My mom wants a Gaming Rig...

[Madclergy]

And has asked her oldest son (who may more not be a bit computer literate) to help her with buying it. Originally she wanted one for $500, but after showing her some of the prices for the items she wanted she allowed me to go up to 750-800 dollars. Here's my thing, I have never built a computer (well not in the last 5 years) and I am not entirely sure of what all I need and what all I should buy. I am more of a software person overall (aspiring programmer) so hardware is kind of over my head. I have assembled what I think would be good setup (and have possibility of upgrade) but I would love some input. I have two actually thought out I will post them below.

First off some of the things I will be recycling
1) Monitor (she already has one that works fine and she is happy with)
2) Keyboard and Mouse
3) Some Memory (not sure yet if its the right type though)

Now for the things that I have picked out so far.
1) Case : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16856167008
2) CPU : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819116001
3) PSU : Included with Barebones (might need an Upgrade, but I have no idea how to figure out which PSU to buy)
4) MOBO : Included with Barebones
5) Soundcard : Onboard
6) OS : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16832116056 (she doesn't want vista because of all the reviews about gamers)
7) HDD : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822152046
8) Vid Card : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814153035
9) Cd Drive : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827151136
10) Ram : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820231044

Thats the first build obviously using Intel CPU, Am I missing anything? And how do you think this system will stand up? (As well are all the parts compatible? lol told you this is my first time)

Second Build (no barebones kit, buying everything from scratch little higher priced)
1) Case : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811217014
2) CPU : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819103759
3) PSU : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811217014
4) MOBO : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813157102
5) Soundcard : Onboard
6) OS : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16832116056
7) HDD : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822152046
8) Vid Card : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814153035
9) Cd Drive : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827151136
10) Ram : http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820211063 x2

Alright thats the second one, I pose the same questions, and ask you the following.
1) Out of the two which do you think is better (if neither of them is good please tell me)

[newbuilder14]

Stay away from barebones systems, buy all your parts separately. I'd recommend an Asus P5B motherboard. You will want a high quality power supply, such as an Antec, FSP, or Seasonic that is at least 450-500w. Get at least a Pentium D 915, a Core 2 Duo E6300 would be even better. Go for an operating system with the Vista upgrade coupon anyway. For the hard drive, we recommend Seagate 7200.10 ones with 16mb of cache for a performance boost; they have 5 year warranties. Sapphire, Power Color, and Asus are alternative card manufacturers and are probably higher quality. Go for a Lite-On retail DVD burner, they come with software; SATA is a better choice. Get at least DDR2-667 memory, Corsair ValueSelect is a really good choice.

I'd stick with the Intel build. A 500w power supply in a $28 case is never a good idea, quality 500w units cost usually over $75.

Welcome to PCMech. Remember, quality components are always first priority no matter what budget permits.

[doubledragon5]

I never heard of A Data, try something like Kingston value ram, or even Crucial, or Corsair... Those are the most common, and are of good quality...

For a case here is one that I currently have in my wife build (sig) and it comes with a 450 psu which should be enough for that build..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155

For ram how about this.. It is a kit (2) sticks rather than one.. It is a little more but a quality brand...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145566

[Khalil]

The second build looks great and I completely agree with doubledragon5, go Kingston, Crucial or Corsair.

[paJAMbla]

Madclergy, listen to the experts on this forum. I knew very little about hardware when I started reading through this forum and decided to build my own computer. I have built two and was only able to do so with the help of people here. The builds went relatively smoothly (a few glitches because of my inexperience) and I built two solid computers. I am still far from an expert but my advice to you is let the experts here throw out a few lists for you with the parts you need based on the budget your mom has given you. Things might work out with the components you have picked but suggestions by the great minds here may save you a few headaches!

[Madclergy]

I would be more than happy to listen to the build options of the experts on these boards. I know that the builds I presented aren't perfect that's why I came here.

So, if anyone has any direct suggestions for the budget computer that I need, by all means please suggest it. I just ask that you keep in mind that it be maximum $850 and that the componants will last for a while, and be upgradable, thats what I was trying to do with those that I presented (especially the second one). As well the computer will be built for gaming purposes so please keep that in mind too.

[Khalil]

Ok to start, that jpac case is horrible, i bought 5 of them last year to build them up for my office machines and they were a joke and ended up sendiing them back to newegg.
check this out:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129163
I own 12 Antec cases and they are awesome cases and PSU on them rock. You get 3 year warranty from Antec.

I would definately stick to Asus motherboards here is a nice one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131569
Don't waste money on AM2 take advantage of these prices this board used to sell for close to $200. Socket 939s rock I just built one for my wife and it is super fast.

When it comes to processors this one here will do everything your mom will want it to do and more http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103584

Does your mom really need 400 gigs? I would go with the Seagate hard drives a 250 gig would probably do it, they give you a 5 year warranty and their customer support is fantastic. Samsung umm, let me not go there.

The video card you choose in your second proposal is very nice but probably an over kill, what is your mother gonna play? This is a card I highly recommend that will play any game on the market and then some
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130056

and finaly here is your memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141308

This rig will be trouble free and I think will fit right in your budget. I use X64 and have never had any trouble with drivers, I am sure glc is correct when he said driver issues may arrise but that is mainly if you use low end components.

[Madclergy]

She is into playing Dungeons and Dragons online and Sims 2, the reason I was going to go with the higher mem video card is because I wanted it to last for a while.

I see that you didn't mention a hard drive, cd rom drive, or operating system in your list of items. Is there anyway that this is still going to fit in budget with these items not included?

[Khalil]

CD Rom Drives even if you get a sony are about $30, OS is about 130 as far as the hard drive the 250 Seagates are about 80 bucks. I hope it all fits in your budget. I think everyone will agree a good power supply is very essential for a good gaming rig.

[Strider]

I second Khalil posts for that is a nice setup, just a little be caution (well if you could call it that ) though Socket 939 motherboards are an endangered species meaning that they've been replaced. However, since this is a budget build for gaming this is probably the best solution.

[jer888]

This is more or less a culmination of what everyone here as already said; I'm just putting it in one place and simplifying it. I went Intel so you could move to Core 2 Duo eventually

Processor : Intel Pentium D 915 Presler 2.8GHz 2 x 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor = $106.00

Motherboard : ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard = $124.99

Memory: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory = $75.99

Power Supply: Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply = $69.99

Video Card: EVGA 256-P2-N624-AR GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO Video Card= $159.99

Optical: LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache SATA DVD Burner = $31.99

Hard Drive : Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive = $79.99

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Sp2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista = $89.99

I believe this is at about $740

Case : go with something you like but go with a decent brand. Don't spend this much on a computer and put it in a case that falls over when u blow on it

[Khalil]

That looks like a nice rig jer888, but it all depends on if he wants to spend the money later to get a core2duo.

[Madclergy]

Thank you for collecting everything into a post I had so many different windows open looking at all the possibilities It was driving me mad.

I do have a question though, were the two builds I had in my very first post bad, like was there something about them that wouldn't work? Or was it just the quality and type of item that I was buying that was going to hurt me in the long run?

I just want to see how close I came to parring the hole.

[jer888]

not really, just some things were overkill and some things you needed better. 939 is excellent and stable ( I'm using it myself right now) and it is a excellent value but as far as upgrading you would be sort of stuck

[Khalil]

With your first set up you were going to use barebone, as newbuilder14 suggested I would stay away from those.
Epox motherboards get good reviews on newegg but so did ECS and I had a hell of a time with ECS. Asus is about as good as you gonna get and their customer support is just awesome.
The Jpac case and PSU are a big no no! and no match for the rest of the hardware you want to put in the machine. Other than that the rest looks good to me!

[jer888]

I suggest a Antec or Lain Li case. If not those, make sure you get a case with good air flow and I'm not sure how much of a noise person you are but you don't want a jet engine or something that is going to rattle under your desk so get something decent

[Khalil]

This Antec Case will do the trick for you and its well priced

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129163

[Madclergy]

Alright after reading (and re reading) the suggestions in this topic I think I have put together a list of items that would make up this computer. I have it linked as a temp wish list for newegg below.

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...mputer+I+think

Things I changed
1) 512 mb video card, I want this.

[Khalil]

Best of luck with your mom's new rig

[Alaron]

I would highly suggest using Jer888's build. The Pentium D 915 is faster and has a larger cache.

Using DDR2-667 will be a better match if you upgrade to C2D.

The 7900GS will blow the X1300 out of the water. The 512MB means nothing when its attached to a slow GPU. The X1300s are not designed for gaming, they are the budget line from ATI.

That LiteOn does not come with software, switch it for a Retail version.

The rest looks ok.

[ztx]

The graphics card is a little weak. 512MB of ram for gfx is not the most important thing.

I would lower the 2gb of ram to 1gb, aand hopefully you have enough room for a better graphics card.

Khalil listed a great card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130056

[bd1886]

jer888's suggestion is pretty much the cumulative shake down on the advise given by the "main brains" on this site! The whole build looks to the future for upgrading and hits the "sweet spot" on the major components. Antec case/psu combo's are one of the best deals because of the quality and that mobo can take the Conroe upgrade when the prices drop.That 915 kicks tail though.(The 805 needs overclocked to see it's potential and it sucks juice like crazy).That box will game well and she'll have something good. Was reading, just the other day, how game developers are beginning to throw larger percentages of development dollars at the "Mom" market. ( Heck...My mom is happy with crossword books.) I know I just restated the common consensus but the advise is the real deal.... Go Mom!!

[andper10]

$106.00 - Intel Pentium D 915 Presler 2.8GHz 2 x 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116253

$124.99 - ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131030

$37.99 - XClio 450BL ATX 450W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CUL, TUV, CB - Retai - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003

Look around Newegg for a nice case; the reviews will be very helpful for the cases. A few relatively cheap ones that I would be comfortable using for a build are: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811148029 . It is also recommended that you pick up a Yate Loon Quiet 120mm Fan for each 120mm fan slot that you have (http://www.jab-tech.com/product.php?productid=3009 )

$169.99 - ASUS EAX1950PRO/HTDP/256M Radeon X1950PRO 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121031 - An X1300 will definitely play the Sims, but if you want plenty of power for future games, you will want to go with an X1950Pro or a 7900GS, although Tom's Hardware VGA Charts show that the X1950Pro is better in nearly all of the games that they tested, and its only $10 more.

$159.99 - CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098 - This ram is faster and the same price as the DDR2 533 that you had on your list.

$79.99 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822148144 - If you think you will need the extra 70GB, you can get a 320GB Seagate 7200.10 for $95 ($15 more) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140 .

$31.99 - LITE-ON Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD Burner - Retail - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106043 - The DVD burner that you have on your list is not coming back in stock until March, and this one is faster, and it comes with burning software, and it costs the same as the other.

$89.99 - Microsoft Windows XP Home Sp2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16832116169

That comes out to $800.93 before shipping and before a case. Enjoy your build!

[bd1886]

I purchased a Rosewill case (5604 BK) and it is one of the best purchases I've made. The thing is in a different league from the price I paid. First thing to be said is the quality of construction is very high. A solid design that has well thought out features for cooling and servicing. (Tooless,2- 120 mm cooling fans,drive rails that are ultra easy to use,top mounted controls,cpu fan tunnel that telescopes in to assure the heatsink/fan is only drawing in cool outside air,plenty of room and mature good looks.) At least check it out @ Newegg. A diamond amongst pebbles.(Not kidding at all) Can't tell you how pleased I was when it came out of the box! Go something like this with a good power supply, or an Antec combo like we've stated earlier and you'll be pleased.

[Madclergy]

I want to thank everyone who responded with all their knowledge and I hope that I didn't sound hard headed at any point I am just very ill knowledgable about this kind of thing (overall). However I think I have everything sorted out, and I'll tell you it was way different than my first few estimates, but if it works and its an upgrade from her current system (and will allow upgradability) then I am sure she will like it.

Once again, I appreciate all your help. (And I think I will be coming back when I decide to build my system, at that time I will have a bit more money to play with, hopefully)

[jer888]

Good Luck!

[glc]

You can save $50 with a P5L-MX motherboard and still have a Core 2 Duo upgrade path. You can also save over $50 with a 7600GT video card and be able to game with NO problems. This shouldl let you do 2 gigs of ram right away. If you can wait till April, the Core 2 Duos are being upgraded AND reduced in price.

[Surrender Earthlings]

Give her all the tech support she needs & introduce her to PC Mech!