last triple check on connections

[Frasher]

Hopefully the last question until I power it up. My case has one rear fan, does it matter if it connects to chas 1 or chas 2 fan on the motherboard?
Frasher

[TwoRails]

No, it doesn't. You can use either. Just remember where you put it in case you want to monitor the fan later on, then you can identify it.

[Frasher]

Thanks for the advice.
Next question. I am hooking up the monitor and keyboard. I feel stupid asking this. If there is no place to plug in the monitor, does that mean I need a video card? If so, I have a Asus A8N5X, recommend one?
Kay

[glc]

Yes, you need a video card. What is your budget? How much do you game and which games do you want to be able to play? What is the brand, wattage, and model of your power supply?

You should really keep the motherboard out of the case till you have everything - and do a quick test out of the case first to make sure the core components work.

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

[blue60007]

Yes, you'll need a video card...the ASUS A8N5X doesn't have onboard video. What will you be doing with it? Will you need something powerful for the latest 3D games or just something basic for surfing the web/email/word processing/etc?

[Frasher]

I don't do any gaming. Basically home computing. I play around with photographs a little. I have two older computers here, should I try to use one of the video cards from them? Or is it better to just get a new one? As far as budget, I just don't want to pay for some really high end card that is needed for gaming. Otherwise, I'm not too restricted.
Thanks for letting me use your brains,
Frasher

[Frasher]

Oops, almost forgot. It is an Antec smart power 400w psu.
Thanks,
Frasher

[Staren]

That motherboard has a PCI-E slot for video. I would assume that your older computers have AGP video cards. If you don't do a lot of gaming, I would go with the Radeon X1300 for $62.99. I use this same card in my home theater PC. It won't do a whole lot of gaming, but for basic computer use, maybe some video, it will work just fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102622

[Frasher]

Sorry I started a new thread. I thought since it was different question.......Newbie mistake. I'll try to do better!

Anyway,
Any recommendations for a video card. I don't do any gaming, unless you count solataire. Basic home computing with some photoshop. I have an Antec smart power psu 400w. I'm using Asus A8N5X mobo (not sure if that matters). It does have PCIe. Staren recommended an ATI Radeon X1300. I want a good quality card. You all agree? If you can't recommend any, can you tell me what brands to avoid?
Thanks again,
Frasher

[glc]

I concur with Staren's recommendation.

[Staren]

As far as brands go, eVGA is the standard maker around here for Nvidia cards. They seem to offer a bit better quality product and warenty these days then the others. Not saying that XFX, and BFG arn't good cards as well. eVGA just has a bit of a leg up.

As for the ATI side, I really like the Sapphire brand. The cards direct from ATI are just as good, but always seem to cost a bit more. I've just had good luck with Sapphire and the prices are right. PowerColor is also alright, but those are the only 3 brands I'd really go with without doing more research.

[glc]

The reason eVGA is recommended is they are Nvidia's reference board makers. The reason Sapphire is recommended is they are ATI's primary OEM.