1st time builder here

[Andrew_W]

Hey my name is Andrew and I'm 18. I read all the rules and everything and think I've got what I need to post, so here goes:

I've been looking to build a PC and mainly use it for gaming. I've mostly been using newegg for browsing components and such (I've bought from newegg several times before for little things, and have always been very please with customer service, prices, etc). Before I started looking I didn't really know too much about the internal workings of a computer, like the difference between Northbridge and Southbridge, and differnent mobo socket sets compared to certain processor sockets, and things like that, but it seems to me that the most common socket set is 775 for Intel (which is what I am wanting to go for.) I'm not looking for anything top of the line, but decent enough that it would last me 1-2 years. And there is always the option to upgrade stuff later.

So with socket 775 and prefferably a core 2 duo of some kind (pretty much already have my mind made up on speed and the actuall processor itself: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115003) now I need a video card. I used to keep up with all the new releases of video cards for nVidia and ATI and all the new stuff, but they've started coming out with so much new technology and more and more cards and product lines, I decided it wasn't worth it to try to keep it all straight. I noticed that dual-DVI is being used a lot. Not sure if I'm just looking at the wrong cards, or that's pretty much the standard now. So basically I would need just a decent graphics card that would be at least mediocre for gaming. Would really like either crossfire or SLI if possible for my budget (look below).

Next I believe I need some RAM. Don't know too much about it other than the more, the better, to an extent, but 2GB would probably be good for me just starting out, then I could add more later.

Next would be a hard drive. I don't use my computer right now for anything more than gaming and listening to music (about 10GB worth of music right now) so 100GB would definitely be plenty, 60GB would be about minimal; there is always the option of external hard drives or bigger internal ones later. RAID wouldn't be important because I would only need 1 hard drive at the moment.

Floopy drive and/or CD-ROM isn't a must unless I actually need it for initial boot up. CD-ROM could be 2x for all I care, but if i need one, then the cheapest would work for me.

Case isn't a big deal right now, I'll probably just use the one I have.

Fan cooling system; not too big on liquid cooling til I actually get it built.

Lastly would be a power supply. I leave this for last because I would guess that would be your last thing to worry about after you calculated the power for all your consumption needs for components.

Budget would be $1000-$1500 or maybe a few hundred more.


If there is anything important I've left out, then let me know; like I said, I've never built a PC , but I think I know enough to do it or can find the right people around me to help.

Links, posts, e-mails tips, suggestions, anything would be well appreciated. Thanks!

[Alaron]

Welcome. Here is our starting point for Core 2 Duo builds, which fits into your budget nicely.

Asus P5B Motherboard
Core 2 Duo E6600 (great choice)
2GB (2x1GB sticks) DDR2-667 Corsair ValueSelect

For video cards, you don't want to spend too much right now. DirectX 10 is coming out, and most current cards don't support it. So spend enough for a decent card now, and upgrade later on. I would go with a 7600GT or an X1950Pro. Both can be found under $200.

For hard drives, they are coming down in price all the time. Right now 250GB is the sweet spot for GB/$ ratio. I'd go with Seagate 7200.10 drives.

For optical drives, go with a Lite-On DVD Burner with software. DVD Burners can read and burn both DVDs and CDs.

If the case you have is from a name-brand like Dell or HP, you probably can't reuse it. If so, pick out any kind you like, I'd look at Antec. Otherwise, let us know what case you have.

The CPU will come with a heatsink/fan.

For power supplies, go with something 450+ watts. Buying an Antec Sonata II case will get you both a good case and power supply. Otherwise, check out this link for our PSU recommendations: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

Don't forget a copy of Windows XP.

Does your budget include monitor/keyboard/mouse/speakers, or just the computer?

I edited out your email address to prevent spam.

:)

[glc]

With DX10 on the horizon, the first place I'd cut costs if necessary is on the video card. A 7600GS would make a decent placefiller for now.

Crossfire and SLI are just marketing gimmicks.

[blue60007]

Looks like you've done reasearch and planning - that's a good start. Looks like glc and Alaron pretty well covered everything, but let me add a little more.

A DVD burner costs around $30, and a plain CD drive is like $15. For $15 you get something that'll do everything you'll ever need to do. You will need a optical drive to install the OS and whatnot. You probalby won't need a floppy drive though. I always say have one handy somewhere in the house - if you've got one in your computer now you can always borrow it if for some reason you need it.

Looks like you're looking at a very good system.

[glc]

I'm recommending DVD burners in every build now. They are so cheap, and they make a good backup device.

[chuck4456]

If you're going to build a system with a $1500.+ budget, go ahead and build one that you are truly going to love and is going to be reliable for a few years. Here's the way to go on that end:
INTEL C2D E6600 processor
ABIT AW9D MAX motherboard
CRUCIAL DDR2800 (2x1GB)
SEAGATE 7200.10 SATA 16mb PRT 250GB Hard Drive
SAPPHIRE X1950 Pro Video Card (you have plenty of time for DX10)
PC POWER & COOLING SILENCER 750 POWER SUPPLY
Case, monitor, peripherals of your choice. Lite-On DVD Burner..........................
you'll be set for anything that comes your way. Do it right the first time. Good luck!

[Andrew_W]

Well thanks for all the info, I have a little more to look into looks like.

Per one of the first posts. My budget would include a monitor, but I can get a really decent cheap one off a friend, same deal with a case; it's not a name brand, just something I bought at compusa (wouldn't really recommend by the way) has more fan mount places than any other case I've ever seen, and plenty of power (750 or 800W if I remember correctly). And if the mobo or anything else wouldn't fit, I know a few people that modify computers and cases as side jobs, which is why I didn't include that in the original post.

I also forgot to mention I work at radioshack, so I can get a 15-30% discount on a few components: RAM (which is on sale right now + discount. 512MB and 1GB DDR and DDR2), a decent monitor (19" viewsonic 8ms 1440x900 max res, DVI in and d-sub out; which is probably the one I would get), and a fair amount of different peripherials and hard drives. But yes, my budget is mainly just going for the bare minimum, possibly even using some of what I already have.

Thanks again.

[DustinM]

what brand is your PSU? If you do nothing else, make sure you get a good PSU. There is nothing sadder than to see someone's computer get fried by a craptastic Power Supply.

[eshaft716]

Here's some help on choosing a power supply. Most of them that are included with the case are junk.

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195