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07-26-2006, 11:34 PM
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#1 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
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First build - Gaming PC
Hey, this will be my first build as stated. Attempted to gather as much information as possible as far as part compatibility, but I'm still a beginner. I'm unsure about the PSU, Case, and RAM compatibility with my mobo, and Optical Drives mainly because they seem more unclear than other sections. Here is what I've selected:
Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133145 Monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824005071 CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103747 Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131022 RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145015 Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143064 PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103932 HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148105 Optical Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106013 I'll be using this computer primarily for gaming and multi-tasking. I'm mainly seeking a compability review, as I'm unsure of many things about this setup. Specifically, RAM and Mobo compatability, PSU being able to run this system, All cooling, whether the case is the correct size for the chosen parts, and everything about the optical drives, because the descriptions are mind-boggling. I just want a drive that plays discs.  Any and all feedback is much appreciated, thanks in advance. Last edited by steelydan; 07-27-2006 at 01:16 AM. |
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07-27-2006, 02:20 AM
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#2 |
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Forum Administrator
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You did your homwork VERY well except for 1 thing - change the ram to DDR2-800. The XMS2 *should* work okay, although it's not on the QVL we have positive reports.
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07-27-2006, 09:23 AM
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#3 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
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thanks for the advice glc
seems the 800 RAM costs nearly twice as much, is 675->800 something necessary for it to operate, or so the RAM has the full potential of the system? another question - not sure if this is 'knowable'. if the 800 ram was an option not a requirement, would 1gb of 800 ram be more beneficial than 2gb of 675? |
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07-27-2006, 09:25 AM
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#4 |
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Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
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You should get DDR2-800 - otherwise it hurts performance compared to 939. I'm not sure what RAM you are looking at but you can get DDR2-800 for about another $20.
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07-27-2006, 09:55 AM
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#5 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
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After viewing the attached QVL, I'm somewhat confused. I think it recommends DIMM RAM, rather than SDRAM? That's all it lists, it seems like. Went ahead and selected other possibilities. One has the timing 4-4-4-12 and the other 5-5-5-12, what's the difference? (In performance, I mean. I read the guide to RAM on these forums, and was a little overwhelmed.)
5-5-5-12 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590 4-4-4-12 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220144 I wasn't able to find any DDR2 DIMM 800 RAM on newegg 
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07-27-2006, 10:41 AM
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#6 |
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 28
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DIMM = Dual Inline Memory Module, which is a stick of memory.
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07-27-2006, 10:46 AM
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#7 |
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That's one of the problems with AM2 right now - anything less than DDR2-800 will cause it to perform POORER than with the same speed rating processor on 939, using cheap DDR-400. The other problem is fussiness with ram in general. They have some memory controller issues that need to be worked out.
We have positive reports on Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 on Asus AM2 boards (your first link). Tight timings is not really the issue. |
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07-27-2006, 11:05 AM
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#8 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
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I see - I've also been seeing alot of positive reports to that effect. First mobo went out of stock so I'll pick another asus am2, thanks for the great feedback everyone.
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07-27-2006, 06:02 PM
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#9 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
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Anyone see any problems with this new Motherboard?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131024 Also, will a floppy drive be necessary for updating BIOS, and similiar things booting up? Edit: forgot to ask, is 1 PCI-e x16 slot enough for my video card? Last edited by steelydan; 07-27-2006 at 06:22 PM. |
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07-27-2006, 06:52 PM
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#10 |
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It's a shame the M2N-E is out of stock, as with the M2V-E, you're using a VIA chipset which are of lower quality/stability than Nvidia's.
If you need to order right now, then it's a tough call between an ASUS/VIA, and non-ASUS/Nforce. I'd personally go for the latter, and something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130050 A floppy drive is not generally neccesary, except for perhaps diagnostics if things go wrong. Since they're cheap, I'd get one (you don't even have to connect it if things go well), or borrow one from another PC if need arises. 1 PCI-E x16 slot is just what your video card needs FK
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07-27-2006, 07:00 PM
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#11 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
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I'm not in too big of a rush. In that case, I'll probably wait for an M2N-E if it will make a difference, I'd like for it to last awhile. Are ASUS Nvidia just higher quality in general?
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07-27-2006, 07:19 PM
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#12 |
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Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
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nVidia has better respected chipsets - VIA's aren't terribly horrible - but could be better.
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07-27-2006, 11:37 PM
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#13 |
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07-29-2006, 05:53 PM
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#14 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
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nice find glc, I'll order it from there if newegg doesnt have it when Im buying.
been reading alot of people say the antec sonata II is a great case+psu, and i'm wondering if it'd be a better idea to buy the sonata II instead of my current case and psu. Current Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133145 - $80 Current PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103932 - $97 The Antec Sonata II - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155 is $90 less than the current setup. Could the sonata II psu power the system I'm going to build? Saving money is always a good thing
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07-29-2006, 06:18 PM
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#15 |
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Staff
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Doncaster, UK
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The Sonata II is a top quality case. I'd say that the 450w Power supply would power your system - it's a good unit. One of the biggest power hogs is the video card, and you're not using an especially powerful one.
FK |
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08-03-2006, 07:19 PM
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#16 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
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good to hear, that's what I hoped. Any second opinions on the Case/PSU situation?
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08-03-2006, 09:03 PM
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#17 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,509
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The Sonata II should have no problem handling that build.
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08-05-2006, 11:13 AM
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#18 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
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I'm stuck between two video cards. They are both 7600 GTs as I like the general performance/price effeciency on them.
BFG card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143064 eVGA card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130283 Leaning toward the eVGA card, only because there are very few reviews for the BFG. The price is pretty much the same, so I'm only worried about performance. Any advice? |
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08-05-2006, 11:40 AM
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#19 |
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Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
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Go with the eVGA. It's clocked slight higher, about the same price after MIR and a better brand.
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08-14-2006, 04:48 PM
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#20 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
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If I bumped my video card up to: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127218 - 7900GT, and my HD to a 10k rpm/16mb raptor would a sonata II still reliably power my system? also how do you know what pin connector your psu is? it doesnt say on the sonata II specs on newegg (mobo needs 24)
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08-14-2006, 05:00 PM
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#21 |
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9mm wins.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Behind my Glock 34.
Posts: 4,544
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The PSU in the Antec Sonata II is the Antec SP-450 450 Watt ATX12V v2.0 PSU. It does have the 24-pin main power connector so you are all set.
450w should be enough (suggested for this card is 400w). If you plan on running in SLI mode, 550w is the suggested though. |
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