Its getting close to payday...a final check on my first PC build components.

[NinjaBachelorParty]

Ive been on here asking various questions for a few weeks, deciding on parts for my first build. Its payday soon, so im going to be buying it all, ive made up my mind as to what i want, but id like to do one final check on my parts, just to make sure they are compatible, and that all the bits will fit in the case with no issues:-

-AMD Athlon 64 (ADA4200BVBOX) X2 4200+ socket 939 Dual Core 2.2ghz 512kb and 512kb Cache

-ASUS A8N-SLI Premium skt939 nForce4 Gigabit Ethernet Firewire 8channel audio

-Hiper 580W Type-R Modular PSU - Black

-Crucial 2GB kit (1GBx2) DDR PC3200 CL=3 UNBUFFERED NON-ECC DDR400 2.6V 128Meg x 64

-Ebuyer Extra Value Ram Heat Spreader Aluminium Blue

-LG GSA-4167BRL 16X Dual Layer Dual Format DVD ± RW Writer - Black Retail Pack

-Mitsumi OEM Black Internal Floppy Drive 1.44mb 3.5 Inch

-Thermaltake Blue Orb II Socket 939/754/775) CPU Cooler

-Sansun C0601BKS ATX Gaming Case in black and silver with side window/2 x LED fans/Airguide/USB2.0/Audio and 500w PSU

Thats the main bulk of it, not inclding cables etc. Im aware there is no hard drive at the moment, but i had to make the choice between a new hard drive or a monitor, and i want the system up and running. I have an IDE drive from my old PC that will do me fine for now. Also, ill be getting a graphics card, but not for a month or so.

The only thing im not completely sure on is the case, purely for cosmetic reasons though. Any other recommendations in the price range? Obviously its no issue if it comes with a PSU or not, just that the Hiper one im getting will fit.

Thanks in advance.

[freakitchen]

Looks good to me. There's no real need for heatspreaders on your RAM, and your processor will come with a perfectly adequate cooler. Only purchase the aftermarket one if you're serious about overclocking - in which case you may as well get the OEM version of the processor.

Case is pretty much personal preference. As long as it's ATX, then that HIPER PSU will fit. Incidentally, i can vouch for the quality of the Hiper - I have one myself, and NVIDIA have just certified it for SLI use.

Obviously you'll need a graphics card for the time-being, you'll need a PCI-Express one for that motherboard.

FK

[jayb1234]

Don't forget to put an OS on the list.

[MakeYourslf2012]

Looks good. If your on a tight budget, the 6600GT should be a good candidate for a graphics card - they've come down to a reasonable price that hard to beat.

However, I would still be a little skeptical of the Hiper PSU - because of the fact that its not a well known brand and its a modular unit - You might have trouble when you eventually use the motherboard's SLI feature.

Your not going to need to purchase the CPU HSF, one already comes with the processor. Plus, by using the Thermaltake HSF, you void the warranty of the CPU.

[freakitchen]

However, I would still be a little skeptical of the Hiper PSU - because of the fact that its not a well known brand and its a modular unit - You might have trouble when you eventually use the motherboard's SLI feature.

I believe Hiper are more well known in Europe than the US; they are Ebuyer's premium brand.

I've been very happy with my Hiper 580w, but here's a link to the Extreme Overclocking review for an "unbiased" opinion...


http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/r...eR_580W_1.html

FK

[NinjaBachelorParty]

Yeah, Hiper seem very good, and as FK said, they are authorised by Nvidia to run SLI configuration. Im probably going to go all out and get a 7900GTX card, and if a time ever comes to get a second card, i can upgrade the PSU at the same time if need be (a very long way off though).

FK, i have a question for you regarding the PSU though, the case above requires that you install the mobo upside down, do you think there will be any issues reaching the power connectors? (the PSU still installs at the top). It says on their site that it may not reach on cases that install the PSU at the bottom, so i guess this is the same situation reveresed.

[blue60007]

I would look on the internet (or Hiper's site) and see if they list the length of the cables. Then you'd have to look at some reviews of the case and picture your board in there and try to imagine if it'll fit... If the reviews use a similar board (at least power connector layout wise) see if you can find the lenghts of the cables on the power supply used there...and compare it to the Hiper's (hopefully that makes sense)

[freakitchen]

The cable length is questionable. Although the main ATX connector should reach, I'd be more worried about the 4-pin AUX connector.

Here's the cable length guide from Hiper's website:

http://www.hipergroup.com/English/fi...ble_config.pdf

I'd be generally cautious about going for a case that requires mounting the motherboard upside-down. The ASUS SLI-Premium you chose uses heatpipe technology to cool the chipset. This *might* be impaired having the board upside down, though it's just an assumption...someone else might like to input here.

FK

[NinjaBachelorParty]

I have been looking around, a review of a case with a similair layout mentions the problem when using a different PSU, so it may be an issue in general. I dont think the Hiper one will reach well, the P4 connection is on a 45cm cable, and the case is 54cm in height, so it will be a stretch, and will have to go right across the mobo which isnt too great. Is it possible to get extension cables for the power connections? Ive found ones for the P4 cable and for 20 pin ATX cables, but none for the 24 pin ATX connector.

Im glad i researched this stuff before blindly buying it all

Edit: I think ill go for a different case if the heatpipe might be impaired. The case seems to have more pros than cons, and i wasnt sure about it in the first place. I have a few days, ill keep looking! Any recommendations are appreciated though; id like something quite roomy if possible.

[freakitchen]

I'd be tempted to ditch the case for a more regular style, in that case. Getting extensions for your cables just reduces the quality of the power getting to your components, which - in effect - has already been slightly reduced by using a modular power supply.

FK

[NinjaBachelorParty]

Yeah, as i said i can keep looking for a few days, the Aspire one is looking quite nice, maybe ill go for that.

[freakitchen]

Aspire cases are good lookers, but the Power Supplies are fit only for the bin.

You might want to check out www.overclockers.co.uk, I think they've a better range of cases than Ebuyer.

FK