Please check if my new PC build is compatible

[hynat]

This is my first time building a PC.
I've done some research, read the forums, suggestions and have come up with this build for my gaming PC. I checked for compatibility, but with my inexperience might be overlooking something:

1. AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Processor Socket 939
2. ATI Radeon X800 XL PCI Express (Why are there many third party models of the same name with different price/features? Are any better than the standard ATI X800 XL?)

3. Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA HD
4. Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200
5. DFI "LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D" NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU
6. ENERMAX 350W Power Supply for AMD K7 & Pentium4
7. NEC ND-3520A 16X Double Layer DVD?RW Bare Drive

Some things I'm unsure of:

1. The DFI board requires a 24-pin PSU. What does this mean? Is the Enermax 350W 24-pin?
2. I'm looking for a case compatible with all of my hardware. If a case is "Standard ATX" compatible, would that work for me?


Thank you so much!



-hyn

 

[Corporate Thug]

damn, thats some super high end stuff there

i would go with some ram that has TCCD chips if you are gonna OC

i would also go with a little bigger PSU. look into a fortron or just a higher wattage enermax

 

[hynat]

Is this case (Antec P160) compatible with my build? Not sure if I have a "ATX 12V" PSU.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=140032

Thanks again.

 

[hynat]

I won't be OCing.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

A standard ATX case is what you want to look for.

Get a better powersupply. Example Seasonic 430watt

A powersupply should say 20 or 24 pin in the description. Some have adapters. You can also just plug a 20 pin powersupply into a 24pin motherboard and it will work. If you're getting a new one though, just get a 24 pin one.

Also, you could easily shave a few hundred dollars off that setup and get similar performance. Are you interested in hearing some suggestions that would save you some money, or are you pretty set on what you want?

I assume this is a gaming rig, is that what it's going to be used for?

I think if you don't want to spend less money total, it would still make sense to bump the CPU down a bit and spend more on the videocard.

EDIT: I see your not overclocking comment now. Get some budget ram then. Something like Corsair value ram will serve you fine.

Oh, and welcome to AT

 

[hynat]

I'm open for suggestions.
I thought the X800 XL was a great pick though, in terms of value/performance ratio.

Is the Seasonic 430 watt 24 pin? I still don't see the 24-pin description, am I missing something?

Thanks!


EDIT: Yes, this is a gaming rig. I won't be using it for anything else, really. If CPU speed doesn't matter for PC gaming, then I shall step down to 3500 or something.

 

[imported_Tick]

Look at the official thread about 24vs20 pin PSU's. Yeah, the one at the top of the page.

And get a 6800gt, with a wimpier CPU.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I hear SATA HDs can be difficult to get working even for experienced builders. It would be a shame for you to get hung up on that on your first build.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

The X800XL is a great pick. I just think that it's a little more of a budget part than the 3800+ and a raptor you have picked. If you're looking for value/performance there, you can do better value/performance elsewhere too.

The Seasonic is 24 pin. Sorry it's not in the description, I thought it was. You can tell it's 24 pin for sure because there's an adapter that takes a 24pin powersupply connector and cuts it down to 20 pins for older motherboards.

The raptor is certainly faster than a standard 7200rpm harddrive, but I don't think it's worth the extra cost it carries. Getting a standard 80gig 7200rpm drive with 8mb cache will save you $100.

Also, bumping down to a 3500+ winchester from the 3800+ will save you another $100 and you'll get close to the same performance.

If you're not overclocking, getting budget ram like I linked to above will also save you some money without causing any noticable system slowdown.

If you're interested in case suggestions, I think antec and Lian Li are some good choices.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Tick
Look at the official thread about 24vs20 pin PSU's. Yeah, the one at the top of the page.

And get a 6800gt, with a wimpier CPU.

If the cost difference is low to get a 6800gt over a X800XL like $30 or something like if you're in California (I don't know why the price difference is lower there, I just was told that it was) then the 6800gt is a good option. If the price difference is $100 like it is for me, I think you should stick with the X800XL.

 

[ribbon13]

I'd get the X800 XL either way.

Seasonic S12-430 :thumbsup:

 

[imported_Tick]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Tick
Look at the official thread about 24vs20 pin PSU's. Yeah, the one at the top of the page.

And get a 6800gt, with a wimpier CPU.

If the cost difference is low to get a 6800gt over a X800XL like $30 or something like if you're in California (I don't know why the price difference is lower there, I just was told that it was) then the 6800gt is a good option. If the price difference is $100 like it is for me, I think you should stick with the X800XL.

It's lik $40 difference here.

 

[JoLim24601]

I would also like to know if there is a difference (besides the obvious) for third party retailers on the x800xl. Which one is better? Would the regular ATI made 300 dollar x800xl be good enough? I also have another question to add. If you were to buy the x800xl, how long would it last until an upgrade would be required?

 

[ribbon13]

This one

Should last quite a while depending how much you game, and what res you run games at.

 

[JoLim24601]

A little too vague for someone skeptical such as I. I know I'm asking a lot but I really need details in order to form a definite opinion and while I value yours (as well as almost everyone else) I reallly need some reasons. Sorry and Thanks!

 

[andy nowotny]

good building , i ilke it