Intel build questions

[Gary$1n2]

I apologize in advance that I'm starting another thread on a new build, but I wanted to have a thread where all the answers to my questions are specific for my build.

Motherboard: Intel DG33TL (mATX)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
PSU: either Ultra or Antec, modular, 550 watts or more (supporting PCI-E and multiple SATA)
Reference Manual: Build Your Own Computer by David Risley (purchased at a discount during Christmas sale...lol)
(Eventually, I will add the complete parts list as soon as I have all of them in hand, but I will be installing just a couple of sticks of 1GB PC6400 800MHz DDR2 Ram (2nd question belows details why I am not committing to the full 8GB the motherboard will allow)). Motherboard already has HiDef Video and Audio on board, so I won't be installing a graphicsor audio card just yet. I already have 2 hard drive set to go in, both WD--one an 80GB SATA for the OS, and a 160GB IDE for data, etc (both 7200 RPM), but I will be adding more later as money permits...lol!)

Got the CPU/heatsink/fan all attached to the motherboard, and started familiarizing myself with the different headers/plugs on the motherboard as compared to the BYOC manual before proceeding.

First question: David mentions that some cases have the plugs in them labeled (as does mine), and it's pretty straight forward about where the individual plugs for the power LED/HDled/reset/ and power go, and my motherboard has them labeled exactly the same with one exception. BYOC mentions the case speaker wire is two wires in a four pin plug (which mine is), but no where on the board is any plug labeled for case speaker. Is this because the motherboard has an onboard speaker, and because it does have that on board speaker, do I need the case speaker for listening for the beep?

For anyone who might want to look for yourself, the motherboard product guide can be viewed at:

http://download.intel.com/support/mo...9003102_en.pdf

Second question: I'm leaning toward Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bit and 64 bit for an OS (64bit allows up to 8GB ram), so can both the 32 bit and 64 bit OS be installed on the same computer, and is the 64 bit backward compatible for programs that run on 32 bit?

All in all, I find the BYOC manual very informative and it should be the first thing obtained before building your computer. Thank you for this forum and the vast amount of knowledge I can learn from all of you.

[flanzig1]

The speaker is mounted on the board(page 25 of the manual).
At this time I would just stay with the 32 bit OS. 2gigs of ram will handle most home users.

[Gary$1n2]

Sory for being confused....but just what is and what it does is a "scuzzy" drive, and is there any advantage for having one. Only reason I ask is my brother has one in his computer and keeps talking about his "scuzzy" drive and I have no clue...lol!
Thanks for any info you can give me. All my computers seem to have enough slots/spaces/resources, but I could be mistaken (didnt say I was tho...lol)...

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Gary$1n2 Sory for being confused....but just what is and what it does is a "scuzzy" drive, and is there any advantage for having one. Only reason I ask is my brother has one in his computer and keeps talking about his "scuzzy" drive and I have no clue...lol!

SCSI is just another type of drive interface like IDE and SATA. You usually see it used in servers and high end workstations because of the costs...it costs considerably more than IDE and SATA so it's generally not used in home computers. More information.

Cricket

[doubledragon5]

For the psu Antec is better of the two. Ultra is not a good quality unit, and can die out any time, including taking your whole system with it.. Check out this list Ultra is not recommended.. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

[Gary$1n2]

Thanks for the info....looks like I'll be looking for an Antec, and thanks for clearing that up Cricket...guess my brother had more money than he knew what to do with when he got it...lol!