TandVetal

I am building a new computer basically from scratch. Of course I am worried about all the pieces being compatible with each other. Here is what I would like to put together:

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Video: PNY VCG88512GXPB GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Memory: Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory....not sure on memory yet, but want something equivalent to this that will be compatible (and not too expensive)

Also, I will be using a 550W PSU and an older sound card. I will be buying a new monitor (I don't know of compatibility issues with monitors, but I thought I throw it in just in case): Acer X203H bd Black 20" 16:9 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ Swivel Adjustment 300 cd/m2 10000:1 w/ HDCP Support.

I think that about covers it. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated! THANKS!

Tumbleweed36

Please expand a bit on the 550 watt power supply, what brand is it so we know the output for the 8800 you are going to use.

Some brands put out enough to run that card and some will really struggle with that kind of card. Frankly, if this were my rig, I would be putting a 650 watt in there, but let us know the info and we can evaluate the power supply issue.

wrench97

And as for the sound card the onbroard sound on that board may just be better then an older sound card, I would at least give it a try first.

Should be no problems with the monitor.

I agree with Tumbleweed36 for a 8800GT I would want a 650w quality unit.

TandVetal

I will probably buy a new power supply so I'll take your suggestion and get a 650W. The brand will most likely be Viotek from 3btech.net. I never thought I'd need one bigger than a 550W!

As far as the sound card goes, I was just reading about how great the onboard sound chips are getting so I thought I would try that out first before installing my old card.

Tumbleweed36

If you are going to buy a new power supply, don't buy an off-brand name. Look for one of the following quality brand names and the Corsiar and PC Power & Cooling supplies are on sale now at NewEgg.com:

Seasonic – Any Model
Corsair – Any Model
PC Power & Cooling – Any Model
Thermaltake – “Toughpower” Series Only
Coolermaster – “Real Power Pro” Series Only

TandVetal

Thank you for your suggestions about a new power supply.

Here is what I found that I could add as a power supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

I currently have 1 working Viotek 550W power supply. I am planning on updating 2 computers with the specifications I have listed. How bad would it be to use the Viotek that I currently have on the one? It is a new power supply so I would hate to dump it.

Please let me know what you think about the power supplies I have listed.

Tumbleweed36

The Corsair you have selected is one great power supply, so you have made a good choice for the 8800 video card and that is a great price for you.

To be quite honest, I would not use a $24.99 (or even less according to pricing websites) power supply in any of my personal computers, because they are junk. However with the power draw of an 8800, you would be taking a risk of harming other components of your computer.

I would certainly not take the risk with my personal computers. The componets in your rig including memory, video cards, CPU's, hard drives, motherboards etc., are just too expensive to replace because you have used a power supply that is underpowered and most likely will overheat.

If you have a second computer that has a video card that is not strong, then it might run that rig for a bit. An old P4 with an onboard video card or even something like an AGP 9600 or even a Pci-e ATI x1300 or similar card might run fine with that supply for a while.

If this were mine and it were new, I would send it back and see if you can replace it with a decent power supply. Sorry, that is not what you wanted to hear, but those are the facts of the manner.

TandVetal

Thank you, Tumbleweed, for all your help. I think, based on what you have said, I will buy 2 of those Corsair power supplies. I really appreciate your input and really don't want to waste money by having to keep replacing worn out (or overheated) parts. I'm hoping this new computer I'm building will last for awhile!

Now comes the fun part of putting it all together

Tumbleweed36

If you are going to do that and they both have high powered cards, I would recommend that. Just to throw some other thoughts around, PC Power & Cooling power supplies are about as good as it gets.

In case you want to move up to a better video card in the near future,here is a 750 watt on sale through tomorrow that is a steal. I will tease you, why not buy one of each and then you have it all, and a 750 watt at the same price (less actually) would be tempting. Both are just top notch in the power supply world.

Sorry to do that to you, but wanted to give you something to think about in the next day or so.

PC Power & Cooling 750 watt – 69.99 after Mail In Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341011


Or, if you really like red, buy two of the 750's for less money than one of each. I feel badly about throwing this suggestion on you, but what the heck.

TandVetal

OK, Here is what I'm thinking. Based on what you've said and things I've discovered, I've changed a few components. When I went back to look at the video card on newegg.com it has been deactivated. So, I found another one that seems a little better for around the same price.

I'd like to keep everything that I have written except I'm going to change to:

Video: EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - I wouldn't be opposed to the PC Power & Cooling one if the sale continues for a few more days.

Sound: Onboard

I'll probably be purchasing everything at the beginning of the week so unfortunately I'll miss the deals on newegg.com that end today. This seems to me like it will be a pretty good rig that will last me awhile.

wrench97

Check next week sometimes the rebates are extended or another replaces it.