Rebuilding a P5AD2 Premium Motherboard System. Need a few parts

Konfusion 2011-09-12 18:32:28 UTC #1

Hello,

So i Need to give me little nephew a computer to use for schooling and maybe some youtube watching and cd/dvd burning.

I have a old computer sitting around that i want to restore

The motherboard is Asus p5AD2 Premum with 3.4 GHZ Prescott CPU
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_775/P5AD2_Premium/#specifications
Specs above if that helps

I have full ram 4gb or whatever

I need to put a new Hard drive (with operating system), Graffix Card, and maybe power supply/case

what is a great graffix card i can get for this a decent price for this unit. I need it to be able to play mkv files if possible and maybs some gaming.

also which hard drive would be best to get? i only plan to put 1 hard drive in here. so a good size one would be best like a 1tb 7200rpm

for this unit would a 64mb cache even make a difference or should i just get a 32mb cash?
was thinking one of these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007603%20600003340%204802%20600003338&IsNodeId=1&name=32MB

leaning towards the Western Digital but i dunno maybe samsung is better?

also after getting the right video card which version of windows should i install on it? Windows XP (If so which Version) or Windows 7 (If so which version). I want it to run the fastest it can for this unit

also the case i have it in is falling apart and is a bit taped up in the front holding the door on the front lol and the power supply fan doesnt work half the time.
http://members.arstechnica.com/x/kray28/comp_pic4.JPG
thats the case i have now above but its falling apart in the front. not a picture of my case but thats the exact same one

I need the case to be able to fit the CPU Heatsink and fan though. It currently has the Thermalright SI-120 with a 120fan ontop
http://web.clicknet.ro/opticode/SI-128%20&%20Nexus%202.jpg
that shows about how big it is

i need to know a good power supply as well or just get a case/power supply combo

Only things i will have in the computer is
1 hard drive tb
1 DVD Burner

i just need it to run those plus the graffix card and whatever windows would be best

eric93se 2011-09-12 20:19:56 UTC #2

Okay…

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA I suggest partitioning it maybe 100GB for the OS.
video card: PowerColor AX6790 1GBD5-DH Radeon HD 6790 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 beats the 550ti and its a good deal at $110 AR FS
Case: COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case
PSU: Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

For the OS, get whichever you can get cheaper, XP (32 bit) or Win 7 (64-bit), if its just a little more get Win7.

What brand and model is in the current case?

two other PSU options, both are more efficient than the above antec.
SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze top manufacturer.
XIGMATEK ACXTNRP-PC602 600W very efficient

Konfusion 2011-09-12 20:22:11 UTC #3

i already have the OS of both. just wasnt sure which would be best for the set up

the actual model name for the case is cheiftec mx-01wd-D
http://www.directron.com/mx01wd.html

also why partion it and not just make it all 1tb or whatever it comes out to full
the video card isnt to powerful? cause the motherboard is only x16 not 2.1 or do they work on either?

eric93se 2011-09-12 20:29:28 UTC #4

The x16 slot is backwards compatible.

If you have the OS then use Win 7 (x64 if you have)

Because your only using one HDD its best to partition it and put the OS on a smaller part, that way in the future if the OS becomes corrupt or infected you can format just that partition.

wow that chieftec is UGLY

Note that I updated the above post with more PSU advice.

Konfusion 2011-09-12 20:41:59 UTC #5

lol you should see how ugly it is now with the door ripped off and tape over it ahaha.

thanks will check it out