New PC Can I get hardware compatibility advice?

[fox3inbound]

I'm hoping that I can get some advice about the hardware I plan to buy. I am open to any suggestions and am ultimately trying to determine if all of this hardware is compatable:
Each of these links are to newegg where i'm going to be buying everything. So far the total is $1,202.94. I'm willing to spend about $150 to $200 more if I had to.

Motherboard
Processor
Memory
HardDrive
VideoCard
Case
PSU
DVDburner
FloppyDrive

Is there any cables, fans, or additional equipment I should be getting? I'm also confused on which OS is better for gaming Windows XP home or XP Pro??

Thank you much in advance!!

[Panama Red]

Home or Pro won't make any difference. Pro is more for office environments that use a domain network.

Dump that PSU and go for something higher quality. Check the sticky thread in Gen Hardware for which PSU's a good ones.

[freakitchen]

Just a few points I'd raise.

1) Haven't come across that brand of RAM. You might want to consider changing to Corsair or Crucial memory.

2) You've chosen an SLI motherboard, and an ATI card. By all means go with ATI if you wish, but if you do this, go for a non-SLI motherboard (such as the ASUS A8N-E) to save cash. If you do wish to go SLI, the choose an Nvidia graphics card.

3) That PSU won't be suitable, you'll need to spend more to get a quality unit. Look for an ATX2 spec PSU with dual 12v rails, from companies such as Antec and Enermax. Check out the power supply reference thread stickied in the General Hardware forum for a list of good / bad brands. Keep in mind that if you decide to keep the SLI route open, you'll need an SLI-Certified power supply (check out the list at www.slizone.com).

4) All the cables you'll need will come with the motherboard.

5) The only difference between XP Home / Pro are the advanced networking features available with the latter. In the vast majority of cases, Home will suffice. It makes no difference for gaming purposes.

Freakitchen

[fox3inbound]

Do I need to dump that Motherboard then, or will it still work fine with what I have? I'm not concerned about the price, it's only $110, or would that be too much? It seems like I've found about 12 different motherboards before finally deciding on this one and wouldn't know which one to get when it comes to all the other hardware I have picked out.

1. Thanks again for all the help... people like me would be lost without people like you

2. What about using this processor instead? Is there much of a difference, or should I stick with the first one?

3. Is this PSU sufficient, or do I still need to find a better one?

[freakitchen]

Your motherboard will work, it's just that the SLI function will be wasted with an ATI card. If you'd rather not change things then by all means keep the board.

Changing to the 3700+ processor will not show any visible performance loss. This processor probably offers the best performance v price ratio of the Athlon64s at the moment.

Freakitchen

[fox3inbound]

I had just updated my post, I don't think you saw it, but my next question was "Is this a good PSU?" And i'm not stubborn with keeping this motherboard, I'm just having a hard time finding another one

[freakitchen]

Ahh, didn't see that PSU link,

ASPIRE PSUs are of low quality, and should be avoided, regardless of the relatively high price. This PSU would be a much better alternative:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003

Freakitchen

[fox3inbound]

On this motherboard I have listed, what is the shadowcard and bridge connector for?

Also, I've decided to go with this video card, what do you think?.

[blue60007]

Sounds like that's for SLI (not really sure).

Card looks fine, but I'm not sure I'd trust XFX cards; I think they are made by PC Chips, which is one of the worst motherboard companies out there. I'd rather go with an eVGA (nVidia's house brand) or ASUS.

Keep in mind, you'll need a SLI-Certified power supply if you'd like to use SLI at some point.