Right Components

[fatmanforlife99]

I am building a new computer and just wanted to make sure everything works together.
Intel® Boxed Celeron® D Processor 351 (3.2GHz)
ASUS P5GD1-VM Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3300831A 300GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
NEC Beige IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3550A - OEM
OCZ Value Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit
Aspire 520 Watt Aluminum Tri-Fan Power Supply
Windows XP Pro edition

[flawedreality5]

Don't buy an Aspire PSU. It's a lower quality brand and could fry your whole system. Buy something like Enermax or Antec. Do you really need the little addons that XP Pro has to offer? I'd buy Home edition and save you some pennies. Memory Motherboard and Processor are all compatible. I take it you have a case already? You could also step up the hard drive to Serial ATA if you wanted.

[fatmanforlife99]

ok one more question is would it be good to add another 1GB set to the build, i already have the extra memory and what graphics card do you suggest that is cheap?

[flawedreality5]

I'm sorry. I'm not too knowledgable on dual channel technology. I think you can add another gig of memory, but I'm not sure how it would work. Graphics card depends on application. You have onboard video but if you want a separate cheap card, this might fit your budget. How much were you willing to spend though and what would you be using it for?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102625


Here's detailed specs on your motherboard for future replies. Maybe someone can you help with your dual channel question.
http://usa.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=P5GD1-VM&langs=09

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by fatmanforlife99 ok one more question is would it be good to add another 1GB set to the build, i already have the extra memory and what graphics card do you suggest that is cheap?

What will you be using this computer for? If everyday stuff like surfing the net and word processing then 1GB of RAM is more than enough.

What you plan to use the computer for will determine how much RAM you should have and the video card you should use.

Cricket

[fatmanforlife99]

ok i am going with xp home and my three choices are
an extra gb of memory and cheap video card 99.99 and below)
An expensive video card (199.99 and below)
Or an LCD monitor (but already have an 17 inch CRT)
i am very much stuck on options 1 and 2.

[flawedreality5]

Well, do you usually have a lot of programs open at once or do you do more work with 3d applications or games? If you don't do either, I'd go for the LCD.

[Stuey]

Well, if you don't have a very small case, go for a standard ATX motherboard although you may not need/want the features. If you want to spend your money just for the sake of spending it, you can also go for a nice keyboard/mouse set, but utilizing dual monitors is a VERY pleasant experience (well, productivity-wise at least).

[fatmanforlife99]

i will add a GB of memory and i will add a Video card from this list i really like the evga model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SubCategory=48

[flawedreality5]

Looks like a good card for the price.

[fatmanforlife99]

everything works together, PSU and the extra GB of memory? i wont have to do anything special for the memory?

[jayb1234]

You should check the memory against the QVL list for the motherboard at the ASUS site, or use the OCZ configurator to ensure that what you order is compatable with the board.

One pointer, Just use 1 stick of RAM during the setup. After you have Windows up and running, go ahead and add the rest.

[fatmanforlife99]

jayb1234 thanks for the info, but i just figured out that the memory i want is not on the suggested mobo list on the ocz website, but will it matter, because i used the same ram on my emachines mobo and it is intel and it is not even on the selection list for the memory as a brand.

[fatmanforlife99]

anyone know?

[jayb1234]

It might work, or it might be a problem. It is best to stick with ram from the tested lists. There are variables like the architecture and size or brand of chip used on the RAM module that can affect compatability.

Crucial, Corsair, or the ASUS QVL should give you something that is compatable.

On a lot of the ASUS boards I have looked at thier reccommended brand is Corsair.

[fatmanforlife99]

i was looking at that but on my previous mobo and it was not on the list. i used the same memory and there was no problem, so it should work.