[washout]

so far i have a list of a system i will be putting together. my ultimate question is what PSU to get? whats ATX vs ATX12V? i was looking in the 300W-400W range, is that right?

motherboard = MSI P43 Neo3-F [LGA 775, Quad Core/Core 2 Extreme/Core 2 Duo, 1600/1333MHz FSB, 4x240pin DDR2 1066 (16GB), 1xPCIe16 2.0, 1xPCIe1, 4xPCI, 1xPATA, 8xSATA, ATX, 24pin]
CPU = Intel Core 2 Duo 3.16GHz [LGA 775, 1333MHz, 6MB L2 cache, 45 nm]
RAM = Mushkin 2GB [240pin DDR2 1066]
video = MSI GeForce 9500GT [PCIe16 2.0, 550MHz, 512MB, 128bit, GDDR2]
audio = Creative Labs SB Audigy [PCI, 7.1 channels, MIC-in]
HDD = Western Digital Caviar 250GB [SATA, 7200RPM, 16MB cache, 3.5"]
DVD = Sony NEC DVD [SATA, 5.25", black]

other questions i have ...
do i need to pay attention to the MFG tech for CPUs?
does it matter if my motherboard power connector is 24pin or 20+pin, as long as the PSI matches it?
does anyone recommend any changes?

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400w? You'll be lucky.

Somebody else is good at recommending brands but the questions...

1) MFG? Manufacturer? Check the CPU you want to buy on the CPU support list and see if its there or if it can be added to with a BIOS flash. If not, don't buy the board.

2) The PSU main power connector (the big block) will have four pins on one side that slide off therefore you can use it in a 20 pin or a 24 pin setup. A 20 pin power supply will work on a board with a 24 pin connector and a 20 pin power connector will work on a 24 pin power supply as long as you slide the extra four pins off or don't connect them to anything (some boards due to the capacitor locations you may have to slide the 4 pins off to fit, on others you can just leave them overhanging).

ATX is an industry standard size - if its an ATX power supply it'll fit any ATX case. ATX 12 v comes in five different variations - the original and the revisions. Preferably the later the better.

3) Changes - well what do you want to do with the computer?

Edited by Neil Jones, 25 September 2008 - 05:23 PM.

[Neil Jones]

400w? You'll be lucky.

Somebody else is good at recommending brands but the questions...

1) MFG? Manufacturer? Check the CPU you want to buy on the CPU support list and see if its there or if it can be added to with a BIOS flash. If not, don't buy the board.

2) The PSU main power connector (the big block) will have four pins on one side that slide off therefore you can use it in a 20 pin or a 24 pin setup. A 20 pin power supply will work on a board with a 24 pin connector and a 20 pin power connector will work on a 24 pin power supply as long as you slide the extra four pins off or don't connect them to anything (some boards due to the capacitor locations you may have to slide the 4 pins off to fit, on others you can just leave them overhanging).

ATX is an industry standard size - if its an ATX power supply it'll fit any ATX case. ATX 12 v comes in five different variations - the original and the revisions. Preferably the later the better.

3) Changes - well what do you want to do with the computer?

Edited by Neil Jones, 25 September 2008 - 05:23 PM.

[washout]

400w? You'll be lucky.

what ya recommend ??

1) MFG? Manufacturer? Check the CPU you want to buy on the CPU support list and see if its there or if it can be added to with a BIOS flash. If not, don't buy the board.

not sure i follow.
check the motherboards cpu support list?

2) The PSU main power connector (the big block) will have four pins on one side that slide off therefore you can use it in a 20 pin or a 24 pin setup. A 20 pin power supply will work on a board with a 24 pin connector and a 20 pin power connector will work on a 24 pin power supply as long as you slide the extra four pins off or don't connect them to anything (some boards due to the capacitor locations you may have to slide the 4 pins off to fit, on others you can just leave them overhanging).

so when i am matching up the motherboard and the PSU, i ereally dont need to make sure they are both either 24pin or 20+4pin?

3) Changes - well what do you want to do with the computer?

none relly, just want to make sure it all matches up.

[washout]

another quick question.

if i get a motherboard that has 2 PCIe16 2.0 slots, can I buy 2 of the same video cards that are PCIe16 2.0 compatable, as long as its SLI ready?

[=OSS*ROID=]

ya u can, but if you do, u are gonna need about a 600+Watt powersupply to power the two cards. This one is very good http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817379006. Cheers

[Troy]

Yes, that does sound right.

Just make sure you don't get anything confused when making your purchases:

• SLI-ready motherboard will run two Nvidia cards (These will all have an Nvidia chipset on the motherboard)
• Crossfire-ready motherboard will run two ATI cards

Cheers

Troy

[washout]

ahhh ^^
ty, that does clear some confusion up.