Double-checking components...

Hey all,

Just a quick query as to the components I'm thinking of getting for a new PC i'm putting together

I have these as the case, motherboard and cpu...would these all be compatible? I presume they would be, as the case and motherboard are ATX and the CPU is the same type of socket that the motherboard accepts...I just wanted someone to offer some opinion on whether or not these are decent choices...they seem to me to be ok.

(all from Komplett)

Q-Tec Midi tower ATX 6024MD, Black Pro Line, w/350W
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=113046&cks=PRL

Abit IC7-MAX3 Mainboard S478/800mhz,SATA I875P,
ATX,GbLAN,Dual-DDR,Firewire,Raid
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=119657&cks=PRL

Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz Boxed PC800 Socket PGA478, 1MB cache, Prescott
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=123709&cks=PRL

Any feedback on these initial choices would be great, thanks all

jozi

All i can really say is to avoid Q-Tec power supplies!
Dont know much about Pentium cpu's and mobo's

Jozi

bringitdown

For a great cheap case go with the Antec solution series, available from elara, computerbits, itdirect AFAIK ... they are perfect for starters and don't scrimp on the quality compared to qtec. Just completed my first with the SLK2650 BQE - and it is remarkably quiet compared to what I am used to!

Also do you need that good a main board - i.e. are you planning on overclocking, if not a great board with most of the features of the MAX3 is the IS7 or cheaper still: IS7-E2 - save yourself E80/90 too - http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=117721&cks=PRL

Jozi, thanks for the tip about Q-Tec, I thought it looked too good to be true!

bringitdown, that motherboard, I was looking at the spec and you reckon that it would be near enough as good as the one I was looking at? I like the lower price tag alright

bringitdown

The MAX3 has some advanced features that unless you really need them you can do without... the MAX3 is built with overclocking in mind, for example manual voltage control, advanced cooling and 6 channel SATA controller. Do you think you'll overclock your CPU or need the use of 6 SATA hard drives? If not you do not need this mobo.

You will want the basics - DUAL DDR capability, HT support, 800Mhz FSB, SATA controller, 5.1 Sound, LAN, plenty of USB etc. Both the IS7 and IS7-E2 have these and are excellent value. Additionally the IS7 supports up to 4Gb of RAM, supports RAID and 6.1 sound.

unkel

The IC7-MAX3 is pretty much the best socket 478 mobo about, but if you're not an extreme overclocker, you don't need it. The IS7 is a good budget alternative, as is my current mobo, the AI7. All three are Abit

I'm running my Northwood P4 3.0 at 3.5 Ghz in silent mode (lowest settings for cpu and case fans) completely stable with air cooling

CPU is sound choice, but as said as well, fort the PSU, don't get the Q-tec - you would regret it!

Thanks for the tips lads, I'll stay clear of the q-tec case then and go ahead with the suggested motherboard, you're right, at this stage I have no need for overclocking, maybe when I'm more comfortable with that type of thing, at the moment I just want a fairly powerful computer to do various things, not mess around with settings like that.

Thanks again, I'll let ye know how i get on (i'm sure I'll have many more queries as it slowly comes together )

Quick question about cases lads,

I was advised on this case by a friend, he has used them and has no problems, are the Chieftec cases good?
would their psu's be alright, reliable?

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=113460&view=detailed

Thanks

bringitdown

Chieftec are reliable AFAIK and 360w is plenty of power.

That's good enough for me, thanks