I want to make my first attempt at building a PC.

If the main uses for it will be simply documents, internet and possibly cd/dvd burning then what specs am I looking at, ie. what sort of motherboard//cpu/memory should I get that is affordable and efficient enough to meet these needs?

Intel E2160 Dual core CPU
2GB Corsair XMS2 RAM
250GB Western Digital S-ATA Hard drive
Gigabyte Geforce 7100 mATX motherboard
Cheap case, Antec Earthwatts or Corsair VX PSU
Pioneer 20x DVD Burner

I would go with:

Intel E2200

2GB Corsair or OCZ Value RAM

250Gb Western Digital SATAII Hard Drive

FoxConn 45CM-S

Look at gettin a Value Case, you can get one for like £10/$20.

Also get a cheap 400W PSU, personally i would just get a budget one. For a system like this there is no harm in it will save you money and i have built about 5/6 systems with budget PSU's and they aren't bad, none have blown on me and all have lasted 2 years+ and still going.

Optiarc or LG 20X DVD+/-RW.

Not a good idea. Cheap PSUs can still go bang even with no load on them - just because it hasn't happened to you doesn't mean it won't happen. As for the motherboard, Foxconn's own branded motherboards aren't really that good, stick with a decent brand like Gigabyte.

foxcon are the biggest mobo sellers world wide.......i think they are good :D

Only due to OEM bases used in other products, and trust me, their own boards are pretty naff.

If you are looking at a budget PC, without the bells and whistles, then i think foxconn are fine. They are pretty stable, in my experience.

They were never unstable, they were just absolute bargain basement poorly featured stuff. Cheap Gigabyte and MSI boards are half decent too.

true, gigabyte and MSI low end boards are descent, MSI budget boards are damn ugly things though lol. We use alot of Foxconn 45CM boards for our budget systems and they are great. I remeber when MSI where only known for crap quality products webcams etc. Lately they are really coming forward with some good stuff.

This is a little pedantic, but cheap Foxconn boards are brown, look like the guts of something you shouldn't have taken apart! lol
The MSI ones I've seen have been green or red, and look at least slightly aesthetically pleasing! :)

The foxconn boards we use are a dark blue, pretty nice colour. And the box is nice aswell it comes in lol.