Need help with building a PC with specific motherboard

virgin n00b · Dec 29, 2009, 09:48 PM

Let me clarify first off that I am a complete newbie when it comes to computers. The only thing I know about them is how to operate the internet, and that's about it...

...so 'Once upon a time' I decide to build my own PC...

I'm using the DH guide to building one. Here's the parts I've decided on so far...

1. Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P
2. Processor: AMD Phenom II X3 720
3. RAM: Crucial 4GB (2x 2GB) DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066
4. Video Card: Gigabyte GV-R4350-512I Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0x16 HDCP

(at $326.97 currently, assuming I do all mail in rebates)

The problem I'm having now is choosing a hard drive. Where on the motherboard 'specifications' can I check for compatibility? Is it the 'storage interface' section?

virgin n00b · Dec 29, 2009, 09:49 PM

Also, is there any incompatibility with the items I've selected?

**temeteus82** · Dec 29, 2009, 10:35 PM

the ram the motherboard uses full sized dimm's and you selected so-dimm that are used in laptops. So you need to select normal dimm's ...

Tyrsonswood · Dec 29, 2009, 10:41 PM

For your hard drive what you need is SATA 3Gb/s ...... also called SATA II (SATA 2) There should be no compatibility issues with the various brands, just as long as it's SATA II. These are also the most common these days.

virgin n00b · Dec 29, 2009, 11:44 PM

Ok, thanks a bunch guys.

Other than the RAM, is everything else compatible so far?

asedsa · Dec 29, 2009, 11:52 PM

Yes, RAM you should change, and buy some DDR3 1333 mhz or higher(depends of your wallet), but you won't see big difference between dimms of 1333 mhz and 1600 mhz.
Good luck.

**kris23** · Dec 30, 2009, 12:17 AM

refer to my guide in my below. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide

also, as everyone said, the only incompatibility is the RAM, full sized DDR3 of any sort are good. DDR3 1333mhz is good and cheap now...

Optix · Dec 30, 2009, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by virgin n00b

The problem I'm having now is choosing a hard drive. Where on the motherboard 'specifications' can I check for compatibility? Is it the 'storage interface' section?

Any modern motherboard can handle a SATAII drive. I would suggest a Western Digital Caviar Blue. They seem to be the cheapest and are marketed as being made for performance and reliability. Good reviews as well.

I have only ever used Seagate drives so that is another alternative but this seems to be a budget build where every dollar counts.

SeraphicSorcerer · Dec 30, 2009, 01:54 AM

The 1 TB WD Black edition is really nice and will work with your board, can pick it up for less then 100, the 500 gb is only 59$

I hope you got normal dimms, i only skimmed the thread but yea you got so-dimm (laptop memory)

iPlayer · Dec 30, 2009, 05:23 AM

Samsung F3 is another option.

procupine14 · Dec 30, 2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPlayer

Samsung F3 is another option.

Yeah I have had good luck with the Samsung in my main rig thus far. Most of my HDDs are WesterDigital and Seagate (see my sig and main system specs). Ironically, the main Hard drive on my HTPC is an HDD out of a TiVo box that fried

. But I have a few Samsung drives in there. As far as price goes I wouldn't reccomend anything cheaper than a samsung drive especiallly if its your only one. I have had some bad experiences with Hitachi and Maxtor that I will NEVER buy them again for even my clients' budget builds.(though I do have one i mean one maxtor HDD running in a server still without any problems other than a lot of noise which it made out of the box so eh!)

After that its all about how much space you want and how much you are willing to pay. GOOD LUCK!

Optix · Dec 31, 2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by procupine14

I have had some bad experiences with Hitachi and Maxtor that I will NEVER buy them again for even my clients' budget builds.(though I do have one i mean one maxtor HDD running in a server still without any problems other than a lot of noise which it made out of the box so eh!)

Since Seagate bought Maxtor you would have a hard time finding one to buy I think. I haven't seen them for sale on any of the hardware sites I buy from for years although I have a 200GB Maxtor IDE that is still going strong as a storage drive and is regularly seeding local DJ/band talent.

Dec 29, 2009, 09:48 PM	#1
virgin n00b DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Need help with building a PC with specific motherboard Let me clarify first off that I am a complete newbie when it comes to computers. The only thing I know about them is how to operate the internet, and that's about it... ...so 'Once upon a time' I decide to build my own PC... I'm using the DH guide to building one. Here's the parts I've decided on so far... 1. Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P 2. Processor: AMD Phenom II X3 720 3. RAM: Crucial 4GB (2x 2GB) DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 4. Video Card: Gigabyte GV-R4350-512I Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0x16 HDCP (at $326.97 currently, assuming I do all mail in rebates) The problem I'm having now is choosing a hard drive. Where on the motherboard 'specifications' can I check for compatibility? Is it the 'storage interface' section?

Dec 29, 2009, 09:49 PM	Thread Starter #2
virgin n00b DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Re: Need help with building a PC with specific motherboard Also, is there any incompatibility with the items I've selected?

Dec 29, 2009, 11:44 PM	Thread Starter #5
virgin n00b DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Re: Need help with building a PC with specific motherboard Ok, thanks a bunch guys. Other than the RAM, is everything else compatible so far?

Dec 29, 2009, 11:52 PM	#6
asedsa HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 246 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	Re: Need help with building a PC with specific motherboard Yes, RAM you should change, and buy some DDR3 1333 mhz or higher(depends of your wallet), but you won't see big difference between dimms of 1333 mhz and 1600 mhz. Good luck. __________________

Dec 30, 2009, 12:17 AM	#7
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,019 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: Need help with building a PC with specific motherboard refer to my guide in my below. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide also, as everyone said, the only incompatibility is the RAM, full sized DDR3 of any sort are good. DDR3 1333mhz is good and cheap now... __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Dec 30, 2009, 01:54 AM	#9
SeraphicSorcerer HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,295 Rep Power: 156 System Specs	Re: Need help with building a PC with specific motherboard The 1 TB WD Black edition is really nice and will work with your board, can pick it up for less then 100, the 500 gb is only 59$ I hope you got normal dimms, i only skimmed the thread but yea you got so-dimm (laptop memory) __________________

Dec 30, 2009, 05:23 AM	#10
iPlayer Filled with noobsauce Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: between the buns Posts: 1,450 Rep Power: 59	Re: Need help with building a PC with specific motherboard Samsung F3 is another option. __________________ Last edited by iPlayer; Dec 30, 2009 at 05:35 AM.