Expert: Karl Zick - 10/23/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I started googling how to make my own gaming PC because I cannot afford today's gaming PC's(Alienware,XPS,etc) so after researching around I saved links of what I'm going to buy the only thing I need help with is are they all compatible with each other. The thing I don't want to do is buy all this and find out I screwed up =/ so here is my links.

Case + PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514513

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131634

Memory + Harddrive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.519812

CD/DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

So can you help me and tell me if these items are all compatible please :)

ANSWER: Hi Charles,

I like all of your selections except maybe the motherboard.  I used to swear by ASUS until I wound up with a couple that were DOA and one that died 2 months after I installed it.  The only boards I buy now are Gigabyte.  Their quality is outstanding and their prices are very competitive.

I don't know if you used Amazon in your search, but suggest you try them.  I also buy most of my stuff from Newegg but, on occasion, have found better deals at Amazon, Tiger Direct, or CompUSA.

As an after thought, try 3bTech for a case.  All of their stuff ships free and they have a pretty good selection.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank, for getting back to me. I am seriously thinking about switching the motherboard out now but were those components all compatible with each other?

ANSWER: Hi again Charles,

You didn't say anything about a CPU in your first question and I missed it.  Sorry.

The main compatibility you have to worry about is between your motherboard and your CPU.  I am partial to AMD processors mainly because of price and you can get them for around $70 at Newegg or one of the other outlets.  A good 64bit Athlon or Phenon with a Gigabyte motherboard makes a great combo.  The secret is matching the processor with the socket on the motherboard - and the AM2/AM3 socket it the standard on todays AMD systems.


While shopping you will see processors that are dual-core, tri-core, quad-core, etc.   The more cores, the more expensive they are.  Even for a gamer though, a dual core has plenty of power and the thing to look for is the speed.  Anything over 3GHz will work for you.  If you will notice, the more the cores, the lower the speed, and you are only using one of them most of the time.  Hence, a quad core will usually run slower than a dual core because its core speed is slower.


The other compatibility issue to be careful about is your RAM.  Most systems still use DDR2 boards - but DDR3 is getting popular.  Just make sure the motherboard you choose has DDR2 slots and that you buy DDR2 RAM boards.  I have seen DDR2 boards for as cheap as $15 a gig lately - and brand doesn't mean much these days.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It's awesome you giving me all this feedback, and yes one thing I forgot! my CPU! :) so here is my options for CPU.

Option #1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067&cm_re=i5_process

Option #2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116370

and let's just say my selection will be the motherboard I stated in the above.

The thing I'm loving with newegg is there combo deal's they are saving time.


Answer
One last thing (I think).  Don't forget the CPU fan and some heat transfer paste to rub on the processor.  You don't want to fry your CPU.







I like the dual-core for $84.  Just make sure your motherboard is for Intel CPU's and has a 774 socket on it.  Also don't forget the RAM type (DDR2).

Newegg also has Windows 7 for $89 most of the time.  Doubt you will find a better price.  Make sure you get the 64bit version.

Hi again Charlie,

One more thing we forgot was a video card - and if the motherboard you order doesn't come with on-board video you will need one.  Even if it does come with on-board you will be limited to VGA quality and the hot item these days is digital and HDMI.

The video card is one of the most important components in your computer if you are a gamer.  The standard interface is PCI-Express and most brands either have an ATI (Radeon) or a geForce chipset.  I've run into ATI compatibility problems with Win 7 so I recommend sticking with geForce.  A half gig of onboard RAM is plenty.  Just make sure it has VGA, DVI, & HDMI connector sockets.  I bought a very good ASUS board from Newegg with all that for $55.

Last, make sure your monitor has inputs to match your video card outputs.  Look hard at Samsung.