My Future Computer, Suggestions needed

I dont have alot to spend and currently have 512mb DDR2 a 6800gt and a 520w PSU Tonight im going to be purchasing the Mobo and case from the list below before I do that does anyone see any problems:

Asus P5LD2 Motherboard (Ordered) $119
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131538

Pentium 4 630 Prescott $182
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116198

Raidmax Astro Case (Ordered) $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156018

Hitachi Deskstar 80GB SATA HD $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145082

Lite-on DVD Burner $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106014

Corsair Valueram DDR2-533 ( To match what I already have ) $43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145530

I didd see one comment on having to drill extra holes in the case if you use an intel motherboard? Anyone have experience with that case?

[blue60007]

I don't why you would need to drill holes, it'll fit any ATX motherboard and that's an ATX motherboard.

Assuming that video card is PCI-E and that power supply is a quality ATX 2.0 (24 pin main connector) unit...

Oh, might want to get a SATA hard drive instead of the older IDE (PATA).

yea the PSU is an Aspire 520w with plenty of amps on the 12v Rail and a 24pin Main connector, The 6800gt is PCI-e and I didnt notice the Hd being PATA I definately want SATA

Edit: HD changed.

[kevinf]

i wouldn't trust Aspire PSUs though, think about going with Antec, Enermax, xClio,etc

[Stuey]

I strongly agree with kevinf. Plan on spending around $50 for a quality unit. As for the case... I've heard mixed impressions about Raidmax. My roommate has a different one and he hates it, but it's fully functional. For a tight budget, it's not a bad option, but like I said, personal experiences with that vendor varies.

Im currently using the aspire in a Dell powering the 6800gt 2 Hd's about 5 fans 2 optical drives, etc been that way for almost a month with no problem. The Aspire was and still is $50 and hasnt given me problems yet.

[Stuey]

Again, there are mixed experiences with Aspire-type PSUs. Generally, it may fail or it might not, nobody can predict a specific product's behavior. However, if by chance it does fail, it's will most likely damage major system components. Nobody can give you an estimate about how the likelihood of the PSU failing. Nobody can say that other brand PSUs won't fail, because they can. The fact is that better products are better made and provide cleaner power with greater efficiency and have built-in measures to protect system components in case of a failure.

Aspire PSUs and others like them are built differently than PSUs by other brands. I've cracked open a Raidmax PSU and two Antec PSUs. I have to say, I've always been a little skeptical about how adamently people push certain brands at others. While I started off with an Antec for various reasons, I've never quite believed in all the hype. Well, that is until I cracked open several PSUs and compared their circuitry.

Inside a PSU's enclosure is a highly stressed environment. There is a LOT of heat due to the massive amount of power being processed and distributed. A low quality PSU has small heat sinks and smaller, less tolerant components. A better quality PSU has much larger heat sinks and huge capacitors and thicker wires. This usually leads to better durability at the very least, better operation performance, and protection for the system in case a failure is imminent.

I have not seen your PSU, I have not run any sort of engineering diagnostic on it, I cannot predict the future. The fact is, you may very well use the same PSU for the full life of the system. I respect your reluctance in listening to me, but I'm not out to criticize your choice in PSU. I just want to make you aware of the experiences others have had with Aspire PSUs.

If you search on almost any forum, you will find MANY warnings against using certain branded PSUs. It may work well for you, but if you task it to its max, you're taking a risk.

When you consider my words, consider also that it makes no difference to me as to what you choose. I don't know you and have no personal interest in your choice of PSU. Although it doesn't make any difference to me what you do, I'd like you to trust that my opinion and suggestions are completely objective and I just wanted to explain why you may want to consider a different PSU if not now, then in the upcomming weeks/months.

Good luck with your build!

On another note, though, you're using PC2-4200 ram with a PC2-3200 CPU? Not that it makes any difference, I'm just curious.

[jayb1234]

The person referring to drilling that case with an Intel setup probably had to drill it to add extra fans because it was overheating.

You should go with a case that meets Intel's Thermally Advantaged Chassis specifications to avoid temperature issues. List is here.

Link to approved power supplies is on that page too.

Originally Posted by Stuey83 Again, there are mixed experiences with Aspire-type PSUs. Generally, it may fail or it might not, nobody can predict a specific product's behavior. However, if by chance it does fail, it's will most likely damage major system components. Nobody can give you an estimate about how the likelihood of the PSU failing. Nobody can say that other brand PSUs won't fail, because they can. The fact is that better products are better made and provide cleaner power with greater efficiency and have built-in measures to protect system components in case of a failure. Aspire PSUs and others like them are built differently than PSUs by other brands. I've cracked open a Raidmax PSU and two Antec PSUs. I have to say, I've always been a little skeptical about how adamently people push certain brands at others. While I started off with an Antec for various reasons, I've never quite believed in all the hype. Well, that is until I cracked open several PSUs and compared their circuitry. Inside a PSU's enclosure is a highly stressed environment. There is a LOT of heat due to the massive amount of power being processed and distributed. A low quality PSU has small heat sinks and smaller, less tolerant components. A better quality PSU has much larger heat sinks and huge capacitors and thicker wires. This usually leads to better durability at the very least, better operation performance, and protection for the system in case a failure is imminent. I have not seen your PSU, I have not run any sort of engineering diagnostic on it, I cannot predict the future. The fact is, you may very well use the same PSU for the full life of the system. I respect your reluctance in listening to me, but I'm not out to criticize your choice in PSU. I just want to make you aware of the experiences others have had with Aspire PSUs. If you search on almost any forum, you will find MANY warnings against using certain branded PSUs. It may work well for you, but if you task it to its max, you're taking a risk. When you consider my words, consider also that it makes no difference to me as to what you choose. I don't know you and have no personal interest in your choice of PSU. Although it doesn't make any difference to me what you do, I'd like you to trust that my opinion and suggestions are completely objective and I just wanted to explain why you may want to consider a different PSU if not now, then in the upcomming weeks/months. Good luck with your build! On another note, though, you're using PC2-4200 ram with a PC2-3200 CPU? Not that it makes any difference, I'm just curious.

Very well written I thank you for not calling me "Noob" or "Moron" for sticking with the Aspire PSU. The Main reason I am sticking with the Aspire is I already have it and dont have the money for another one. I understand some PSU's have the tendancy to fail more often then others I read the reviews on this aspire and felt it was good enough.

About the Ram/CPU, Honestly I didnt notice. Do you have a reccomendation for a PC2-4200 CPU around the same price? The only real requirement I have for the P4 is 64bit support and HT.

[blue60007]

Actually, you'll want to go with DDR2 533. I believe it completely eliminates any memory bottlenecks with that CPU, and it's more available and much cheaper than DDR2 400. For example, there's a ton of choices for 1 gig kits for DDR2 533 from $65-80 but there's only 2 1 gig kits of DDR2 400 and they are from $95 - $140 (the last one is ECC) on Newegg.

Great, the 512mb I currently have is DDR2-533.

Now I just need to decide if i want to wait another week, save up a little, and order a Pentium D for 60 dollars more.

[blue60007]

Originally Posted by glc Here's how DDR2 works on Intel boards. The exact speed match for 800 bus processors is DDR2 400. However, you can (and should) go up one step in memory speed to get extra bandwidth, so 533 memory is recommended for 800 bus processors. Now, when you use a 1066 bus processor, the same theory applies. 533 is an exact match, 667 is recommended. We are talking strictly about stock operation here, not overclocking.

From here. Just to follow up on that....

Oh, and for a few more bucks, you might consider the Intel 920... (you should double check the compatibility with it though on ASUS's website - go to support, then there's a CPU Support page under one of the drop down menus along the top)

[glc]

The P5LD2 *should* accept a 920 (it's in the Asus compatibility chart with bios 0901), but Intel has only certified the P5LD2 Deluxe. The Preslers are so new I anticipate issues with a LOT of motherboards. I would figure Asus being in the forefront to properly support them. You will have to flash the bios if the board doesn't ship with that version or later. I'm assuming it will at least POST with an older bios so you can hook up a floppy drive and do the flash.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by jayb1234 The person referring to drilling that case with an Intel setup probably had to drill it to add extra fans because it was overheating.

Ahhh...that makes more sense. I really couldn't believe anyone would have to drill more motherboard mounting holes while they were trying to install a ATX motherboard in a ATX case.

Cricket