I need help building my son(16yrs old) a gaming computer...?

Question

First, thanks for taking the time to read and reply to this post. OK here goes... I have available to me a Xion 600 watt power supply PCIe ready, 4 gigs of ram all ddr 3200 ultra brand(2x1 gig strips +4x512mb strips) an Intel proc. P4 520 2.8ghz,1mb L2cache,800mhz fsb socket 775. 2 Raptor 74g Hdd, and a Leadtek 6800gt tdh 256mb ddr3. I really need help choosing the right Mobo for all this that will allow my son to go to SLI later on...the os will be Windows XP pro....with the possibility of going Vista later...Do I Lose the ram an upgrade it also?

Answer 1

Asus P5GPL-X SE
- Intel 915PL chipset
- Intel LGA775 Pentium 4 CPU
- Dual-Channel DDR400/333
- PCI Express Architecture
- 6 Channel High Definition Audio
- Marvell Gigabit LAN
- ASUS Hyper Path2
http://usa.asus.com/products4.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=1044&l1=3&l2=11&l3=170
Two 1GB strips is fine for XP. This board has one PCI-Express x16 slot (not for SLI).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131037
For SLI, I'd suggest getting something else. However, most newer boards being sold have DDR2 memory.
Also, check the Asus downloads for CPU compatibility list. Your P4 520 is on it.
I might add that going SLI with a P4 520 wouldn't be top priority, because the P4 520 isn't a real powerhouse to use with SLI.

Answer 2

You need to start at the beginning...first the Case, then the Power supply. You can't use the power supply you now have for SLI...So that will be the first thing to replaced, then you go to the Mobo (SLI Ready), then to the CPU, then to the Memory Sticks (Fastest the Mobo can handle), then to the Graphics Card(s).
Proper planning will solve lots of problems before you start building....
Keep in mind a 32bit CPU can only use 2 gbs of RAM even if you have 4. You need to have a 64bit to use the full 4gbs of RAM.

Answer 3

To be honest if you are building a gaming computer you would be much better using and Intel Core Duo or at the very least and AMD Athlon. The P4 runs too hot and is too slow.

For some good barebone kits or components check out
www.tigerdirect.com