Help Please

Hjl3007 · 4 Oct 2011 at 21:31

I am building a computer from scratch, i have done it a few times before but this time i am not sure if the parts are compatible so i thought i would ask before spending my money.

I am intending to buy:

AMD Athlon II X3 460 3.40 GHz Processor - Socket AM3 PGA-938 - Tri-core

4gb ram

ASUS M4A78LT-M LE AMD 760G microATX Motherboard - AM3 Socket

I want to run 64 bit windows 7 on it.

And I already have a 230v ac power pack and 500gb sata hard disk which i am intending to keep and use with the new setup.

nelviss · 5 Oct 2011 at 00:29

that lot will work fine.
the psu is a bit low, http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-146-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat= might help.
what gpu are you using and are you planing to OC?

cmndr_andi · 5 Oct 2011 at 00:35

Hi there and welcome to the forums,

As nelviss mentions, the components you list sound compatible - so long as the 4GB RAM is DDR3 and plays well with the board.

That said, would you like some alternative options? If so please just tell us your intended uses for the system and your approximate budget and well will come up with a few options.

As for the "230V AC power pack", could you give us some more details on it like make and model number? For building a desktop PC you really want a ATX compliant switch mode power supply like the Antec nelviss linked to (which is a nice choice).

Hjl3007 · 5 Oct 2011 at 16:31

the power pack is a 500w atx-500

cmndr_andi · 5 Oct 2011 at 16:34

Does it have a brand name or model name written on the unit itself?

If not then I would strongly suggest going for a better quality PSU that you can rely on, like this one.

Hjl3007 · 5 Oct 2011 at 16:46

it says RoHs on a sticker on the side witch tells me were the wires go

cmndr_andi · 5 Oct 2011 at 16:49

Yea, RoHS just means it is lead-free (which is required by law). It sounds like you have just got a generic PSU there.

I would suggest going for a better quality one from a good brand if you plan to spend a fair bit of money on new PC parts and plan to run a quad core CPU.

Hjl3007 · 5 Oct 2011 at 17:00

well i have that power supply and a 3.5" sata 500gb hard drive and i have £200 left to spend

ExecutorKevin · 5 Oct 2011 at 17:15

What is the model of your power supply? Take a picture.

Hjl3007 · 5 Oct 2011 at 17:35

that

Hjl3007 · 5 Oct 2011 at 17:35

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=280535612772

GTO656 · 5 Oct 2011 at 17:40

Please don't post Competitors link.

cmndr_andi · 5 Oct 2011 at 18:20

Protech ATX 500W PC Power Supply Unit
500 Watts continuous power rating
High efficiency and low noise
ATX Specification
Over power protection
Short circuit protection
1 x Internal cooling fan
AC input 230X, 50-60Hz
Dimensions: 150 x 86 x 140 (mm)

Connectors Included:
1 x 24 & 20 Pin Main Power
1 x 4 pins Main Power
3 x HDD/CD-ROM Power
1 x FDD Power
1 x Serial ATA

Package Contents:
1 x Power Supply
Brand New Box Packaging

Seriously - please don't use that PSU.

Hjl3007 · 5 Oct 2011 at 22:25

what about the Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus' Power Supply

Hjl3007 · 5 Oct 2011 at 22:26

then will alll the parts be okay

cmndr_andi · 5 Oct 2011 at 22:46

Hjl3007 said:
what about the Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus' Power Supply

Yes, that is a good quality PSU. Here is a review.

Hjl3007 said:
then will alll the parts be okay

The parts will be OK (depending on what specific 4GB RAM you chose) , however I would suggest going for this board, this RAM and this CPU if your budget can bear it - as it will perform much better (here is a comparison of the i3 2100 against an Athlon II X3 455 - a 3.33GHz version of the X3 460).

Hjl3007 · 6 Oct 2011 at 07:50

will my sata hard disk still work with that board

cmndr_andi · 6 Oct 2011 at 08:12

Hjl3007 said:
will my sata hard disk still work with that board

Yes, that board is fully backwards compatible with older SATA1 and SATA2 hard drives.

Hjl3007 · 6 Oct 2011 at 15:49

Then I shall by that lot thank you for the help