Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Building first gaming computer

Aug 24, 2013 7:23AM PDT

I have never built a computer before, and I want it to be a decent computer, but I'm also trying to keep it fairly cheap. Can anyone tell me if these parts would work together?

Case:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_112&item_id=053887

Hard drive:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_1086_210_212&item_id=050727

Socket:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=4_1210_64&item_id=053270

Ram:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_311_312_612&item_id=055595

Power Supply:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_443&item_id=057134

Graphics Card: (i already own but might upgrade)
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3639#sp

Sound Card:
http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-raider.php

DVD Drive:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_54&item_id=055354

I'm not 100% sure what to look for when buying parts.. I just want to make sure this will work together before I start buying them.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
OK,
Aug 24, 2013 7:31AM PDT

I don't get it. The A8 has an APU that is better than the 5450 video card. Why add a card slower than what's in the A8?

Also, what's with the sound card? Most folk use the onboard and see if that works (for most it does.)

In closing I'd dump the video card, sound card and move up to the AMD A10.
Bob

- Collapse -
Makes sense..
Aug 24, 2013 7:39AM PDT

I bought the video card and sound card almost two years ago now, I realize they aren't very good anymore but I wasn't sure if I would need to buy new ones or not. Also, what would be a good motherboard to use?

- Collapse -
Muddy the water
Aug 24, 2013 10:26AM PDT

If you go with a single stick of ram you will trash dual channel mode......not good.

If you want 8GB of ram it would be best to go with a 2x4GB kit.

If I was looking at an A8/10 I'd go with the fastest ram the mobo supported in native mode.

Keep in mind the Igp will be using system ram.

Confused?

- Collapse -
Bong!......mismatch
Aug 24, 2013 10:47AM PDT

You must match the socket type of the cpu with the mobo.

For the A10 your looking for socket type Fm2.

- Collapse -
Oh..
Aug 24, 2013 10:57AM PDT
- Collapse -
That's a match
Aug 25, 2013 12:33AM PDT

Opinion
Change the ram to a 2x4GB kit@1866 speed.
Test with the built-in video.
If your not happy with video perf you can always add a video card latter.

- Collapse -
Okay
Aug 25, 2013 7:47AM PDT
- Collapse -
If you get the A10. Try it's APU.
Aug 24, 2013 1:18PM PDT
- Collapse -
PS. Benchmarks.
Aug 25, 2013 8:06AM PDT