This is also listed here: http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?p=10012071#post10012071 Okay, so I have been jumping on deals as of late and its time for me to build my 1st computer (for the knowledge which will allow me to easily upgrade my computers at any given time and help my friends build computers also). Only thing I have left to do is buy a motherboard, which is hard for me to do considering I can only find mobo's with 1 PATA/IDE and mostly SATA because the only computer I have opened up is 4 years old and is all PATA/IDE. I want as many connectors I can have as possible within a reasonable cost and at least up to 8GB of RAM. Getting a SATA HDD and RAM won't be hard, there are reasonable deals for those all the time. I read that a lot of mobo's come dead on arrival (DOA), so I have to attempt to put everything together when the mobo comes to avoid that. My current computer was near the peak of technology in 2002 and cost $1000, so it is 5 years old now. I have only upgraded the RAM to 1GB, added a couple PCI cards, and put in some new HDDs. Sadly my computer can't handle XNA, Sega Saturn emulation, and probably a lot of other things I haven't tried. Here are all the parts I've obtained through Slickdeals (I intend to put 2gether): AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ 2.6ghz Retail Socket AM2 CPU = $82 (worth $100) http://forums.slickdeals.net/show...p?t=733987 PNY 8600GT GDDR3 256MB PCI-Express Video Card = $65 (worth $115) http://forums.slickdeals.net/newt...hread&f=17 Ultra V Series 500W Power Supply = $40 FAR http://forums.slickdeals.net/show...p?t=452328 Eagle Tech Sidewinders ATX Mid-Tower Gaming Case w/ Side Window & 450W Power Supply (Black) = $10 AR + FS http://forums.slickdeals.net/show...eaglebit Ultra Wizard Black Mid Tower Case ULT31580 = $40 FAR http://forums.slickdeals.net/show...ra+Wizard Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2 - OEM = $140 (not cheap, but had to be done) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...6837102062 Total Spent = $297 Total Savings = $68 I'm reading guides on this process here: http://www.build-your-own-computers.com/ I need to learn how to overclock, I'm hoping to be able to OC these to 3ghz if possible (which I think means 1.5 instead of 1.3 for each CPU) Questions: 1. Since I have a PCIE graphics card, I shouldn't need to buy a mobo with onboard video right (don't onboard video and audio always suck?) 2. I'm afraid if I mess up it will be a big waste of money. Maybe I should have just bought a good deal refurb: http://forums.slickdeals.net/show...p?t=728403 (DEAD) Please Feel Free to recommend anything or throw in advice, thanks I am a video game programmer. This computer will be used for video game programming, emulation, internet, and the stuff in my sig.
To be honest, you're better off buying a board with one IDE connector and either using your old drives in external boxes or buying an IDE controller card for a PCI slot - very few boards still have two IDE slots, and the ones that do probably pretty naff. Your PSU is a bit of a dud, I'd try for something a bit higher grade if you can, like a Corsair VX or OCZ StealthXStream, the Ultra V series aren't very good quality units, and having a quality power supply is very important. For overclocking advice, see our official thread in http://forums.afterdawn.com/forum_view.cfm/111 As for the onboard video that's correct, and onboard video does suck royally. Onboard audio less so, but it's still best if you can find a cheap PCU sound card. As for your reservations about doing it, if you follow the right advice, you'll be fine. Trust us!
Sam I trust you and highly appreciate you always helping me. You are a godsend. Okay, so I'll keep checking my forum for power supply deals (makes sense its a dud, it was free after rebate (FAR)), but I never see deals for PCI sound cards though. Can't wait to make this happen so I can play Albert Odyssey on the Sega Saturn emulator SSF and help my friends with XNA programming and testing.
Haha that's all you're using a PC that powerful for? As for the deals, a quality PSU and decent sound card can be had from newegg for pretty cheap: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102003
Sam I live my life for Video games, its what I do, plus a stronger comp helps the stuff I do in my sig. We also need some good rounded IDE cables. Whats the best looking (reasonable in price) mobo we should get? I'm about to get the files 2gether and go try the emulator at a friend's house. I'll be checking the deals on the forum and posting them here for your approval: Cooler Master Real Power 650 Watt P.S. $60 AR - Frys http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=180243&t=735773&highlight=PSU CoolerMaster eXtreme Power 550w PSU $25 AR http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=180243&t=731578&highlight=PSU What a pain, all the deals expired last month! OCZ GameXStream 700w SLI PSU - $99 AR http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=180243&t=732583&highlight=PSU
Of those three the 650W Coolermaster's the one I'd have. That's sickeningly cheap too.. As for the motherboard and IDE cable: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812104210
I have the cooler master real power pro 650W I bought from microCenter for 50 dollars after rebate... I HIGHLY recommend it... it's been fantastic to me.
Just bought the power supply. Sam, that MOBO isn't socket AM2 and is it okay to use an IDE cable that only has 1 connector?
My bad, you're fine to use an IDE cable with one connector if that's all you'll use, and in this day and age it's all you really should use. You'll get better results with two single line cables. However, if you want more than 2 drives over IDE (which presumably you do) then you'll need to track down some two-connector rounded cables. Doesn't look like newegg have any, which is rather annoying. On the motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128081
Why AMD? CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052 Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059
