hardware components for a gaming pc

**okeee** · 06-12-2009, 11:21 AM

I've selected all components for a gaming pc.
-I do not plan to upgrade any parts, I want to use all parts as long as possible
-I won't overclock any parts or use SLI
-I hardly ever turn the pc off
-I prefer a quiet pc

These are some questions I have:
-Is the case still good for these hardware?
-Will all parts fit in this case and are they all compatible?
-Is there enough cooling/ airflow or do I need additional cooling?
-which parts are "too strong" or "too weak" compared to other components?

These are the components I selected:
Older parts:

-windows xp pro
-case: Antec SonataII (3 years old, without PSU)
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811129155
-2 IDE hard disk
-2 SATA II hard disk
-1 DVD-player
-1 DVD-recorder
-1 floppy drive

New parts:
I've selected some parts from this $800 model:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tumbleweed36

Want to Build A New Intel or AMD Computer? Here are 6 suggested models with Spec

-Motherboard: Gigabyte EP45-UD3L
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128372

-Processor: Intel E8400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

-RAM Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5K2/4G - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134582

-Power Supply: Corsair 650TX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

-Videocard: EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130370

**wrench97** · 06-12-2009, 02:33 PM

The case may be a little tight with the video card the GTX260 is big, The last one I used was with a 8800GT it fit but with 4 drives it may be and issue.
The rest looks good.

**Tyree** · 06-12-2009, 02:37 PM

I would suggest a different brand of RAM; Corsair-G.Skill-Mushkin

**okeee** · 06-12-2009, 02:40 PM

Would the Sonata II case provide enough cooling/ airflow? If I'd take 1 hard disk out, would it fit?

**okeee** · 06-12-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyree

I would suggest a different brand of RAM; Corsair-G.Skill-Mushkin

Because of compatibility issues or better quality?

**wrench97** · 06-12-2009, 03:38 PM

Kingston Value ram isn't the performance leader.

It may help you'll have look at that when installing the card.

What fans do have in the case now, that case has the side ducting? as I remember and a front fan?

**okeee** · 06-13-2009, 05:06 AM

There is only 1 120mm fan at the back, I'm not sure what "side ducting" is.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?Image=11-129-155-14.jpg%2c11-129-155-15.jpg%2c11-129-155-03.jpg%2c11-129-155-16.jpg%2c11-129-155-05.jpg%2c11-129-155-06.jpg%2c11-129-155-07.jpg%2c11-129-155-13.jpg%2c11-129-155-12.jpg%2c11-129-155-08.jpg%2c11-129-155-09.jpg%2c11-129-155-10.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16811129155&Depa=0&Description=Antec%20LifeStyle%20SONATA%20II%20Piano%20Black%20Computer%20Case

**wrench97** · 06-13-2009, 05:29 AM

Yea no room for a front fan, the side duct was originally designed when PSU sucked air into the case to vent it out the back now that PSU exhaust air it draws cool air into the PSU.

**okeee** · 06-13-2009, 05:44 AM

Ok so this case is cool enough, even without another (front) fan installed?

**wrench97** · 06-13-2009, 09:01 AM

Close but it should be the video card will also exhaust out the back so that helps a lot.

**okeee** · 06-13-2009, 03:13 PM

I may get this instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
To be sure that cooling is ok.. it has 2 fans, 1 fan inside and 1 fan on the back. Is this significantly better than the Sonata II? Would it fit all the hardware?

**wrench97** · 06-13-2009, 03:21 PM

Yes that's a nice case, I would give the Sonata a try however I feel it'll workout ok.

**okeee** · 06-15-2009, 04:59 AM

About hard disks, how are they installed in the case? I checked in this case: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129155
and all the hard disks were set in the holders. It seems that they were installed with 4 screws into the holder, but I'm not sure how it's done, because a screwdriver can't reach it due to the angle, especially the screws at the back. And for the hard disk at the lowest holder, not even a very small screwdriver could reach that.

**grimx133** · 06-15-2009, 06:56 AM

The "holders" are individual drive bays, you squeeze the two clips on the outside together a bit and slide it out. Mount a drive in it and slide it back it.
It's in the manual here. http://www.antec.com/pdf/manuals/SonataII_En.pdf

**okeee** · 06-15-2009, 01:11 PM

I'm thinking about ordering all the parts at a webshop and assemble the pc myself, to cut some costs. But I'm at beginners level, I have little knowledge about this, so is it advisable? I'd like to read a (very beginner) complete guide (if possible accompanied by some video's) about assembling pc's.

What I'm worried about is that a product may not be in good order, so how do you test which product it is?

**wrench97** · 06-15-2009, 01:29 PM

Here's one with decent images to get you started> http://techreport.com/articles.x/13671

**okeee** · 06-15-2009, 02:56 PM

In that guide they mention the front-side bus. What is it actually? This is the CPU: intel core 2 duo e8400

Quote:

check to make sure that the BIOS has set the correct clock speeds for the front-side bus and memory.

**wrench97** · 06-15-2009, 03:34 PM

The FSB is the lane or Data Path the CPU communicates with the Northbridge memory controller on. 1333 for the E8400 and 800 for the memory with the setup above it will automatically be at these settings.

**okeee** · 06-15-2009, 06:47 PM

-Any settings that I may have to change in BIOS for first start-up?
-for SATA II hard disks, do they still work as 'primary' and 'slave' hard disks, on this motherboard, which means I have to configure the jumpers?
-Any other jumpers I need to configure, on motherboard for example?
-The intel core 2 duo e8400 cpu already seems to have thermal paste on it, from the factory, is this sufficient or would I better put some additional thermal paste on the CPU?

**wrench97** · 06-16-2009, 01:42 AM

The stock heat sink will come with a thermal it works well at stock cpu speeds.
Sata drives do not have jumpers that need to be configured master/slave.
There should be no jumpers to configure on the board other then to clear the CMOS before powering up.
Boot into the Bios and load optimized defaults on start up and that's it.

06-12-2009, 02:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17,868 OS: XPSP3	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc The case may be a little tight with the video card the GTX260 is big, The last one I used was with a 8800GT it fit but with 4 drives it may be and issue. The rest looks good. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-12-2009, 02:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,729 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc I would suggest a different brand of RAM; Corsair-G.Skill-Mushkin __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

06-12-2009, 02:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
okeee TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 547 OS: win me	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc Would the Sonata II case provide enough cooling/ airflow? If I'd take 1 hard disk out, would it fit?

06-12-2009, 03:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17,868 OS: XPSP3	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc Kingston Value ram isn't the performance leader. It may help you'll have look at that when installing the card. What fans do have in the case now, that case has the side ducting? as I remember and a front fan? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-13-2009, 05:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
okeee TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 547 OS: win me	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc There is only 1 120mm fan at the back, I'm not sure what "side ducting" is. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?Image=11-129-155-14.jpg%2c11-129-155-15.jpg%2c11-129-155-03.jpg%2c11-129-155-16.jpg%2c11-129-155-05.jpg%2c11-129-155-06.jpg%2c11-129-155-07.jpg%2c11-129-155-13.jpg%2c11-129-155-12.jpg%2c11-129-155-08.jpg%2c11-129-155-09.jpg%2c11-129-155-10.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16811129155&Depa=0&Description=Antec%20LifeStyle%20SONATA%20II%20Piano%20Black%20Computer%20Case

06-13-2009, 05:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
okeee TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 547 OS: win me	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc Ok so this case is cool enough, even without another (front) fan installed?

06-13-2009, 09:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17,868 OS: XPSP3	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc Close but it should be the video card will also exhaust out the back so that helps a lot. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-13-2009, 03:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
okeee TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 547 OS: win me	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc I may get this instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068 To be sure that cooling is ok.. it has 2 fans, 1 fan inside and 1 fan on the back. Is this significantly better than the Sonata II? Would it fit all the hardware?

06-13-2009, 03:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17,868 OS: XPSP3	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc Yes that's a nice case, I would give the Sonata a try however I feel it'll workout ok. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-15-2009, 04:59 AM	#13 (permalink)
okeee TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 547 OS: win me	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc About hard disks, how are they installed in the case? I checked in this case: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129155 and all the hard disks were set in the holders. It seems that they were installed with 4 screws into the holder, but I'm not sure how it's done, because a screwdriver can't reach it due to the angle, especially the screws at the back. And for the hard disk at the lowest holder, not even a very small screwdriver could reach that.

06-15-2009, 06:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 2,993 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc The "holders" are individual drive bays, you squeeze the two clips on the outside together a bit and slide it out. Mount a drive in it and slide it back it. It's in the manual here. http://www.antec.com/pdf/manuals/SonataII_En.pdf __________________

06-15-2009, 01:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
okeee TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 547 OS: win me	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc I'm thinking about ordering all the parts at a webshop and assemble the pc myself, to cut some costs. But I'm at beginners level, I have little knowledge about this, so is it advisable? I'd like to read a (very beginner) complete guide (if possible accompanied by some video's) about assembling pc's. What I'm worried about is that a product may not be in good order, so how do you test which product it is? Last edited by okeee; 06-15-2009 at 01:12 PM.

06-15-2009, 01:29 PM	#16 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17,868 OS: XPSP3	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc Here's one with decent images to get you started> http://techreport.com/articles.x/13671 __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-15-2009, 03:34 PM	#18 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17,868 OS: XPSP3	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc The FSB is the lane or Data Path the CPU communicates with the Northbridge memory controller on. 1333 for the E8400 and 800 for the memory with the setup above it will automatically be at these settings. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-15-2009, 06:47 PM	#19 (permalink)
okeee TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 547 OS: win me	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc -Any settings that I may have to change in BIOS for first start-up? -for SATA II hard disks, do they still work as 'primary' and 'slave' hard disks, on this motherboard, which means I have to configure the jumpers? -Any other jumpers I need to configure, on motherboard for example? -The intel core 2 duo e8400 cpu already seems to have thermal paste on it, from the factory, is this sufficient or would I better put some additional thermal paste on the CPU? Last edited by okeee; 06-15-2009 at 06:59 PM.

06-16-2009, 01:42 AM	#20 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17,868 OS: XPSP3	Re: hardware components for a gaming pc The stock heat sink will come with a thermal it works well at stock cpu speeds. Sata drives do not have jumpers that need to be configured master/slave. There should be no jumpers to configure on the board other then to clear the CMOS before powering up. Boot into the Bios and load optimized defaults on start up and that's it. __________________ Power Supply and Selection