Building a computer. Different components than those listed on this site's guide.

[Vic the Trader]

This will be my first time building a computer, just looking for a little confirmation and criticism. The main task will be video and sound editing (big time in the future with a new camera, new sound card, a few upgrades, and dual screen monitors), but for now I am buying with intentions of gaming (Fallout 3/CoD 4 Online).....I guess mastering Photoshop CS4 as well.

I read tons of guides on the web including the one on this site and I figure I'm pretty much ready to build. I have this old computer that I am gonna disassemble and put back together before I build this my new one, hopefully that will give me some familiarity with the insides.

The plan is to follow various instruction guides on the web and put all the parts together step by step.

Here are my orders.

Motherboard
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4117136&sku=A455-2412
The main thing I noticed on this motherboard is that in the Motherboard is clearly shown with Firewire, but for some reason it doesn't say that in the name. Does what is said in the name really matter?

CPU
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3476410&sku=CP1-AM2-9500
I decided to go with the AMD X4 because it isn't too much more expensive than the AMD X2's, which was my first choice.
This CPU has a fan included, but how can I tell if it has a heatsink?

Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4035111&sku=E145-9824
I am assuming this card is fairly good with 512 MB of RAM and a 256-Bit Interface.

PSU
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3255392&sku=ULT-LS500
The Video Card is SLI Ready, but before I try to add two monitors I will probably need to upgrade the PSU to a SLI certified PSU.

RAM
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3228139&sku=C13-6082
I think this is a strikingly good deal for the money, and as far as I can tell the Motherboard supports it.

Hard Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3564505&sku=TSD-500AS5
It was this site that convinced me to go for the 32-Bit HHD instead of the 16-Bit HDD.

DVD/CD Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4312769&sku=L12-1190
This component of the computer I know least about. I would pretty much just like to read and burn CD's, MP Three Disks, and DVD's with Nero. Will this suffice?

Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3424761&sku=A107-1096
One problem I have with this case is it says it has front USB and Firewire Ports but doesn't show a visible picture of them on the page. It also doesn't show a legit Power switch, so I'm not sure about this case. Reviews are good, though.
Are the two 120mm Fans listed there considered 'case fans'?
Any other cooling methods I should take?

This is pretty much it, along with a few big anti-static bags and the ESD strap for ESD prevention.

All together with shipping charges it will be about 785$. Please do let me know if I am overlooking something or if there might be problems with hardware working together.

 

[worshipme]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=A455-2412
The main thing I noticed on this motherboard is that in the Motherboard is clearly shown with Firewire, but for some reason it doesn't say that in the name. Does what is said in the name really matter?

I'm pretty sure a board of that quality is going to have a firewire port, even if it doesn't have one on the back panel, it will surely have some pins you can plug your case's front panel firewire port into.
I'm trying to get ASUS's site up, but it's soooo slow.
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=2321&l1=3&l2=149&l3=731&l4=0
ASUS says it has Firewire.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...u=CP1-AM2-9500
I decided to go with the AMD X4 because it isn't too much more expensive than the AMD X2's, which was my first choice.
This CPU has a fan included, but how can I tell if it has a heatsink?

It's the retail edition, so the heatsink is included. Amazing you can get a quad for under $100 now.

Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=E145-9824
I am assuming this card is fairly good with 512 MB of RAM and a 256-Bit Interface.

I'd probably go with the HD 4830, it's as fast as or faster than the 9800, cheaper and your motherboard supports Crossfire so it makes more sense to go with an ATi card.

RAM
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...9&sku=C13-6082
I think this is a strikingly good deal for the money, and as far as I can tell the Motherboard supports it.

Yeah, great deal. You might want to upgrade to 1066 for the Phenom though, if it's not too expensive. If it's too much of a price jump, don't bother.

And I'd go with this PSU, it's a better quality unit.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=A107-1096
One problem I have with this case is it says it has front USB and Firewire Ports but doesn't show a visible picture of them on the page. It also doesn't show a legit Power switch, so I'm not sure about this case. Reviews are good, though.
Are the two 120mm Fans listed there considered 'case fans'?
Any other cooling methods I should take?

It'll have them, every case has front panel connections, and I'm sure it has a power switch too
The two 120mm fans included are case fans yes, they should do fine if you're not overclocking or anything.

 

[wozelbeak]

about your case, the usb and fire wire ports are in the top.

Easy installation-tool free design
Large see-through side window panel
Great airflow: 1 x 120mm LED fan at side panel, 1 x 120mm at rear
Additional cooling:1 x 120mm fan at front(optional)
Top USB2.0, Firewire and HD audio ports
Front LCD temperature display
Front fan speed controller
10 x drive bays and 7 expansion slots
Main Board: Standard ATX, Micro ATX, Baby AT
Easy removable side panel w/ thumb screws
Roomy w/ folded edges for safe easy assembly

 

[Vic the Trader]

Much obliged. I appreciate the help.

 

[wol-va-rine]

this psu is a good deal and has free shipping at Newegg, so the cost is probably about even...

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W - $59.99 shipped with promo code: EMCABBDAD