Building my first computer..need help

[NathanLedet]

I own a dell...*insert slap sound*

It's time for me to stop wasting my money on junk and build myself something real. I'm a multimedia guy...i build web sites, i do some 3D modeling, video editing, the works...so I need power

I do play the occasional game on my computer, and i love it when the quality is top notch..so i guess i will consider myself a "gamer" during the build so I know I get the best I possibly can.

Ok, so...In video production, and 3d modeling and other things like that, I need a lot of render power...I know there is a pretty big debate on "AMD vs Intel"..but it's been a while since i've done any research on the 2. Has Intel made any dramatic improvements on their processors that I should be aware of? I'm a bit of an AMD guy, but honestly, it's for no particular reason...So, i guess i'll ask the question anyway...AMD or Intel? I'd really like a dual core processor...

Should I start with a motherboard or CPU? i mean, should I pick out what processor i want, and then find a motherboard that is compatible? or should i pick a motherboard first, then a compatible processor?

Those are some basic questions I have at the moment...As this thread answers some questions, i'll ask more. i appreciate everyone's advice!

 

[gmanych]

Well tell us your budget and then I can assist

 

[NathanLedet]

Well I am a college student...but we'll stay my financial situation is OK...I already have mouse, keyboard, and a sound system, So all i need is what's inside the box...If I can get away with $1500, then i'll be OK...but no big deal if it goes over by a couple hundred bucks.

One more thing, about the video card. I want to hook up dual monitors..so I don't know which video card would be best and have 2 outputs. Thanks

 

[Meithan]

So I'm guessing you already have the monitor(s)?

 

[NathanLedet]

mmm no i didn't think it would be difficult to pick out on my own so i excluded it...but now that I think about it, it's probably a good idea to make mention that I will be buying a pair of LCD monitors, probably 17"

 

[gmanych]

Ok Nathan, Heres a system for you...

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.13GHz 4M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 - $312
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115003

Mobo: ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel - $139
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131030

RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) - $199
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145098

Case: Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-BA Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - $77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811166004

PSU: THERMALTAKE TR2 500W Power Supply ATX12V V2.0 - $79
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153028

HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000KS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA - $174
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136014

GPU: XFX PV-T71G-UDF7 Geforce 7900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 - $249
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150144

Total: $1229