First PC Build ... PSU Question

[tombstone]

Hello all ....

I'm about to embark on my first PC build. I've repaired / maintained them in the past, but never built one from the ground up.

I've purchased a MB (Asus K8N) and processor (AMD 64-bit - I forgot the specifics) and am now looking into securing the rest of the components. I've done some research and it seems that some power supplies are not compatible with my motherboard.

I was wondering if anybody can point me into the right direction for a budget minded, yet good power supply. The PC will have (2) DVD/CDRs, (2) SATA 120 GB+ HDs and a graphics card that is yet to be determined (I'll also take suggestions on that one). It will not be a gaming pc, but used for website design and some graphics design as well as general home use.

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions and help!

I look forward to building my first one.

Jeff

[monrroy24]

hello tombstone, i know that you has to buy good psu. maybe 500w,
i dont think the mobo have a requirement for it. but i know some agp card does, look the power especification,.

write specific, what you are using end i am sure somebody wil give you an answer.

[not important]

That board requires a 20Pin ATX PSU. You could also consider buying a 20+4 pin for future upgradability. Check this post for reference: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

[TwoRails]

Hi Tombstone,

Welcome to PC Mechanic !!

That should be a regular ATX 20 pin motherboard. It is recommend that you don't cut corners on the PS as damage to your components could result if a cheapo unit is used.

There are many choices but something like an Antec in the 350W - 400W range would be a good choice.

If you get a new style PS (with 24 pins) you wil most likely still be OK as most will also fit 20 pins.

You may want to also go over to the General Hardware section and read up on the first two sticky threads.

HTH

TwoRails

[jayb1234]

You will need a Power Supply with a 20 or 20 + 4 pin main connector and a 4 pin CPU power connector. Fortron, Sparkle and Enlight are some of the better brands that aren't real expensive.

Wattage will depend on what the video card needs,along with the rest of the components.

The manual for that motherboard reccommends 300W or 350W for a fully configured system(P 1-20).

[tombstone]

Thank for the advice.

I'm leaning towards the Thermaltake TR2 W0070 ATX 430W Power Supply and a PNY Verto GeForce 6600 256MB DDR AGP Graphics Card.

I know the graphics card isn't a killer gaming card, but I don't play any games on the PC.

Can anybody offer some suggestions for a optical drive? I don't need a DVD-RW however the option to be able to is nice.

Any thoughts?

Thanks again!

[jayb1234]

Liteon is about the best price/performance value. Also thier drives come with burning software, which some of the others don't.

[not important]

The Thermaltake PSU should be fine. You can get the EVGA 6600 for less money than the PNY.
Lite-On and NEC are both good DVDRW's and are comparable in price. If you need burning software then go with the Lite-On as jayb1234 suggested.

[tombstone]

I looked at the PSU I mentioned earlier and discovered that it only put out .8A on the +5VSB .... so I found this one which meets my MB requirements.

I was looking for memory and cannot find the difference between the two listed below. Can anybody provide any guidance? I'm sure there is one, but I'm just not seeing it.

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit

or

CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System

Thanks again for any and all help! I'm trying to get this order ready this evening as I've been using my PII667 for way too long now.

[BrokenKingdom]

value slecet will offfer a little ocing and XMS will offer a lot of ocing. Save the cash and go valueselect unless you are planning on OCing your rig.

[tombstone]

Sounds good! I'm sure I'll be more than content w/o OCing.

Thanks!

[glc]

I'd pass on that Goodpower. It's not up to the standards of the other XClio units. Look at FSP/Sparkle, Antec, and Enermax - and look for either a 20 or a 20+4.

[tombstone]

How are you thoughts on this one.

thanks again!

[not important]

The Enermax should serve you well.

[Thurrdome]

For an amazing rendering card, purchace the QUADRO 4500 FX!

[glc]

Oh come on - isn't a $1800 graphics card a bit of an overkill for that machine? I get the impression that budget is kinda important here.

I'd actually lean towards an ATI consumer grade 256mb card in the $100 or less range for that use. A Radeon 9800SE has more power than you will ever use.