Computer build question

[LaRoux]

Right, after having done a lot of research and looking at loads of different computer websites, have concluded that Aria offers the best value for money (am on a £250 budget). Now I just need to know if all the components I want will actually work together in harmony (or something like that!). I'm pretty sure that it will, but have decided to ask the experts, as this'll be my first attempt at construction.

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ AM2 - http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=22850
ASUS M2V VIA K8T890 Socket AM2 PCI-E motherboard - http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=23588
512M PC6400 Elixir DDR2 800 SDRAM - http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=25385
Samsung 18x DVDRW LightScribe Black DVD-RW / Dual Layer / DVD-RAM - http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=24551
300Gb Samsung 7200rpm 8mb cache SATA - http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=24031
Nokia Style 7260 MIDI Tower Case with 450 watt PSU - http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=19047
3½\" Black Floppy Drive - http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=2436

I already have a monitor, and a ribbon cable for the DVD writer.

I've heard that if you use a thermal paste other than that provided with the CPU, it invalidates the warranty. Should I listen to that or should I just go for some Arctic Cooling paste or similar?

I've established that the memory is non-ECC, which is good, but on this site it says that the speed is PC6400 (800MHz), whereas on Elixir's site (http://www.elixir-memory.com/product...l&pro_Type=All), the part number M2Y51264TU88A2B-3C comes up as PC2-5300, which is surely 667MHz?

One final thing is that I am aware that this setup isn't that great - I just want to know if it'll work or not! My trusty HP 8730 (which I've had for about 7 years now!) has given up the ghost and I have limited budget to work with. I will eventually try to fix the HP, but I have been planning on buying a new PC for a while now, and I think that the time has come...

Thanks in advance for any replies

[mac124]

Hi and welcome to the forums 8)

Yep i see no reason why that build shouldn't work. I notice you haven't included a graphics card. Had a quick looky at the mobo link and it doesn't appear to have on board gfx (unless i am blind and missed it) or do you have a pcie card already?

[LaRoux]

Thanks! Hadn't noticed that at all (I'm a beginner...). What about the Asrock ALiveSATA2-GLAN Socket AM2 (http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=24366) - it seems pretty decent and quite and also has the potential for overclocking (if I go down that route!)