Building from Scratch - Under $800???

[ajsellaroli]

Hey, I've never built a computer before, but I'm drawn to the idea because 1. I can upgrade later without having to buy a completely new computer, and 2. because I think I can get alot more speed and storage, etc for my dollar by doing this (tell me if i'm wrong).

I already have a Monitor, Keyboard, and mouse, I'm hoping everything else will fall under $800 (for hardware, not counting software). I will be using it for alot of photo work (I have about 50 gb of photos) and some video work. I'm talking about editing.

I'd love some basic suggestions, I really don't know where to start - the last time i built a computer was in the 6th grade (in a class). I can barely remember anything, and am not even sure about what motherboard, cpu, etc to get, especially for my pricing. I don't even know what case to get.

If you can help me, I would GREATLY appreciate it. Thank you so much
-AJ

ps. i'm curious - how do i know if everything's going to be compatible with everything else?

[wammy_bar]

what are you going to be using this for?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli 1. I can upgrade later without having to buy a completely new computer,

Actually, it depends on how long you wait between upgrades. The longer you wait, the more likely you'll just build a whole new computer instead of upgrading an existing one.

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli 2. because I think I can get alot more speed and storage, etc for my dollar by doing this (tell me if i'm wrong).

It depends on the price point you're building at. Generally you can't beat the name brand computers on the bargain end of the scale but you can definitely build a better computer for less at the high end (since you don't have to pay for an established name brand name).

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli I'd love some basic suggestions, I really don't know where to start

Well, you have a proposed budget and you know the use for the computer so now you just need to decide if you want a AMD or INTEL based computer.

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli and am not even sure about what motherboard, cpu, etc to get, especially for my pricing. I don't even know what case to get.

We can help you choose the right parts for this build.

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli ps. i'm curious - how do i know if everything's going to be compatible with everything else?

We can help you with that.

Cricket

[ajsellaroli]

Wammy - I'll be using it for video editing (some) and photo editing (heavy).

Cricket -

Actually, it depends on how long you wait between upgrades. The longer you wait, the more likely you'll just build a whole new computer instead of upgrading an existing one.

Wait, so what are you saying, is it not worth it to build my computer from scratch? Because yes, I am definitely looking for a low-priced computer.

It depends on the price point you're building at. Generally you can't beat the name brand computers on the bargain end of the scale but you can definitely build a better computer for less at the high end (since you don't have to pay for an established name brand name).

Do you have any recommendations? I mean brand computer suggestions. And could I upgrade them later? and How long can I wait before making them impossible to upgrade?

Well, you have a proposed budget and you know the use for the computer so now you just need to decide if you want a AMD or INTEL based computer.

Ok, for suggestions on building my own system, I'd like to go with intel.

We can help you choose the right parts for this build.

Could you? I'd love those suggestions, thanks so much

[Karnevil9]

I think what Cricket meant by the wait time is that technology changes and improves very quickly. The computer listed below in my post was built three years ago and was built using some the best of cpu's, memory and motherboard parts available at the time. Now just three years later it is pretty much obsolete. Not only is it not worth upgrading, other than the DDR ram, I would be hard pressed to find replacements parts if the mobo or cpu died.

Most folks on this site will almost always take building your own over buying because you select the parts yourself from the best manufacturers out there. But most PC companies keep cost down and overhead high from buying cheaper and less quality parts. (Dell has been one exception to this rule in my experience, there may be others).

Don't worry though. If you are like most of the people who have built there own PC's, you will never go back to buying one.

[glc]

Does the $800 have to include a copy of Windows? What devices do you have that have to be able to offload into the PC for editing? In other words, will USB and Firewire do the job, or do you need to do analog capture too?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli Wait, so what are you saying, is it not worth it to build my computer from scratch?

I think it's always better to build your own computer but it depends on what price point you're aiming for. If you want a dirt cheap computer, buy a DELL. From about $600 on up you will come out ahead with better quality parts and better performance than a name brand computer.

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli Because yes, I am definitely looking for a low-priced computer.

You can build a very nice computer for $800 and it'll do what you want for at least a few years before it starts to feel dated.

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli Do you have any recommendations? I mean brand computer suggestions.

The only name brand computer I would consider buying is a DELL...but I prefer to just build my own.

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli And could I upgrade them later?

Most name brand computers aren't upgrade friendly...the only thing you might be able to do is add more RAM and more drives.[QUOTE=ajsellaroli]and How long can I wait before making them impossible to upgrade?/QUOTE]A name brand computer? They're almost impossible to upgrade to begin with.

If you're asking about a home built computer, I'd say you can keep upgrading it until it reaches 3 years old and then you should consider building a whole new one after that.

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli Ok, for suggestions on building my own system, I'd like to go with intel.

Now you have to decide if you want a Core 2 Duo or a Core 2 Quad.

Cricket

[ajsellaroli]

Yah I see what you mean, Karnevil. I've got a 4 1/2 year Dell that is completely obsolete too. I don't even think I can upgrade it.

No, glc it doesn't have to include a copy of windows, I have that. Yes, usb and firewall would definitely do the job (I have a hard drive camcorder).

Alright Cricket, I've made my decision lol. I want to build my own computer. I see what you mean, but I am really planning on upgrading it in about a year (will have more money then). I'd like something better than my 4 year old dell for now though, but one that will still have the possibility of being upgraded in about a year.

Plus I'm intrigued with the idea of building. Why would you have to start from scratch after 3 years? couldn't you just buy a new motherboard, etc whatever else you needed and put it into the same body?

Oh, and to save money, I think I would go with a core 2 duo. Maybe I'll able to get my clock speeds up a bit more by going with duo (whereas with quad, I might not be able to). Plus, does anyone even make applications yet for quads??

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli I see what you mean, but I am really planning on upgrading it in about a year (will have more money then). I'd like something better than my 4 year old dell for now though, but one that will still have the possibility of being upgraded in about a year.

If you're going to upgrade in about a year I don't see a problem...it's when you want to upgrade a computer that's already 3+ years old is when you start to run into compatibility issues and such...then it's better to just plan an entirely new build.

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli Why would you have to start from scratch after 3 years? Couldn't you just buy a new motherboard, etc whatever else you needed and put it into the same body?

Computer technology moves so quickly that after 3 years there is so much new technology that trying to upgrade an existing computer would involve replacing the motherboard, CPU, heatsink, RAM, power supply, possibly the video card...it's almost like building a whole new computer anyway. You could re-use the old case but after 3 years it's probably started to corrode and the idea of putting brand new parts into a crusty 3 year old case doesn't sound like a good idea anymore.

Originally Posted by ajsellaroli Maybe I'll able to get my clock speeds up a bit more by going with duo (whereas with quad, I might not be able to).

Are you thinking of overclocking your computer? Do your homework before you even try. Successful overclocking means you have to buy premium parts, you are willing to void all your warranties and you are ready to replace parts that may die during the process. You also need to know things like clearing the CMOS and how to do a clean reinstall of Windows after system files get corrupt from the overclock.

Cricket

[glc]

You will not be able to reuse that copy of XP if it came with your Dell.

Here is a parts list for a graphics and video editing PC, prices are approximate including shipping, I used Newegg to price them.

Case: Antec Sonata 3 $130 (PLUS there's a 40 buck mailin rebate on it right now) - why this one? It's high quality, conservative, quiet, and comes with a top quality power supply, which VERY few cases do.

Motherboard: Asus P5K-E $150 - Onboard Firewire, a ton of USB, and eSATA for external drives - which will be your best solution for backups and storing all your archived media.

CPU: Intel E6750 $195

RAM: 2x2gb kit of DDR2-800 $180 - Corsair is out of stock right now, but when it comes in there's a 40 buck mailin rebate.

Video: Radeon HD 2400 Pro $50 - Sapphire 256mb without Hypermemory.

Optical: SATA Lite-On retail DVD burner $30

Hard drive: SATA Seagate 7200.10 16mb cache 250gb $70

This will get you going for $805. Things you will probably be adding are more hard drives (possibly internal and external) and a pro sound card such as a M-Audio.

[ajsellaroli]

haha, no I'm not thinking of overclocking. I'm not ready to get my hands that dirty yet lol. Hey that looks like a great setup glc! thanks - Will that motherboard support what is coming, as far as the future processors, etc? Oh, and yes I was planning on using that dell one, I haven't used it on a computer yet, but will it not work just cause it's from dell?

[flanzig1]

The XP OS that comes on the Dell CD is tied to the BIOS of a particular model of a Dell. So it will work only on a Dell.

[glc]

Yes, that motherboard will support the new 45nm Penryn processors.

[ajsellaroli]

looks like i still should do more research to learn what each part does/ etc, (and how to put it all together) but that configuration fits very well, thanks.

Hey, just a thought, I know Black Friday is coming up, are there any computer parts that I can find on great sales next friday?

Does Frys electronics have bf sales?

[glc]

Possibly, but you need to know exactly what you are looking for. Fry's is like Tiger Direct, they carry a lot of junk. The real good stuff will disappear out the door within minutes of the doors opening.