building a decent PC

[farmkid5]

I would like to build a decent PC that will last me for a while and be upgradable.

I have an old power supply Powmax model LP-8800d DC output: 4ooW max and would like to be able to use that If possible.

These are the parts i am looking at:

CPU:AMD Athlon X2 7850 Black Edition Kuma 2.8GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103678

MoBO:ASUS M4A78 Plus AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131381

RAM:CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

that is what i have so far if you see any compatibility issues please let me know.
or if you see a place where i could save or improve.

I have a Maxtor diamond max 20 120GB PATA if this hard drive will work i will use it until i decide to upgrade i also have an MSI DVD-ROM drive model no.d16(ms-8216)
both of these came of from my family's old PC

[glc]

Replace the power supply. Powmax units are garbage.

[farmkid5]

Ok what about the rest of the components?

i forgot ask is it hrad to upload a operating system and set up the bios?

[Khalil]

Good hardware you chose as long as you get a quality power supply (Sea Sonic, FSP and Corsair are great brands), are you going to add a video card?

I would go with the AM3 chipset specially since you are saying you want it to last a while and be upgradeable. The AM2+ chipset is on it's way out.
If you don't mind spending a little extra here is what I would get:
AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz
ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Hope this helps you out.

[LeftyAce]

The BIOS shouldn't require any setup. Installing the operating system is as simple as putting the CD in the drive and booting up the computer :-)

Here's a rundown on powersupplies: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

What's your intended use for the pc? (doesn't sound like gaming, since you're not including a graphics card, but want to be sure).

[farmkid5]

I am thinking about buying a video card but i dont know wich one to get help would be great.

I will be doing moderate gaming and web surfing.

As for the new MoBo and cpu is it going to be worth the cash?

I also have a question i have a video card of of my familys old computer. will it be able to fit in the Mobo or have they changed the socket?

[glc]

Today's motherboards use PCI-Express video cards. The old computer probably has AGP, it won't work. If you are going to game, the best video card in the $100 range is a Radeon HD 4770. A suitable power supply will be at least $50 if not more.

[farmkid5]

thanks for the info. i will check it out.

[farmkid5]

Ok i searched the video card you suggested and came up with 2 results a Sapphire and VisionTek
wich is better?http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...4770&x=20&y=25

I also found this power supply will it work?

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341016

[glc]

That PSU should be fine.

Both those cards are out of stock, but you can get a 512mb HD 4850 for the same price now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102824

[farmkid5]

thanks for replying so soon. will check out that card.

are the similar in performance?

[glc]

The 4850 is actually very slightly better.

[farmkid5]

great i will change my video card to that then.

[farmkid5]

which operating system do you guys recommend?

[glc]

XP Home for right now - looking forward to Windows 7 sometime next year.

In my opinion, Vista was never quite right and never will be. There have been excellent reports about the Windows 7 release candidate, but it *IS* just that, a release candidate, NOT a finished product.

[farmkid5]

XP home i can get that at newegg right.

[LeftyAce]

An OEM copy of XP home is $90, and as glc said, it's rock solid.

[farmkid5]

Originally Posted by LeftyAce An OEM copy of XP home is $90, and as glc said, it's rock solid.

What does OEM stand for?

I am going to try and order my parts this week if possible so i will be building soon.

[LeftyAce]

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. It's meant to be sold to people/companies making computers, and then they just sell a computer pre-loaded with XP to the end consumer. It means it doesn't come with a fancy retail box, and is usually cheaper. Same operating system, different (less) packaging.

[farmkid5]

Originally Posted by Khalil Good hardware you chose as long as you get a quality power supply (Sea Sonic, FSP and Corsair are great brands), are you going to add a video card? I would go with the AM3 chipset specially since you are saying you want it to last a while and be upgradeable. The AM2+ chipset is on it's way out. If you don't mind spending a little extra here is what I would get: AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Hope this helps you out.

i have been reading reviews on that motherboard and a lot of them are not good should i get a different one?

[Khalil]

We have used over 200 Asus M4A78T-E so far and not had any issues with them, most bad reviews on high end products on newegg is by people who don't know what they are doing and in turn mess up the hardware then blame the manufacturer.
I can't guarantee you won't get a bad part, no one can guarantee it but These 790GX motherboards are very solid and it is not likely that you would have issues as long as you follow building instructions and not short out the motherboard when you put it in the case.

[LeftyAce]

Agreed, newegg reviews should be taken with a large grain of salt. Asus has outstanding customer support if something does go wrong (I've dealt with them once, and it turned out not to be the motherboard, but they were able to diagnose it anyhow).

[farmkid5]

ok thanks i just want to make sure i am getting quality parts. thanks for the info.

[farmkid5]

i have a hard drive from my old pc can i install it in my new one wothout the driver cd?

will the pc recognize it? how does that work

[LeftyAce]

You should be able to install an old harddrive no problem. What kind is it?

[glc]

If you are talking about that old Maxtor 120gb IDE drive, yes, it will work and should not require any drivers to install XP on it.

[farmkid5]

thanks for your help.

[farmkid5]

here are the parts i got will post more pics soon.

[farmkid5]

here are some more pictures.

[farmkid5]

what hard drive brand do you recommend?