Hoping to Build A Decent PC

[Jmclark]

Well, this summer, I'm looking at probably building a new computer. I'm not planning on using it for hardcore gaming or video, just internet use, fooling around with, and probably some gaming, just not like shooters all the time and stuff.

Here's what I have came up with so far.

(my budget is probably around $500-700, and I also am looking for a 19-22 inch monitor. I will be buying a wired keyboard/mouse combination.)

Case - RAIDMAX Elite ATX-208BP Black 0.7mm SECC ATX Desktop Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156106 Motherboard - ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299 Video Card - JATON Video-PX498-DLP GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814139041 CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7400 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115206 RAM - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034 *Two of these, equaling 4GB* CD/DVD Drive - I will be using an old DVD-RW drive I have in my current computer. Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262 Current Subtotal : $490.93

So, as you can tell, I don't have a PSU listed, and I don't have a monitor listed yet. I don't know how big of a power supply I need, and I probably won't buy a monitor until the last minute, I will be looking for the best deal.

So, some questions I have.

-Will using the DVD-RW drive in my current Dell work in my new computer?
-Is the motherboard good enough?
-How big does the CPU need to be?
-Is that a good video card? Also, if not, should I get a cheaper/more expensive one?
-Is that case good?
-What monitor should I probably get?
-Anything else I should look at/get?

Thanks for the help, I'm hoping that this process goes well.

[shadowpr]

For a power supply, look at a corsair 550.

Mother board is fine.

For ram, get a 2x2gb pack instead.

If your old dvd drive is sata, then it should be fine. If not, I would spend another $25 and get a new one that is sata.

I'll let someone else comment on the video card. But I can say I've never heard of that company before.

Also, don't forget to budget an operating system into this.

[Khalil]

Jaton is definitely not the way to go when it comes to a video card. Check our recommendation for brands of video cards here http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=207566

[Jmclark]

Originally Posted by shadowpr For a power supply, look at a corsair 550. Mother board is fine. For ram, get a 2x2gb pack instead. If your old dvd drive is sata, then it should be fine. If not, I would spend another $25 and get a new one that is sata. I'll let someone else comment on the video card. But I can say I've never heard of that company before. Also, don't forget to budget an operating system into this.

Okay here's what I've got now.

Case - RAIDMAX Elite ATX-208BP Black 0.7mm SECC ATX Desktop Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156106 Motherboard - ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299 Video Card - Not sure, see below CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7400 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115206 RAM - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034 *Two of these, equaling 4GB* (I couldn't find my motherboard in Newegg's RAM search for some reason, so I can't really change this for now.) CD/DVD Drive - HP Black 22X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM SATA 22X Multiformal DVD Writer - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827140040 Power Supply - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004 Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262

-I'm not sure whether my DVD-RW drive is SATA or not. I'd assume not, since it's Dell, so I'll just add another one in.
-I couldn't find my motherboard in the RAM finder, so that's still 2 2x1GB packs. :/
-I added in the power supply.
-For video card, I'm looking at a Gigabyte one now, but they range from $25 all the way to $550, and I don't know what exactly to look for in a video card.
-For an OS, I have a DVD of Windows 7 RC1 that I haven't used yet. If that doesn't work, then I'll probably just use Ubuntu until I have some more money for full release of Windows 7 after that.

Any help with the RAM/Video Card?

[Alaron]

Great bang for the buck Radon 4850 video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102824

4GB Ram kit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

[glc]

Spend a whole $17 more and get this hard drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320

Twice as big, a lot faster, and a lot more reliable.

[Jmclark]

Originally Posted by glc Spend a whole $17 more and get this hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320 Twice as big, a lot faster, and a lot more reliable.

Thanks! I never would have noticed that lol.

Originally Posted by Alaron Great bang for the buck Radon 4850 video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102824 4GB Ram kit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

Thanks for helping me find those. I do like how it has HDMI.

Okay, here's what I have so far.

Case - RAIDMAX Elite ATX-208BP Black 0.7mm SECC ATX Desktop Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156106 Motherboard - ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299 Video Card - SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102824 CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7400 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115206 RAM - CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184 CD/DVD Drive - HP Black 22X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM SATA 22X Multiformal DVD Writer - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827140040 Power Supply - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004 Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320 Current Subtotal: $616.92

Does all of that sound good? And will it all definitely work together?

Keep in mind I won't be buying this for a few months, so I have a bit of time to guarantee that these parts work together, and that everything is all set.

[glc]

If you are not buying for a few MONTHS, put that list away and revisit the issue just before you are ready to buy. You can't plan ahead when buying computer components due to the constantly changing and improving technology. Things will even be different in a few weeks and even a few days.