Can anyone confirm compatibility?

andrewboon · Nov 20, 2011

Hi everyone, I am very new to building computers. I am getting a new setup and it's going to be my first time ever building a computer. I made a thread a week ago asking for suggestions on what parts to get for my new computer and here are the parts that I am about to order. Before I spend 700+ dollars on this, I would like to make sure everything is compatible with each other (for example, will everything fit in the case? Are the graphics card and processor compatible with the motherboard?) and that everything is good for my 700$ budget. Here is my setup. Thank you so much for your help!

MagnusTheBrewer · Nov 20, 2011

A minor issue but, the specific ram you listed isn't on the MB's QVL you listed. Other GSKILL 4 G models are though so, they'll probably work just fine.

andrewboon · Nov 20, 2011

MagnusTheBrewer said:
A minor issue but, the specific ram you listed isn't on the MB's QVL you listed. Other GSKILL 4 G models are though so, they'll probably work just fine.

Crap I already ordered the RAM, what should I do?

MagnusTheBrewer · Nov 20, 2011

andrewboon said:
Crap I already ordered the RAM, what should I do?

No problem. It'll probably work just fine. The QVL isn't a complete list by any means and often includes older ram that is no longer manufactured. The QVL is just another tool to help eliminate potential problems not, a definitive list.

MagnusTheBrewer · Nov 20, 2011

Although, since it's only been a half an hour since you asked for help, you might have wanted to wait a tad longer.

Itchy fingers?

andrewboon · Nov 20, 2011

MagnusTheBrewer said:
Although, since it's only been a half an hour since you asked for help, you might have wanted to wait a tad longer. Itchy fingers?

Haha yea kind of in a rush to get this computer. Do you see any other issues with my setup?

Ken g6 · Nov 20, 2011

If you're getting an i3, I would spend literally $5 more on an i3 2120.

There's little point to getting a Z68 with a non-k processor; even less point with an i3. What happened to the H61 in your earlier thread? Are you planning to upgrade to Ivy Bridge? Do you want 16GB RAM at some point?

MagnusTheBrewer · Nov 20, 2011

andrewboon said:
Haha yea kind of in a rush to get this computer. Do you see any other issues with my setup?

Seems fine. Do you have an OS?

andrewboon · Nov 20, 2011

Ken g6 said:
If you're getting an i3, I would spend literally $5 more on an i3 2120.

There's little point to getting a Z68 with a non-k processor; even less point with an i3. What happened to the H61 in your earlier thread? Are you planning to upgrade to Ivy Bridge? Do you want 16GB RAM at some point?

I am not sure what Ivy Bridge is, but I definitely don't need 16 GB RAM at any point in my life. The most I would need is 8GB. I don't know what Z68 and non-k processor mean, but what is the difference between the H61 and the graphics card I linked?

andrewboon · Nov 20, 2011

MagnusTheBrewer said:
Seems fine. Do you have an OS?

Yup I have Windows Vista disk ready to install.

Ken g6 · Nov 20, 2011

andrewboon said:
I don't know what Z68 and non-k processor mean, but what is the difference between the H61 and the graphics card I linked?

One's a motherboard and the other is a graphics card.

OK, starting over...

Intel has several series of Sandy Bridge processors. (Branded as "second generation Intel Core processors" in ads):
- i3: No overclocking, 2 cores, hyperthreaded.
- i5: Minor overclocking, 4 cores, not hyperthreaded. Processors whose numbers end with a "k" can be overclocked practically without limit.
- i7: Same as i5, plus hyperthreaded.

Intel also has several series of chipsets. These are useful for identifying motherboard type:
- H61: Cheap. Allows use of the onboard Intel HD graphics. Does not allow overclocking the CPU.
- H67: Like H61, plus SATA3 (for SSDs) and USB 3.0. Note that some mobo manufacturers put extra chips on cheaper H61 boards that do the same things.
- P67: Like H67, except that it allows overclocking CPUs that are capable of overclocking, but it does not allow use of the onboard Intel HD graphics.
- Z68: Like H67, except that it allows overclocking CPUs that are capable of overclocking. Also allows caching HDD data on an SSD, which is pretty much a gimmick.

Ivy Bridge is the next series of Intel processors, coming next year. They should be faster and use less power. You should be able to plug them into most Z68, P67, and H67 boards. H61 compatibility is unclear.

andrewboon · Nov 20, 2011

Ken g6 said:
One's a motherboard and the other is a graphics card.

OK, starting over...

Intel has several series of Sandy Bridge processors. (Branded as "second generation Intel Core processors" in ads):
- i3: No overclocking, 2 cores, hyperthreaded.
- i5: Minor overclocking, 4 cores, not hyperthreaded. Processors whose numbers end with a "k" can be overclocked practically without limit.
- i7: Same as i5, plus hyperthreaded.

Intel also has several series of chipsets. These are useful for identifying motherboard type:
- H61: Cheap. Allows use of the onboard Intel HD graphics. Does not allow overclocking the CPU.
- H67: Like H61, plus SATA3 (for SSDs) and USB 3.0. Note that some mobo manufacturers put extra chips on cheaper H61 boards that do the same things.
- P67: Like H67, except that it allows overclocking CPUs that are capable of overclocking, but it does not allow use of the onboard Intel HD graphics.
- Z68: Like H67, except that it allows overclocking CPUs that are capable of overclocking. Also allows caching HDD data on an SSD, which is pretty much a gimmick.

Ivy Bridge is the next series of Intel processors, coming next year. They should be faster and use less power. You should be able to plug them into most Z68, P67, and H67 boards. H61 compatibility is unclear.

Does overclocking basically mean making a processor do more than what it should? And also what would you recommend?

Ken g6 · Nov 20, 2011

If you're not familiar with overclocking, I'd just avoid it.

This is a nice $75 board. If you intend to upgrade later, there's also this Z68 for $97.50 with shipping.

Finally, as you're getting a Micro-ATX board, you could also get a Micro-ATX case. It's smaller - that's the major difference.

andrewboon · Nov 20, 2011

Ken g6 said:
If you're not familiar with overclocking, I'd just avoid it.

This is a nice $75 board. If you intend to upgrade later, there's also this Z68 for $97.50 with shipping.

Finally, as you're getting a Micro-ATX board, you could also get a Micro-ATX case. It's smaller - that's the major difference.

What is a Micro-ATX board? It sounds like a motherboard that is used for lower end computers. This computer I'm building is intended for gaming.

fastamdman · Nov 20, 2011

Do NOT avoid overclocking, as it is so easy with SB it's not even funny. Overclocking is like adding Horse Power to a car. You know how you can add more timing in the older muscle cars *or newer ones* and gain power? You aren't doing anything but changing a number in the computer and the car is faster.

Well overclocking is the same thing, from the factory default the chips have a 33x multiplier which means they run at 3300mhz. If you change that 33 to a 40 you will then run at 4ghz aka 4000mhz. This can help out DRASTICALLY with a lot of applications.

Most people don't realize how much of a "real world" decrease in load times they can actually see from overclocking.

Give me a sec and I will spec you something out that I feel is reasonable for your budget

fastamdman · Nov 20, 2011

andrewboon said:
What is a Micro-ATX board? It sounds like a motherboard that is used for lower end computers. This computer I'm building is intended for gaming.

Micro-atx just means it is smaller in physical size. I personally would avoid these boards.

andrewboon · Nov 20, 2011

fastamdman said:
Do NOT avoid overclocking, as it is so easy with SB it's not even funny. Overclocking is like adding Horse Power to a car. You know how you can add more timing in the older muscle cars *or newer ones* and gain power? You aren't doing anything but changing a number in the computer and the car is faster.

Well overclocking is the same thing, from the factory default the chips have a 33x multiplier which means they run at 3300mhz. If you change that 33 to a 40 you will then run at 4ghz aka 4000mhz. This can help out DRASTICALLY with a lot of applications.

Most people don't realize how much of a "real world" decrease in load times they can actually see from overclocking.

Give me a sec and I will spec you something out that I feel is reasonable for your budget

Well I already have a setup, I just wanted some review about it to see if everything was compatible with each other. I already ordered the graphics card, RAM, and optical drive so I am set in stone with those three items. I didn't order the rest of the computer cause I was concerned about compatability.

fastamdman · Nov 20, 2011

Link me to the ram your ordered please, we need to make sure its 1.5Volt ram. As for the graphics card it will be usable in your new rig as will the optical drive. Any chance your budget could be increased some because the difference of spending just a little more gives you a MUCH MUCH better gaming computer. Currently the best price to performance gaming chip is the 2500k. They can do everything including making your coffee in the morning. Generally the chip+motherboard run about 360 dollars.

andrewboon · Nov 20, 2011

fastamdman said:
Link me to the ram your ordered please, we need to make sure its 1.5Volt ram. As for the graphics card it will be usable in your new rig as will the optical drive. Any chance your budget could be increased some because the difference of spending just a little more gives you a MUCH MUCH better gaming computer. Currently the best price to performance gaming chip is the 2500k. They can do everything including making your coffee in the morning. Generally the chip+motherboard run about 360 dollars.

Here is my ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231423

And how much of a budget increase are you talking about? I guess I could work some overtime and do that.

fastamdman · Nov 20, 2011

ewww 1 stick boo lol. It's generally better to run 2 sticks so you have "dual channel".

The build I am suggesting would cost 360 for the motherboard and processor. That leaves you with need a power supply which costs about 40 dollars and a case which costs about 40 bucks. As for a hard drive go to a store and buy one for 50 bucks because online prices blow right now.

Ken g6 · Nov 20, 2011

fastamdman said:
Do NOT avoid overclocking, as it is so easy with SB it's not even funny.

In general, I agree. But I don't recommend it for anyone who isn't sure what they're doing, because (1) it can damage your hardware (granted, this is less likely with SB but still quite possible) and (2) it does void your warranty. A 2400 is a good compromise option for anyone who wants a quad-core but doesn't want to overclock.

He is going to get 2 sticks of that 1-stick RAM. Should work.

mfenn · Nov 20, 2011

andrewboon said:
What is a Micro-ATX board? It sounds like a motherboard that is used for lower end computers. This computer I'm building is intended for gaming.

fastamdman said:
Micro-atx just means it is smaller in physical size. I personally would avoid these boards.

The physical size of the board has absolutely nothing at all to do with its performance. A MicroATX board will perform identically to a full ATX board, it just has fewer PCI slots.

mfenn · Nov 20, 2011

fastamdman said:
Link me to the ram your ordered please, we need to make sure its 1.5Volt ram. As for the graphics card it will be usable in your new rig as will the optical drive. Any chance your budget could be increased some because the difference of spending just a little more gives you a MUCH MUCH better gaming computer. Currently the best price to performance gaming chip is the 2500k. They can do everything including making your coffee in the morning. Generally the chip+motherboard run about 360 dollars.

No, just no. If the OP were to increase his budget by the ~$100 or so that he would need to in order to afford an i5 2500K, then a GPU upgrade would be the best way to improve the overall gaming experience.

Can anyone confirm compatibility?

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