OK. Here it comes.
This is what we bought :
PROCESSOR 3.4GHZ intel p4 650 800MHZ 2MB LGA775
HEATSINK
Amazon.com: INTEL S775 BTX CPU FAN HEATSINK Type II: Electronics
We also had to return a newegg heatsink that did not fit this odd board we have. Its still sitting in a post office in california according to the delivery confirmation tracking. The above heatsink also does not fit despite its description. The mounting holes are in the correct place but the bulky heatsink comes into contact with capacitors that surround the processor module/area.....
MOTHERBOARD Intel Motherboard 955X Express chipset BTX ( BOXD955XCSLKR )
DVDROM TEAC DV-516EKITB 16x Internal IDE Silver DVD-ROM Drive Kit with PS2
VIDEO CARD MSI ATI Radeon RX2400PRO 256MB DVI S-VIDEO HDTV PCI-E Video Card
PSU Thermaltake W0070RUC TR2 Series 430W Power Supply with 2 Fans
CDROM Teac CD552G/B/S IDE CD-ROM Drive
RAM (20-231-110) MEM 2Gx2|GSK F2-5300CL5D-4GBMQ R
Ack-sata Power Cable 8INCH Rohs Serial Ata Pwr Cable 15 To 4PIN
HD Seagate ST3500641AS-RK Barracuda 7200.9 500GB SATA NCQ Internal Hard Drive
OS MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP SERVICE PACK 3
Static Strap
We had a large clear sided 50#case from newegg that was described to come with a "BTX option" but when it arrived we discovered that the "BTX option" needed to be ordered extra and when we went to order it extra, its no longer available. We had to pay the 40 bucks to return the case.
So now we have a BTX case but the whole heatsink problem. (case gateway 3502124R)
So, what Im thinking is to scrap the BTX motherboard and thus the heatsink problem and I guess the case too then. Ive gleaned that the ram,dvd,cdrom,psu,processor,hard drive and graphics card are generally universal.( but have since been advised that is NOT true and that I need a new mobo, processor/heatsink, and new RAM)
We are in need of a recommendation for a case, ATX motherboard heatsink that will fit our current inventory. I do realize that may be to much to ask the gods at this point. . He will be using the machine for "gaming".
I have these recommendations for replacement
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147095 Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.203956 mobo & CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052 108080%201052315794%201052420643&bop=And&ActiveSea rchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16820227298%2CN 82E16820227364 RAM either will work and OCZ honors their rebates.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835168006 120mm fan
My concern is to spend another 250$ and not have the stuff work. I really just need for it to turn on at this point., for the project to be successful. he wants it to play some of the newest dvdroms and a few online MMOGames...I want for his project to be successful but not to have to spend anymore!
(i do realize the foolery in that)
Sincerest Thanks for your input
Lisa