Building my first computer (for college and gaming)

[baron5]

That evga gtx260 has a mad deal on rebate.

also make sure you get a combo deal on the cpu and mobo
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
save $20

 

[Thresh25]

Stick with the 260 i posted. You get two free games. That's about an 80-100 dollars value depending on what they are going for now.

 

[ODST27]

nice build looks great now, are you going to overclock?

I wouldn't have the slightest idea how to. Is it hard? If I screw up will it damage my computer much?

I've decided to not get Vista because I found out that all my games will work with Windows 7. And I'm gonna stick with the 260 since it comes with a game.

I've decided to order today, so I'll probably revisit this thread to ask questions if anything goes wrong. Thanks guys for all your help! I had to change the Optical Drive because the first one I chose isn't in stock. Here's the final build:
Mobo/CPU: Combo Deal $508.98
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
PSU: CORSAIR 650W $98.99/$78.99 after rebate
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Graphics Card: XFX GTX 260 Core 216 896MB $179.99
Newegg.com - XFX GX260XADJF GeForce GTX 260 Core Edition Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
RAM: OCZ Platinum 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 $94.99/74.99 after rebate
Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
HDD: Western Digital 640GB 7200RPM $74.99
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
Case: Antec 900 $109.99
Newegg.com - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Optical Drive: Samsung $23.99
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners
Monitors: Acer 22" LCD $149.99
Newegg.com - Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2500:1 - LCD Monitors
OS: Windows 7

Total: $1241.92/$1201.92 after rebates

 

[baron5]

Yep awesome build. No overclocking isnt too hard it just takes some time to understand how a cpu works, once you have that fdownpacked it is pretty much finding a starting point based on a mild overclock and finding your maximum BCLK then your maximum cpu speed. You will getthe hang of it.