Help! building my own PC and have no clue what I am doing

[jenerik]

I am wanting to build a new computer. I haven't had a desktop in years. I would like to think I am computer saavy but in reality, im not! Could someone put together a parts list for me? I would like the complete computer (monitor, keyboard/mouse, and all components) to stay under $500 total. Thank you so much in advance!!

ETA: I am not a huge gamer (only FB games lol) and I mainly use my computer for internet and pictures.

[SARGE]

Have you ever fiddled with the parts of a PC - placing/removing the stuff like RAM, a CD player, maybe taking the cover off and just looking around?

[glc]

If you need a complete computer for under 500 bucks, order a Dell. You can't build with any kind of quality parts for that. The operating system and monitor are going to be $200 right there.

[pally01]

Originally Posted by jenerik ETA: I am not a huge gamer (only FB games lol) and I mainly use my computer for internet and pictures.

Curious: what are FB games exactly? Football?

[BTGpapa]

I think he's referring to facebook..... -_-

[jenerik]

Originally Posted by SARGE Have you ever fiddled with the parts of a PC - placing/removing the stuff like RAM, a CD player, maybe taking the cover off and just looking around?

i have

Originally Posted by BTGpapa I think he's referring to facebook..... -_-

i am a she, and yes thats what i was talking about.

my cousin sent me here, told me i would get a lot of help and advice.. i am thinking he was wrong.. thanks anyways though!!

[glc]

I'm thinking the advice I gave you is something you didn't want to hear. I apologize for trying to help you with HONEST advice. Start pricing parts and it will probably become rather obvious that you can't compete at the low end.

I can recommend quite decent computer builds for $500, but they will be just the box with no monitor, operating system, or peripherals.

[quartet-man]

Don't confuse not getting the answer you want to hear as not being true, solid help.
If a mechanic tells you that you can't restore a muscle car for the money you have and you are better off buying a newer model used car, he is being helpful and honest, not refusing to help.

[jenerik]

you're right. its not what I wanted to hear and I took it as not getting any help. Typical woman eh? lol thanks guys!

[David M]

We can still help you. What would you like to do? Does a inexpensive factory computer interest you? We can help you pick a good one.

[birddog_61]

Another option would be to check around your local computer builders place for a newer used computer. However if I was in your shoes and just wanting a computer to surf the web and watch some movies or play games on FB I would just buy a dell in that price range.

Inspiron 560 Desktop Details | Dell

[jenerik]

birddog- the link you sent me was broken.

I have been looking around best buy and *gasp* walmart. Is there a big difference between HP and Dell? Dell seems to be more expensive but that doesn't always mean a better product.

[glc]

Just for you, this build is $486 shipped after rebates, (plus sales tax in CA, TN, and NJ). This is as barebones as it gets with quality parts, and there are a few upgrades I WOULD recommend over some of these parts:

Newegg.com - APEX PC Series (ATX) PC-373-C Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Newegg.com - Antec Basiq BP350 350W ATX12V v2.01 Power Supply

Newegg.com - ASUS P5G41T-M/CSM LGA 775 Intel G41 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - Intel Celeron E3400 Wolfdale 2.6GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80571E3400

Newegg.com - Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1066D3K2/2GR

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

Newegg.com - Microsoft Black USB Wired Desktop 600

Newegg.com - Asus VW199T-P Black 19" 5ms LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 10,000,000:1

Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - Operating Systems

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Now - for 500 bucks plus tax you can buy this Dell:

Inspiron 560
Processors:
Intel® Pentium® dual-core E5800(3.20GHz,2MB L2,800MHz)
Operating System:
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
Microsoft Works and Office:
Microsoft® Office Starter: reduced-functionality Word & Excel w/ ads. No PowerPoint or Outlook
Hardware Services:
1 Year Basic Service Plan
Monitor:
Dell IN1920 18.5"W HD Monitor,18.5 Inch VIS, VGA only
Memory:
3GB DDR3 SDRAM - 3 DIMMs
Video Card:
Integrated Intel® GMA X4500 Graphics
Hard Drive:
750GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Inspiron 560:
Inspiron 560 Minitower w/ Black Bezel
Network Card:
Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
Security Software:
McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
Datasafe:
DataSafe 2.0 Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
Adobe Software:
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0 Multi-Language
Keyboard:
Dell USB Entry Keyboard
Mouse:
Dell USB Optical Mouse
Optical Drives:
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Floppy Drive:
Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
Modem:
No Dial Up Modem Option
Sound:
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Speakers:
No Speaker Option

[David M]

Originally Posted by jenerik I have been looking around best buy and *gasp* walmart. Is there a big difference between HP and Dell? Dell seems to be more expensive but that doesn't always mean a better product.

In this forum, Dells are considered better quality and with better customer support than HP's and are certainly worth the price difference. Neither I would call excellent.

You get excellent when you build your own out of high quality parts.

[glc]

HP makes some very good computers (business grade sold in the VAR channel), but the ones at Walmart and Best Buy aren't. They are no better than the Emachines garbage they are sitting next to.

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by jenerik birddog- the link you sent me was broken.

HMM its working fine for me, the dell that GLC posted is the one I was linking to, if you want to look it up go to dell.com and highlight for home at the top then click on best selling deals, click on best selling desktop deals, and its the inspiron 560.

[bigsully]

that Inspiron 560 starts at just $400 this weekend with the President's sale.