Sorry my first post here is a thread like this; I've been meaning to add onto an 'Introduce Yourself' thread, but wanted to write this out while i've got some spare time.

I'm wanting to build a new machine to run Windows OS - probably be XP, but i'll have a think and ask for opinions on that later.

From there I want to use a KVM switch to allow me to use the peripherals on my main 'Windows' machine, to work my current machine which I plan to change the OS to, to Linux/Unix. Neither OS's do I have any knowledge of at the moment and plan to research at length so I don't make a naive comment.

I've already got Mouse/Keyboard/TFT Monitor which i'm quite happy with, so i'm just look to build a box.

I've already done a lot of reading on 'how' to build it, so that side of things doesn't really bother me. Instead my problem at the moment is not knowing what specific components to buy.

I'm aware i'm doing things the wrong way round , but I like alot of the Thermaltake cases; and from what I have read I believe they only take certain types of 'ATX' motherboards? Now from there, I have no idea what motherboard I need to buy; nor do I have an idea of what it needs to have. I want there to be room for future expansion.

As far as processor goes, I was looking at getting an Athlon in the mid to upper range of 2Ghz.

For now memory would be kept with 1x512MB, enabling me to put another 512MB card in when I can afford it. Am I right in saying DDR is the way to go?

I don't need to consider case/mobo/proc when thinking of drives and HDD's do I?

Can anyone recommend what motherboard to get, by offering links to a few I can look at; because when I look at them I don't really understand what i'm looking *for* or looking 'at'.

Can someone recommend some UK sites where I can order my components?

Also, any other thoughts or comments on what to consider when building my box.

And finally when reading other threads on here, i've seen people mention a silver thermal compound, what is this, and what's it use?

I think that's all; if I think of anything further i'll edit. If i've left out anything relevant please let me know.

Many thanks,

Adam.