Questions on building a custom computer....

Can any standard ATX motherboard go inside any case that says in can support a ATX motherboard? I'm asking because I was wondering if the size of a standard ATX motherboard would play a factor regardless if the case says it supports it.

I was seeing would this motherboard go into this case without a problem. Also, the case comes bundled with a power supply. Does the motherboard support that type of power supply? I've checked but I was hoping for a second opinion.

Lastly, would that motherboard support this processor?

Due to my procrastination problem, I ended up waiting til the final minute to do this project that was assign to our cl@ssroom weeks ago. :x My college instructor wanted us to custom build a PC and present it to the cl@ss and I had an idea for this setup but wanted to make sure everything fit's perfectly....

Will it fit in the case? Yes. Will the cpu work for motherboard? The specifications says it will but to be on the safe side, opt for an AM3 motherboard instead.

Do you just need a list of components?

Is there a maximum price?

First, I wouldn't use that case+PSU for ANYTHING. $35 for a case is fine, but $35 for a case and 550w PSU isn't right considering most people now pay about $50 for a GOOD 400w PSU.

Secondly, you should use Newegg for all your parts or a mix of Newegg, TigerDirect and possibly Amazon.

@Kilerchese

Well, we aren't going to buy the PC so there really isn't a price range. However, I was looking to build powerful yet affordable mid tower PC that has a handle on the top of it like a carrying case similar to the one I posted. Perhaps I could replace that power supply with a different one then. Got any suggestions for a power supply that would go well with that tower?

And perhaps a suggestion for a good motherboard and CPU combo? The price range I'm looking for is under $600....

Will it fit in the case? Yes. Will the cpu work for motherboard? The specifications says it will but to be on the safe side, opt for an AM3 motherboard instead.

yukilla

Will this do?

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=12404265

This is a nice cheap, under $600, PC.

Just something I threw together, used a case that I just saw in Computer Power User magazine.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=12404265

This is a nice cheap, under $600, PC.

Just something I threw together, used a case that I just saw in Computer Power User magazine.

kilerchese

Changed the case, look at the link again and tell me what you think, still under $600.

Here, this comes with a handle, and it can fit a video card as large as the 5870, surprisingly. Apevia X-Qpack2 MicroATX Case.

Changed the case, look at the link again and tell me what you think, still under $600.

kilerchese

Here, this comes with a handle, and it can fit a video card as large as the 5870, surprisingly. Apevia X-Qpack2 MicroATX Case.

ravenguard90

Actualy, since it's a microATX form factor, I don't think it's as bulky as the picture claims. If I can't find anything else, I'd probably go with this...

[QUOTE="kilerchese"]

Changed the case, look at the link again and tell me what you think, still under $600.

tocool340

It already has on-board 7.1 sound. It has Gigabit ethernet. It does only have 2 USB ports, but that can be remedied with a usb hub. If you don't need a dedicated video card, you can remove the $100 video card which would make it less than $500.

[QUOTE="tocool340"][QUOTE="kilerchese"]

Changed the case, look at the link again and tell me what you think, still under $600.

kilerchese

It already has on-board 7.1 sound. It has Gigabit ethernet. It does only have 2 USB ports, but that can be remedied with a usb hub. If you don't need a dedicated video card, you can remove the $100 video card which would make it less than $500.

Here, this comes with a handle, and it can fit a video card as large as the 5870, surprisingly. Apevia X-Qpack2 MicroATX Case.

ravenguard90

It should, if you wanted to replace my case and PSU with that case and PSU. I wouldn't trust Apevia's PSUs though.

Since this is just a components list though, it will be fine.

Here, I came up with a build as well. I didn't include my previously recommended case because it didn't fit in the budget. However, if you needed a monitor, then this does include one in your budget. Only thing you'll need is an operating system:

LG DVD Burner
Apex MicroATX Case
Seagate 7200.12 500GB HDD
Acer 18.5" LCD Monitor
Gigabyte MA78LM-S2H Motherboard
Corsair CMPSU-400CX 400W Power Supply
AMD Athlon II X2 250 Processor
Sapphire HD 4850 512MB Video Card w/ Wintec AMPX 4GB DDR2-800 Memory w/ Wintec USB Hub

Grand total: 598.61

Trade-offs:

- Scrapped the SFF case for a straight-up MicroATX case. Not as small, but it does meet your needs.
- DDR2 Motherboard/Memory. However, reviews show only a marginal drop between DDR2 and DDR3 memory, so you probably won't see much of a difference.
- Dual core processor instead of a triple core. I used the dual core to cut costs, and used the fastest one I could find. However, a triple core processor would be better in multi-threaded applications, so you can determine what is best for your needs.

It should, if you wanted to replace my case and PSU with that case and PSU. I wouldn't trust Apevia's PSUs though.

Since this is just a components list though, it will be fine.

kilerchese

Hmmm....is it possible to replace that power supply with something that uses less power? 500 watts seem a bit much ain't it?

Here, I came up with a build as well. I didn't include my previously recommended case because it didn't fit in the budget. However, if you needed a monitor, then this does include one in your budget. Only thing you'll need is an operating system:

LG DVD Burner
Apex MicroATX Case
Seagate 7200.12 500GB HDD
Acer 18.5" LCD Monitor
Gigabyte MA78LM-S2H Motherboard
Corsair CMPSU-400CX 400W Power Supply
AMD Athlon II X2 250 Processor
Sapphire HD 4850 512MB Video Card w/ Wintec AMPX 4GB DDR2-800 Memory w/ Wintec USB Hub

Grand total: 598.61

ravenguard90

K. Thanks for the help. It's a shame that I know so much about computer and going to college for it but don't really show it....:(

Hmmm....is it possible to replace that power supply with something that uses less power? 500 watts seem a bit much ain't it?tocool340

[QUOTE="tocool340"]K. Thanks for the help. It's a shame that I know so much about computer and going to college for it but don't really show it....:(

Hmmm....is it possible to replace that power supply with something that uses less power? 500 watts seem a bit much ain't it?kilerchese

My system pulls about 300W tops when under load. The build you linked should draw a figure far below this number.

[QUOTE="tocool340"]K. Thanks for the help. It's a shame that I know so much about computer and going to college for it but don't really show it....:(

Hmmm....is it possible to replace that power supply with something that uses less power? 500 watts seem a bit much ain't it?kilerchese