First time builder, need to confirm compatibility

[TiredTendencies]

Alright, so here's what I've got thus far, and I'd like to make sure everything's compatible/if anyone has any alternatives/suggestions.

Case:
Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4400CDBOX - Retail

Motherboard:
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

RAM:
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Platinum System Memory Model OCZ4002048ELDCPE-K - Retail

Sound Card:
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - OEM

Video Card:

Update Albatron 7800GT Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail



Some main issues I want to make sure of are: Is everything compatible? (I beleive the mobo should fit in the case, the dim's are appropriate..but maybe someone knows otherwise.) Video card/motherboard/RAM?

Also, I think I need a 24-ping PSU for the AMD X2 Core, but I'm not positive...confirmation?

One last thing: Cooling. Would 2 120mm and 1 80mm fan cut it? (That's what comes with the Case)

Thanks in advance, and I'll update this with additional components most likely, just want a preliminary answer for now.

[jfk]

Looks fine. That will make a nice rig. You will need an ATX 2.0 PSU (24 pin) for the mobo. Since it is an SLI board, I would get a SLI certified PSU in case you ever want to add a second video card. THe cooling with that case should be more than adequate. What are you doing for hard drives and opticals?

[jayb1234]

This Antec PSU is pretty popular for SLI and non SLI builds.

Here is Intel's list of thermally advantaged cases, anything on that list should be more than adequate for an AMD build.

SLI compatible parts list.

Ram: Check the list on the motherboard makers website, or run the motherboard through the RAM makers configurator to be sure it is a compatible part number.

Hard Drives: Get the SATA version. There are some nice ones with 7200 rpm and 16Mb caches, Seagate or Western digital are best.

OS: Getting the OEM version of XP or XP Pro if you need some feature of Pro will save you about $100 or so compared to the retail version.

Optical Drives: I like the Liteons, they come with Cd and DVD burning software

Floppy Drive: pretty likely to be needed for setting the machine up.

[TiredTendencies]

Thanks a lot you two! I'm so glad I found this forums, people here rock. I'm thinking about getting a 10k RPM HDD to run games/OS off of, and a 7800 HDD to store data and stuff on. I can afford it, so is it worth it? Heat issues via 10k? Recommended brands? (I'm stuck on Western DIgital right now, but that's only because a few of my friends have one)

[blue60007]

You could get a 10,000 rpm Raptor if you like...As long as you don't have to cut anything else to afford it, I'd go for it.

[TiredTendencies]

Couldn't find any compatibility charts for OCZ RAM. Seems they're a relatively new (?) company, and I'd rather not risk it. Changed RAM choice to:



CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model Twinx2048-3200c2pt - Retail


Should be compatible....right?. Onward!

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 300 MB/s Hard Drive - OEM

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by TiredTendencies Couldn't find any compatibility charts for OCZ RAM. Seems they're a relatively new (?) company, and I'd rather not risk it.

OCZ isn't that new, they've been around since 2000.

OCZ Memory Configurator

Cricket

[TiredTendencies]

i couldn't find that. all the RAM/mobo companies amke their configuators so hard to find -_-;;

So would anyone recommend http://www.ocztechnology.com/product...s_dual_channel

over what I have up above? If not I'll still with Corsair.

PSU:
Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail

Decided to go with what was recommended...came highly rated. Plus it IS antec.

Opticals:
2: BenQ Black IDE DVD Burner Model DQ60 BK - OEM

Unless anyone has other suggestions/recommendations? (Which I know you all do :P)

FDD:
SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM

I feel sad that I still need to buy one of these. Anyway...it's a FDD. What more can you say.

Also, a question. Motherboard has:
Onboard LAN
LAN Chipset Marvell 88E8001
Max LAN Speed Dual 10/100/1000Mbps

Does this mean I don't need to buy a network card?

Another question: I DO want to buy a CPU fan, since the OEM ones generally suck. How about
ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Blue LED Light Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by TiredTendencies So would anyone recommend http://www.ocztechnology.com/product...s_dual_channel over what I have up above? If not I'll still with Corsair. PSU: [URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103931"]

Are you planning to overclock? If you are, get the Corsair XMS stuff. If not, stick with value RAM like the OCZ you linked to or Corsair Value Select RAM.

Originally Posted by TiredTendencies PSU: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail Decided to go with what was recommended...came highly rated. Plus it IS antec.

Yes, that's a good power supply. I prefer Fortron Source myself.

Originally Posted by TiredTendencies Opticals: 2: BenQ Black IDE DVD Burner Model DQ60 BK - OEM Unless anyone has other suggestions/recommendations? (Which I know you all do :P)

Lite-On SOHW-1693S or SOHW-1635S.

Cricket

[TiredTendencies]

Lite-On SOHW-1693S or SOHW-1635S. Cricket

Why?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by TiredTendencies Why?

Proven performer. I don't have any experience with Benq burners but I've installed over 30 Lite-On burners and none of them have given any of the owners any problems yet. But for all I know the Benq burners may be just as good or better.

Cricket

[TiredTendencies]

Also, a question. Motherboard has:
Onboard LAN
LAN Chipset Marvell 88E8001
Max LAN Speed Dual 10/100/1000Mbps

Does this mean I don't need to buy a network card?

Another question: I DO want to buy a CPU fan, since the OEM ones generally suck. How about
ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Blue LED Light Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail

Just bumping the questions i have left. Mouse/keyboard recommendations, monitor recommendations, speakers, etc., also would be appreciated.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by TiredTendencies Also, a question. Motherboard has: Onboard LAN LAN Chipset Marvell 88E8001 Max LAN Speed Dual 10/100/1000Mbps Does this mean I don't need to buy a network card?

Yep, motherboard has built-in ethernet. No NIC necessary.

Originally Posted by TiredTendencies Another question: I DO want to buy a CPU fan, since the OEM ones generally suck. How about ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Blue LED Light Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail

Should be fine.

Originally Posted by TiredTendencies Just bumping the questions i have left. Mouse/keyboard recommendations,

Logitech.

Originally Posted by TiredTendencies monitor recommendations,

Samsung.

Originally Posted by TiredTendencies speakers,

Logitech.

Cricket

[TiredTendencies]

Since I will have to ship this down when i move, no speakers until i move. I've got a pair (albeit low quality) anyway.

Just wanna make sure everything is compatible, not horrible, etc.

CPU: AMD 4400+ X2
MB: ASUS A8n Sli Premium
VC: Albratron Nvidia 7800 GT
Case: Thermaltake Tsunami
Opticals: 2x NEC Black IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner Model ND-3550A - OEM
Monitor: LG L1951S-BN Black 19" 12ms LCD Monitor - Retail
RAM : Corsair XMS 2 GB (2 x 1 GB)
SC: Audigy ZS2
HDD: 250 WD 7800 RPM (will probably grab a 10k later on)
PSU: Antec Truepower II
CPUC: Zalman CNPS9500 Cooling Fan/heatsink
Mouse: Logitech G5
FDD: Sony FDD

DID I FORGET ANYTHING CRITICAL? Is anything obviously not going to work/fit in my case/on the mobo? To me it seems I will be satisfied with components, as long as they all work together. -very nervous about forking over 2k -_-;;-)

edit: added some arctic silver to my cart :P

edit 2: All the cables I need should come with my components, correct? Just making sure there's no weird component commonly known to the computer builder that needs additional cables/converters/whatever..

[blue60007]

You could drop to regular Corsair Value Select, you won't notice much with the XMS RAM, it's really only for serious overclockers.

[TiredTendencies]

Originally Posted by blue60007 You could drop to regular Corsair Value Select, you won't notice much with the XMS RAM, it's really only for serious overclockers.

Duly noted, thanks. Any final suggestions, point-outs, compatibility, replacement, addons, etc., before i buy this load of metal?

Anyyyyyyyyyyyone?

Also, where can i pick up some anti-static wristbands? (No big computer retailers around here..hence why i'm buying everything)

[jayb1234]

wristband Newegg usually has them, but they are out of stock today.

[rik666]

Well i hope you dont mind as i have my own thread on my first rig but 2k...we are talking about us $ ? or gb £ ? well i know my first rigs quality may not be up to your specification () but it aint bad..considering its only about £500...

Here she is

All from www.ebuyer.co.uk

Processor

AMD (Venice) Athlon 64Bit 3200+ Socket 939pin 512k L2cache (£110.55)

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=88109

Motherboard
Abit AV8-3RD Eye Skt 939 K8t800pro 8xAGP ATX Gigabit LAN, SATA150 RAID, IEEE1394, 6ch Audio, ìGuru USB2.0 Retail Box
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=66708

Graphics card

XFX 6200 256MB AGP Bundled with PC Wired Game Controller and Far Cry Game (£59.99)

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...uct_uid=100894

DVD Drive (Dual layer)

LG GSA-4167BAL 16x DVD±RW Dual Layer Internal IDE (Black) – OEM (£27.99)

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=97237

Case

Ebuyer Extra Value 0314TL-BB ATX Gaming Case in Black with USB/Audio/1394 Side window and 350w PSU (no power cord) (£34.99)
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=91831
Hard drive

Seagate ST3200822AS Barracuda 200GB 7200RPM SATA/150 8MB Cache – OEM (£66.33)

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=74108

RAM
Crucial 1GB kit (512MBx2) DDR PC3200 CL=3 UNBUFFERED NON-ECC DDR400 2.6V 64Meg x 64 (£64.99)
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=92002

Floppy drive

Mitsumi 7-in-1 USB2 Floppy Drive / Media Drive SM/MS/MD/CF/MM/SD Black (14.09)

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=90805

Speakers

Creative Labs SBS260 Speakers - Powered Set 2.5w RMS with 3.5mm Jack – OEM (£6.93)

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=75081

Keyboard

Labtec Standard Keyboard Plus – Black (£3.47)

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=88418

Mouse

Microsoft Black PS2/USB 3-Button Optical Wheel Mouse-Retail Box (£14.95)

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=45463


In all her glory ()

although i may be changing the mobo to a ASUS 1 as i heard there pretty good

[TiredTendencies]

I would definitely go with an ASUS.

[Cricket]

There's nothing wrong with ABIT motherboards...the quality and performance is equal to (and sometimes better than) ASUS motherboards.

Cricket