Making My First Pc

hello everyone I just made a fresh account I hear this place is good to get a little guide and help.
Basically the title says it I’m making my first computer I’ve take plenty apart and switched graphics cards but this time it basically from scratch I just wanted to post what all I’m getting have some of you guys look over it and let me know if everything should work and if there’s anything you guys would think I can expect to be a problem if any.

This is a very low end gaming pc I had a small budget I only spent about 170$ so no judgement pls and telling me it’s all crap just let me know it should work if everything goes accordingly (which isn’t all the time)

8gb 2x4 DDR3 1600 MHZ DIMM 240 pin ramm

Intel Xeon e3 1230 3.20 ghz processor

Dell optilex 3020 desktop mother board LGA115 socket
Dell optilex cpu 990 790 cpu cooler

Nvidia 660ti graphics card

450w power supply

Case (of course)

 

I also have a question. I’m putting in a 500gb hard drive from my previous system if it already has windows 10 do I need to re install??

 

The OptiPlex 3020 is a desktop-class motherboard, and the Xeon is a workstation/server-class processor. I doubt that the motherboard's BIOS will recognize that processor.

GeForce GTX 660 Ti specifications from NVIDIA

450 watts is the minimum power requirement for this video card. You'll also need two 6-pin supplementary power connectors.

Assuming that Windows will even boot up with the new hardware, all of these changes will trip off the activation requirement.

You're much better off reinstalling Windows from scratch.

 

So if I’m looking for the most affordable I should probably go with a optilex 1155, that should recognize the Xeon right??

And upgrade to a 600w?

 

The 'board/CPU combo may work ... but a Dell OptiPlex 3020 is likely to have been hamstrung at source to prevent use of otherwise compatible Xeons (and workstation class GPUs, Dell's 'best' wireless cards, possibly ECC RAM).

Xeon compatibility would likely have been limited to their more expensive range, Precision - even though the base 'boards might be physically identical the Bios microcode would be different and prevent use of certain hardware (unless you can find the correct Bios file and method to force upgrade it).

An early i5 (no suffix letter) should be ~ the same cost as that Xeon, (i7's, H/T Xeons and esp. suffixed versions, are likely to be >2x the price). The majority of retail 1155 'boards should be compatible with the early E3 v1/v2 Xeons.

 

Okay so should I not even consider putting it in? Will it damage the motherboard at all or fry it??

The only game I seriously play is wow lol I’m not trying to stream or make videos or nothing I just wanna Raid and pvp lol my laptop sucks so I’ve always wanted to try to build my own pc

So as far as the poet supply being 450 the minimum would it still work?? I noticed the supply only has one 6pin for the card but I have a adapter that has two 4pin molex connectors to another 6 pin can I use this and not have any troubles??

Thank you everyone for your helps and opinions

 

(Disregard my previous comments about CPU price comparisons, I thought you had a 1220 (no H/T)).

If it's already in your possession, try it as it's 100% physically/electrically compatible with the socket and probably, (that Optiplex may have had a range of 'boards fitted over the lifespan) with the chipset. With the usual precautions, you shouldn't normally damage either. You will need a compatible (sub-120w/max. 1x 6-pin) GPU fitted to test it.

Do not use an adapter, if the PSU isn't equipped to run a 150W GPU, it's not worth putting the components at risk of serious damage/fire.

Guidance chart for GPU connectors and minimum PSU wattage + link to the best wattage calculator here.

 

Okay get a new power supply for sure.

Found an old pc in my parent garage and took it apart there’s a i-5-750 in it so if my Xeon doesn’t work I should try this one?

Also do u think it’s possible the I-5 I pulled could be damaged from sitting in a non temperature controlled climate? I mean I live in Illinois it’s been snowing it gets really cold lol

 

Almost certain that all the ix-xxx (3 numbered) series were Lynnfields and LGA 1156 socket.

Static buildup can be a big problem in cold/dry climates so yes, there's a bigger than usual chance that it's been damaged.

Ensure it's a quality supply, anything masquerading as high wattage + low price should be dismissed out of hand.

 

The Intel Core i5-570 is an 11-year-old processor. It fits in Socket 1156. The OptiPlex 3020 is equipped with Socket 1150. That old processor is physically incompatible.

Dell is notorious for supporting a limited range of hardware in the BIOS. While that Xeon may be physically compatible with the motherboard, it's a sure bet that Dell didn't include the CPU ID in the list of supported processors for the OptiPlex 3020. If the motherboard doesn't recognize the CPU, then it won't POST. Dell will pull this b.s. with video cards, too.

If you're going to build a PC, then I recommend staying away from motherboards by Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. They want to sell you entire systems, not just parts. Go with companies that make and sell motherboards: ASRock, ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, etc. They want you to like the motherboard that you bought, so when it's time to replace it, you'll come back to them for a new one. It's in their self-interest to make sure that the motherboard supports the full range of compatible hardware.