[richevans10000]

Hi everyone

Just about to try to build my first PC, and hoped you could advise me if all the components are compatible? And if you have any recommendations.

I like to do some gaming, but the main thing I need from my computer for is to access a very big database in a split second for information. I was planning on putting the OS in one of the SSD and the database on the other. Please see a list of the components below:

http://pcpartpicker.com/uk/p/o6SM

Also can you tell me if I definitely need a separate sound card or is there one built into the motherboard that will suffice for basic use? Does it also have a wireless card?

Am I able to buy a retail version of Windows 8 to install on my new PC or just the OEM version? And where do you think is the best place to buy it?

And one more thing, and I realise this might be a difficult question to answer to a complete novice like me, but how would I set up the SSD in a RAID 0?

Thanks for you help.

This post has been edited by richevans10000: 18 November 2012 - 12:25 AM

[waldojim]

richevans10000, on 18 November 2012 - 12:19 AM, said:

Hi everyone

Just about to try to build my first PC, and hoped you could advise me if all the components are compatible? And if you have any recommendations.

I like to do some gaming, but the main thing I need from my computer for is to access a very big database in a split second for information. I was planning on putting the OS in one of the SSD and the database on the other. Please see a list of the components below:

http://pcpartpicker.com/uk/p/o6SM

Also can you tell me if I definitely need a separate sound card or is there one built into the motherboard that will suffice for basic use? Does it also have a wireless card?

Am I able to buy a retail version of Windows 8 to install on my new PC or just the OEM version? And where do you think is the best place to buy it?

And one more thing, and I realise this might be a difficult question to answer to a complete novice like me, but how would I set up the SSD in a RAID 0?

Thanks for you help.

First, yes everything will work.

Second, you can use Windows 8 retail. I would purchase direct from MS.

Third, you set up raid SSD just like any other raid. In the BIOS, turn it on, then during boot use CNTRL + A (usually) and build the raid.

Now, for the sake of asking - what is the final goal for this machine?

[LiveBrianD]

Just to clarify - with Windows 7, there's Retail (more expensive, can be transferred to another machine), OEM, and Upgrade. With 8, the Retail version is gone, with OEM taking its' place.

[rae10000]

Hi there

I wonder if you can help me again.

I am now in the process of building my computer from the parts listed above, but have run into a problem.......

I've created a test build outside the case of just the Motherboard, RAM, Fan and Graphics Card, but when I trip the motherboard nothing appears on the screen and the 'BOOT DEVICE LED' light on the motherboard lights up.

However if I take out the Graphics card and just presumably use the integrated graphics card, it sets up and displays the BIOS on screen.

Does anybody have any idea what I might be doing wrong?

Could it possibly be that the RAM is not compatible?

Thanks for your help

This post has been edited by rae10000: 21 December 2012 - 09:28 AM

[waldojim]

rae10000, on 21 December 2012 - 09:26 AM, said:

Hi there

I wonder if you can help me again.

I am now in the process of building my computer from the parts listed above, but have run into a problem.......

I've created a test build outside the case of just the Motherboard, RAM, Fan and Graphics Card, but when I trip the motherboard nothing appears on the screen and the 'BOOT DEVICE LED' light on the motherboard lights up.

However if I take out the Graphics card and just presumably use the integrated graphics card, it sets up and displays the BIOS on screen.

Does anybody have any idea what I might be doing wrong?

Could it possibly be that the RAM is not compatible?

Thanks for your help

That sounds like the built in GPU doesn't like your external video card. Connect your monitor to the built in video port, enter the BIOS and turn it off. Then try installing your GPU again.

[rae10000]

Hi, thanks for getting back to me.

Ive tried this, by changing the 'Primary Display' in the BIOS from 'Auto' to 'PCIE' and then saved it. But when I go back into this setting, it has changed back to 'Auto', and wont seem to stay on 'PCIE'

[LiveBrianD]

When you have the discrete card in, can you connect the monitor to the integrated GPU's ports, change the BIOS setting, and then connect the monitor to the discrete card?

[rae10000]

LiveBrianD, on 21 December 2012 - 03:59 PM, said:

When you have the discrete card in, can you connect the monitor to the integrated GPU's ports, change the BIOS setting, and then connect the monitor to the discrete card?

Unfortunately not. If I have the Graphics card inserted into the motherboard I just get a blank black screen when I start it up (Although the monitor light turns green from orange, showing 'something' is happening). Also if I have the graphics card in but plug the HDMI cabe into the motherboard I get black screem (and light on monitor stays orange - in standby mode).

I can only enter the BIOS when the graphic card is taken out. But when I change the 'Primary Display' in the BIOS from 'Auto' to 'PCIE' and then save it, it just goes back to 'Auto' when I go back and look at the setting.

Could the problem be that the graphic card driver is not installed? Im also slightly worried the RAM is not compatible (although it seems to be working fine without the graphics card inserted).

This post has been edited by rae10000: 21 December 2012 - 09:06 PM

[LiveBrianD]

The RAM shouldn't have anything doing with this, and the drivers only come into play once you boot an OS (not in the BIOS). Very strange...

[rae10000]

Hi there

OK I have had a slight result. I have removed the HDMI cable and instead pluged in a VGA cable from the graphics card to the monitor and it works!

Could it be that the HDMI port on the graphics card is faulty? Or is there any reason the driver need to be installed for the HDMI port to work? Or maybe a setting in the BIOS?

This post has been edited by rae10000: 22 December 2012 - 12:11 AM

[waldojim]

rae10000, on 22 December 2012 - 12:04 AM, said:

Hi there

OK I have had a slight result. I have removed the HDMI cable and instead pluged in a VGA cable from the graphics card to the monitor and it works!

Could it be that the HDMI port on the graphics card is faulty? Or is there any reason the driver need to be installed for the HDMI port to work? Or maybe a setting in the BIOS?

You know, I completely forgot about those problems... been too long since I paid attention to the BIOS screens. Some video cards won't show the BIOS when on the HDMI. I had this with a couple of cards now - the solution is to use the DVI port with a cheap DVI to HDMI adapter. At least until you are done installing Windows. Once Windows and the drivers are in place, they will take over, and all will be good. You still won't see the BIOS screens, but if you give the machine time to boot, all will be good.

[rae10000]

Hi there

Thanks for getting back to me.

Id thankfully managed to get it working, but then I read your message I just wanted to say that you were absolutely right.

I coincidentally plugged in a DVI-HDMI cable I had lying around, installed the drivers, messed with the screen resolution a bit, then when I tried the HDMI only cable it all worked!

Thanks everyone for your help