Please Help, I'm Desperate.

[bitlazy]

Hey everyone,

I have recently decided to get rid of my old Dell due to a virus that is on it and it is outdated. The computer isn’t worth putting any more money into it. I would rather just start with a fresh machine. I was looking at makers such as IBUYPOWER and CyberPower but after further research I found these companies to be worse than the average manufacturer. So, now I have decided to build my own, with your help of course. I need help because I don't know what parts are compatible with eachother, and before I go spending money I want to make sure I am getting the best for my buck and that everything will work fine.
I am going to list below all the specs that I would like to have as well as what I use my computer for. It would be great if I could do this all for under $800. All help is greatly appreciated.

· AMD Processor, preferably a AMD 64 so I can be compatible with Vista when it comes out
· 1GB of RAM, DDR
· 256 MB video card DDR
· 80-160GB hard drive
· For a sound card I would like 7.1 surround if I can get it, if not it doesn’t matter
· Network card, not to picky
· A nice looking case. One with the plexiglass so I can see in.
· CD-ROM
· 16x DVD- Burner
· As far as CPU, motherboard, fans…I am not knowledgeable at all.
· I have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers.

Here is what I will use my comp for:

· Counter-Strike
· World of Warcraft
· Movies
· Music
· Would like to get Call of Duty 2

Please help I am desperate. Thank you.

- Bitlazy

[doctorgonzo]

You might be able to get all that for around $800. All prices are from Newegg:

ASUS A8N-E motherboard - $110
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ - $164
1 GB memory (2x512MB) - $80
120 GB Seagate SATA hard drive - $85
Lite-On DVD-ROM - $25
Lite-On DVD-burner - $40
XClio 450W PSU - $50

That's $554. Spend the rest on the case and graphics card that you want.

[jayb1234]

Sound card: Motherboard will have pretty good builtin 7 or 8 channel sound that you can use for now and get a card later if you want.

Operating System: You will have to get a new copy of Windows. The Dell copy is only liscensed for the original Dell and can't be reused on another build. OEM version is about $80-$100

Floppy Drive: Likely to be needed during setup to load drivers, sata controllers etc..

[bitlazy]

As far as software is concerned, I have Windows XP Professional that I bought separately. I used my student discount and got it cheaper.

[Amazin Caucasian]

dont worry about aftermarket fans, you should be fine...I have the Asus A8N-E and it has pretty good sound, you should be satisfied, the board also has native sata control as well as raid control, graphics card...do you play games? if so which games?

[bitlazy]

Yeah, I play some games. Mainly I play World of Warcraft, and Counter-Strike. However, I want to get Call of Duty 2, and Battlefield 2.

[bitlazy]

Could someone also please suggest a video card that will definately be compatible with what is suggested above? Thanks

[doctorgonzo]

Anandtech just had an article today about this card, they said it's a great value for the money:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131424

[Amazin Caucasian]

great card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143027

[doctorgonzo]

Originally Posted by Amazin Caucasian great card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143027

That's an AGP card, though. The ASUS A8N-E, if he goes with it, doesn't have an AGP slot.

[Amazin Caucasian]

sory bout that http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143026 when i searched it I picked the wrong one of the two

[bitlazy]

Sorry for that last reply I didn't mean to put my first message in there. If anyone can delete it please do so. Also, thanks to all those that have been posting on this thread it has helped out a lot.