Computer build assistance

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Its much better to use 2x2 set instead of 4x1 though. Oh, and your motherboard only has two RAM slots so...yeah thats a problem, just noticed.
 
Sorry, I edited it in at the last second, but again, your motherboard doesn't even have four slots. Yes 2x2 is generally better than 4x1, though it likely wouldn't matter at this level, aside form the two slots.
Corsair 400w will be absolutely fine up to a 5770, but if you really want (thought it doesn't really give you extra upgrade room...5850 may want more power that a corsair 450w) you could buy one anyway. Keep in mind that powersupplies run most efficiently at higher usage percentages.
 
My bad, evilsmith, I didn't realize you were wanting to run with 4 gigs; I read it wrong. Sorry. :blush:

Agree that 2x2 is a better configuration than 4x1 (though as has been pointed out your motherboard only has two slots). The board from what I have read is a decent micro offering and does well with various AMD cpus.

* Crucial makes great RAM but do your homework online because their Ballistix line had serious failure rates in both their DDR1 and DDR2 offerings. I speak from personal experience.
 


Is what I got so far and I'm pleased with everything so I'll buy it tomorrow night. Thanks again for everyone who provided advice.
 
Just my opinion, but I feel you should go in with an AM3 / DDR3 system instead of DDR2. Take a look at the motherboard and memory I suggested earlier. Else it becomes an awful lot to pay for DDR2 memory.

Also, in case you intend to stick with that Biostar mobo, ensure that the Phenom II 550 is supported on it without a BIOS update.
 
I bought the Phenom II X2 a few weeks ago and my motherboard managed to unlock a third core, but Windows wouldn't start with 4 cores. The only downside is that no temperature monitor is now able to measure my core temps. But it runs great, and I'm able to run several apps while watching 1080p mkv files.

My big suggestion when it comes to buying is think ahead as to how long you're planning on keeping this computer for, and the upgradability potential of the hardware. I'd go with a AM3 motherboard because when those really cool six core chips become second tier in three or four years, you can get one cheap and pop it in.

This isn't a bad setup, but when you're going to want to upgrade, you're going to have to buy an all new computer. Unless you'd want to keep this as a secondary PC and build a new one from scratch. But if you're the type of person who just needs one PC, I'd plan ahead for the future, and have the ability to upgrade your computer later.
 
That ASUS board will handle your cpu but it runs DDR2 memory and you picked out DDR3 memory which will not work.

* This is from Newegg and for a few dollars more you can get a nice AM3 microATX motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Micro_AM3_motherboards-_-13-128-432-_-Product

Is the reason you are avoiding Newegg due to the fact you live in California and have to pay tax? I understand if you do because I live in New Jersey and because Newegg has a warehouse instate I haveto pay tax as well.
 
For $10 more, the Gigabyte motherboard I mentioned earlier would be a much better choice.
 
Yea I'm kinda avoiding Newegg if possible so I can purchase it all from one place and also because of the no tax and free shipping. Guess I forgot to look at the Mobo and didn't see DDR2.

Edit: The Corsair just sold out too ._.
 
The mobo I linked you to does have free shipping and if need be the tax for it isn't going to be too much.
 
Very nice motherboard. The thing is loaded at a nice price.

I know little about A-DATA memory except to say they have had some terrific releases in the past year.

* I think you hit on a winning combination. Just F.Y.I. Gigabyte does have a qualified vendors list for memory per mobo model. You might want to check it out but it certainly isn't exshaustive.
 
Hey, Sorry it's been awhile since I last posted. I haven't really gotten around to building the computer till today. After 4 hours of working on it I'm sad to say it doesn't work. I'm not an expert in building computers and it's been a year since I built my last one. To start things out the optical drive didn't fit my case and it was IDE, so I switched my SATA optical drive from my old computer. The PSU cords seem to be a bit confusing and all over the place and I'm pretty sure I've got everything plugged in (not sure if correctly).
Anyways so after I finish putting everything together I go and plug everything in. It boots up for the first time and it seems to be going alright. Then it says Loading Operating System and stays that way. Although on my initial boot it said insert a disk and I inserted my Windows XP CD everything seemed to be going alright. Then after a couple mins before I begin installing the OS I see blue screen of death. So I just reboot and try again but now it's just stuck on Loading Operating System and seems to get stuck there. I tried testing Hard drive from my old computer since it had OS and everything ready and it begins to load while on the loading screen I get the blue screen of death again.

So could it be RAM problem? CPU? or could I have not plugged everything in the right place? ( I've redone the Front Panel Header "F_Panel" like 6 times already). I hope you guys could help me out I don't want $600 down the drain ):. I'll try to get a friend to look at it too.
 
I have had this happen to me with a new build and I know many others who have as well. So I don't think you wasted your money. You did a lot of research and you listened to sound advice.

There will be others who have helped before and will come alongside and help you again.

I need to shut-down for the night but one question that comes to me is this: What is the order of your bootable devices? Is the CD drive first?
 
Thanks for the reassurance :D. and I have tried setting the CD Drive to first but doesn't seem to work :/. I've Goggled "Gigabyte Loading Operating System" and so far it seems to be a Hard drive problem. I'll try testing the hard drive on my working computer tomorrow to make sure.
 
To start things out the optical drive didn't fit my case and it was IDE, so I switched my SATA optical drive from my old computer.
Click to expand...

What do you mean the optical drive did not fit your case? Even if it's IDE, the motherboard has 1 IDE port.

The PSU cords seem to be a bit confusing and all over the place and I'm pretty sure I've got everything plugged in (not sure if correctly).
Click to expand...
The PSU manual should explain exactly where each cord is to be connected.

Do you have a second HDD? Maybe you could try using the HDD from your other system and see whether you are able to install the OS.
 
evilsmith said:
Hey, Sorry it's been awhile since I last posted. I haven't really gotten around to building the computer till today. After 4 hours of working on it I'm sad to say it doesn't work. I'm not an expert in building computers and it's been a year since I built my last one. To start things out the optical drive didn't fit my case and it was IDE, so I switched my SATA optical drive from my old computer. The PSU cords seem to be a bit confusing and all over the place and I'm pretty sure I've got everything plugged in (not sure if correctly).
Anyways so after I finish putting everything together I go and plug everything in. It boots up for the first time and it seems to be going alright. Then it says Loading Operating System and stays that way. Although on my initial boot it said insert a disk and I inserted my Windows XP CD everything seemed to be going alright. Then after a couple mins before I begin installing the OS I see blue screen of death. So I just reboot and try again but now it's just stuck on Loading Operating System and seems to get stuck there. I tried testing Hard drive from my old computer since it had OS and everything ready and it begins to load while on the loading screen I get the blue screen of death again.

So could it be RAM problem? CPU? or could I have not plugged everything in the right place? ( I've redone the Front Panel Header "F_Panel" like 6 times already). I hope you guys could help me out I don't want $600 down the drain ):. I'll try to get a friend to look at it too.
Click to expand...

The essentials for powering up are the following:

1. 4 pin power connector (usually located top corner of the CPU fan area
2. 20/24 pin power connector from PSU to motherboard (righthand side of motherboard)
3. Fan connector for case fans (usually on the left side of the board)
4. Power connector for graphics card (if required)
5. SATA power connector for hard drive (s) and optical media drive(s).
6. SATA data connectors for hard drive(s) and optical media drive(s)
7. Case header plugs (for pwr/hdd led/pwr led/reset)
8. Obviously, the CPU/CPU Fan/RAM/GPU all fitted if your fitting them.

So you've built it up, and then you booted it and have already installed Windows XP to your new hard disc? From reading this thread you purchased a 500GB didnt you?

If you go into BIOS, is the RAM, and CPU listed correctly? If the CPU isn't reporting as correct, its possible the motherboards firmware needs an update.

So if you insert the XP CD rom in the drive, and then reboot and when prompted to press any key, does it then start the installation OK?

At which point exactly is the installation process failing?
 
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