Compatibility Check

TheGadgetCat · 10-17-2009, 05:08 PM

Hey everyone. Im building a new gaming computer, which I plan to dual boot with XP (for gaming) and Ubuntu (for work.)

Games I may be playing include: Left 4 Dead 2, Team Fortress 2, Starcraft :D, Doom 3, Half Life 2 and Other PC exclusives, I have a PS3 for multi-platform games. I plan to do some modding and I like to play with blender and code in my spare time.

Here's The list of parts, I wanted someone other than myself who knows computers to give it a once over for compatibility. Also I'm not too familiar with power supplies, my current computer has one built into the case, but the case I am going to use doesn't

I'm going for a cheap relativly powerful rig. I don't think I will need a cooling system but I may be wrong. Budget = $300, the most I want to spend is 350-400 in case there are essential things I have overlooked.

I'm not going to overclock and I have no special preference on brands except that I like AMD.

MB: Foxconn A78AX-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186147

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103772

Video Card: SPARKLE SFPX94GT1024U2 GeForce 9400 GT 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187037

Ram X2:G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5S-1GBPK

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231143

Hard Drive:Western Digital Caviar Blue WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136075

Dvd Drive: HP Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA 24X Multiformat DVD Writer

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827140042

Power Supply:Broadway Com Corp OKIA-BLACK-550 550W ATX Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817162018

Thanks for your help in advance

I do have a legal copy of Windows XP, an Ubuntu Disk, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers (kinda crappy) and a custom ATX Case.

Phædrus2401 · 10-17-2009, 06:02 PM

Okia power supplies are garbage. I would recommend a Corsair VX series power supply for that build.

Foxconn is not a quality motherboard maker, I would suggest getting a similar board from Asus or Gigabyte.

By RAM in matched pairs, or there's no guarantee that it will run in dual channel mode. Find a 2x1GB kit, rather than two of one 1GB stick.

gcavan · 10-18-2009, 12:44 AM

To answer your question, the components as listed should be compatible. IF you get ones that are not DOA. That Foxcomm board is crap. So is the PSU and probably that Sparkle gfx.

Look at the Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 mobo for 74.99 before the MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=ga-ma770-ud3
As stated above, a Corsair power supply would be a much better choice for a ps. I'ld give odds that either of these would outperform your pick. Yes, you will pay a premium for them, but think of it as cheap insurance. They won't take out everything downline when they fail.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139003

I'm currently using this ps by CoolerMaster in a comparable computer to what you have listed. (29.99 after MIR )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171031

Phædrus2401 · 10-18-2009, 12:54 AM

The CoolerMaster Extreme Power PSUs are not much better than the Okia, if at all. $30 for a 500W PSU? I would be suspect of any 500W PSU that cost less than $75. You get what you pay for.

JCP21 · 10-18-2009, 02:49 AM

Agreed i would try and spend more on a psu, i bought a $30 crappy one and it ended up frying my computer

TheGadgetCat · 10-18-2009, 07:32 AM

Thanks for you help.

I reviewed your very constructive responses and I have mad a few changes.

Anything wrong with these?
[b]
MB: GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=ga-ma770-ud3
[b]
Ram: mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146118

[b]Power Supply: COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus RS-500-PCAR-A3 500W ATX12V V2.3 Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171031

Anything wrong? I haven't put together to total cost yet but I have a feeling this is in my budget. Thanks for your help, more feedback always appreciated.

**Tyree** · 10-18-2009, 07:52 AM

Very good / very compatible list and Sapphire makes very good ATI chipped graphics cards.
I would suggest a LG or Lite-ON for the optical drive.

TheGadgetCat · 10-18-2009, 09:02 AM

I agree, but I have had a good history with everything HP. :D

One other thing, I haven't had anyone mention a cooling system, I don't think I really need one but I would like a second opinion.

**Tyree** · 10-18-2009, 09:05 AM

Your money-your choice on the optical drive.
The stock heatsink/fan will be fine.

Phædrus2401 · 10-18-2009, 10:22 AM

As I said, don't get the cheap power supply. The PSU is not the place to cut corners. Get a unit like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=Corsair%20550
One of the best for the money.

TheGadgetCat · 10-18-2009, 12:26 PM

Well my budget has been broken a little, but I may as well save up more any way if I want the rig I'm looking for.

I found a nicer seeming optical drive for the same price as my old one :D but I dont want to spend $79.99 on a power supply If I dont absolutley have to

[b]Dvd Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106291

Any other Power supply suggestions? if not Ill go with the previously suggested one.

**Tyree** · 10-18-2009, 01:29 PM

The PSU is the one place you do NOT want to cut back on. The 550W Corsair is a good deal at $80.

TheGadgetCat · 10-19-2009, 01:04 PM

Ok, that leaves me, if I amass $400, with aproximatley a $378 price tag, I can manage that.

Thanks, this forum was really helpful, if I have any other questions, I'll be back.

JCP21 · 10-19-2009, 02:39 PM

Do not cut out on psu i had a huntkey psu, if you dont know what they can do read some reviews

10-17-2009, 05:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
TheGadgetCat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 9 OS: Windows XP SP2	Compatibility Check Hey everyone. Im building a new gaming computer, which I plan to dual boot with XP (for gaming) and Ubuntu (for work.) Games I may be playing include: Left 4 Dead 2, Team Fortress 2, Starcraft :D, Doom 3, Half Life 2 and Other PC exclusives, I have a PS3 for multi-platform games. I plan to do some modding and I like to play with blender and code in my spare time. Here's The list of parts, I wanted someone other than myself who knows computers to give it a once over for compatibility. Also I'm not too familiar with power supplies, my current computer has one built into the case, but the case I am going to use doesn't I'm going for a cheap relativly powerful rig. I don't think I will need a cooling system but I may be wrong. Budget = $300, the most I want to spend is 350-400 in case there are essential things I have overlooked. I'm not going to overclock and I have no special preference on brands except that I like AMD. MB: Foxconn A78AX-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186147 CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103772 Video Card: SPARKLE SFPX94GT1024U2 GeForce 9400 GT 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187037 Ram X2:G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5S-1GBPK http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231143 Hard Drive:Western Digital Caviar Blue WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136075 Dvd Drive: HP Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA 24X Multiformat DVD Writer http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827140042 Power Supply:Broadway Com Corp OKIA-BLACK-550 550W ATX Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817162018 Thanks for your help in advance I do have a legal copy of Windows XP, an Ubuntu Disk, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers (kinda crappy) and a custom ATX Case. Last edited by TheGadgetCat; 10-17-2009 at 05:09 PM.

10-17-2009, 06:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,889 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Compatibility Check Okia power supplies are garbage. I would recommend a Corsair VX series power supply for that build. Foxconn is not a quality motherboard maker, I would suggest getting a similar board from Asus or Gigabyte. By RAM in matched pairs, or there's no guarantee that it will run in dual channel mode. Find a 2x1GB kit, rather than two of one 1GB stick. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-18-2009, 12:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
gcavan Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 310 OS: Win XP, Vista 64, "Intrepid" Ubuntu My System	Re: Compatibility Check To answer your question, the components as listed should be compatible. IF you get ones that are not DOA. That Foxcomm board is crap. So is the PSU and probably that Sparkle gfx. Look at the Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 mobo for 74.99 before the MIR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=ga-ma770-ud3 As stated above, a Corsair power supply would be a much better choice for a ps. I'ld give odds that either of these would outperform your pick. Yes, you will pay a premium for them, but think of it as cheap insurance. They won't take out everything downline when they fail. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139003 I'm currently using this ps by CoolerMaster in a comparable computer to what you have listed. (29.99 after MIR ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171031 __________________ "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates

10-18-2009, 12:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,889 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Compatibility Check The CoolerMaster Extreme Power PSUs are not much better than the Okia, if at all. $30 for a 500W PSU? I would be suspect of any 500W PSU that cost less than $75. You get what you pay for. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-18-2009, 02:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
JCP21 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18 OS: Windows 7	Re: Compatibility Check Agreed i would try and spend more on a psu, i bought a $30 crappy one and it ended up frying my computer

10-18-2009, 07:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
TheGadgetCat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 9 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Compatibility Check Thanks for you help. I reviewed your very constructive responses and I have mad a few changes. Anything wrong with these? [b] MB: GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=ga-ma770-ud3 [b] Ram: mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146118 [b]Power Supply: COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus RS-500-PCAR-A3 500W ATX12V V2.3 Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171031 Anything wrong? I haven't put together to total cost yet but I have a feeling this is in my budget. Thanks for your help, more feedback always appreciated.

10-18-2009, 07:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,810 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Compatibility Check Very good / very compatible list and Sapphire makes very good ATI chipped graphics cards. I would suggest a LG or Lite-ON for the optical drive. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-18-2009, 09:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
TheGadgetCat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 9 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Compatibility Check I agree, but I have had a good history with everything HP. :D One other thing, I haven't had anyone mention a cooling system, I don't think I really need one but I would like a second opinion. Last edited by TheGadgetCat; 10-18-2009 at 09:04 AM.

10-18-2009, 09:05 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,810 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Compatibility Check Your money-your choice on the optical drive. The stock heatsink/fan will be fine. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-18-2009, 10:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,889 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Compatibility Check As I said, don't get the cheap power supply. The PSU is not the place to cut corners. Get a unit like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=Corsair%20550 One of the best for the money. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-18-2009, 12:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
TheGadgetCat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 9 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Compatibility Check Well my budget has been broken a little, but I may as well save up more any way if I want the rig I'm looking for. I found a nicer seeming optical drive for the same price as my old one :D but I dont want to spend $79.99 on a power supply If I dont absolutley have to [b]Dvd Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106291 Any other Power supply suggestions? if not Ill go with the previously suggested one.

10-18-2009, 01:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,810 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Compatibility Check The PSU is the one place you do NOT want to cut back on. The 550W Corsair is a good deal at $80. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-19-2009, 01:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
TheGadgetCat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 9 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Compatibility Check Ok, that leaves me, if I amass $400, with aproximatley a $378 price tag, I can manage that. Thanks, this forum was really helpful, if I have any other questions, I'll be back.

10-19-2009, 02:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
JCP21 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18 OS: Windows 7	Re: Compatibility Check Do not cut out on psu i had a huntkey psu, if you dont know what they can do read some reviews