Could someone help? I'm looking to build my first computer.

[MitchellM]

I'm not a novice when it comes to computers.

I've just gotten to the point where no premade computers have what I want and they're too expensive to upgrade.

So, I want to build my own.

I've got the basic gist of what I need to get but am kind of fuzzy on some parts.

I'm shopping at www.TigerDirect.com and here is what I have as my shopping list, so far.



I am totally open to suggestions as well as alternatives.

I am looking to make this as inexpensive as possible but I know there are some things you can't go light on.

I really appreciate any help you can give!

(BTW - I don't need the basics ex-monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.)

[flanzig1]

Your link to your shopping doesn't work. Just do a copy/paste from the web address bar.

[doctorgonzo]

What are you going to be using this computer for? What is your budget?

You need to fix the links in your post to your shopping list. You need to us vBulletin code, not HTML.

[MitchellM]

Sorry, that was just a picture of my shopping cart.

I'll link each item in the shopping cart.

As for budget, I'm not exactly sure. I'm trying to keep the price as low as possible but I don't want to end up regreting my decisions on what I purchase. I'm trying to keep this under $600 if possible. I'd like for it to be less but I can go that high.

Usage is spread between MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games), graphic design in photoshop, webdesign, music and videos (listening and watching - no developing).

I'll edit this when I have all the links.

[ E D I T ]

Here, I've saved the page and uploaded it to my server. http://www.the-silence.org/bac/ShoppingCart.asp.htm

And the links to the items in the cart do link to the items description on tigerdirect.com

[ / E D I T ]

[Cricket]

Any reason you're buying from Tiger Direct? Most of us here buy our parts from Newegg.com...TigerDirect has really poor customer support compared to Newegg. Check it out:

Tiger Direct

Newegg

Budget of under $600? Tight budget but as long as you know you won't be getting a powerhouse it's do-able. You may want to consider a motherboard with on-board video (with PCI-Express 16 slot) for now and then upgrade to a better video card down the road when you have more funds.

AMD or INTEL?

Since you're doing stuff with PhotoShop you'll want to make sure to get enough RAM. 1GB minimum, 2GB would be nicer to have.

You won't need the latest video card to play MMORPGs so that'll help keep the price down...many top of the line gamer type video cards are over $400 and would totally wreck your budget.

Make sure you stick with good quality brands, especially with the motherboard and the power supply. Don't cheap out on either or you may end up with stability problems.

Cricket

[MitchellM]

Thank you.

So because of the on-board video, I would still be able to play the MMORPGs?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by MitchellM So because of the on-board video, I would still be able to play the MMORPGs?

Sorry, I'm not a gamer and don't follow the video processor market too closely so I really don't know how today's on-board video will handle MMORPGs.

Cricket

[MitchellM]

No. I mean you said:

You won't need the latest video card to play MMORPGs so that'll help keep the price down...many top of the line gamer type video cards are over $400 and would totally wreck your budget.

[Cricket]

All I was trying to say was you can get away with a less powerful, less expensive video card to play MMORPGs...something reasonable to help you stay within your budget.

Cricket

[MitchellM]

Great.. thanks!

[MitchellM]

So if I were to get this -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856117002

I would need:
RAM
Hard Drive
CD
Floppy
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
Speakers

Anything else I would need?

[blue60007]

That's outdated technology. I would buy a LGA775 motherboard and CPU (don't do barebones kits...usually they have junk motherboard/power supplies, etc, pick parts seperately to ensure quality). It'll be faster and cheaper, and upgradable. And it'll have PCI-Express, allowing you to upgrade the video card.

[MitchellM]

I'm starting to get really confused.

I don't know what to get. I want something that's going to support my computer habbits but I want it to be affordable. Something that I won't have to upgrade for a while would be nice.

Is there anyone here who has AIM and could walk me through what to get. I would really appreciate it.

[glc]

Do you want Intel or AMD, and does that $600 have to include an operating system purchase? If you currently have a computer with Windows XP, you may or may not be able to reinstall it on a new build. If it's a name brand computer that came with a recovery CD, you can't. If you have a real XP CD with a COA and it's a standard Microsoft holographic CD, you probably can.

[MitchellM]

Operating System is not included.

I don't know the difference between the two.

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811125484

I want that case so I need to know what motherboard to get.

That's my first question. My second is what CPU should I get then.

[MitchellM]

Here are the things I plan to get so far.

Case: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811125484
Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16824004003
Floppy: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16821103303
Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822152020
CD/DVD Burner: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827152060
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820231080
KeyBoard: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16823128033
Mouse: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16826178003

All I need is the motherboard and the CPU and that's where things get confusing.

I'm open to suggestions!!

Thanks for any help!

[blue60007]

Get a full size case - you are limiting yourself with motherboards. Look at Antec's cases. They have one about the same price with a 350W PSU (that is known to be high quality). The PSU in that case is probably suspect quality.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ice=&maxPrice=

Get a dual channel kit on the memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145526

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116001
(I tried to leave an option to add more RAM (ie, 4 slots) and a PCI-Ex16 slot)

I don't know how that plays with your budget....how much do you have left? That's about $215

Also, Samsung hard drives aren't known for reliability. I'd pick something from Seagate or Western Digital.


EDIT: I remembered this Case/PSU that glc recomended, provided you don't plan on using a medium to high end video card. It'll be ok for onboard or a low-end video card.

[MitchellM]

Thanks for the advice.. didn't realize how limited it was.

I want the case itself to look nice-like the one I had picked out. Not neccessacerely that one but something stylish.

I know I have a limited budget but that's one thing I'm willing to spend more on.

[glc]

All micro cube cases are going to limit you. If you really have to have one, get a Shuttle barebones kit.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ice=&maxPrice=

[MitchellM]

I've decided against it.

I'm going to go with this one -> http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811144043

Now again I just need a motherboard, cpu, graphics card, and sound card.

I wouldn't mind having a motherboard with in-board graphics and sound.

But then again, I don't know much about that so any suggestions would be nice.

[MitchellM]

Can someone help?

[blue60007]

ASPIRE power supplies are pieces of junk. Using a cheapo power supply is just asking for trouble. If you really want that case, try finding it without a power supply and get this power supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104953

[MitchellM]

OK. Thanks.

Any ideas for the motherboard, cpu, graphics and sound cards?

[MitchellM]

Now I feel completely dumb.

I've got the case: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811119075 and the motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157084 selected - Is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103488 this going to work well with it?

[Cricket]

That motherboard does support that processor. The case is nice and is compatible with that motherboard, but it doesn't come with a power supply...you're going to have to buy one separately.

Cricket

[MitchellM]

So will that motherboard and processor support my computer usage habbits?

[ E D I T ]

So I would also need something to put on top the processor, right? I'm trying to remember from that class I took and can't quite get it.

[ / E D I T ]

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by MitchellM So will that motherboard and processor support my computer usage habbits?

Yes.

Originally Posted by MitchellM So I would also need something to put on top the processor, right? I'm trying to remember from that class I took and can't quite get it.

You've listed a OEM processor which comes without a HSF (heatsink/fan unit). If you can find a retail boxed processor it will come with the appropriate HSF for that processor. If you can't locate a retail boxed processor then you're going to have to buy a third party HSF too.

Cricket

[MitchellM]

So would this be a good idea? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835150010

[MitchellM]

Also, the power supply. 400 watt?

[flanzig1]

That HSU should be OK, I've bought cheap ones and they perform just fine. May want to get a tube of Artic Silver 5 thermal compound, not sure if that HSU comes with it.
As for the PSU, get the one that Blue recommemend .