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Trying to Build my own PC! Help please!

SamMc247SamMc247 Member Posts: 49
I am looking to make a decent gaming pc desktop with about $500. I have some old speakers that i can use and a integrated sound card. [Will having a crappy sound card slow up gameplay??] Other than that i have nothing but super crap parts. Im looking for good ram [4gb] and decent graphics card [?].
Thanks for all of your help!

Located in US

Currently Playing: Guild Wars.
Played:Guild Wars, Dungeon Runners, WoW, WC3, Starcraft, RuneScape, Wurm.
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Comments

  • godpuppetgodpuppet Member Posts: 1,416

    Whats your PSU, and is your case reusable?

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  • godpuppetgodpuppet Member Posts: 1,416

    Alright, heres a system:

     

    Motherboard: BIOSTAR TForce TF720 A2+ AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 720a ATX AMD Motherboard

    CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Brisbane 2.7GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO5200DOBOX - Retail *

    Memory: OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK

    Graphics Card: BFG Tech BFGE88512GTOCXFE GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

    PSU: FG Tech BFGR650PSU 650W ATX 12v 2.0 / EPS 12V Power Supply

    Total: $511.96 (without tax)

     

    I chose the cheapest of the top line of Motherboards so your PC will have a good amount of upgradability. Which saves money in the long run. I decided against SLI

    CPU its a 2.6 x2 which can be OC'd to a 2.8 on stock fan quite easily, Its enough to get you by for the next year, then when prices drop again you can invest in something more powerful (3.0ghz+). CPU isnt the highest requirement for MMO's atm so its not a biggy.

    Memory, Ive bought the best you can by, why? becuase theres very little price difference between different speeds/types so in the long run you save money by not having to upgrade it, I would have liked to get corsair but I went with the most economical option. I imagine 4gb will last you up to 2 years before you have to increase the capacity.

    Graphics, I put in an 8800GT, I use one myself, its an excellent card, this one comes pre OC'd with a good fan for little more then $10 extra, a bargain in my eyes. BFG are my personal preferance, they offer lifetime warrantys on their goods and their OC's are very reliable.

    These are your barebones, if you can salvage your HDD, DVD and case, your sorted. Theres alot of upgradability in this machine, the motherboard could last up to and over 4 years.

    Couple of items I also recommend:

     

    HDD01: Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive

    Put your OS on this and your systems load times with reduce dramatically. Can also cut down on freezing & hitching.

    HDD 02: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

    This is basically for mass storage, installing your games onto this HDD so they are on a seperate HDD to your OS can increase performance and reduce load times.

    Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card 

    Takes the strain of Sound processing off the CPU relieving power for other system tasks. It also greatly improves your sound quality.

     

    Thats it, if you reuse your old case, make sure you check the dimensions of the motherboard to the case, same goes for the PSU. Nothing worse then buying all the kit then finding out you cant use the case. You will also want to look at the cases cooling.

    Hope this helps.

    * EDIT: CPU modified due to error.

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  • SamMc247SamMc247 Member Posts: 49
    ok this all sounds great, except that i am not familiar with the term 'motherboard' what is it exactly? i probably know it as something else.

    Currently Playing: Guild Wars.
    Played:Guild Wars, Dungeon Runners, WoW, WC3, Starcraft, RuneScape, Wurm.
    image

  • gurugeorgegurugeorge Member UncommonPosts: 481
    Originally posted by SamMc247

    ok this all sounds great, except that i am not familiar with the term 'motherboard' what is it exactly? i probably know it as something else.

     

    The motherboard is the big circuit board that holds all the other components of the PC together.  If you don't know what a motherboard is, it might be wise to read up a lot on the web before starting to build a PC. 

    Not that it's hard to build a PC, it's actually pretty easy, but you should study it for a good week or two before having a go at building for the first time.  Get to know the lingo and what people are talking about, and find out about the potential pitfalls.  Also, try and make sure you've got access to another PC on the web, or a nearby internet cafe, if the thing doesn't work first time.  Sometimes, you will put the thing together, switch it on and nothing happens, either because you've misstepped and forgotten something, or because there's some actual problem, like an incompatibility or some switch or BIOS setting that needs to be turned on or off, or maybe even a bad part - and if there's a real problem, it's helpful to have access to the internet to be able to read up about problems with certain hardware configurations that crop up.

    Good luck!

  • 7earitup7earitup Member Posts: 48

    For one, if you don't know what a motherboard is, you have a lot of research to do.

     

    Secondly, buying a single core processor is a waste of money. If you can save up 500 bucks, you can save up a little more to go dual-core, and preferably not down AMD's choices either.

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  • PureChaosPureChaos Member Posts: 839
    Originally posted by 7earitup


    For one, if you don't know what a motherboard is, you have a lot of research to do.
     
    Secondly, buying a single core processor is a waste of money. If you can save up 500 bucks, you can save up a little more to go dual-core, and preferably not down AMD's choices either.

    AMD has a very good architecture for its duel cores, the only place that they loose is High end quad core,

    That is the current fight

    you have intel and Nvidia- The high end

    Then you have AMD ATI- Mid range

    As far as AMD and intel they are relitvly the same in the mid range

    As for ATI and nvidia , ATI has taken the mid range this round with the 4800 series being better and cheaper.

    Now if ya want to spend 600 for the 280 with nvidia to get a little more power then go for it. but if ya want to spend 300 for a 4870 thats better then the 260 which is prices higher at 400 then yeah ATI FTW on this round.

    Black edition AMD processors are awesome btw bout 100(for the processor and high end cooler) starts 2.6 and got mine to 3.2

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  • SamMc247SamMc247 Member Posts: 49
    ooo. yea yea yea i got it. I was going to go to a local computer parts store to make sure everything is compatible and all of the complicated stuff so i can do the easier more straightforward things.
    Anybody else have any sites that i can look up on and study for making a computer? or any other ideas for parts? Does everybody usually get their parts from newegg???

    Currently Playing: Guild Wars.
    Played:Guild Wars, Dungeon Runners, WoW, WC3, Starcraft, RuneScape, Wurm.
    image

  • Varlok91Varlok91 Member Posts: 396
    Originally posted by godpuppet


    Alright, heres a system:
     
    Motherboard: BIOSTAR TForce TF720 A2+ AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 720a ATX AMD Motherboard
    CPU: AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640 Orleans 2.6GHz Socket AM2 45W Single-Core Processor Model ADH1640DHBOX
    Memory: OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK
    Graphics Card: BFG Tech BFGE88512GTOCXFE GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
    PSU: FG Tech BFGR650PSU 650W ATX 12v 2.0 / EPS 12V Power Supply
    Total: $482.95 (without tax)


     
    I chose the cheapest of the top line of Motherboards so your PC will have a good amount of upgradability. Which saves money in the long run. I decided against SLI
    CPU its a 2.6 x2 which can be OC'd to a 2.8 on stock fan quite easily, Its enough to get you by for the next year, then when prices drop again you can invest in something more powerful (3.0ghz+). CPU isnt the highest requirement for MMO's atm so its not a biggy.
    Memory, Ive bought the best you can by, why? becuase theres very little price difference between different speeds/types so in the long run you save money by not having to upgrade it, I would have liked to get corsair but I went with the most economical option. I imagine 4gb will last you up to 2 years before you have to increase the capacity.
    Graphics, I put in an 8800GT, I use one myself, its an excellent card, this one comes pre OC'd with a good fan for little more then $10 extra, a bargain in my eyes. BFG are my personal preferance, they offer lifetime warrantys on their goods and their OC's are very reliable.
    These are your barebones, if you can salvage your HDD, DVD and case, your sorted. Theres alot of upgradability in this machine, the motherboard could last up to and over 4 years.
    Couple of items I also recommend:
     
    HDD01: Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive
    Put your OS on this and your systems load times with reduce dramatically. Can also cut down on freezing & hitching.
    HDD 02: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
    This is basically for mass storage, installing your games onto this HDD so they are on a seperate HDD to your OS can increase performance and reduce load times.
    Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card 
    Takes the strain of Sound processing off the CPU relieving power for other system tasks. It also greatly improves your sound quality.
     
    Thats it, if you reuse your old case, make sure you check the dimensions of the motherboard to the case, same goes for the PSU. Nothing worse then buying all the kit then finding out you cant use the case. You will also want to look at the cases cooling.
    Hope this helps.

    Thats not a dual core CPU... pay $20 and get an X2.

    --------------------------------
    Desktop - AMD 8450 Tri Core, 3 gigs of DDR2 800 RAM, ATI HD 3200 Graphics, Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
    Laptop (Dell Latitude E6400) - Intel P8400, 2 GIGs of RAM, Intel X4500, Windows XP Professional

  • godpuppetgodpuppet Member Posts: 1,416
    Originally posted by 7earitup

    Secondly, buying a single core processor is a waste of money. If you can save up 500 bucks, you can save up a little more to go dual-core, and preferably not down AMD's choices either.

    Oops,  I thought that one was dual core, ill change it now.

    Not used to using Newegg. >.<

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  • daelnordaelnor Member UncommonPosts: 1,556

    I'm really hesitant about suggesting you build your own PC. You seem really...ill informed. Do you have a computer geek buddy that can help walk you through it? I would advise getting someone to help you on your first build.

    Don't ask your local PC shop about things like that..they will convince you to let them build for you and charge you an arm and a leg, plus they will have a hell of a mark up on the prices.

    Definitely order your parts online.

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  • jdkskipjdkskip Member UncommonPosts: 120
    Originally posted by daelnor


    I'm really hesitant about suggesting you build your own PC. You seem really...ill informed. Do you have a computer geek buddy that can help walk you through it? I would advise getting someone to help you on your first build.
    Don't ask your local PC shop about things like that..they will convince you to let them build for you and charge you an arm and a leg, plus they will have a hell of a mark up on the prices.
    Definitely order your parts online.

      

    I agree with daelnor here, and I think you should do a lot research first, before you start ordering and attempt to build. Here are a few sites that I used to learn the what and how for my first build. 

    http://www.build-gaming-computer-guide.com/

    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/System-Builder-Marathon,1962.html

    www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2324281,00.asp

  • rasgrixrasgrix Member Posts: 169

    yes there are alot of walkthroughs on the web to help you build you own pc

  • SomeOldBlokeSomeOldBloke Member UncommonPosts: 2,167
    Originally posted by jdkskip

    Originally posted by daelnor


    I'm really hesitant...  

    I agree...

    http://www.build-gaming-computer-guide.com/



     

    Great site, I go to the other two often but I'm always looking for more info....

  • godpuppetgodpuppet Member Posts: 1,416

    Yep, provided you've got access to the internet whilst you're building it, the process of putting it together is doable.

    The main problem for new builders is figuring out whats compatible. You cant just buy any piece of hardware and expect it to work with everything. The setup ive put together is all compatible, so you shouldnt get any problems. If you decide to change anything, post it here to get feedback.

    Infact if you MSN, i'd be happy to help if you get stuck, add me: kane@surrealbx.co.uk

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  • vizaviza Member Posts: 204
    Originally posted by gurugeorge

    Originally posted by SamMc247

    ok this all sounds great, except that i am not familiar with the term 'motherboard' what is it exactly? i probably know it as something else.

     

    The motherboard is the big circuit board that holds all the other components of the PC together.  If you don't know what a motherboard is, it might be wise to read up a lot on the web before starting to build a PC.

     

    Especially about counting standoffs and matching each one to a mounting hole in the MB before you screw it down and power it up ROFL.

    TSSSST POP

    >smoke<

  • SamMc247SamMc247 Member Posts: 49

    The price your rig suggestion is way over $500 Godpuppet its like $670 some. I dont want to have to do a mail in rebate.

    im thinking about this

    Motherboard:www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

    CPU:www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

    Memory:www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

    Video Card:www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

    Power Supply:www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

     

    Is there any problems with this set up?

     And yes i have done a little bit of reading up on this stuff as well.

    Currently Playing: Guild Wars.
    Played:Guild Wars, Dungeon Runners, WoW, WC3, Starcraft, RuneScape, Wurm.
    image

  • godpuppetgodpuppet Member Posts: 1,416
    Originally posted by SamMc247


    The price your rig suggestion is way over $500 Godpuppet its like $670 some. I dont want to have to do a mail in rebate.
    im thinking about this
    Motherboard:www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
    CPU:www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
    Memory:www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
    Video Card:www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
    Power Supply:www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
     
    Is there any problems with this set up?
     And yes i have done a little bit of reading up on this stuff as well.

    Motherboard is the same.

    CPU, I notice you've gone up to a 3ghz, your call but you dont really need it, 2.7 will do fine for a good year, and it can be OC'd to a 2.9ghz with stock fan if you want to look into that.

    Memory is the same.

    GFX card is the same.

    PSU looks fine, if you want to go with that.

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  • PureChaosPureChaos Member Posts: 839

    i would suggest a change in video card and assuming the motherboard supports SLI , change it as well.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102747

    So much more power for the same price.

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  • DloreDlore Member UncommonPosts: 462
    Originally posted by SamMc247

    I am looking to make a decent gaming pc desktop with about $500. I have some old speakers that i can use and a integrated sound card. [Will having a crappy sound card slow up gameplay??] Other than that i have nothing but super crap parts. Im looking for good ram [4gb] and decent graphics card [?]. Thanks for all of your help! Located in US

     

    Google WAR System Requirements, there's a guide then on that guide is another guide on that guide tells you how to make a pretty good pc for about 500$

  • SamMc247SamMc247 Member Posts: 49

    I think that i have finally settle on some parts, but if you have any suggestions or concerns with it PLEASE tell me! the Motherboard and CPU are perfectly compatible as well as the video card, but im still unsure of whether or not there is a better CPU for that Motherboard, someone please suggest a few for me!

    Here we are:

    Video Card -  www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

    RAM - 2x www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

    Hard Drive - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

    Motherboard - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

    CPU - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

    DVD/Cd Drive and Burner - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

    Computer Case or Chasis - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

    Operating System - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx

     

    Currently Playing: Guild Wars.
    Played:Guild Wars, Dungeon Runners, WoW, WC3, Starcraft, RuneScape, Wurm.
    image

  • CleffyIICleffyII Member, Newbie CommonPosts: 3,440

    Wait 1 week.  You can get a good build at the $500 range next week.  BTW out of the one you just posted, the Operating System, Optical Drive, and Processor are good.  Everything else really isn't there when it comes to value vs. performance.

    image

  • Varlok91Varlok91 Member Posts: 396
    Originally posted by SamMc247


    I think that i have finally settle on some parts, but if you have any suggestions or concerns with it PLEASE tell me! the Motherboard and CPU are perfectly compatible as well as the video card, but im still unsure of whether or not there is a better CPU for that Motherboard, someone please suggest a few for me!
    Here we are:
    Video Card -  www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx


    RAM - 2x www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
    Hard Drive - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
    Motherboard - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
    CPU - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
    DVD/Cd Drive and Burner - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
    Computer Case or Chasis - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
    Operating System - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
     

    What happened to $500?

    --------------------------------
    Desktop - AMD 8450 Tri Core, 3 gigs of DDR2 800 RAM, ATI HD 3200 Graphics, Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
    Laptop (Dell Latitude E6400) - Intel P8400, 2 GIGs of RAM, Intel X4500, Windows XP Professional

  • jatobijatobi Member Posts: 117

    I've been building and repairing computers for over 8 years now and I can tell you this.  If you don't know what you are doing, and from what it sounds like "what is this motherboard" means you really don't know what you are doing, I wouldn't attempt to try without learning how to first.  There are several ways, go to your local Vocational school, they are sure to have an A+ class that will teach you if you are willing to learn. 

    If you don't want to learn, which everyone should, take them the parts and let them build it.  Without knowing what you are doing within the case on the motherboard, you can seriously harm the computer parts.  Touching places you shouldn't touch, mis-handle the parts and even knowing how to jumper the motherboard and all of your components properly.  You could end up frying, or even breaking that $500 you just spent.

    All I'm saying is its better to let someone who knows what they are doing do it for you, than waste your money. 

     

    As for the $500.  If you only have $500, save up another $600 and you can build yourself a fairly decent computer.  Parts are cheap now, but the cheaper they are, the worse quality they are.  DO NOT GO CHEAP VS QUALITY: Ram, Videocard, PSU, CPU, and Mobo (Motherboard).  It will just come back to bite you in the arse.  It is better to spend more money on those parts than anything else.  Quality Ram, I recommend MUSKIN.  Videocard, anything from XFX really.  The 8800GTS is the best buy.  PSU, OCZ.  CPU, well, all depends really.  Mobo, DFI is a very good choice, LANPARTY series is what I use for my gaming rig.

    The question about "Will having a crappy sound card slow up gameplay??"  Short answer Yes.  Long answer you have to look up on google =P.  The quality of sound can either improve or reduce your performance in games and during video playback.  Using it won't hinder you too much, but it can and will slow performance.  Save some more and get you a good sound card.

     

    As for using Newegg.  Yes, I use it.  But I cross-referrence.  I check multiple sites to get the best deals.  Some offer free shipping, others simply have the item on sell.  Factor in everything, tax, shipping, the works.  Which ever is the best buy is where I get it. 

     

    The Gaming rig I have I put together for a mere $1200.  Mainly because I had most of my parts already.  I have a Pentium Quad core system with an 8800GTS from XFX, 4gb Ram w/XP Professional 64bit.  I have a very big case with very big fans, and a lot HD space.  I have a 1TB HD for my work files, and 1 300GB with 2 partitions, and 1 32gb @ 10,000RPM for my OS only.  A lot of other goodies also, like a Killer Nic, and such, but you can build a similar rig for the same price, less my goodies.

     

    If you want to self learn, take your current system apart, and document where each part went and the order in which you took it apart in.  Then put it back together.  Hit the switch.  Did it come on and operate flawlessly?  Did you hear your POST?, did it pass or fail?  If everything works fine and your POST passed, then you did a good job!  Keep practicing. 

     

    P.S.  I wouldnt get Vista until you are very aware of what vista is lol...just my recommendation.  I have Vist aon laptop only, XP on my game rig.

  • SamMc247SamMc247 Member Posts: 49
    Originally posted by jatobi

    If you want to self learn, take your current system apart, and document where each part went and the order in which you took it apart in.  Then put it back together.  Hit the switch.  Did it come on and operate flawlessly?  Did you hear your POST?, did it pass or fail?  If everything works fine and your POST passed, then you did a good job!  Keep practicing. 

     

    This is a very good idea. i will do this to teach myself and learn from the manual. i have been looking up on sites and doing my research as well.

    I have taken the $500 idea out of thinking because you simply cant get the quality parts that i am looking for with only $500. My new budget is about $900.

    I am going to start a new thread on some parts that i have picked out. Thank you all very much for your support!

    Currently Playing: Guild Wars.
    Played:Guild Wars, Dungeon Runners, WoW, WC3, Starcraft, RuneScape, Wurm.
    image

  • BodyBuilderBodyBuilder Member Posts: 176

    Have you seen my new toy?  It's under Hardware, named "My new toy"... I love my beast. :)

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