Case Fan
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
Heat Sink: ZALMAN 9700 LED 2 Ball CPU Cooler
RAM: G.SKILL F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 EPS12V
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
Drive: LG 18X DVD±R Super-Multi DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE
Mouse: Logitech G5

-Next, these are the parts that I am still undecided about:
--Video Card (No budget): I really want to get a DX10 card (8800GTX is what I have in mind). However, I heard the new ATI is coming out next year. Any thoughts when they come out? Or should I wait until the 8800GTX drop in price?
--Motherboard(Under $300): Needs to be compatible with C2D. I am planning to do some minor overlcock of about 3.2GHz, maybe more. I am really leaning towards the 8800GTX (still undecided), so SLI is a possibility in the future. Should I get a motherboard now or wait for new ones to come out? Suggestions of any current or upcoming motherboards?

-Finally, I have a couple of "noob" questions.
1) This is my first build ever, so will a floppy drive or video card be necessary when putting the system together and booting it up?
2) Is one optical drive fine, since I will be only using it to play games and watch movies?
3) If I were to get a 2nd hard drive Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache and put it in raid 0, how reliable will they be? Or maybe an estimation of how many years will they last?
4) I have a 46'' Sony 1080p LCD, I couldn't change the resolutions on my old computer high enough, so it was pixelated and distorted. Will my new system with a DX10 card be able to solve this issue?

I think that is everything. Anyways, this seems like an awesome forum. I hope someone can help.

Thank You

To answer your questions:

1) It depends with the motherboard. If the MB requires a floppy to be inserted during Windows setup. Also a video card is required in order for the system to boot.
2) One is fine.
3) Any HD in a Raid setup is very reliable. Your HD should last approximately 116 years. (That is no joke)
4) The pixelization was your video card's incapability to display a res that high, it will be fixed if you buy a video card.