Building new system, need advice!

[Tuqui-tuqui]

Forget the RAM! I am building a new system. Please take a look and help me choose good parts for a budget of $500 and under

Open Box: POWERCOLOR AX4870 1GBD5-PPH Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor

Mobo?

RAM?

PSU, I have this one from the original

HDDs I already have three

[WalkinTarget]

So are the slots burned or are the RAM sticks burned ?? Either way, it takes a lotta amps to truly burn either component. I wouldn't trust the board too much at this point.

I could probably come up with some RAM to test it, but it may be the PSU has crapped out which could cause seriously burned components throughout the PC.

Does it start up and fans spin ? It obviously won't POST with no RAM, but does it otherwise go through the motions ?

[Skud]

I'm no expert, but I'd change the mobo, ram, and psu, just to be safe...hate to keep burning things up until you find out.

[Tuqui-tuqui]

So are the slots burned or are the RAM sticks burned ?? Either way, it takes a lotta amps to truly burn either component. I wouldn't trust the board too much at this point.

I could probably come up with some RAM to test it, but it may be the PSU has crapped out which could cause seriously burned components throughout the PC.

Does it start up and fans spin ? It obviously won't POST with no RAM, but does it otherwise go through the motions ?

Both sticks and slots are burned. Every time I startup the PC, it will go as usual (case and psu) fans, video card and the HDDs but the smell of burning begins again.

[Tuqui-tuqui]

I am posting this here. Please feel free to comment on anything I post here. I REALLY would not like to pass $500 as my budget.

Open Box: POWERCOLOR AX4870 1GBD5-PPH Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor

Mobo?

RAM?

PSU, I have this one from the original

HDDs I already have three

[Qicmee]

Not enough experience to contribute more than a worry...
As you determined, the power overload on the RAM is most likely a motherboard fault, but it might also be a power supply fault. If possible, a check of the power being delivered to the motherboard would be nice. I believe this risk is small. Good luck!

[juneau]

I'd ditch the PSU if you're planning on building a new rig. 400W might not be enough for a HD4870 or equivilent even though it has decent 12V amps. Plus it could be the cause of the current issues.

Buy a new one. It won't cost too much and it'll have better quality parts and more than likely better protection against overload/surge problem.

[Duke{CLR}]

Tuqui you should check out this article from Decembers MAXPC.

How to Build an Awesome Gaming PC for $647 | Maximum PC

Because you already have some of theses parts I brt you could easily get something together for under $500.00. You may even be able to get a Clarkdale rig together.

I would also ditch the PSU.

[Duke{CLR}]

OK for $564.00 and a $20.00 rebate oyu could use theses parts to build a nice I3 rig that will run DirectX 11. I would double check the MB though.

XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5
Newegg.com - XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 - Desktop Memory

IGABYTE GA-H55M-S2H LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-H55M-S2H LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - Retail
Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - Processors - Desktops

[DougBob]

I don't know what you've decided but I highly recommend one of these items for power testing if you don't have a multimeter. Since you mentioned a smell the PS or the Motherboard is highly suspect.

Newegg.com - COOLMAX PS-224 LCD Power Supply Tester - PC Tools

Newegg.com - COOLMAX PS-124 power supply output tester - PC Tools