Thread: pc hardware questions

  1. #1
    Registered User Josh Kasten's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    109

    pc hardware questions

    I'm going to build an AMD 64 bit computer and was looking at this montherboard:
    http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-053&depa=0
    The port for the power is 24-pin and not 20-pin like atx.
    Do i have to get a btx powersupply or can i just use the extra 4-pin plug that comes with atx powersupplys?
    Or if i use this converter what is the min WATT power supply i should get?
    http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...101-121&depa=0

    One more question anyone know what an xgp port is?
    Its on this motherboard:
    http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...138-248&depa=0
    int a; don't make a program without it.

  2. #2
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    4,429
    Most newer mobos have the 24 pin connector, but your power supply only uses 20 of the pins (normal ATX PSUs will work). You just have to put the connector in the one end of it. Trust me, I was confused too when I got my latest mobo. And don't bother getting the converter, you won't need it. That is for specific applications like servers and (I think) dual procs.

    Min watts... depends on what your system is running, but I'd recommend at least a 480W PSU... and get a decent one (Thermaltake, PC Power & Cooling)... I bought some POS XPower and it died on me in less than 2 months.

    XGP is for specific AGP VGA cards. I really wouldn't bother with it since you have a PCIX video slot anyways. Get yourself a good PCIX video card and you'll be ahead of the game.

    I hope that helps.

    EDIT: I'm jealous of the NForce4 stuff by the way. I was going to go that route with my last build, but it wasn't even out when I was purchasing my hardware.
    Last edited by ober; 03-30-2005 at 08:47 PM.

  3. #3
    Registered User Josh Kasten's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    109
    Thanks for the help but just to make 100% sure. I can just plug in the 20-pin atx plug into the 24-pin board and it will work with out a converter? O and do i really need 480 watts i have a amd xp 2600+ that only has a 350 watt. Does the 64-bit use more power?
    Ya it does sound like the NForce boards are the best.
    int a; don't make a program without it.

  4. #4
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    6,331
    I've seen 3700+ systems with high end hardware, 4HDD's and 2CDrom's run on a 250W psu, but you want at least 480 to avoid underpower issues. Just cause it works doesnt mean its not doing damage. Any ATX psu is going to work with that, so yes.

    I would reccomend not going with that motherboard, however. The one im going to link you to is a n3 not an N4 but has proven in many shootouts to whoop ass to the N4's unless you spend $140+ on it. So if thats the amount your looking to spend, this board is insane, buy it and dont ever look back. buy it from PW though its ~70.00 there, just make sure you choose the "K8NS-Pro" on PW cuz the base lists as ~70 also.

    http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...128-241&depa=1

  5. #5
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    4,429
    Yes, you will be able to plug your 20 pin connector into the 24 pin female connector on the motherboard. When you get the motherboard, it will clearly say that. You do not need the converter.

    I also do not recommend the board RoD is recommending based on the fact that you're still using AGP with that board. The #1 reason I didn't go with AMD when I was building my current system is because it didn't have any PCIX boards out at the time. Please please please get a board that supports PCIX video cards. I have a low-end Geforce 6600 that runs with a friend's high end AGP card. He paid close to $400 for his... I paid $120 for mine (we bought them about the same time).

    Trust me on this one (although I will say that the board he recommends is a good one, I still fail to see how not going with the latest technology is going to benefit you).

  6. #6
    PC Fixer-Upper Waldo2k2's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Posts
    2,001
    be wary, I'm not sure about pci express cards, but i know for agp cards, if you go nvidia on a 64 bit platform you're computer will blue screen when playing certain older games (ut2003/2004 for example) when using stock nvidia drivers. Definetly go omega or DNA over stock drivers, they're much more stable (any version of the omega drivers, and the latest 75.80 version of the DNA's...the 71.80's were a bad release). As far as the nvidia chipset on the motherboard goes I can't vouch for them. I've had some serious issues with some nforce3 chipsets, don't know about the nf4's, myself, I would go via chipset so that you have a more proven platform. I recommend the asus k8v se deluxe, no pcix but it's a rock solid board with great features.
    PHP and XML
    Let's talk about SAX

  7. #7
    Registered User Josh Kasten's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    109
    Thanks for clearing things up about the 24-pin connector Ober. I'll go with a pci-e board and nforce4 (sounds like a good chipset to me). Waldo2k2, what are omega or DNA drivers?
    int a; don't make a program without it.

  8. #8
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    6,331
    Never use omega.

    The reason i suggest not going with PCIX is it hasnt reached a point where i, or many ppl, think its ready to replace AGP. I'm getting twice the numbers from a AGP 6800 than any of the PCIX cards, be it Nvidia, or god forbid, ATI.

    Its a matter of choice, though.

  9. #9
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    4,429
    Your opinion, but I have to say you're wrong. PCIX is the future of video cards and they're already replacing the AGP versions.

  10. #10
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    6,331
    The future absolutely, but these cards out now, even those in the next few months, are the "trial by error" if you will. In about 6-8 months PCIX technology will be so much more advanced and so completely different it would defeat any reason to shell out the effort on it now. If it was me, personally, i'd wait a few months, till around mid to late summer, and than build it on pcix.

  11. #11
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    4,429
    I already have and I'm more than happy with the results. That's why I recommend it.

  12. #12
    PC Fixer-Upper Waldo2k2's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Posts
    2,001
    >>Waldo2k2, what are omega or DNA drivers?

    groups of nvidia beta testers receive source code for nvidia's display drivers. They go through them and fix bugs and add optimizations and then release them to the public before nvidia does. I don't know why Rod said to never use Omegas, I've had nothing but more stability with them (at least since I've been using them). If stock drivers work for you that's cool, but I figured I'd let you know that if something crazy happens that trying alternative drivers may help the situation. Good luck, enjoy your pc.
    PHP and XML
    Let's talk about SAX

  13. #13
    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    6,331
    I say dont use them because i've never had anything but issues with them. Hell ive used them on two different ATI Radeon cards and actually ended up with toasted cards traced back to the use of omega drivers.

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10-27-2006, 01:21 PM
  2. Good forum for computer hardware questions?
    By PJYelton in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 03-27-2005, 08:17 AM
  3. Interfacing a Simple Assembled Hardware device with the PC using C/C++
    By georgen in forum Networking/Device Communication
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-28-2005, 01:52 AM
  4. Post you pc pics (mods)
    By biosninja in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 03-15-2004, 04:15 PM
  5. Building a game pc, questions
    By RoD in forum Tech Board
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 01-13-2003, 06:38 PM