Specing a DIY computer....

Ok, since Paul yells at me everytime I consider buying another computer, I've started thinking about building my own finally. My laptop at home is on it's last leg, and even though my work laptop outperforms every other computer at home, I want to resurrect my life with a desktop.

I would like to re-use what I have from the HP computer, including the case, the 400g hd, the 16-in-1 media reader, the DVD RW (don't need Blu-Ray yet), and the 3 gigs of memory.

Basically, I need recommendations on a new motherboard, graphics card, and video card. I would like to support atleast 8gigs of memory, 16 would be better.

Will also need to upgrade my fan set-up and the PSU.

I've been out of the customizing game too long, so please let me know what is good these days without breaking the bank. I can read the specs from NewEgg and Best Buy, etc., but don't know what is better aside from higher numbers mean better performance.

Looking to spend $400 max if I can stay under that...

Depending on the case... Should be able to do $400. Especially if you use you're existing HD.

What is your goal? Gaming?

no don't game. Just want a good CAD computer so that I don't clog up my work computer.

I still say have the company pay for it....

At $400 it will be hard to build a super fast machine but you'll be able to get close. Hard to spec it out not knowing the case and all. But just shop newegg.

Asus and Gagabyte make some nice mother boards. Have you or can reuse the one you have and just upgrade the processor? How old and what model do you have?

Processors, I'm partial to Intel. I'm running a 2x Quad Core Xeons. Let's put it this way... The little trailer I put together would of taken 8+ hours to render on my old laptop. It took 4 mins using my new set up. I get impatient... ;)

motherboard is shot on the old one, it's the reason I want to re-do it... It's a 2008 model.

Work already bought me the $1800 laptop and I can take it home with me whenever I want. Doubt i could get them to pay for a home rig too...

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01050235&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&product=3436817

That's the spec sheet for my computer as it sits. The motherboard is shot, everything else is good.

I would really like to just replace the mother board, upgrade the PSU and fire it up, then upgrade the RAM later.

What are the advantages to getting another integrated unit versus getting one with an external Graphics card?

Not a bad buy...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?ComboImage=combo753170.jpg&ComboName=FX%206100%2f990FX%2f8GB%2fSSD%20Upgrade%20Kit&ItemList=N82E16813128509%2cN82E16819103962%2cN82E16820227542%2cN82E16820231428

Not a bad deal...

What is the advantage to a solid-state hard disk? If I could use my hard drive with this, that would be a great deal...

Although, if I got that I would still need to pick up a new graphics card and video card, since both of mine were integrated into the old motherboard, correct?

I guess my main issue is compatibility issues. Don't know what goes with what, too many options.

I bought mines and built it from http://www.newegg.com/

here a link to build your own with bundles they put together.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/MasterComboStore.aspx?StoreID=7&name=DIY-PC-Combos&cm_sp=Pillar2-_-BuildYourOwn-_-http%3a%2f%2fpromotions.newegg.com%2fhomepage%2fpillar%2fhomepage2011%2fbnr_lifestyle_combo.jpg


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=30000007%204020&IsNodeId=1&name=%24400%20-%20%24500