i really really need help before i spend the money

What OS are you planning to run? If you're going Vista, I'd suggest you get 4 GB of ram rated at 1.8v (There's a Mushkin on Newegg with 1.8v).

Don't bother reusing your ATA HDD (unless you absolutely want the HDD to be the bottleneck of your system), ATA meaning its IDE right? The motherboard you chose does have an IDE connector, if you really want to save the money.

You should also look into some 22" monitors now, their prices are pretty amazing and you won't regret having a slightly larger monitor (I just recently got mine upgraded from 22" to 27.5").

There's also better 500W power supplies, look into Antec Earthwatts, PC P&C, OCZ Stealthxstream, Seasonic, etc.

Most mobos have legacy support for ATA devices, so you'll be OK, but you could get a new HDD for very little.

Suggestions - get 2x2GB of DDR2 800 RAM. Don't get the 1066. Make sure the RAM you get has low cas latency (4 if you can) and standard 1.8v.

I would choose a different PSU if it were me (PC Power and Cooling, Corsair, OCZ, Antec, etc).

I would also suggest a 4850 for only something like $20 more than the 9800 GT.

BTW - what's up with your signature? That rig is OK. Why are you building a new one with that one?

Yes it will work, there is one PATA connector on that mobo. I was going to say that you will need to enable the Onboard IDE Controller, but it looks like it's enabled by default.

I would personally get a bigger, and better PSU. Something of about 650W. But as for the HDD, there will be no issues, however I'd still spend a bit more on a PSU.

Some Suggestions:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$80 (Antec 650W)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$100 (PC P&C 610W)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$110 (Corsair 650W. I'd get this one)

P.S. you don't need the 1066 RAM, as DDR2 800 is still cheaper, and has better timings.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$35 (A-Data 2GB DDR2 800, can OC to 1066)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$40 (G.Skill 2GB DDR2 800, OC's beyond 1066)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$53 (OCZ 2GB DDR2 800, if you really want OCZ, the above RAM's are on par with this overpriced RAM)

(The intel CPU's do not have an onboard memory controller(Yet) so does not need 1066, as 800 with better timings does more for reducing bottlenecks)

at huron, this rig im building is for my dads house. the pc in my sig is my main pc at my moms (divorce sucks (sometimes)).

i already own the hdd and the monitor and gpu so thats why im using those, i plan on getting a HD4850 around Christmas but this is just the beginning for this pc. and ill look at the 800mhz ram. i didnt know if it would work on that mobo cause it says 1066 so i thought i had to match it.

at john, its a blank hdd (never used it but ive had it for years) and im going to run 32-bit vista basic then next month upgrade to premium through the pc. and again i already own the monitor hdd and gpu so thats why they are there.

That said, without all the other input.


If you aren't going to OC over 3.6G get the DDR2 800, the DDR21066 will be a waste.

Please change out that Cooler Master PSU, it's not a good one. The choices that IH8U posted are good. One thing to note is that the PC P&C 610 is only $79.99 after rebate and that's a steal, I paid $130 for mine. It's $30 very well spent.

For later, get the WD6400AAKS 640GB it's only $75. As johnyeah said, you will see a huge performance increase with a new drive and the 6400AAKS is the best bang for the buck.

If you don't believe me, download HD Tune free and bench your current drive and then compare the average read transfer rate against the 91.5MB/sec of the 640AAKS. All your programs load off the HD, obviously, so a slow one is a real speed killer.

what about this psu

Rosewill Stallion Series RD500-2SB 500W ATX12V v2.2 Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

i here rosewill is a good brand for many things

Probably worse than the first one. Rosewill PSUs are complete junk.

I looked on Newegg and the PC P&C 610 is the best deal. It's priced the same as significantly inferior PSUs on their website. Beg borrow or steal, that's the one to have.

ok can everyone agree that this is a "good" psu:

Antec Basiq BP500UB 500W ATX12V Version 2.01 Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

The Coolermaster 500w is part of a combo deal where he gets the case and PSU for $70. Yes, it may not be tier 1 or 2, but it's a decent power supply. As for Rosewills being complete junk check these 4 reviews, three by jonnygurus site one by hardwaresecrets. Again, they may not be tier 1 or 2, but not junk
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=...
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=...
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/558

how about this psu is it any "good"?

Antec Basiq BP500UB 500W ATX12V Version 2.01 Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371019

I wouldn't consider that to be a very good PSU either. You obviously don't have the extra cash so follow dirtmountain's advice. Let us know if it blows up.

Rosewill may have gotten their act together, but I won't be the one to find out.

dude zorg theres no pleasing you. i dont have unlimited bank for this pc. i have to make do with what i can get. many ppl here on these forums have said antech is a good psu brand. and the reviews at newegg state this is a great psu, the fricken average rating of the product is 5 out of 5 eggs. ill go with the antech cause its what i can afford. im not trying to build a monster right away. over time things/parts will get better and more expensive. but thanks for your advise its noted but i cant do much right now.

Antec does make some decent PSUs, the Basic is their bottom of the line. The problem is that your timing is off, it's happened to me too many times to count. Sometimes there are a bunch of really good deals on respectable PSUs.

I scanned the web and all I could find on sale is CORSAIR VX550W at ZipZoomfly It's $68.50 after $20 rebate. That's only $8.51 more than the Rosewill and it is in a different league, IMO. That doesn't take into consideration that you will need to pony up the cash until the rebate comes back.

I wish I could help you more, but that's the best I can find.

I have bought from zipzoomfly and they are ok, in case you were concerned.

ok thanks for searching around the net for me zorg, your just trying to protect me from a possible system meltdown. i understand, but im barely getting this paid for with what ive got for this rig now (cutting real close) since yesterday ive changed alot of the parts and went from a total of $380 to almost $600, yes there are better more reliable parts in this build now but they cost more. trying to balance price and quality is hard aint it? but i read all the reviews posted for that antech psu im ordering and they are all positive, the item rank is 5 out of 5 eggs. ill go with what ive chosen for now and over the next 3-4 months ill be slowly upgrading things. im not using these parts for a very long time im just trying to get started. so again thanks for all the help you have given. times are tough these days though. this is the final check list for this rig (which im ordering tomorrow, and will have everything on friday)

so heres the build:

COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

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

Antec Basiq BP500UB 500W ATX12V Version 2.01 Active PFC Power Supply

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400

A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1A16K

Nvidia GeForce 9800GT 512MB (owned already)

Segate 120GB ATA HDD (owned already)

19" LCD Flat Panel (owned already)

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit English 1pk for System Builders DSP OEI DVD - OEM

Antec LED80XFAN 80mm Blue LED Case Fan

Rosewill RFX-120BL 120mm 2 Ball Bearing Blue LED Case Fan with Fan Controller Set

its looks good for a starting budget gaming rig, it will get better around christmas. i plan on getting a HD4850 in december, and after that other things will change/get better.

Well just a heads up, 2GB for Vista 32-bit is also a bit on the low end (system takes too much resource compared to XP).

Other than that your choices are fine, it'd be better if you can find combo deals on newegg if you're ordering it there.

You are ordering from newegg right? Because that cooler master case is like 40 bucks plus 16 for shipping. 56 bucks for a budget case.

Check this out...Looks ok, and would save about 10 bucks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

The antec basic ought to be ok as long as you know your PSU's limits and don't try to get crazy with it.

everuthing is coming from newegg. im ordering on thursday and will have all the parts by friday