Another First Build Set Up

[Binh]

Okay, so after many, many sleepless nights and hours spent reading, I have finalized my build spec. I want this machine to be a medium(high medium) gaming machine with multimedia capabilities (movies, picture, Word, etc.).

ASUS A8N-SLI ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz HT 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor

Patriot Signature Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model PSD1G400KH – Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3808110AS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model SHW160P6S05

X-Clear Acrylic Computer Case

LOGISYS Computer PS550ABK ATX12V 550Watts Power Supply with SATA and 20/24 Pin connectors (cheap + all good reviews)

eVGA 256-P2-N381 Geforce 6800XT 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Everything can be found at newegg except for the case. The case is from xoxide.com. I have a couple minor questions. The fans that come with the case (found here http://www.xoxide.com/quadligblule.html) says that it comes with four pin adapters with pass through, meaning that I will be able to use all my fans even though only two four pin connectors are open from my power supply, right? Secondly, I don't look to upgrade or change anything much (aside from simple things, like RAM or graphics card) after I actually build it, so how long will it last before it becomes obsolete. Lastly, does my PCI-E card need power from the power supply? I noticed that some power supplies had 6 pin cables for PCI-E cards and my doesn't. Thanks.

[Alaron]

Looks like a good setup, but you need to change that power supply. There is no way a power supply with 550w is only $19.99. A power supply is not something to go cheap on, if it dies, it can take out your whole system. Look at the Antec 550 instead. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103931 There is a reason it costs so much more, quality.

That particular card does not need extra power.

[rspassey]

Correct, you can connect all your fans by daisy linking or chaining them (can't remember the correct term). Sadly, I can't tell you how long it will take before it becomes obsolete - but keep in mind, as long as a PC works, it can do something. I have set up an 8 year old PC with Smoothwall to act as a hardware firewall and router for my personal network - see it is obsolete, but still serves a purpose. Though, I would expect it to last at least 2 years before you (as a gamer) would want something more powerful. In 2 years it will still be a powerful computer, but you will probably want something with a little more power to handle the latest and greatest games on the market.

[Binh]

Power supply says 550 at maximum power. Almost all of the reviewers said that the constant supply is 400w. Does that change anything?

I know I know this somewhere, but what's the "Dual + 12v"?

[Alaron]

No power supply runs at its maximum rating, but there is no such thing as a cheap and quality power supply. The good ones cost extra because they can handle the load. You would not want to chance your whole system frying would you?

Two 12V rails means that the power supply has two seperate lines for delivering power. For high end video cards, you need that extra juice. Another reason to go with the Antec.

[Binh]

Okay, I can't afford that certain unit, but hows about I switch to a more reputable brand, like FSP?

FSP Group (Fortron Source) ATX400-PA, version 2.0, SATA, 400W Power Supply - OEM