Double-check my build please?

F

Fazzar

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
290
My son's computer died, I think it's the motherboard. So I've spec'd out a replacement Mobo, CPU and RAM. Everything here look solid and compatible.

Mobo: Asus P5Q SE+ EPU, (P45 chipset board)

CPU: Core 2 Duo E5200 Wolfdale

RAM: Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC6400)
or
Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800
or
OCZ Reaper 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800

How's it look?
 
Check out the "stickys" meaning the topics at the top of the list in the general hardware section. There are additional questions you'll need to answer before good tailor-made advice can be given. You already answered one or two, but the members here will need to know more before they can be helpful.

Here are some of the questions from one of the threads:
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
3) Where do you live?
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
6) Will you be overclocking?
7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

By answering these questions you help us help you build a PC that's of better quality, better performing, cheaper or all of the above.
 
Low budget, simple build... it's for my son's computer. I've thought through all the other stuff you listed.

My biggest point of concern is compatibility, want to make sure that these hardware components will play nice with one-another. Also, interested if anyone had any bad experiences with the hardware I listed.
 
Your main concern is compatibility, so you should get RAM rated for 1.8v. The G.Skill DDR2-800 kit fits the bill:
$45 - G.Skill 4GB(2x2GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ

The Asus P5Q SE is compatible. However, it has a horrible location for the main 24-pin ATX connector, which can lead to tough cable management that may obstruct airflow inside the case leading to higher than optimal temps -- but still within safe range. Since I don't know which case you're using, I can't say if you'll be affected by it or not. If your PSU mounts on top, then its less of a problem for you. If you're PSU mounts on the bottom, it may be a huge problem for you, depending on which vidcard you're using. Not enough details.

You'd probably be better off with the Gigabyte DS3L, but you didn't list any mobo features that you needed.

Also, the link above is for newegg. I assumed you're in the states because you didn't answer the questions from the sticky. If you'd like more/better advice, please give us more/better info to base it off of. Thanks.
 
Thanks for the response, I would have never considered the RAM voltage rating.

The consideration I gave the mobo was supporting my 1) Seagate 120GB 8MB Cache SATA HD, 2) support my 8800 GTX video card, 3) fit within my full tower Alienware case and power supply compatibility and 4) onboard sound.

So I'll take a look at that Gigabyte DS3L.
 
OK, based on the input, I've adjusted my build. One last double-check, I want to make sure everything here is compatible:

GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Thermaltake SpinQ Performance Series cooler with ultra-lightweight aluminum and six heatpipes CL-P0466 CPU Cooler

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Thanks!
 
Yup, the DS3L fits all of your needs and has a better location for the 24-pin connector.

I agree with Danny, the Xigmatek performs on par with the Thermalright Ultra120eXtreme, yet costs nearly half as much and already comes with a fan. Don't forget some AS5, TX-2, or MX-2, if you don't already have a small tube of TIM.
 
Thanks! It's ordered. My 4-year son will be happy to see his computer up and running again :)
 
Fazzar said:
Thanks! It's ordered. My 4-year son will be happy to see his computer up and running again :)
Click to expand...

This is for a 4 year old? Geez what are you gonna get him when he's 16? :) LOL!

I'm sure your son will enjoy this PC.:)
 
My son LOVES Company of Heroes and likes to play as a team with me. I got my butt in gear when he asked for his computer to be fixed for Christmas :) Parts should be here in a couple days.
 
Why would you do that to yourself? Now you're gonna get totally pwnd and become his _insert name_ very soon until he gets bored of farming you. I feel for you but you'll get what you deserve. RIP Fazzar RIP.

:D:D:p:p
 
^^^i got a solution for that!
simply never let his son ever get any computer knowledge...
otherwise by the time he hit elementary school... he probably will start drooling all over those extreme series stuff and probably start finding ways to get them :p

btw i do own the HSF and the RAMs that they have suggested ( and they did suggested them to me as well ) and man! they are freakin awesome! have fun with that build ( if u get to play with it ) or with ur son when gaming! ;)
 
The little dude's playing Company of Heroes man, Company of Heroes. It's GG @ Fazzar already.
 
man he must be a smart kid tho... when i was 4... i dun even remember playing any games beside my plastic toy sword! LOL

btw Fazzar let us know when ur build is done! wanna see how well it will run the game!
 
Gonna assemble it on Saturday, so I'll let you know how it turns out.

Yeah, my son's computer time is very limited, but it's amazing how quickly he picks things up in that short time. One second I'm teaching him point and click and the next second he's building a bunch of tanks, upgrading them and sending them over to get zee Germans!!

When I was 4, I banged two rocks together for my entertainment.
 
OK. The rig is built and everything went very smoothly. I like that mobo a lot, easy install and great documentation. Everything reinstalled and running like silk.

Thanks all!
 
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