Building a PC - how do I know if everything is compatible?

[valdore]

First off, I asked this in an existing thread and no one replied to my question.

Just for fun, I want to build a PC, and I plan on ordering the parts from Newegg. How do I ensure that all the hardware I am ordering is compatible with everything? We all have heard tales of dread about hardware compatibility, and with the difficulty in finding information about this, it seems like a crapshoot.

I was planning on an Intel Kentsfield 2.4Ghz Quad Core processor
Vista Ultimate (putting Linux Ubuntu on it also)
NVidia GeForce 7050 Graphics Card

What else is there I need to worry about? And is there some good site somewhere with a huge database of compatible/incompatible pieces of hardware?

 

[dpaanlka]

Compatible with what?

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

First off, I asked this in an existing thread and no one replied to my question.

Just for fun, I want to build a PC, and I plan on ordering the parts from Newegg. How do I ensure that all the hardware I am ordering is compatible with everything? We all have heard tales of dread about hardware compatibility, and with the difficulty in finding information about this, it seems like a crapshoot.

I was planning on an Intel Kentsfield 2.4Ghz Quad Core processor
Vista Ultimate (putting Linux Ubuntu on it also)
NVidia GeForce 7050 Graphics Card

What else is there I need to worry about? And is there some good site somewhere with a huge database of compatible/incompatible pieces of hardware?

Search forums (other forums)

Google your particular parts - see if it brings up any issues.

In spite of everything - "usually" things are compatible - it's not typically hardware issues - but driver issues. (and when it's hardware - its' because you want to put an 8800GTX into your P3 motherboard - you can mix and match - but be aware of vintage before you do)

List exactly what you want - I can ask my roomie (hardcore PC gamer) and he will tell me.

Other things to consider - Bus speed of your mother board and CPU / GPU. Power supply (hi power CPUs and GPUs require some serious amperage these days) Interface for your hard drive. (though SATA is almost 100% everywhere now) Interface for your optical drives (EIDE or what not - been out of it too long) Sound card - ethernet (integrated into motherboard, or need external?) Form and fit when it comes to really hi-power GPUs (though yours does not seem to be one of those) Ram Clock Speed and bandwidth.

Oh, yeah, and cooling.

One more edit - apart from forums - check the manufacturer page for compatibility issues and known problems for your hardware. Cross check between your motherboard / GPU, ect... Typically, when there is a large known problem, it'll be down there in the fine print. (somewhere)

 

[valdore]

Compatible with what?

I guess what I mean is that all the hardwares get along with each other. Other than that I don't know since I've never done this before - have always just configured my Puters online or bought in the store.

Search forums (other forums)

Google your particular parts - see if it brings up any issues.

In spite of everything - "usually" things are compatible - it's not typically hardware issues - but driver issues. (and when it's hardware - its' because you want to put an 8800GTX into your P3 motherboard - you can mix and match - but be aware of vintage before you do)

List exactly what you want - I can ask my roomie (hardcore PC gamer) and he will tell me.

Thanks in advance - the components I've picked out go as follows:

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail

BIOSTAR GF7050V-M7 LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 7050 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-05 - OEM

Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136178

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE SB0570LPVP 5.1 Channels PCI Interface Low-Profile Sound Card - OEM

CORSAIR 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 G - Retail

EDIT - thanks for the clarification in your edits. I'll be looking back at this thread for future reference.

 

[Cecily]

From my own personal experience the compatability issues come from the processor and motherboard. Just as long as you match the correct make of the processor with a GOOD motherboard you'll be just fine. Since everything relies on the motherboard that's your most important move. I usually look up the ratings for motherboards on www.motherboards.org Hope that helps.

 

[3nm]

Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136178

for a few bucks more, i'd get a samsung spinpoint 500gb, which has 16mb cache and is slightly faster than the WD AAJS.