first build newbie AMD gaming

[flyingsolo]

Thanks for help.
I've read your up front notes and wish to build a general purpose PC for son who wants gaming ability. (he would prefer laptop but I'm concerned of value for $ spent and upgradability/expandable)

Needs: Homework 1st, games 2nd! Internet access via DSL and wireless router in home. May consider dual boot with Linux and XP.
Budget: ~1000 +/- 200
Proc.: AMD but no clue of which one
System: nearly a full build; speakers not needed
Monitor: LCD prefered; prob. 17" but 19" would be nice
RAM: not sure what I want; prob 1G DDR
CD/DVD: want read/write of both; dual layer for DVD
ports: sufficient USB's; firewire;

I think I'm competent enough to do this but there is much to plan. I wish to spend $ up front to insure longevity, expandability. I find Dell boxes OK but limited in flexibility.
Have I provided enough info? Let's see & thanks again.

[Cricket]

Try doing a search through the forums for "AMD gaming build" or something similar...there are lots of previous threads from people asking for the same type of help you're asking.

Cricket

[MakeYourslf2012]

I would suggest an ASUS PCI-E board (something like this) with a single-core AMD, perhaps an Athlon 3500+. Also 1GB of Corsair ValueSelect RAM, and maybe a 6800GT or 7800GT for the graphics card (If you want to go with an nVidia card. I don't know much of ATI's products).

That should get you started

[jayb1234]

Liteon dual layer burner with lightscribe $58.99

Antec case with power supply

$124.99

Western Digital hard drive

$110.00

Operating System Windows XP w/ SP2 OEM

$88.95

Monitor about $200 for 17' and $300 for 19". You might be able to pick up a good deal at your local big box electronics store.

This Viewsonic is usually on sale somewhere.

For upgradability go with a full sized ATX motherboard in Intel LGA 775 or AMD socket 939. Best brands for Intel, Intel or Asus with an Intel chipset. For AMD Asus with a nvidia chipset.

RAM Go with 1 Gb to start with. get 2 X 512 Mb.

[Leogecko]

AMD 3000+ Processor - $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103537

Nvidia 6800GS Video Card - $199
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130265

Asus A8N-E Motherboard - $102
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131530

Corsair 1G Memory (512x2) - $78
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440

XClio 450w Power Supply - $44
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003

Optical Drive ~ $20-40
Floppy Drive ~ $10
Any $200-300 monitor
Mid Tower Case ~ $50-100

You might also want to get a soundcard, which would run $50-100

Totals around $900-1000

[glc]

Why a 3000+ when a 3200+ is 2 bucks less?

[Leogecko]

Why a 3000+ when a 3200+ is 2 bucks less?

Sure, didn't see that.

The build I put down is just a rough outline I thought would be ideal.

[flyingsolo]

Thanks for recommendations above. I'm amazed at the HUGE number of choices to be made on EACH component! This makes a 1st build very intimidating b/c of concerns of compatibility issues and remaining flexible for future changes. Since there are always choices/compromises to be made when spending $$, where do you recommend spending extra? I would guess the Mobo and CPU.

[jfk]

Originally Posted by flyingsolo Thanks for recommendations above. I'm amazed at the HUGE number of choices to be made on EACH component! This makes a 1st build very intimidating b/c of concerns of compatibility issues and remaining flexible for future changes. Since there are always choices/compromises to be made when spending $$, where do you recommend spending extra? I would guess the Mobo and CPU.

In a gaming rig, any extra $$$ should go toward an improved video card, that is where you will get the MOST improvement in game performance. After that, CPU and ram, and then the mobo. Not suggesting being cheap on the mobo, but you will get more gaming performance from upgrading the other components first.

[BrokenKingdom]

Haha yeah a first build SEEM intimidateing but really if you know a few basic things it is really rather easy to choose a rig thats compatable.

Most importantly don't buy a crappy Power Supply Unit (PSU). Rule of hand - if its a reputable company IE: Antec and has over 500W then its the right power supply

Second thing to keep in mind - look for matching specs. If a mother board says socket 939 look for a proccessor that says socket 939. if your motherboard says SLI ready then make sure your power supply is sli certified. Pretty simply just match things up

And third and MOST importantly. If you're still not 100% sure... just post it here we are all fairly friendly and happy to help and we don't even bite! Well except that one time.. *wink*

And remember that building computors is really a lot of fun and you shouldn't be afriad to do it! just take your time and have a blast!

[flyingsolo]

Update--so after all the discussion and help given above, I checked out the on-line local PC store which has a relatively limited selection but they do have nearly all the components suggested above in a pre-bundled config. for the same price as me buying the bits and assembling myself! Who would have thunk? I'm almost disappointed to find this as I was looking forward to building this with my son! I haven't decided whether to take the package or do the build for 'the fun of it'.

[flawedreality5]

Do the build. It's a terrific learning experience. I learned so much through my first build.

[flyingsolo]

OK--I think I'm ready to proceed. However, I am in Canada and Newegg doesn't ship here. I've perused NCIX (Vancouver) which obviously does. Any other recommended sources I should check?

Proposed build:

Case: Antec TX105B which is case & 500W PSU.
Mobo: ASUS A8N-E socket 939
CPU: AMD 64 3700+ (939)
question--by the way, heat sink needed or is it included with purchase of CPU? what to look at if not an included item?
RAM: Corsair 2x512 MB Value RAM
Hard Drive: 250 GB SATA WD or Seagate
Video Card: nVidia 6800GS
question--there are many manufacturers of 6800 vid. cards--how to choose well?
Optical Drive: LiteOn SHM-165H6S or BenQ DW625 lightscribe
Monitor: Viewsonic VA702b (17"; 8ms)
generic keyboard/mouse--prob. Logitec corded with optical mouse
Win XP HE

Have I overlooked anything? Thanks again for all your help.

[jayb1234]

Heatsink is included with the "Retail Boxed Processor" not included with the OEM processor.

Hard drive: Look at the 16Mb cache ones, they are a lot faster than the 8Mb models and not much more cost.

You might need a floppy drive at some point in the setup.

[flawedreality5]

If the CPU you're buying is a retail version and not OEM, it will come with the heatsink and thermal compound already on it. Lightscribe is really cool technology, but I've never heard of any reviews from people with BenQ stuff. I'm not too familiar with Nvidia manufacturers. I'm sure someone else can post to that. Otherwise, looks good.

[Propain]

funny thing is the build your working on is what I built this weekend

A8N-SLI 6800GS 2x512KingstonPc3200 but I got the 3500+ since it was bundled with the mobo for 399$ca

have fun

[flyingsolo]

Question for Propain--since you're in Ottawa, who did you use for source of components? Shop in Ottawa? On-line retailer? I'm in Nova Scotia so limited local access to parts. Recommended suppliers?

[flyingsolo]

One more question. Two posts above say heatsink comes with "retail processor box" but not with OEM version but when I check the AMD on, say, Newegg, it lists a heat sink in the specs. AMD is the OEM, right? Maybe I'm confused (likely!) but I don't want to miss something obvious.

[messiah34]

Hey im a college student who just build a gaming machine and for homework. ALl u really need for homework is ms word and powerpoint and the other stuff that comes with MS windows xp pro. Look at my post of a 1300 gaming mach9ine. Only things i didn't include were monitor and OS cause i already had it. It plays latest games at high setttings all.

[Propain]

Originally Posted by flyingsolo Question for Propain--since you're in Ottawa, who did you use for source of components? Shop in Ottawa? On-line retailer? I'm in Nova Scotia so limited local access to parts. Recommended suppliers?

yeah im kinda lucky that theres like 30+ shops in the area, and it keeps prices down. Online ive used Ncix only and have great service from them, maybe you should check online retailers in the TO area. http://www.pccanada.com/ has been around for a while , maybe check their rating.

good luck

[glc]

Buy the retail boxed processor - it has a 3 year warranty in addition to a heatsink. OEM is bare processor with a 30 day warranty. I prefer eVGA for Nvidia video card manufacturers. You can save a few bucks with an Asus A8N5X board. NCIX is a very reputable vendor.

[messiah34]

Originally Posted by messiah34 Hey im a college student who just build a gaming machine and for homework. ALl u really need for homework is ms word and powerpoint and the other stuff that comes with MS windows xp pro. Look at my post of a 1300 gaming mach9ine. Only things i didn't include were monitor and OS cause i already had it. It plays latest games at high setttings all.

OEM is simply meant for companies who build parts not the actually costumer. THey usually dont' come with warranties from the manf. Buy a retail cpu though. They have a warranty with them. It doesn't come with the manual and stuff if u get OEM. I bought a raptor hard drive from WD and it was OEM and the only thing i got was the drive. no cables but that comes with ur mobo. Im not sure if the OEM cpu comes with heatsink and fan but im guessing it does because thats part of AMD cpus. U can't run one without it. DOn't worry abotu that though get a retail one. I got the sand diego 4000 for 334 and an evga 7800gtx in a combo for 334 and 350 for graphics card. If u get the combo u get 100 bucks instant savings. Then get the a8n sli mobo for 122. look at my post of 1300 dollar gamer. I use it for school as well.

[messiah34]

the graphics card was normaly 450 but i got it for 350 just wanted to clear that up. THe only thing u need for homework is xp pro because it comes with powerpoint and word and excel which is basically all u need for school. I use mine for college so.

[messiah34]

Also, a great case is the antec sonata II which has a good power supply. ALso dont' try to cut corners on anything because ull wish u hadn't later when u have to upgrade in 6 months. Go ahead and pay a little extra and get what u want. THe case is only 100 bucks and I have 1 gig of ram and a raptor, and the high end video card, plextor dvd-+rw drive. I have had no crashes. THis was my first build and i had no problems at all. If u r wanting to learn a lot about computer go to extremetech.com they have a BUIILD IT section which gives u a budget gamer for 800 bucks (dont recommend that one) or a bang for ur buck or a killer gaming rig. THAT IS A GOOD SITE IF U WANT TO LEARN A LITTLE

[messiah34]

If u are worried at all about putting it together u should do as much research on the web ahead of time to prevent any problems later. At ur local book store u might find some reading material which can be very helpful at helping to show u how to put a computer together and in what order. Also gives insight on what not to do and what to look for. I did research for 2 months before i finally decided on what components i wanted. I would stay up late looking at sites just about every night and I read several magazines and books. I think i read my first 300 page book because i normally hate reading but i got a little addicted. Aslo plan on setting aside a whole day to work on putting it together. It took me 9-10 hours in all with installing windows and updating bios and what not. I also forgot to mention earlier u don't really need a floppy drive they are old technology and u dont[ need it to flash ur bios. It comes with a cd now a days.

[glc]

Messiah, please use the Edit function instead of posting replies one right after another - that's what it's for. Thank you.

- Admin -

[flyingsolo]

Another question re: wireless networking. What exactly is needed in the build? Network interface card and wireless transmitter/receiver or do these bundle together? Specifc product recommendations? Currently, household internet access is via D-link 524 wireless router to broadband.
Thanks once again.

[glc]

If you need to connect wireless with your existing router, just get the matching D-Link wireless PCI card for best results. That would be a DWL-G510.