Compatibility

[Tiusai]

Sorry for such a noobie question, but it's hard to find all i'm looking for in 1 place. so...

I was wondering, when you build a board, you need components to be compatible with the mobo right?

like

graphics card: AGP or PCI-E
PCU: socket 939, 940 etc.
I was wondering if you guys can tell me what else has to be compatible with the mobo or anything else

RAM: (Is it the number of pins?)
Hard Drive:
PSU:
CD/DVD drive:
Sound Card:

i can't think of anymore components of a comp, add more to this list if i missed anything.

Thanks
...Still learning -_-"

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Ram: Must be DDR if your going with socket A, 939, or 940. NOT DDR2!

Harddrive: depends on the MOBO. IDE is still on most boards (Whats in your current computer), But SATA is the current way to go. (Or SATA 2)

PSU: Have to make sure you have enough wattage and make sure you go with a good brand. Many people by cheap $15 power supplies that don't get them anywhere. I's say stick with 420watts or higher and get one from Seasonic, OCZ, Antec, Forton, PC P&C, and Enermax. (There's others that other members can point out)

CD/DVD drive. Nah, shouldn't matter.

Sound card: Nah (Unless you stick in some kind of 7 year old POS)

If you'd want, give a budget and some features you want, and I'm sure many people can build you a system. (Choose the components for you). That way you would have minimal risk to messing up. Of course, keep asking questions, Its the only way to learn.

 

[spiritwalker2223]

Well, you have to pick a mobo first.

Assuming that your getting everything from scratch I'd get a AMD 939 mobo with PCI-e 16X. So you'd have a 939 processor PCI-e 16X video card, DDR ram(I believe that's 184 pin), psu depends on video card, sound card (I just use onboard, there pretty good, but for audiophies you can get your creative whatever) on PCI slot. You can get SATA or ATA133 for your hard drive and DVD, depends on how much you want to spent, typially your good hard drives are SATA or SATA2 and I would just get an ATA133 DVD player as there's no benefit from going SATA (besides nicer wires) and they are somewhat rare.

I am assuming you want to go AMD. FYI the 940 socket is for servers.

 

[deadmantyping]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Ram: Must be DDR if your going with socket A, 939, or 940. NOT DDR2!

Harddrive: depends on the MOBO. IDE is still on most boards (Whats in your current computer), But SATA is the current way to go. (Or SATA 2)

PSU: Have to make sure you have enough wattage and make sure you go with a good brand. Many people by cheap $15 power supplies that don't get them anywhere. I's say stick with 420watts or higher and get one from Seasonic, OCZ, Antec, Forton, PC P&C, and Enermax. (There's others that other members can point out)

CD/DVD drive. Nah, shouldn't matter.

Sound card: Nah (Unless you stick in some kind of 7 year old POS)

If you'd want, give a budget and some features you want, and I'm sure many people can build you a system. (Choose the components for you). That way you would have minimal risk to messing up. Of course, keep asking questions, Its the only way to learn.

do make sure that your components are compatible with your OS though, for instance, if you the Windows XP Pro x64 route...

 

[imported_Kensai]

1: Graphics card usually depends on your budget and needs. PCI-E is the way of the future
2: Most people on these prefer S939 for dual channel DDR and it's dual core support for the future.
3. DDR2 is 240 pins and is only compatible with Intel systems so far. 168pin SDRAM is old, you don't want to go that way. Most new S939 systems require 184 pin DDR SDRAM, non ECC and unbuffered.
4. Hard drive wise, SATA is the way of the future with lower power consumption and thinner cables. That's the best way to go.
5. You want a quality PSU from a quality manufacturer with at least 28A 12V for your system.
6. You usually want a DVD burner to "backup" movies.
7. Integrated sound (from your motherboard) is generally enough for most people.