Need Advice and Tips

[Hamburgler]

I'm newbie when it comes to hardware products, I'd like to build my own computer (for gaming, basically fast.) with about 600-800$ budget, I can wait for more if its worth the money. Right now I have no idea what hardware module or brand to look for theres so many I've been confused by all the numbers and abbreviations. If you can or have in mind a suggested built, please do so. I'll take in any advice.

[grievingexistence]

just do a search for 600 or 800 dollar builds in the forum, you're sure to find some nice ones listed.

[kosova]

Welcome Hamburgler!!!

Why do you want to build your own pc? The $800+ computers out there are not that bad actually. Like grievingexistence said do a search. There are a lot of factors that you need to decide, and you need lots of patience. Good Luck. If you decide to build one PcMech will be here for you all the way, even if they have to guide you step by step.

[Hamburgler]

Building my own computer gives me the choice to choose my own hardware which I know for sure is utilized to its most efficient speed. I had my experience during ignorance, bought a pre-built pc from HP, and it's pretty slow, came with no video card, no sound card, 128mb ram, SiS chipset, asus motherboard, sis ethernet card. many more junk, these hardware sucks. very old module. Costed about 200-300$, which is probably can be used to build a better one. Building my own PC, gives me certainty that it would work to my satisfaction. I'm planning out what hardware to look for so i'll post it up once i figure it out. And I've been told many times building your own PC would save more money than buying a pre-built PC.

Should I get a Intel(Hyperthread) CPU or AMD(Hypertransport)?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Hamburgler And I've been told many times building your own PC would save more money than buying a pre-built PC.

That actually depends on the type of computer you're looking to build. You can't build a budget computer for less than what DELL or eMachines sells them for. You sort of break even in the mid-range basic family type computers. But on the high end gamer type systems you can build one for much less than what places like Alienware or Falcon sells them for.

With a $600 - $800 budget you're looking more towards a low/mid range type of gamer build (remember, a good gamer video card will easily cost over $200). If you can raise that amount to $1000 - $1200 you get into the realm of decent gamer computers. A real gamer rig that will play anything out there with the video settings maxed out will start around $1500.

Originally Posted by Hamburgler Should I get a Intel(Hyperthread) CPU or AMD(Hypertransport)?

Most gamers seem to prefer AMD Athlon 64s.

Cricket

[Hamburgler]

Forget it, I think I'll just copy the guy in this thread,

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=150806

[628]

Now I'm not a professional at custom builds, and I haven't built my very own rig just yet. (Planning on ordering by the end of this month.)

But, I know I have a sufficient amount of knowledge to possibly help.

Anyways,

That $9.99 sound card, I don't think it's significant since the mobo you chose does have onboard audio, which personally, does good enough for myself.

If you really are going to spend money on a sound card, save that $10 and buy a name brand sound card which may produce better quality.

Also, gaming, you might want a better mouse than a 400dpi, and the one you chose, is a 400dpi. High end gaming mouses get around 1500dpi-2000dpi, but those cost about $50-$80 each. Now, I don't know how different it is from a 400dpi to a 2000dpi, I currently own a 400dpi and I feel it's good enough, so it may suit you as well.

That's all I can help with, good luck. Have fun!

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Hamburgler Forget it, I think I'll just copy the guy in this thread, http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=150806

I was just going to point you to that thread

Cricket

[Hamburgler]

Hahah yes he did post in the right spot, I editted my previous post, Ok after copying the parts BGHS is doing, I added a few of my own parts, like some advice on these parts.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829117107

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121118

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823107123

Although I'm not getting the same video card as BGHS is since it's 300$, I have my own right now which is a nvida fx5200 256mb ram, wondering if that card is compatible with the motherboard, and is it any good for gaming.
You think the speakers would work with the onboard audio? Or should I get a better brand card, what do you prefer? Is this good?
damn monitors cost $$$$$$$$$

[nicolaus corelius]

the vid card wont be compatible with current mobos since its AGP (mobos are PCI-E). i would reccomend to get a new vid card. ur card costs 80 bucks on newegg. pandon my bluntness, but thats pitiful for a gamer card.

edit: after research i realized that the fx5200 comes in different "buses". check to see if u card is PCI or AGP?

[628]

Like I had said earlier, onboard audio should be good enough. Right now I'm running 5.1's on an onboard, and I'm very happy with it. Unless you need high precision sounds and such I think onboard should do it. But really if you're going to spend money on a sound card, buy a name brand. [Creative]

Monitors are REAL cheap right now. That Hyvision (I tihnk that's what they're called) 17" is real good. And it's under 2 fat bills.