1st time builder **please advise**

[stewyb]

Hey guys,

I've been reading the forums for some time now and now it is time to build my system.

I was wondering if you guys could give me some advice on the components I have bought and maybe some suggestions?

My first big question is that I have a 550w PSU and I was wondering if it would be enough to run the following build, here goes . . .

AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO Motherboard

Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz/PC3-12800 HyperX Memory Kit CL9 + Kingston Hyperx Memory Cooling Fan

550w PSU

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4730 512mb

Samsung HD103SJ Spinpoint F3 1TB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 32MB Cache

Maxtor 250GB SATAII

Another 250GB IDE Hard drive

LG DVD/RW optical drive

Casecom Black Mid Tower Case - Front Blue LED 120mm Fan - With Side Window + rear 80mm fan

Well thats it. Any advice for a first time builder would be amazing. I have put PC's together before so know where everything goes etc, but this is my first attempt to 'pimp out my PC'.

My case comes Monday so I can't wait to get started. If the memory hasn't come by monday I might powder spray the interior of the case black to match the exterior.

Any way, thanks in advance for the suggestions.

Stew

 

[LittleLizard]

The critical question, How many AMPS and 12v Rails has the psu.

 

[PaulieG]

Not all PSU's are created equal. What brand and model?

 

[copenhagen69]

Not all PSU's are created equal. What brand and model?

could not be a more true statement out there

 

[LittleLizard]

Not all PSU's are created equal. What brand and model?

Exactly. Antec, Corsair, OCZ, Cooler Master, Seasonic are the best. If its from one of those, then yes, it will run it no trouble. Some high end Rosewill and Thermaltake will run that as well.

Oh, and dont get a 965. Waste of money. Get a 955, bump the multiplier 2 notchs and its same (really, not difference at all)

 

[stewyb]

Not all PSU's are created equal. What brand and model?

Sorry guys, didn't realise it mattered that much, lucky i asked.

Its an EZ COOL ATX 550w JSP. Thats all the markings I could find, Hope that makes sense

 

[PaulieG]

Sorry guys, didn't realise it mattered that much, lucky i asked.

Its an EZ COOL ATX 550w JSP. Thats all the markings I could find, Hope that makes sense

I've never heard of that brand, which is a bad thing. The power supply IS the foundation of your system. Buy that first, and buy well. It will pay off. Not only will it provide your system with power and stability, but a good one will last through a couple of builds.

 

[stewyb]

Very glad i checked first then. So from littles lizards post, the best ones to choose from would be "Antec, Corsair, OCZ, Cooler Master, Seasonic" and to get about a 750w in case i bump up

 

[stewyb]

I've never heard of that brand, which is a bad thing. The power supply IS the foundation of your system. Buy that first, and buy well. It will pay off. Not only will it provide your system with power and stability, but a good one will last through a couple of builds.

found it on scan http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=132721&source=froogle

 

[DirectorC]

LOL I did a search on it and that's the first link that came up.

From the specs it doesn't look good. No EPS 12V and Passive PFC instead of Active PFC. Get you a decent PSU.

 

[DirectorC]

Here's something along the lines of what you want:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/550W-Corsair-CMPSU-550VXUK-ATX-PS-2-5-year-Warranty

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/520W...SLI-CrossFire-EPS-12V-20-24-pin-M-B-connector

 

[stewyb]

Here's something along the lines of what you want:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/550W-Corsair-CMPSU-550VXUK-ATX-PS-2-5-year-Warranty

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/520W...SLI-CrossFire-EPS-12V-20-24-pin-M-B-connector

Brill thanks a lot for this. You guys have been awesome.

It's gonna be next pay day I get the PSU now, will it damage the components if I use the current PSU? Or will it just cut out?

 

[DirectorC]

I don't doubt that it will boot and power that setup just fine, but it is reliability and efficiency that we are talking about here, and no serious hardware builder here is going to tell you to stick with the cheap no-name who-knows-what's-in-there brand.

 

[LittleLizard]

There is a high chance of damaging something (the 4730 uses a lot of power if im not wrong). IMO buy everything when you actually have the psu.

I don't doubt that it will boot and power that setup just fine, but it is reliability and efficiency that we are talking about here, and no serious hardware builder here is going to tell you to stick with the cheap no-name who-knows-what's-in-there brand.

I seriously loled at that (and i agree with that)