i'm building my first computer and i need a few suggestions...

[moouers]

this is my plan so far...(i'm going for the best computer i can build with the least amount of money)

$59 - Enermax, CS-003-A106USB+EG301P-VB, 2-Tone, 10-Bay, with 2 USB ports, 300W PS, P4, MID Tower Case
$108 - AMD Athlon XP 1800+ (1.53GHz)
$95 - ABIT KX7-333 Socket A VIA KT333 Motherboard
$162 - KINGSTON KVR333X64C25/512 512MB 32x64 PC2700 DDR RAM
$107 - MAXTOR Quiet Drive 80GB 7200RPM Model # 6L080L4 -D740X OEM , DRIVE ONLY
$300 - VIEWSONIC PF790 19" (18" Viewable) 1600x1200 0.25dp PERFECT FLAT MONITOR - RETAIL
$59 - VOYETRA TURTLE BEACH SANTA CRUZ - OEM
$10 - Alps 3.5 Inch Floppy Disk Drive (Black) - OEM
$119 - ATI OEM RADEON 8500 LE 128MB DDR DVI/CRT/TV
$17 - Microsoft 114 keys (10 internet Hot Keys) Internet Keyboard PS/2
$46 - Lite-On 16x DVD Model LTD-163 Black


now for my questions...the corsair PC2700 ram is about 10 dollars cheaper. which is better, kingston or corsair? does it matter which one i choose and does it matter if it is ECC or non-ECC?

also, with my HD, will i most likely need (emphasis on NEED) a hard drive fan? it's OEM so i dont think it comes with one.

and now for my last question as of late, will a 300W power supply be enough for the above outlined system? (i have powered speakers and an external powered cdrw already, so that won't be added on)

any suggestions on how i can save even more money? i am thinking i may have to go down to 256mb memory...but i really dont want to do that.


thanks

[elias5886]

*edit* - that price for the ram is outrageous. Go to googlegear.com. They have 512MB of Samsung PC2700 ddr ram for $116.50 shipped. It is a very high quality ram.

You do not need a HD fan.

The 300 watt power supply will work fine with your system.

I don't recommend dropping to 256MB of ram, simply because it is a waste of a dimm slot and money.

One last thing about your monitor. You might want to look at the Samsung 955DF flat screen monitor. It is about $250, and I have personally used it, and think it is a great deal. I'm sure some others will back me up on this one.

[moouers]

thanks for the help man. and thanks for the link to the ram also. $116 is a great deal compared to $162...

about the monitor, i don't think i'm going to get the samsung...but a hitachi model has crossed my mind...and i'm still considering a trinitron. but the hitachi is also about $250 and i have not seen one bad review of it on newegg...

"HITACHI CM721F 19 INCH FLAT-FACED MONITOR - RETAIL .20mm DP 1600x1200 18 inch Viewable Model CM721F The CM721F (19"/18" V) features Hitachi’s Flat-Squared technology with a flat screen that provides more realistic, vibrant images, less distortion and reduced glare. Using Hitachi’s Flat-Squared technology you can now get all the advantages of an Invar Shadow Mask tube on a flat-faced monitor"