Need help with my first build

[cajuncartfan]

I am going to be buying components for my first build ever. The only thing I know for sure is I want to build it around an Intel E8500 and ATI Radeon 4870. This is a PC that is strictly for gaming as I use Macs for everything else I do. I won't be doing any overclocking as I don't know how to do that sort of thing. I need help picking a Motherboard, PSU, and RAM. Will the stock cooler be good enough for the E8500 since I am not going to be overclocking or do I need to get an aftermarket CPU cooler? I am also hoping to have a quiet yet powerful PSU if possible. I would like to stay in a budget of +/- $800. I already have case, hdd's, optical drives, and sound card from my Velocity Micro that I own now that I bought in May of 2006. I will also need RAID capability. If I left out anything please let me know. Thanks!

 

[UltraDude]

Yes get an aftermarket cooler! Even if you don't OC.

I would recommend the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 with Retention Kit

And heres some suggestions:

Mobo: Asus P5Q Pro -$140
Ram: 4GB G.Skill -$66
PSU: Corsair TX750 -$104 with $20 MIR

 

[engiNURD]

For 133Mhz less clock speed, you can get the combo of an E8400 and an Asus P5Q Pro -- and the board even has a $20MIR
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/AddToCart.aspx?Submit=ADD&ItemList=Combo.125575

UltraDude's other suggestions are good, too.

Check out the GenHard FAQ if you need further reading material to help you build your first system. It has great build guides and other suggestions/advice:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1289005