Looking to build a PC from scratch details inside!!!l

[computerdude]

alright I have some things in mind
1. I want to build a computer just for gaming
2. Im looking for the best parts available out there
3. I am also on a $1500 budget so l lets keep this in mind.
4. Also this is going to be my first time making a PC so any helpful tips would really help.

[freakitchen]

Welcome to the forums.

Do you want an AMD or an Intel build?

Is the $1500 budget to include monitor and peripherals, or just for the computer itself?

FK

[786ARS]

another question we need answered is: are you ever planning to overclock?

[Parker03GT]

I built mine for $1500. I reused: (1) 120Gb harddrive, Lite-On DVD burner, Soundblaster Audigy card, speakers, and monitor.
If you need these parts as well, you can go with a cheaper computer case. I wanted a dual core processor so you could go with a different one as well and maybe save a few bucks as well as my comp is built for future SLI. You could go with a cheaper power supply as mine supports SLI.
My comp runs like a champ though. No problems with gaming anymore.

[computerdude]

first of all can someone tell what the difference between AMD and an INTEL build [I]strictly[I]for gaming and the $1500 includes a MONITOR and a 2.1 speakers.

[computerdude]

i also want to know what overclocking is. Is it uprading the PC without new parts?

[computerdude]

i have my mind set on a 120GB HARD DRIVE but I saw a great deal for a 400GB one in a magazine, which should i get?

[Alaron]

AMD and Intel are both powerful CPUs. Either brand will make a very powerful gaming PC. Your video card matters most with gaming anyway.

Some people will tell you AMD is better. Some will tell you Intel is better. And it always leads to an arguement. Best to pick whichever one you like. Flip a coin. Although, its worth noting that AMD will be changing sockets soon, so your upgrade path is somewhat limited that way.

Overclocking is tweaking your computer to run faster then spec. So if you have a 3Ghz CPU, you can get it up to 3.4Ghz. For a new builder, don't worry about it. You can build a powerful machine with your budget.

Get a hard drive from Seagate or Western Digital that is SATA and has a 16MB cache. Get whatever size you want.

Also, there is an Edit button in the bottom right of the posts, use that instead of posting every couple minutes.

[computerdude]

I also want a to buy 1GB RAM but my friends do not recommend it they say 512MB RAM is better for gaming
I am mostly going to use this computer to play NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED + other games which need a high graphics card and lots of memory so can any one help out on this one?
THANKS FOR THE EDIT TIP

[Kareeser]

At the risk of a conflicting opinion, keep in mind that while overclocking may seem like a dream come true, too ambitious of a change can lead to results that aren't very spectacular.

At any rate, with your budget, you won't need to overclock.

As for the hard drive: Ask yourself... will you ever find the need and time to fill 400 GB worth of space? It is entirely up to you.
You can also look at RPM speeds and Cache. If those hard drive terms confuse you, we can explain what they mean

[computerdude]

what is cache and rpm speeds and I dont really think Ill fill up all that space as you said so Ill go with the 120GB
I think of making an Intel build and would like to know the difference between PENTIUM M and PENTIUM 4 or any other good ones out there.

[Kareeser]

Pentium M is a line of processors. It is not "better" than Pentium 4's, just as Pentium 4's are not "better" than Pentium M's.

They are built to utilise less power, and in turn, generate less heat. They are more efficient chips. The trade-off is that there is probably less processing power, and that it is more expensive to buy them.

Pentium M's will get your computer one step closer to being labelled a "Centrino", which is the ultimate in power-saving, portable computers. However, since you're building a desktop, saving power and generating minimal heat probably isn't in your interests. M's would be used in Laptop, for instance.

Stick with a Pentium 4, as it may probably be less expensive, and more powerful.

[Alaron]

Cache is a small amount of memory on your hard drive for storing frequently used information. So the larger it is, the more of that information it can hold. Meaning that you can load your games and applications faster.

RPM is how fast the drive spins. 7200rpm is the norm.

For an Intel build, I would recommend a Pentium D, dual core. Essentially 2 CPUs on one chip.

[computerdude]

Ok thanks for the advice I think Ill go with the Pentium D
One question since Im gonna use this PC for mostly gaming what type of graphics card to you recommend?
And how much would this cost?
And when I go to buy my motherboard will the CPU be already on it or would I have to do it myself?

[Kareeser]

Graphics card prices vary depending on where you intend to buy them. Turn away from chain stores like Best Buy or Circuit City, they up their prices way too much.

Try Newegg.

What kind of games are you intending to play?

You will have to buy the Processor and Heat Sink/Fan Assembly (shortened to "HSF") separately from the motherboard. You can sometimes find processor/motherboard combinations, but they probably do not have the components pre-installed.

There is a user-friendly "Build Your Own PC" Guide from PCMech available here: http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

That link will answer a lot of your questions. Give it a once over, and if you have any other questions, reply back here.

[Parker03GT]

Pardon me for this, but wouldn't you guys recommend computerdude just buy a prebuilt system. It's obvious that he/she is not very computer savy and I think it would save this person a lot of questions/heartache to go prebuilt.

[freakitchen]

I dont think we should dissuade anyone from building a computer who wants to. Nevertheless, there are a certain amount of things that you should know, computerdude, before going into this project.

Check out the guide at www.mysuperpc.com which contains the basics of what parts youll need, to assembly instructions for the system. All i would say, is get your parts advice from here at PC Mech.

FK

[786ARS]

with graphics cards, there are two main companys - ATi and nVidia. Each manufacturer has its advantages and disadvantages, and some games are optimized for one type of graphics card eg, hl2 is optimized for ATi cards. But as for which cards, with a $1500 budget, i would suggest 7600GT or 7800GT/GTO i'm not to familliar with the ATi range, but i'm thinking x1600XT / low eng x1800 series.

[computerdude]

thanks for the advice everyone and i would like to build a great PC.
I am currently reading the guide I found on this site and will look into the other guide you have mentioned.
Also as of right now I am researching PC cases and motherboards and I found a place where they sell the case with the fans and motherboards that include built in CPU's so should I get these?

AND what should my RAM be because I have been hearing from my friends to get 512MB but would 1GB be better for me in this case?

[flawedreality5]

Yes, 1gb or 2gb would suit you for a gaming machine. Just make sure it is compatible with the motherboard when you choose that.

[computerdude]

If anyone out there has an awesome gaming PC with the latest parts can they give me a list of their parts so that I can buy them too?
I also would like to state that I play the game NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED which needs lots of space and a great graphics card so please keep this in mind and if anyone here has played it they will know what I am talking about.

[Kareeser]

Choosing which graphics card you want is entirely up to you. It depends on your budget, and how much emphasis you want to put in your graphics card.

Need for Speed doesn't need "lots of space". Any hard drive built within the last couple years will be able to contain it, as it only requires 3 GB.

A medium to high-end graphics card will play the game well. You won't need THE best graphics card to play the game on full settings, but it is up to you.

[jayb1234]

Watch out for those case/motherboard/ cpu bundles, most of them use junk components like cases with lousy power supplies and third rate motherboards.

Get a retail boxed processor, which will come with a fan and heatsink.

For the motherboard stick with an Intel or Asus board with a 945, 955 or 975 chipset that will support whichever Pentium D you choose.

Once you have decided on the motherboard/processor combination, the next thing to choose is the video card. The gamers can give you better suggestions there than I can.

Next you need to choose a case and power supply. Do Not get a cheap case with a power supply from some junk brand like Aspire. Antec and Enermax are 2 of the very few makers who include a decent quality power supply in thier cases.

The wattage and amperages of the power supply will depend on what other parts you use, especially the video card.

Hard drive(s): Seagate or western Digital, 16Mb cache Optical Drive(s): Liteon is a good brand and comes with burning software.

Operating System: The OEM version of Windows XP home with Service Pack 2 (about $90 at newegg.com) will be fine, unless you need some specific feature of Xp Pro or want Media Center Edition.

Floppy Drive: May be needed during setup or later on.

Sound Crad: Not needed unless you have some high end speakers.

RAM: 1Gb, Corsair Value Select, check the motherboard makers website for a list of approved part numbers, or use the Corsair configurator on thier site.

[computerdude]

ALSO I want this PC to have Windows XP should I get the home edition with the service pack or the professional addition?

[jayb1234]

XP Home with SP2 unless you need some specific feature of XP Pro (mainly networking features for business environments).

[Staren]

Agree w/ jayb1234. XP Home OEM ver. $89.95. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837102059 No point in spending the money on retail when the packaging is just going to be tossed anyway. And if you need Pro, you usually know you need Pro.

[computerdude]

allright thanks for the help guys but what about cases, I mean what type of case should I get or is there any brands you would like to recommend?
Does the case come with the screws needed to hold the drives and does it have the cables needed to hook up the drives or do those come with the drive?

[Alaron]

The case is not as important as the power supply. You can pick up any case that you like the look of, just toss the (usually) low quality power supply it comes with and install a good one.

For good cases, check out Antec.

[Staren]

Cases are really personal pref. Whatever catches your eye will usually work just fine. As far as cables, screws, and the other odds and ends, it all comes with your main parts somwehre along the line. Your motherboard will come with a few SATA hard drive cables, one sometimes two IDE cables, floppy drive cable, and all the screws you will need usually with some to spare. The only small thing you might need to buy is an extra IDE cable if you use add an extra IDE hard drive, or use more then two optical drives (CD / DVD drives).

[glc]

The Antec Sonata II case is a good bet, it comes with a good 450 watt power supply that's ATX 2.0 compliant for PCI-E builds, and it's right around $100. If you want a fancy case from another manufacturer, most of them come with low end power supplies or with no power supply at all - choose the latter and buy a good separate power supply.

Whoever is telling you that 512mb of ram is better for gaming than 1gb does not know what they are talking about and you should be cautious about taking any other advice from them. More ram is ALWAYS better for ANYTHING, but anything over 2gb is a waste right now with Windows XP.