petersonbill64

Ok, here we go. I'm working on conceiving and eventually building a gaming rig. I have already picked out all of the parts to this machine (still open for suggestions, however), but I would like confirmation of the compatibility of the products, as in the past I have tried to make a machine and failed, and don't want to repeat that mistake. In terms of budget, I am hoping to stay close to the amount I have already designated.

Following are the potential components to the gaming PC:

*Note: I may include some unnecessary information, I'm just trying to be as detailed as possible.*

Case:
RAIDMAX Scorpio ATX-868WUP Blue Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
This Includes 3 80mm case fans, 1 of them with a blue LED. All 3 of these use 4-pin peripheral power connectors.

Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156137

Power Supply (Comes with case):
RaidMax KY-520 ATX12V 420W Power
AC Input: 115V @ 10A, 230V @ 6A
DC Output: +3.3V @ 26A, +5V @ 32A, +5VSB @ 2A, +12V @ 13A, -5V @ 0.5A, -12V @ 0.8A

*Note: Not much information was provided on this PSU because it came with the case. I would be grateful of any light that could be shed on this.*

Motherboard:
BIOSTAR TForce TP43D2A7 LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard
FSB: 1600/1333MHz
CPU Socket: LGA 775
CPU Support: Quad-core / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo / Pentium
Number of Memory Slots: 4×240pin
Memory Standard: DDR2 1066
Maximum Memory Supported: 8GB
Dual Channel Supported: Yes
PCI Express 2.0 x16: 1
PCI Express x1: 2
PCI Slots: 3
6x SATA 3.0gb/s
ATX
24 Pin Power

If any pertinent information was missed, the Newegg page has more information on it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138122

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz
3 GHz
Dual-Core
FSB: 1333MHz
LGA 775 Socket

Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115028

CPU Fan:
ZEROtherm CF900 92mm CPU Cooler

Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835887004

Memory:
Crucial 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) x3

Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820161400

Hard Drive:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA 200822
7200 RPM
200 GB
SATA

Optical Drive:
TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H552L
DVD+RW/DVD-RW

Writing Speeds
DVD+R9 Dual Layer: 2.4x
DVD+R: 16x
DVD+RW: 4x
DVD-R: 12x
DVD-RW: 4x
CD-R: 40x
CD-RW: 32x

Reading Speeds
DVD-ROM: 16x
CD-ROM: 48x

Graphics Card:
VGA 384-P3-N851-AR GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
PCI-E x16 2.0
GeForce 8800 GS
384 MB
192-bit
GDDR3

Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130332



There it is. I have a few questions that I would appreciate having answered about the build:
1) Will the 420 Watt power supply be enough to power it?
2) Will the old hard drive work with the newer SATA on the motherboard?
3) Will the slower memory work with the higher standard motherboard?
4) Is upgrading the 8800 GS to a GT worth an extra 50, and a GTX an extra 100?
5) Are there any parts I can upgrade without greatly increasing the cost?
6) Did I miss anything?
7) Most importantly, will it work?

P.S.: I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and sound system.

dudeski

1) I would personally go for atleast a 600W for that system.
2) It should do, my hard drive is from an old computer, and it still worked.
3) Yes, that ram should work with the mobo, it is ddr2
4) no, the plain 8800 GS should be fine, and if you do need the power, then just buy another and go fro SLI
5) nope, except the power supply
6) I don't think so
7) Should do

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petersonbill64

Ok, thanks for the advice. I've actually decided to change up my build a bit, and I'll try to factor in a bigger power supply.

wrench97

Instead of 3 1Gig sticks I would go with 2 1gig if you really feel you need more than 2 2Gig sticks are better than 3 or 4 1 gig.
You definitely need to upgrade the PSU look at this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

Take a look at the EP35 DS3L http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128337
Or the EP45 DS3L http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128347

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petersonbill64

Ok, thanks again for input. In order to cut costs a bit, I switched up my build to AMD. To avoid another long post, here is a link to the new build. You will notice there is no HDD, Case, PSU, or DVD burner in this new build. These components will stay the same as the original post. (These are the parts I already have, so I'm obviously not going to buy them again.) I have been looking around at PSUs that suit my budget and power needs, and this seems to be the best PSU for its price. Anyone that could take a look at it and tell me if it will be enough for my build would be a big help. And thank you for the PSU link, wrench, if the one I found isn't enough I may choose that one. But I would like to know if the 2 I mentioned are both compatible with the new motherboard; I'm rather uneducated in terms of Power Supplies.

Thanks to anyone who can help!

wrench97

Keep looking for a power supply sunbeams are low quality if they don't list the rail ratings on the spec page they probably not proud of the ratings.

Are you sure you want to use DDR2 1066 memory over DDR2 800?

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petersonbill64

Yeah, I decided to buy the PSU you listed after reviewing the cheap-o one I linked.

I went with the DDR2 1066 over the 800 because my motherboard has a memory standard of DDR2 1066, plus theres an awesome 50$ rebate deal on a 2gb set. I'm still wondering if 2gb will be enough, though. Other people are saying it should be good, but I'd like more peoples' input.

wrench97

It's only 1066 with a supported CPU, I still haven't found a list of supported 1066 CPU's
The CPU support list on the Gigabyte site doesn't specify which ones are 1066 supported
and which are DDR2800 supported I suspect the Phonems are 1066 but I'm not sure it's been awhile since I played with AMD. Before you order I would want a little more conformation that the DDR2 1066 will work
http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Support/...ProductID=2624

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petersonbill64

This is quite a dilemma. I was just about ready to check out and build my rig. I didn't even know CPU's could only handle certain memory speeds; I thought it was only motherboard specific. I'm looking now for DDR2 1066 CPUs. I'll post when I find them.

wrench97

IT has to do with the multiplier and the stepping of the CPU and how the chipset handles the FSB, I would contact Gigabyte if nothing else just to make sure.

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petersonbill64

They say the Phenom series has support for the DDR2-1066, but apparently there is some bull about verification with JEDEC, which I don't know anything about. I think I'm going to, instead of buying 2gb of ddr2 1066, dual channel 2 2gb sticks of DDR2-800 (My 32-bit OS will only recognize 3.25gb, but the dual channel will pump up the speed)

I found a good deal on them too, here

Tell me if you think this is a good idea.

Edit: Left out that I was dual channeling 800, not 1066.

wrench97

Yes I think that will work out nicely.

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petersonbill64

Awesome. And once again thanks for all the support. I posted on a few different tech forums, and you were by far the most helpful. I'll post pictures of my rig when it's done. This will be 2-3 weeks because of finance unfortunately.

wrench97

Wish you luck, Let us know how you make out.

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