Please lmk if this computer is compatible

[pwrplay14]

I need some help finding out if this computer is compatible for PTs 7.4 and sson to be PT8. I can't seem to find a list of chipsets to get and all the other things that are giving me a Wife induced headache. LOL Poor attepmt at humor but hey its 5 am. LMK if this will work or what I need to change. It is a custom build so I can change things if needed. Thanks so much to all the people on this board that help us newbies out.
Brian


I will be running XP Pro for the OS
System Configuration :
Intel CPU : Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, 1066FSB (Quad Core) 8000K

Intel CPU Fans : Spire Socket 775 Intel fan

Intel Motherboards : ASUS P5QL PRO P43, 1600FSB PCI Express, Sound, 1Gb
LAN

DDR2 memory : 4GB (2x2GB) PC5300 DDR2 667 Dual Channel

PCI-Express Video cards : ATI Radeon HD 3450 512MB PCI Express 16x dual head, tv out

Hard Drives : 80.0GB Hitachi/ IBM 7200rpm SATA2 UDMA 300 8m cache

Hard Drives : 250.0GB Hitachi/ IBM 7200rpm SATA2 UDMA 300 8m Cache

DVD Recorders : Samsung 20x DVD Recorder Dual Layer +R/RW -R/RW
Sound Cards : AC 97 3D Full Duplex sound card (onboard)
Network Cards : Ethernet network adapter (onboard)
Cases : PowMax Black Mid Tower ATX Case w/ Front USB
Power Supply : Okia 400W ATX Power Supply

[mano111]

Read the first page of this thread first.

I'm still gonna comment on parts especially the ones that you need to consider changing

Intel CPU Fans : Spire Socket 775 Intel fan

try to get something better. Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 pro or higher. otherwise keep the stock fan.

DDR2 memory : 4GB (2x2GB) PC5300 DDR2 667 Dual Channel

this ram is slow. get DDR2 1066 Ram or 800 if you cant afford it (this is very cheap anyway)

Hard Drives : 80.0GB Hitachi/ IBM 7200rpm SATA2 UDMA 300 8m cache

Hard Drives : 250.0GB Hitachi/ IBM 7200rpm SATA2 UDMA 300 8m Cache

Drives are 8mb cache. very low for these days and Hitachi is IMO the worst brand name when it comes to HDs. I would change to Western digital and either 16 or 32 Mb cache.

Cases : PowMax Black Mid Tower ATX Case w/ Front USB
Power Supply : Okia 400W ATX Power Supply

Power supply and case are two of the most important elements in a build. These are practically "nonames".
If you care about this system's reliability and long life, choose a better case, and go for either Corsair, Enermax, or Seasonic Power Supplies. There are other PSU makers that are good too but you will need to do some research on your own.
400W is enough if the PSU is a modern 80+ model. I don't think the Okia is up to these standards.

About compatibility - most PT users with Qxxxx CPUs use P35 or P45 chipsets or higher. P43 will probably work but I dont recall anyone using it so its up to you...

[albee1952]

I agree with mano111 but would add this, when looking at power supplies, look for the largest fan as these tend to be less noisy(larger fan can turn slower). My Corsair supply has a 135mm fan and was $59 for 600 watts. The Hitachi drives are also my last choice.

[pwrplay14]

Thanks for the help guys. Here is my reconfigured setup. If this is ok I will be done with this and it will be ordered. PLMK if this new system will work.
Brian

System Configuration :
Intel CPU : Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5GHz, 1333FSB (Quad Core) 4000K

Intel CPU Fans : Cooler Master HyperTX Intel EXTRA QUIET Vertical HeatPipe Copper fan

Intel Motherboards : AsRock P45 TurboTwins , 2000FSB, DDR3 & DDR2, X-Fire, Sound, Gb LAN

DDR2 memory : 4GB (2x2GB) PC8500 DDR2 1066 Dual Channel

PCI-Express Video cards : ATI Radeon HD 3450 512MB PCI Express 16x dual head, tv out

320.0GB Western Digital 7200RPM SATA2 UDMA 300 16m cache

320.0GB Western Digital 7200RPM SATA2 UDMA 300 16m cache

DVD Recorders : Samsung 20x DVD Recorder Dual Layer +R/RW -R/RW

Sound Cards : AC 97 3D Full Duplex sound card (onboard)

Network Cards : Ethernet network adapter (onboard)

Cases : Nikao Black Neon ATX Case w/side window & front USB

Power Supply : Antec Basiq 500w Extra Quiet ATX Power Supply w/ 6pin PCI-E

[mano111]

Hi,

Much better though the switch to Q8300 is totally uncalled for. Q6600 has 8 MB of cache as opposed to 4mb on the Q8xxx. Larger cache is an advantage when it comes to PT preformance.

As for the motherboard again, try going with a 'proven to work' model. Check out the 'core 2' list I referenced in my previous post. There is no advatage in DDR3 support for these CPUs.


If you plan on using 003 or Mbox 2 Pro or an external FW hard drive you will need a supported FW card or a mobo with FW prot that is know to work with PT.

[pwrplay14]

Hey Manno,

Thank you so much for the help. I have no idea what Motherboard to get. They list so many and when I try and match ones up with what other people have they are from over 3 years ago and are with 7.1 PTs and so on. Here is a link to the site where I am building this. Can you see what would be the best Motherboard to use.
Thanks,
Brian

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...09&refid=store

[albee1952]

Look for this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131297

[pwrplay14]

Hey Albee,

Unfortunately that puts me out of range costs wise. I am already well over my original 500.00 budget but I cant go that high for that motherboard. I just need something compatible.
Brian

[TOM@METRO]

With most boards costing substantially less than the P5Q D, you will likely run into needing a separate firewire controller and still not having the stability this board can offer. But I understand about budget constraints.

[pwrplay14]

Would this be a suitable Motherboard with all the othe hardware I have.


Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.66GHz, 1066FSB (Quad Core) 8000K

Intel CPU Fans : Cooler Master Intel Heavy Duty fan

Intel Motherboards : Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L P35, PCI Express, Sound, 1Gb LAN

DDR2 memory : 4GB (2x2GB) PC8500 DDR2 1066 Dual Channel (Check board compatibility)

PCI-Express Video cards : ATI Radeon HD 3450 512MB PCI Express 16x dual head, tv out

Hard Drives : 320.0GB Western Digital 7200RPM SATA2 UDMA 300 16m cache

Hard Drives : 320.0GB Western Digital 7200RPM SATA2 UDMA 300 16m cache

DVD Recorders : Samsung 20x DVD Recorder Dual Layer +R/RW -R/RW

Sound Cards : AC 97 3D Full Duplex sound card (onboard)

Network Cards : Ethernet network adapter (onboard)

Cases : Nikao Black Neon ATX Case w/side window & front USB

Power Supply : Antec Basiq 500w Extra Quiet ATX Power Supply w/ 6pin PCI-E