New Build Compatibility

[asielcs]

Hello I am a new member who is looking forward to build his own computer in the near future. I have been scheming through a wonderful guide on this site on how to start and the steps one should follow. Now before I can start getting my components ready I need to know if they are compatible with one another right? any guides or stickies around here with that information?

thanks

Asiel

[Nuclear Krusader]

If you've already read the stickies in this forum and the Hardware forum, then just go ahead and post the parts. If you know not that yet, then ask yourself the question: Intel or AMD? Then post, and post what's the intended use of the computer and your budget, then we can get to select parts for you.

And, welcome to the forums.

[asielcs]

cool thx well I read some of the stickies but that question keep popping out and I didnt find any info on it as of now. I've always had AMD and plan to stay with it. Alright Im gonna go dive in the stickies now

[asielcs]

Ok so I read all the stickies and out of Panama's list only things I need are:
PSU:
Mobo:
CPU
HDD
Pri Optical: ( not sure what this is, I believe they are the channels where you connect hard drive and CD room?)
Sec Optical:
Sound Card:
Video Card:

Interest:
I love building/ rebuilding/ repairing stuff from scratch. This is an experiment and a way to gain knowledge while building myself a nice system since I need a new pc. Im a casual gamer, and media person, my budget for the tower only is $500. I plan an AMD system, DDR2 or DDR3(depending on the cost of the ram since I already have 2 gig of DDR2)ATI video card, nothing too crazy.
I also need a nice cooling system I live in a very hot area ( Miami FL) and I have burned 2 video cards in the past year and a half. I am planning on using my old HP case... but feel free to advice on the choice of a new case.
Thank you

[David M]

$500 is not enough money for a gaming computer. I recommend a gaming console with internet access. Or you could by a used computer that is going to be a very poor gamer.

Realistically, you need to spend about $1000 to get a decent gamer that can run the newer games at playable frame rates.

Air cooling will work fine regardless of where you are located.

[Nuclear Krusader]

That budget seems very low to me, but then again, I don't live in the States. Lessee what the other members contribute with.

[glc]

I am planning on using my old HP case

Not a good idea for several reasons.

my budget for the tower only is $500

Sorry, this is really not enough for gaming.

I already have 2 gig of DDR2

Don't count on reusing it. Most decent boards take DDR3 these days.

You need case, power supply, motherboard, CPU, ram, hard drive, DVD burner, and video card.

EDIT: Threads merged and moved. Please keep all questions related to a build in one thread.

[asielcs]

well like I said Im a casual gamer I dont really want to build a gaming computer... I can run the games I play on my old Hp which I bought in 2007 ( AMD anthlon 3800 dual core processor, 2 gig of DDR2 and an $60 video card) How much would I need to build a decent system? Again I dont want all the latest technology. My pc is just getting slower as I surf then internet and it keep burning my video cards...

[David M]

Originally Posted by asielcs well like I said Im a casual gamer I dont really want to build a gaming computer... I can run the games I play on my old Hp which I bought in 2007 ( AMD anthlon 3800 dual core processor, 2 gig of DDR2 and an $60 video card) How much would I need to build a decent system? Again I dont want all the latest technology. My pc is just getting slower as I surf then internet and it keep burning my video cards...

A decent non-gaming computer? ...around $700.

A decent gaming computer? ...around $1000.

If your computer is getting slower while surfing the internet, the cause is not the hardware. See what processes are running in the background and do a cleaning with ccleaner. As a last resort reinstall your OS which will eliminate all the system hogging junk that has accumulated over the years.

[asielcs]

Alright thx I guess the word that goes out there that building your system is cheaper than buying a pre-build is a myth, or maybe my stardard of a decent system is different from yours since ur knowledge and demands on a rig are greater than mine.

One more question, can you guys refer me to a guide or link about the comparability of parts... still kinda of curious about that.

[Khalil]

Most people who are looking to build their own systems are not doing it because it is cheaper. They do it because they want to tinker and enjoy building a computer.
If you want cheap try finding a re-furbished dual core computer in locally where you can get some kind of a warranty.
As far as compatibility, it is pretty straight forward, you decide on AMD or Intel, you go to newegg and find a motherboard you like then look at it's specs and buy the parts accordingly.

[asielcs]

Alright got it thank you for all the info.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Another very good reason people decide to build their own, is because the systems sold by brands are, with very few notable exceptions, absolute total crap.

There's a reason why they sell for 500 dollars. You get what you pay for.

[asielcs]

How do you match DDR3 memories. I see there are different types like 1666(OC)/1333/1066?
If you buy 1333 for one channel the corresponding should also be 1333?

[Nuclear Krusader]

Yes, you should always use memory of the same speed on a system. Best thing to do is go to Crucial's or Kingston's web sites and use their memory advisors as they will determine exactly the memory you need for a particular system.

[asielcs]

great is there a big difference between 1333 and 1066?

[glc]

Threads merged again. Please keep everything about a proposed build in this thread. Thank you.

Whether you build an AMD or Intel, you should buy matched sets of ram, and most decent quality motherboards are happy with 1333 or 1600. 1333 is all you need unless you will be overclocking. 1066 is too slow.

[quartet-man]

Another reason to build is to pick out quality parts and build for what you need, not some general pre-fab system. Also, not only are some of the parts cheaper on prebuilts, but they also use proprietary parts some of which are impossible to replace / upgrade or at least very much more expensive. Many can't even be used in another system (say you want to reuse a case, motherboard, power supply etc.)

[asielcs]

yes after my research and my experience recently Ive noticed that computer manufactures( only have owned HP) use old technology....which for the regular user is just what they need. Ive started to compile parts and try to fit it in my budget if I cant make it with the $500 I will just get what I can and wait until I can save some money for the rest.Most of the machines I have seen machines posted here that way too much for what I really need.

when choosing DDR3 memory would it be better to get 2x1 gig or just a single 2 gig?
What is the difference between micro ATX and ATX...micro/minni seems to have better prices?

[glc]

Almost all new motherboards are dual channel, which means you should install ram in matched pairs for best results. Micro boards are smaller and almost always have onboard video. They are designed for cheap systems. They have 4 expansion slots, standard has 7 slots. Micro boards will install in standard cases, but not vice versa.

[asielcs]

Well I think Ive got my first proof I made my selection based on the brands mentioned here and neweggs reviews. here it goes;

RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case With 500W Power Supply -$79.99

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard-$78.99

AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor ADX250OCGQBOX-$62.99

HIS H545H1G Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card -61.99

Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9K2/2G -$41.99

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM -$18.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD322GJ/U 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive-$42.99

Total $409.36. I still have $100 left on my budget for OS and more ram in the future.
I currently run on AMD athlon dual core 1.0 ghz 3800, 2.5g Ram and 80 gig hard drive so I think this is definitely an upgrade.

[quartet-man]

I wouldn't trust the Power Supply as far as I could throw it. There is a reason why that and the case are so cheap. If you want a case that comes with a good power supply, go with an Antec.
Change the motherboard to Asus. Change the hard drive to Western Digital black.

[asielcs]

Im not so worried about the case I was looking at some local Comp Usa and they have really cool cases without power supply I can always get the PSU by it self.

Now this are the changes I made according to the brands u suggested.

ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard-79.99 ( however this mobo has these specs DDR3 1800(O.C.)/1600(O.C.)/1333(O.C.)/ 1066. I already have 1333 memory set up and Im not planning on overclocking)

Western Digital AV-25 WD3200BUDT 320GB 5400 RPM 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal AV Hard Drive - 49.99

[glc]

If you are not going to get a Black, don't get an AV. A Green or Blue is a better bet.

1333 will work fine in that board.

A 5450 will not game worth a darn, it only has 64 bit memory. I would get nothing less than a 5570 DDR3 which has 128 bit.

Get a case with no PSU and get an Antec Basiq 500.

[asielcs]

Originally Posted by glc If you are not going to get a Black, don't get an AV. A Green or Blue is a better bet.

u lost me there?

[glc]

I'm referring to Western Digital hard drives. You picked an AV series drive. Those are designed for multimedia storage drives, not primary operating system drives. The Black series drives are the best. Greens are decent, but can be a bit slow due to its low power consumption design. They are best used for file storage. The Blue is a decent cheap general purpose drive.

[Nuclear Krusader]

What's really the main difference between the AV and the others? You piqued my interest there.

[glc]

The AV-25 drives are 2.5" form factor drives optimized for use in HTPC's and other AV devices such as DVR's. They are great for streaming video but are not optimized to be OS drives.

AV Drives Overview

[asielcs]

Ok so im ready to make my final order all the the parts I posted before now as I was checking Panama's list the only thing im missing is a sound card, which the motherboard I have in my cart already has but im wondering if I would need to upgrade this in the future?
Newegg.com - ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

[glc]

You will not need a sound card at this time, you can always add one later if the onboard sound is not up to your expectations - and please change the hard drive as I indicated. You do *NOT* want to use an AV-25 drive as your only hard drive. I do not recommend Samsung drives either, their reliability is not up to standards.