New builder...compatability help?!

[Affliktor]

i would really like to get started on trying to build my first computer but i want to pick the parts out myself. The only problem is that i have no idea how to tell what is compatable with what and i was wondering if someone could give me some helpful tips and tell me how to regognize what is compatable with what.

[newbuilder14]

You should continue this in your first thread: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=174132

This is a good place to get critique and ensure compatibility.

[Affliktor]

im sorry im not quite sure i fully understand that........sorry i have these retard moments every now and then.

[Jimmy0]

Basically keep all the stuff about your new build in the original thread you created, and not create multiple ones if you need help on the same build.

[Affliktor]

o well its not quite the same build i want to start from scratch i just dont know how to tell what is compatible with what?

[newbuilder14]

Certain processors are compatible with certain motherboards based on socket type and chipset.

Certain memory is compatible with certain motherboards based on speed and interface.

Certain video cards are compatible with certain motherboard based on interface.

Certain power supplies are compatible with certain parts based on the power connectors and rails.

---------------------

Does this somewhat clear it up?

[Affliktor]

ok so pretty much everything depends on what MOBO i get....so in what order should i pick out the parts to ensure that they are all compatible

[Affliktor]

oh my gosh i just looked up the intel core 2 duo because everyone is so highly recommending them on here.....they're so freakin expensive!!

[flanzig1]

1: Budget
2: Useage(gaming/3D/AutoCad/basic office,surfing)
3: Intel/AMD
4: Motherboard(correct socket for CPU/Sli or Crossfire/size case to be used/options wanted on-board)
5: Ram(amount wanted/OC)
6: Video card: see #1 and 2
7: PSU(the sum of 1 through 6)
8: Case(stlye/color/size requirements)
9: Drives(storage/burning needs)

[Affliktor]

ok here is all i have so far....its not much at all but i want to make sure im headed in the right direction compatibility wise before i go on.

MOBO:ASUS P5L-MX LGA 775 Intel 945G Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
CPU:Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
RAM:Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit
Desktop Memory - Retail

and thats it but like i said i want to make sure im headed in the right direction with compatibility first.

[Jimmy0]

The parts are compatible, but before you start picking out parts, what is the budget that we are looking at for the build?

[newbuilder14]

Yes, those parts are compatible. I suggest Corsair for the memory. I'd drop the P5L-MX motherboard and see if you can get something without onboard video - the Asus P5B would be the best choice.

[Affliktor]

well budget i dont care but i dont want it rediculously high...but i want this PC for gaming and the reason i dont have a budget right now is because i dont have enough money to build the crappiest PC in the world right now i just want to pick out the stuff i want so i know how much money i then have to save up for....im a 16 year old in school with no time for a job right now

[Jimmy0]

Well I would wait until you have the money before you start picking together the parts, because give it a few months time and things will all change, prices will drop and new hardware is out which makes your list wrong.

If you are going to a decent gaming PC, then I would say roughly a minimum of $800.

[Affliktor]

well dang...i dont know when ill have the money and when you say $800 do you meanwith or without monitor, speakers, mouse, etc.?

[Affliktor]

right now all i have saved up for this is about $400

[Affliktor]

if it wouldnt be too much trouble could you just put together a list for me of parts for a nice cheap gaming computer just going off of this case...i like this case

POWMAX CP0327PL-4 Window Black/Silver SGCC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply - Retail

[Affliktor]

on second thought here is a list that NewBuilder14 provided for me but its missin a Power supply and i changed the case so could you please just provide a link for a good power supply for these things and make sure the case is compatible with them all that would be great.

Case: POWMAX CP0327PL-4 Window Black/Silver SGCC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply - Retail
MOBO: ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Retail
Vid. Card: eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Sp2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM

and thats it if anyone has any other suggestions or tips they're greatly appreciated

[Turbo_Supra]

here's the thing, If you cant afford to build your computer now theres no point in picking out parts. What you should be doing is researching what works with what etc. In 2 months the e4300 will be out which is a good budget chipset (resealed yesterday afaik). Instead of building around the e6600 which requires more power and is well, more expensive. A good place to start your research would be here: http://www.pcmech.com/hardware.htm. other good sites include: http://www.xbitlabs.com/, http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/, http://www.pcstats.com/, http://www.extremetech.com/, and http://www.tomshardware.com/index.html.

[Affliktor]

ok so about how much money should i save before preparing to build?

[Turbo_Supra]

$800-$1000 for an entry level gaming computer (meaning it can barely play the newest game)
$1200-1500 for a mid-range gaming computer that can play all of the newest games at almost all the highest settings
$1500 and up is just overkill really

[newbuilder14]

Your list looks good but that power supply is very low quality - it could harm your components. Switch it out for an Xclio 450BL or FSP AX450 if you are on a budget. I suggest saving up around $1,000 if you need a monitor and peripherals.

Core 2 Duo is not the only option if you are short on money, but it does provide the best value and performance.

[Affliktor]

wait there is no power supply in that list is there?

[Affliktor]

o yea and Turbo im not quite sure i understand what you want me to do with those links you gave me. i went to them and....well thats why im posting this...what exactly do you want me to do?

[newbuilder14]

Just do not use the power supply that comes in the PowMax case.

Also, please be aware that double-posting is against the forum rules and is disregarded here by most members - please use the edit button.

[Turbo_Supra]

go to those links and research what various component do and what to look for in a quality component.

[glc]

Affliktor - when you have $800 saved up, come back and we will help you. For now your expectations are not reasonable. If you want a gamer, you have to pay. We can spec out a $400 computer right now - that's for just the tower, no peripherals, OS, or software, but it will have onboard video, not very upgradeable, and may have some questionable quality parts - you might as well buy an eMachine. You cannot save money building a cheap computer. There is also no sense in buying *some* of the parts now and waiting till you have the money to buy the rest - what you buy now will be obsolete by the time you finish.

I bought an eMachine for a Christmas gift for a 15 year old. It has a Pentium-D 805, 1 gig ram, onboard ATI video (with a PCI-Ex16 slot for an upgrade), a 200 gig hard drive, yada yada, XP MCE, a 15 inch LCD. and a cheap Canon printer. It was $600 out the door. I can't build one for that price with those specs, even with total garbage parts. That was the budget the kid's mom gave me, and it was the best I could come up with. For now, it's gonna get his homework done and play his music and videos. If he wants to game with it, tough. It's gonna stink. Putting a gaming quality video card in it will require a power supply upgrade.

I'm not telling you to go buy one of those turds, I'm saying to wait till you have the cash to do it RIGHT.

[Affliktor]

sweet thanks for the advice glc