Want to Build own system

Hi all, Im try to build my own system and im looking around for components, but there is alway this question in my mind "How do i know if it is compatible?" I found this really BIG case (5 5.25" drive bays, 6HDD bays, 2 3.5" bay) good case that takes in Micro ATX motherboards. And I want a really good processor because I will be mainly doing 3d graphics and rendering. I have an idea of what i want, just need to know if the parts will be working together.

For example, im thinking of getting a AMD Athlon 3400 64-bit processor but i need to find a Micro ATX motherboard that will support it.

Is there a site(s) that can help me with this?

And feedback would be most appreciated =^_^=

NeoSpawn

PS: Here is the site to the computer case I am talking about
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=100559&Category_Code=C1-ALL

I might make the case smaller, dont know

 

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=33053
Pretty good thread. Might help with your questions.

 

NeoSpawn, sorry about that I see you are part of that thread already.

 

Hehehe its all good

NeoSpawn

 

thoughts on building

This thread is pertinent to what you're considering.

 

I would reseach and decide on a motherboard that would fulfill all my expected needs. The mobo is the heart and determines the basis of the whole system. You can add basic parts now then upgrade in the areas where your needs require them later. For example, you could use the harddrive or video card from an old system until you decided it was time to upgrade to a better one and by that time, hopefully, you will have saved some extra cash and the prices will have come down.

In other words, don't get sidetracked by pretty periferals (that is quite a novel case though ). Spend as much as you can on the essentials, especially the mobo. If you can't decide on a case, just get a $20 one for the moment, shop around later and you will probably get the perfect case and find you get a deal that will save you that $20 anyway.

Matt
PS if you can get a larger case the system will run cooler

 

Mobo reviews, general prices, etc:
www.motherboards.org
www.tomshardware.com

 

NeoSpawn The case you want is just fine. It appears to be a standard ATX case, which will take either micro or standard ATX boards. The price is excellent at only 60% of similar local items.

I would recommend purchasing the remainder of the components at www.newegg.com They usually don't have shipping and have excellent RMA for just in case. Being outside of CA, you won't get hit with sales tax either.

Get a good power supply: Enermax, Antec, Sparkle, or Thermaltake.

As for processor, it's a matter of preference. The chink in the armour is the chipset interfacing with Windows.

Quite frankly, without too much guess work the most stable system will always be an Intel processor sitting on an Intel chipset on a board manufactured by Intel. But it usually costs a bit more money.

AMD can save you money. But you're going to have to do some investigation into the board manufacturers and chipsets.

 

Thanks for the input. Yeah the case is sw337 The case already comes with a power supply. For the things im gonna be doing my main components are gonna be the CPU, Video Card and especially the Motherboard.

And yeah i was checking out NewEgg. Still need to be doing research on the computer system that i want. Need large processing power, good amount of RAM and excellent graphics. I heard for 3d graphics that AMD works better than Intel processors. Is this true?

NeoSpawn

PS: I got a great idea of water cooling the CPU and adding a RAM cooling fan

 

Next to the abit nf7-s mobo, athlon xp processor (don't go for the fastest - anything over 1000 is fast enough - you won't notice any difference in spite of all the marketing hype), and case , the most important thing is the dvd-rw drive for backing up your computer and your graphics.

I agree, you shouldn't be looking for a micro mobo - a full size will fit the case just fine. Use pricewatch to compare prices. Get retail parts, esp. the mobo and processor, and go for the best price, but I wouldn't order from a store that doesn't have an 800 phone number.

*addendum*
I've no personal experience with either water cooling or memory fans, but I can say that if you follow my suggestions you won't need either, just 2 case fans (front and rear) + power supply fan and cpu sink and fan that comes in the retail box.

 

AMD does do a good job. Many high end systems are built with AMD 64 chips. It's just that you will have to do some research as to the chipset that's ideal for the situation.

If New Egg wants shipping, you can look to a vendor on PriceWatch. Sometimes the shipping is cheaper from a PriceWatch vendor.

As for the OS, get an OEM from New Egg. If you buy OEM hardware, make comparision with retail. Sometimes the retail comes with software that is actually more valuable than the hardware. Ever price a software DVD player? But you can also get discount OEM software via Price Watch.

But I would recommend buying the p/s, mobo, processor, video card, and RAM from New Egg. Sometimes if the p/s or mobo are DOA, it'll take out the other things. If so, New Egg seems to be good about making things right.

If you buy the components from all over, they'll say that they sold you a good unit. It's your problem.