First build, don't know anything, need help. - Hardware & Software

I know pretty much nothing about pc building, so I need a little help. I plan on reusing my old cd/dvd reader and my power supply so I left those off the list. The PSU I plan on using is 500 watts; I've seen similar builds with the PSU in the 600 watt range so would using my old one be a mistake? Also, I was shopping around for the OS, and saw OEM versions of windows. I've read that it's a pain in the ass to get that version installed, but the price looks worth it. Any help is welcomed, like I said before, I don't really know much about pc building. [IMG]http://niggaupload.com/images/OZbvD.png[/IMG]

The only difference between retail and OEM windows 7 is the retail key can be used more than once, so as long as you only plan on installing windows one time OEM will be fine for you. As for the psu, it really depends on the exact model, so get me that first and foremost. Everything looks good except for the ram and graphics card. Ram is bad only because you can get 8gb for $20 less that's a lower speed, but when it comes to the speed of ram, you'll be just as well off with 1333 as you would be with 2133. For how much you'll be saving on the ram and windows 7 by going OEM, you can get a much better graphics card. I'd suggest a 560 Ti or HD 7850.

Thanks, for the suggestion. I couldn't find the exact psu I have anywhere online, probably because it's over 6 years old, but this looks very similar [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817154026[/url] . I went with the OEM version of windows, and changed my ram to this. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422[/url] I'm still unsure on the video card though. I'm trying to decide between [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121633[/url] and [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127663[/url] . I know the 7850 is way better, it's just that the 150 dollar difference is a lot of money for me at the moment and I know I can use it elsewhere. I do have a Geforce 9800GT w/ 512mb in my current machine, is that complete shit compared to the hd7750?

Instead of paying for the 7850, I would definitely go for a new power supply and maybe a 7770 or a 6870 depending on the price after the psu. This should do you just fine, kept it right at your original price as well [img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/59389727/morganfreeman.PNG[/img] Alternatively, there are cheaper 7770s with louder and slighty worse single fan coolers, and more expensive 6870s with a bit of a performance boost from a 7770.