HI John,
My current computer is a Dell 8100 desktop, 1.7Ghz with 512MB of RDRAM, and two 200GB Western Digital hard drives. These run through a, Win2003 Promise Ultra133 TX2(tm) IDE Controller card. I wanted the computer to see the size of the hard drives basically. WinXP sees the hard drives but I wanted the computer to basically know what is installed.
As long as this computer works I can take my time buying what I need concerning the motherboard, the processor i7, RAM, Case, PSU, Video card, hard drives and other drives.
The floppy drive I suppose I could use a USB2 external Floppy drive. CD and DVD drives and BlueRay DVD. As I see it a DVD dual layer RW - CD/RW combo is OK even a pair of them. I don't use my PC monitor as a TV and don't watch movies on my PC but do on occasion. So Blue Ray I would think may help out in this case. But plain CD/RW and DVD RW are good at what they do.
Intel offers one motherboard for the i7 processor.
Intel BOXDX58SO LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
$244.99.
It looks good, but if I want all the bells and whistles and the ability to overclock them maybe the Gigabyte motherboard for the i7. GIGABYTE GA-EX58-EXTREME LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard ? Unless there is something better.
The Processor from Intel would be the i7. I could buy the most expensive Extreme Edition 965 Nehalem 3.2GHz - $999.99. I have the time as far as I can see to buy the parts I want and build the computer I want. I could buy the cheaper i7 processor, 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz - $288.99. But probably would go for the Extreme Edition I7 processor.
RAM would be 6GB as I would dual boot as I do not on my current computer. WinXP Pro/Vista Ultimate. Ram would be limited to WinXP but it would be all useable by Vista. Who knows about Windows 7.
The power supply I was thinking of the PSU below which has a higher output.
PC Power & Cooling PPCT1200ESA 1200W ATX12V
Hard drives would be from Western Digital one 500GB mail and one 1TB or higher second drive. SATA drives
Video card I would want one with all the bells and whistles, as well as all the ports that can be used if needed. Maybe a TV tuner card also. Unless there is a combo Video card TV Tuner card?
Other drives DVD/RW and CD/RW, I would want a combo DVD Dual layer CD/RW - CDRW drive. Maybe a pair of them.
The Floppy drive I have always had, and to be without one would be strange. Had one go bad on this computer and the computer was less than a year old. I suppose I could go with an external USB2 floppy drive, if the motherboard does not support it.
Water cooling I would never use. Water and electricity do not mix. I suppose as long as all connections are secure then there are no leaks. The pipes would not sweat as they are not using cold liquids as in Air Conditioning.
There are many, many, many CPU coolers available. Would have to get the one that fits the case and motherboard.
I would not overclock. Don't see the need. I am not an online gamer. I play FPS type games and Flight syms. Many of which I can't play on my current computer, as they need a better video generally. I remember when a person had to slow down the computer to play some games. 3 Ghz was unheard of back in the good old and slow days.
Recommendations on any equipment is helpful. Scott Evans
MS-Internet Explorer forum
Microsoft MVP - IE | 
