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.

Hi petersonbill64, welcome to GeeksToGo!

Maybe its just me but the links doesn't work
Do you have a budget for this?

6) I'm assuming you already have an OS for this build?

Kamille

Yeah, I just noticed this.

Here are working ones:

MoBo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813138122

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811156137

Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115028

Graphics Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130332

CPU Fan:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16835887004

Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820161400

Also, a budget is hard to figure because some of these things I already have. If you were to make changes based on a budget, I'd say to just make changes that don't radically change the cost of the original items.

As for an OS, I'm keeping the hard drive I'm using for my current computer, so I'm sticking with XP Home SP2.

And thanks for the welcome

This post has been edited by petersonbill64: Jul 14 2008, 10:00 AM

In order to slightly cut costs, I've converted my build over to AMD. I don't want to make another long, boring post with all the specs, so here is a link to the changed components. You will notice there is no case/psu, HDD, or DVD burner. These are all the same as the original post. (These are the parts I already have.)

I also added 2 gigs of new RAM; Some other people helping me on this recommended I ditch my old, slower memory and go with the memory standard of the motherboard.

Advice is still greatly appreciated!

This post has been edited by petersonbill64: Jul 14 2008, 03:16 PM

I've finalized my build, no longer open for suggestions.

Here is the final result.

Plus the HD and DVD drive from Post #1.

Hi petersonbill64, I'm not very familiar with AMD builds hence why I haven't commented on your build.

I am unsure if the power supply will be enough for the 8800GS, can you check how the 12V+ rail for amperage?
I found somewhere that the 8800GS requires 400 watts and 22amps in the 12V+ rail.
(Minimum of a 400 Watt power supply. Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 22 Amp Amps.)

Kamille

If I had to guess I would say it is because for the current and last generation of CPUs Intel has completely dominated AMD in the gaming category.