I'D Like To Build My Own Computer

[Supernova]

I wouldn't go down on the processor simply so that it's future proof.

+1

Agreed.

[wolf5370]

Having checked the specifications of my preferred case I cam across this 'Number of supported PSUs - 1' does this indicate that all PSU's are the same size?

Taken from here http://www.afterdawn.../nox_coolbay_25

there are 3 (I think) different plug types from the PSU to the Main Board - some have converters are dual plug systems. You should check that the PSU matches your board. Screw sizes and positions are the same as they have to fit any case - so is an industry standard set-up. Power is different, but we have discussed this already.

You mat want to invest in a UPS also (Uniteruptable Power Supply Unit) - even a fairly cheap one will protect your machine from spikes and poor electricity flow that IS the Thai national grid!!!

[MaiDong]

Now I'm stuck between 4 & 8GB of RAM & lower/higher PSU's...

[MaiDong]

Having checked the specifications of my preferred case I cam across this 'Number of supported PSUs - 1' does this indicate that all PSU's are the same size?

Taken from here http://www.afterdawn.../nox_coolbay_25

there are 3 (I think) different plug types from the PSU to the Main Board - some have converters are dual plug systems. You should check that the PSU matches your board. Screw sizes and positions are the same as they have to fit any case - so is an industry standard set-up. Power is different, but we have discussed this already.

You mat want to invest in a UPS also (Uniteruptable Power Supply Unit) - even a fairly cheap one will protect your machine from spikes and poor electricity flow that IS the Thai national grid!!!

The MB I'm looking at is this http://www.invadeit.co.th/product/motherboards/asus/p8h61-m-le-usb3-b3-lga1155-h61-2-x-ddr3-4-x-sata-3gb-s-uatx-p005933/ and the PSU I've considered is this http://www.invadeit.co.th/product/power-supplies/cooler-master/extreme-power-plus-500w-power-supply-rs-500-pcar-a3-p002144/

How would I go about checking their compatibility?

I will definately consider a UPS, I've already got pretty good surge protection on a socket extension extension I brought from the UK, it doesn't give me time to shut down if there's a power cut though, so yes, I'll look into that too, any recommendations for that as well?

[Tywais]

Now I'm stuck between 4 & 8GB of RAM & lower/higher PSU's...

Think there has been an agreement that 500W is sufficient and is the one I linked to above. 4GB of RAM is sufficient for the normal to medium power user plus RAM prices will probably go down in price so an upgrade later won't be a problem. So to keep within budget, 4GB (2x2) and the 500W is, IMO, fine. Agree about the CPU - better to be overpowered for the time time being than underpowered in the near future.

[wolf5370]

BTW I got a 550W PSU in Panthip Plaza (Chiang Mai) - from the little stall to the right of the escalators (as you face them) 1st (or 2nd if you are an American) floor - just before IT City next to the place that sells cheap laptop coolers. It cost be 1800B new and boxed - I connected it up outside of the box (cross pinned it so it came on) and run it through a power test with multimeter and load test with some old equipment I have for just that - and it came out fine. Its been in my machine since Christmas after the 460W one that I got with it was shorting (through the case - made plugging in USBs fun!) and overheating - its very quiet too boot!

[dave_boo]

Having checked the specifications of my preferred case I cam across this 'Number of supported PSUs - 1' does this indicate that all PSU's are the same size?

Taken from here http://www.afterdawn.../nox_coolbay_25

there are 3 (I think) different plug types from the PSU to the Main Board - some have converters are dual plug systems. You should check that the PSU matches your board. Screw sizes and positions are the same as they have to fit any case - so is an industry standard set-up. Power is different, but we have discussed this already.

You mat want to invest in a UPS also (Uniteruptable Power Supply Unit) - even a fairly cheap one will protect your machine from spikes and poor electricity flow that IS the Thai national grid!!!

There are two that I am aware of (unless you're still stuck on AT power supplies); the 20 and 24 pin. AFAIK all current motherboards require the 24 pin models.

There are the auxillary power plugs though. The 4 pin square model introduced with the P4 and the 6 pin seen mostly on workstation/server motherboards (mine has two six pins )

[wolf5370]

Now I'm stuck between 4 & 8GB of RAM & lower/higher PSU's...

Think there has been an agreement that 500W is sufficient and is the one I linked to above. 4GB of RAM is sufficient for the normal to medium power user plus RAM prices will probably go down in price so an upgrade later won't be a problem. So to keep within budget, 4GB (2x2) and the 500W is, IMO, fine. Agree about the CPU - better to be overpowered for the time time being than underpowered in the near future.

+1

Agree

[Supernova]

Now I'm stuck between 4 & 8GB of RAM & lower/higher PSU's...

Pretty simple -

The PSU recommended by "Tywais" (post #60) should be good enough. As for RAM, I'd go with 4GB. FWIW, apps that use over 2 gigs of memory are rare. Besides, you can always add more later.

[MaiDong]

I wouldn't go down on the processor simply so that it's future proof.

+1

Agreed.

Got it

[dave_boo]

Having checked the specifications of my preferred case I cam across this 'Number of supported PSUs - 1' does this indicate that all PSU's are the same size?

Taken from here http://www.afterdawn.../nox_coolbay_25

there are 3 (I think) different plug types from the PSU to the Main Board - some have converters are dual plug systems. You should check that the PSU matches your board. Screw sizes and positions are the same as they have to fit any case - so is an industry standard set-up. Power is different, but we have discussed this already.

You mat want to invest in a UPS also (Uniteruptable Power Supply Unit) - even a fairly cheap one will protect your machine from spikes and poor electricity flow that IS the Thai national grid!!!

The MB I'm looking at is this http://www.invadeit....s-uatx-p005933/ and the PSU I've considered is this http://www.invadeit....car-a3-p002144/

How would I go about checking their compatibility?

I will definately consider a UPS, I've already got pretty good surge protection on a socket extension extension I brought from the UK, it doesn't give me time to shut down if there's a power cut though, so yes, I'll look into that too, any recommendations for that as well?

They are compatible.

[MaiDong]

Now I'm stuck between 4 & 8GB of RAM & lower/higher PSU's...

Pretty simple -

The PSU recommended by "Tywais" (post #60) should be good enough. As for RAM, I'd go with 4GB. FWIW, apps that use over 2 gigs of memory are rare. Besides, you can always add more later.

Got that too, thanks so much everybody for your patience!

[Tywais]

The MB I'm looking at is this http://www.invadeit.co.th/product/motherboards/asus/p8h61-m-le-usb3-b3-lga1155-h61-2-x-ddr3-4-x-sata-3gb-s-uatx-p005933/ and the PSU I've considered is this http://www.invadeit.co.th/product/power-supplies/cooler-master/extreme-power-plus-500w-power-supply-rs-500-pcar-a3-p002144/

MB power connector:

1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)

1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)

Power Supply:

20+4 Pin motherboard connector

CPU 4+4

So fully compatible. The power supply connectors in this case are universal - that is why the 20+4 to accommodate MB with 20 pin or 24 pin and 4+4 for CPU power with 4 pin or 8 pin requirements. Essentially this PS will accommodate the majority of boards. Power Supply specs. MB specs

[Tywais]

The 4 pin square model introduced with the P4 and the 6 pin seen mostly on workstation/server motherboards (mine has two six pins )

Appears the MB he is looking at is 4 pin CPU power connector. Just noticed it is a uATX which is something I try to stay away from.

[MaiDong]

The 4 pin square model introduced with the P4 and the 6 pin seen mostly on workstation/server motherboards (mine has two six pins )

Appears the MB he is looking at is 4 pin CPU power connector. Just noticed it is a uATX which is something I try to stay away from.

Is it enough of a deterrent for me to be concerned about?

[MaiDong]

Sorry to keep asking this but this thread seems to be moving too quickly for all of my questions to be seen;

Does the MB I've selected include a double VGA socket or will I have to use a splitter, & all necessary network functions?

Will I need to go out and buy anything else after I've built this just to use every day functions?

[Tywais]

The 4 pin square model introduced with the P4 and the 6 pin seen mostly on workstation/server motherboards (mine has two six pins )

Appears the MB he is looking at is 4 pin CPU power connector. Just noticed it is a uATX which is something I try to stay away from.

Is it enough of a deterrent for me to be concerned about?

For your specific needs, don't see it as an issue. I have a lot of things in my case including a huge video card and cooling and wiring can be an issue for these types of situations. If one needs to expand in the future, such as adding additional graphics cards or multiple PCI devices than a full size ATX is needed. But, as I said, highly unlikely you will be doing that.

[Tywais]

Sorry to keep asking this but this thread seems to be moving too quickly for all of my questions to be seen;

Does the MB I've selected include a double VGA socket or will I have to use a splitter, & all necessary network functions?

Will I need to go out and buy anything else after I've built this just to use every day functions?

From looking at the specs on the Asus site, appears to have DVI, VGA and HDMI connectors. If you get VGA monitors then you can use the DVI-VGA adapter (cheap) to support two VGA monitors. Or one DVI and one VGA monitor or a TV with HDMI input.

1 x DVI

1 x D-Sub

1 x HDMI

[MaiDong]

The 4 pin square model introduced with the P4 and the 6 pin seen mostly on workstation/server motherboards (mine has two six pins )

Appears the MB he is looking at is 4 pin CPU power connector. Just noticed it is a uATX which is something I try to stay away from.

Is it enough of a deterrent for me to be concerned about?

For your specific needs, don't see it as an issue. I have a lot of things in my case including a huge video card and cooling and wiring can be an issue for these types of situations. If one needs to expand in the future, such as adding additional graphics cards or multiple PCI devices than a full size ATX is needed. But, as I said, highly unlikely you will be doing that.

PHEW! Thanks for confirming that, I thought I'd have to rewind and start all over again

[Tywais]

PHEW! Thanks for confirming that, I thought I'd have to rewind and start all over again

Sorry about that, bad wording on my part.

[MaiDong]

Sorry to keep asking this but this thread seems to be moving too quickly for all of my questions to be seen;

Does the MB I've selected include a double VGA socket or will I have to use a splitter, & all necessary network functions?

Will I need to go out and buy anything else after I've built this just to use every day functions?

From looking at the specs on the Asus site, appears to have DVI, VGA and HDMI connectors. If you get VGA monitors then you can use the DVI-VGA adapter (cheap) to support two VGA monitors. Or one DVI and one VGA monitor or a TV with HDMI input.

1 x DVI

1 x D-Sub

1 x HDMI

These are the 2 monitors I was looking at http://www.invadeit.co.th/product/monitors/benq/g925hda-18-5inchw-1366x768-400001-5ms-p006446/ & http://www.invadeit.co.th/product/monitors/benq/g610hdal-15-6inch-widescreen-color-black--p003419/ I believe they are HDA, not VGA so I'll only be able to use a splitter for these - allowing only the same screen on both monitors, is that correct?

[Tywais]

These are the 2 monitors I was looking at http://www.invadeit.co.th/product/monitors/benq/g925hda-18-5inchw-1366x768-400001-5ms-p006446/ & http://www.invadeit.co.th/product/monitors/benq/g610hdal-15-6inch-widescreen-color-black--p003419/ I believe they are HDA, not VGA so I'll only be able to use a splitter for these - allowing only the same screen on both monitors, is that correct?

They are both VGA (D-Sub connectors). From the Benq site > Input Connector D-sub

You do realize those are pretty tiny screens? 18.5 and 15.6 wide screen.

FYI:

A Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector is a three-row 15-pin DE-15 connector. The 15-pin VGA connector is found on many video cards, computer monitors, and some high definition television sets. On laptop computers or other small devices, a mini-VGA port is sometimes used in place of the full-sized VGA connector.

DE-15 is also conventionally called RGB connector, D-sub 15, mini sub D15, mini D15, DB-15, HDB-15, HD-15 or HD15

[MaiDong]

You do realize those are pretty tiny screens? 18.5 and 15.6 wide screen.

Thanks for clearing that up!

Yes I do realize The screen I'm staring at now is 18.5" which is fine for my usage, the 15.6 is for my workbench so I'll only need it for referencing pictures so plenty big enough.

EDIT/ although if I can get away with spending just a little more I might squeeze to the next size up

EDIT AGAIN/ another thing, if my wife works out that I've not only passed my old PC onto her but also gone and bought bigger screens she'll punish me

[dave_boo]

Now I'm stuck between 4 & 8GB of RAM & lower/higher PSU's...

Pretty simple -

The PSU recommended by "Tywais" (post #60) should be good enough. As for RAM, I'd go with 4GB. FWIW, apps that use over 2 gigs of memory are rare. Besides, you can always add more later.

No he won't. The motherboard he's looking at has only 2x RAM slots.

[MaiDong]

Now I'm stuck between 4 & 8GB of RAM & lower/higher PSU's...

Pretty simple -

The PSU recommended by "Tywais" (post #60) should be good enough. As for RAM, I'd go with 4GB. FWIW, apps that use over 2 gigs of memory are rare. Besides, you can always add more later.

No he won't. The motherboard he's looking at has only 2x RAM slots.

Or add LARGER, later

[MaiDong]

I'm a little bit confused about the MB, in the description here it states '8x USB2.0 / 2x USB3.0' but it also states this further down 'On board I/O ports - 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s)' does it have 8xUSB2 & 2xUSB3 OR 2xUSB2?

[dave_boo]

Or add LARGER, later

That would be a waste now wouldn't it?

I'm a little bit confused about the MB, in the description here it states '8x USB2.0 / 2x USB3.0' but it also states this further down 'On board I/O ports - 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s)' does it have 8xUSB2 & 2xUSB3 OR 2xUSB2?

The other six USB 2,0 are on the motherboard.

[MaiDong]

The other six USB 2,0 are on the motherboard.

exposed at the rear?

[Tywais]

I'm a little bit confused about the MB, in the description here it states '8x USB2.0 / 2x USB3.0' but it also states this further down 'On board I/O ports - 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s)' does it have 8xUSB2 & 2xUSB3 OR 2xUSB2?

Specs here

8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports at the mid-board, 4 ports at the back panel)

Asmedia USB3.0 controller:

2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue, at the back panel)

So, 8 USB2.0 ports (split between back panel and mid board) and 2 3.0 ports on the back panel.

The mid board USB connectors are usually connected the following - two for the front panel of the case, and two to an adapter/header connected to the back of the case.

//edit - I've noticed different specs on different sites for the same mainboard. The main ASUS site for that MB will not come up for me.

PDF file of the specs

[MaiDong]

I'm a little bit confused about the MB, in the description here it states '8x USB2.0 / 2x USB3.0' but it also states this further down 'On board I/O ports - 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s)' does it have 8xUSB2 & 2xUSB3 OR 2xUSB2?

Specs here

8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports at the mid-board, 4 ports at the back panel)

Asmedia USB3.0 controller:

2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue, at the back panel)

So, 8 USB2.0 ports (split between back panel and mid board) and 2 3.0 ports on the back panel.

The mid board USB connectors are usually connected the following - two for the front panel of the case, and two to an adapter/header connected to the back of the case.

//edit - I've noticed different specs on different sites for the same mainboard. The main ASUS site for that MB will not come up for me.

Thanks for explaining things further and sorry for my ignorance again! So the mid-board ports are for me to expand to additional ports on the case?