Building computer, do these pieces work together?

[slvrdrgn123]

I'm building a new computer for a friend and just wondering if all these parts would work well with each other, and if there is anything else I might need.
His budget is around $1200.

Mobo - Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe

CPU - Intel Pentium D 920 2.8GHz

Case/PSU - RaidMax Sagitta w/ 450w PSU

RAM - OCZ Gold Series 1G (2x512) Dual Channel

Video - XFX GeForce 7800GT (might get another brand like BFG/eVGA)

DVD Burner - ASUS DVD Burner

DVD Rom - ASUS DVD Rom

Controller - SunbeamTech Controller

Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 250GB

Thanks for the help.

[flanzig1]

I would drop the Raidmax PSU and go for an Antec, Enermax, or one of the better brands listed in the PSU thread in general hardware.

[slvrdrgn123]

He's just getting it for the case, will probably get a new PSU once he gets some more money.

[blue60007]

Get one now...that one in the case will struggle to even start that system up.

[slvrdrgn123]

Really? And I thought 450w would be at least decent. I'll tell him then. Thanks for the heads up.

[blue60007]

A *quality* 450W would probably OK, but Raidmax has some pretty bad power supplies. It's real output is probably a lot less than that.

[slvrdrgn123]

Okay thanks, would getting an ASUS case with a 450w power supply be any better?

[blue60007]

Yeah, I would think that would work.

[slvrdrgn123]

Ok, thanks. Both he and I would prefer to have them come together. Less money for him and less ordering for me.

Edit - Not related to anything, but what does the (3 bit) under my name mean? Noobie?

[slvrdrgn123]

Sorry to double post, but I was wondering if the Logisys case/psu are good?

Phantom

I'd like to get that one if the Raidmax isn't good enough. Thanks.

Also, if I wanted 2GB or RAM, would getting 2x2x512 running in dual channel be better, or getting 2x1GB running dual channel?

[nicolaus corelius]

there are only few psu/case combos that are good. there are from the brands listed here. but if u are picky about case design then it is almost impossible to get a reputable combo. if so, id suggest buying a case of ur liking and then buying a separate PSU


this is the link to a very good psu/combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155

[slvrdrgn123]

He just likes the case, I'll just tell him to get the case and another PSU.

Can you answer my question about RAM in the post above please. Thanks.

[jayb1234]

Check the compatibility of that motherboard. Intel doesn't last any nvidia chipsets as compatible with that processor.

Case/PSU: needs to meet Intel specs to ensure proper heat dissipation. List of Thermally Advantaged Chassis is here, PSUs is here.

Ram: go to the motherboard makers website and they will have a list of tested ram, or check here, or use a configurator,

[blue60007]

Jay, didn't you say in another post that the 9xx CPUs required a 945 or higher chipset?

[slvrdrgn123]

.......You guys just lost me, lol. So does the CPU work with the Motherboard? I thought they worked together, but now I don't know. Please clarify, thanks.

[blue60007]

Originally Posted by slvrdrgn123 Okay thanks, would getting an ASUS case with a 450w power supply be any better?

Hold it a sec - I could've swore you said Antec before. While ASUS makes excellent motherboards, I don't know about ASUS supplies. I'd say get an Antec case with a 450W power supply. I can't even find an ASUS case with a 450W power supply.

Originally Posted by slvrdrgn123 .......You guys just lost me, lol. So does the CPU work with the Motherboard? I thought they worked together, but now I don't know. Please clarify, thanks.

Considering the 9xx CPUs just came out, you better do some checking to see if it is supported. Just checked ASUS's support page, and the CPU *is* supported but it requires a BIOS version that was just release a few days ago. While they should be making boards with that BIOS version shortly, it may be a while until those make there way to the boards on the shelf.

If you've got another LGA775 CPU to put in there that is compatible, you could do a flash from that CPU and then put the 920 in.

[slvrdrgn123]

I'm gonna be getting the Raidmax case and switching with this power supply. Enermax

Thanks blue. Would a P4 CPU work? And where would I find a FAQ on flashing the motherboard? Thanks.

Nevermind, I'll try the EZFlash from ASUS first to see if it works. Thanks a lot.

[blue60007]

Do you have another P4 LGAA775 (Socket T)? It has to be that socket type - a 5xx or 6xx probably, or Celeron D.

You should use the bootable flash utility - not the windows based one (that's what EZFlash is right?).

[slvrdrgn123]

ASUS said EZFlash was a screen you get to by pressing ALT+F12 (I think) during startup.

Not sure how to check what kind of CPU I have, but running CPUZ, I get Prescott mPGA-478.

[blue60007]

Oh OK, that sounds like the BIOS utility - you just don't want to use the Windows tool.

That won't work. That's socket 478 - you need socket 775. You might give ASUS a holler and see if they'll ship you an updated chip (BIOS/CMOS) to swap (provided it's a socket type).

[slvrdrgn123]

What do you mean by that?

Would using this work for a newly built computer?

Use built-in EZ Flash BIOS to Refresh

1. Download latest ASUS BIOS from ASUS WWW and rename the BIOS filename to "xxxxx.ROM" (xxxxx represents the motherboard model you used, eg. P4C800 BIOS is named p4c800.ROM), and save the file in a floppy disk.

2. Reboot the system.
3. When the system is at POST after reboot, please hold down "Alt" + "F2" to view the following image. You may start executing EZ Flash utility. Please place the floppy disk with latest BIOS inside and insert into the floppy drive.
Note: If you have not placed any floppy disk into the floppy drive, you will see a warning message stating "Floppy not found". If the utility can not find the correct files in the floppy disk, it will show "p4c800.ROM not found!" (Assuming the motherboard is P4C800) message.

4. The system will auto-detect whether the floppy disk contains the relevant files in the floppy drive. If there is no problem, the EZ Flash utility will begin auto-refreshing and reboot the system once it is done . The procedure for refreshing is show below.

This seems to be the easiest out of the choices.

[jayb1234]

Jay, didn't you say in another post that the 9xx CPUs required a 945 or higher chipset?

Yes, I did. See the specs on this page.

[stevebro6510]

hey bud. that is a good question you asked about the ram. the only question is how long do you plan on using this computer for? 2 gigs of 512x4 dual channel ram will do you good for a little while. (maybe 2 years) but if u were to go 512x4 that means all of your memory sockets are full and an upgrade would be pricey because you would have to replace ram. with the way prices are i suggest you go with the 2x1ghz sticks for now. gl man

[slvrdrgn123]

I see what you mean, it would be cheaper to get 2x1GB RAM because I could just get 2 more later if I wanted to go to 4GB. Thanks.

[blue60007]

Originally Posted by slvrdrgn123 What do you mean by that? Would using this work for a newly built computer? Use built-in EZ Flash BIOS to Refresh 1. Download latest ASUS BIOS from ASUS WWW and rename the BIOS filename to "xxxxx.ROM" (xxxxx represents the motherboard model you used, eg. P4C800 BIOS is named p4c800.ROM), and save the file in a floppy disk. 2. Reboot the system. 3. When the system is at POST after reboot, please hold down "Alt" + "F2" to view the following image. You may start executing EZ Flash utility. Please place the floppy disk with latest BIOS inside and insert into the floppy drive. Note: If you have not placed any floppy disk into the floppy drive, you will see a warning message stating "Floppy not found". If the utility can not find the correct files in the floppy disk, it will show "p4c800.ROM not found!" (Assuming the motherboard is P4C800) message. 4. The system will auto-detect whether the floppy disk contains the relevant files in the floppy drive. If there is no problem, the EZ Flash utility will begin auto-refreshing and reboot the system once it is done . The procedure for refreshing is show below. This seems to be the easiest out of the choices.

That's the BIOS utility alright, but you need a compatible CPU to be able to do that. Like I said, I would give ASUS a holler or post on the support forums. Find out if they'll ship you an updated BIOS chip - or if the 920 will at least boot up with an older BIOS but have limited functionality (such as having one core disabled).