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1st Time PC Builder needs Guidance

Discussion in 'Building a new PC' started by LufianGuy, Feb 3, 2008.

  1. LufianGuy

    LufianGuy Regular member

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2008
  2. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    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!
     
  3. LufianGuy

    LufianGuy Regular member

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2008
  4. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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  5. LufianGuy

    LufianGuy Regular member

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    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
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2008
  6. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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  7. redZoneOS

    redZoneOS Regular member

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    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.
     
  8. LufianGuy

    LufianGuy Regular member

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    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?
     
  9. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    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
     
  10. abuzar1

    abuzar1 Senior member

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