Build or Buy?

[NoSoup4You]

Asus AN8-SLI Deluxe is one of the hottest boards on the market right now. It offers a ton of things for a lower price then some other boards.

[Boots0032]

Well i added the DFI NF4-DAGF motherboard to my list of components for $89.00. It seems to suit what i need.
The problem is, the price so far has gone to $950.00! I wish i could find someway to lower it.

[imported_CoWBoY]

Being that this is your first time building, I would suggest the Asus A8N-SLi Premium or Deluxe. The Premium has this snazzy heat pipe cooler that is just fantastic, while the Deluxe is passive cooled with a fan.

Asus BIOS's are simplistic, yet have a great deal of power too. DFI's BIOS is pretty advance, ton of features. TBH, there are probly more options in the DFI than you care to get involved in at the moment.

Most importantly, do not skimp on the mobo. This is the foundation for your system. Think of it as a foundation for a building, you wouldn't build the Empire State building on a 4" slab, so don't expect great things from a cheap mobo.

Great mobos not only retain their value better (*incase you wish to sell and upgrade), however more importantly, they give you a more vast upgrade path with options.

Memory, videocards and cpu's come and go. Though with a solid motherboard, it will likely be in your system alot longer than those other components. :)

[FLIPINOM4D]

Build, alot easier, and alot cheaper

[Boots0032]

What is the real main difference between the deluxe or premium? I'm thinking about getting the refurbished deluxe for $120.

[imported_CoWBoY]

Mainly the cooling of the chipset.You can read more here - http://www.tbreak.com/reviews/article.php?id=382

The refurbish isn't really refurb so to speak. It may just be OEM packaging, which is minimal at best. Mainly it will just come with the mobo and that's pretty much it.

You can call Asus and they will send you a I/O Shield. That is the piece that mounts on the case and sorta keeps the USB, PS/2, serial etc in order.

The retail version contains all of this stuff plus cables for SATA etc. Just make certain you get what you need and you'll be good. :)

[BF2_Joe]

Is there any computer building guides anywhere? I think there might be one at tomshardware.com or something like that.

Yeah, Threw me.
you can use paypal.com
I'll will make one for you.
Anything you want.
I'll get you that same thing i got for under 799.00 with $38.00 shiping.
Thats with out the Video card!

http://forum.panhandlegearheads.com/viewtopic.php?t=4034