The (new) Official PC building thread!

went to bestbuy today to look for new computers, said I could'nt buy one without vista, oh man I was angry, so decited to check this thread on how to build computers, wow, I envy you guys that can, me it would be easier to stick needles in my eyes.

 

@fredbun
Anyone can build one...all the parts simply snap together...It really does not take any skill...once you have built one...you will never be intimidated by one again...

 

@FredBun

Stick around bro... alot of good people here willing to go though it with you and put in alot of their time into it- MUCH info. to be found here- these guys are great! I tried the needle in the eye thing before I started comeing here... gave me a migrain, and I could not watch any Sci-Fi for a week

Have fun... Say no to Bill Gates controling your life,,,build your own puter!

 

Yeah the new vista thing is a bunch of BS and way over done. I had to get vista on my new laptop too. Very little of my software was compatable with vista so I reformated my brand new laptop with XP.

 

Hey Mort81 o' buddy. Chatted with docTY last night. Did he tell you "hi"?

That really stinks that you have to re-format a brand new puter to get it to use all the progies you've come to love. lol. I can't see buying anything new for at least a year or 2. I've heard so many negative things about Vista that I'm thinking about Mac or Linux. LOL. GOT Windows XP? Should be the slogan now. LOL.

@FredBun,
Don't be afraid. If I can do it so can anybody. lol. I had a lot of trouble too. Got it sorted with the help of my friends and up an running like a normal human now. lol. Really one thing to remember, well maybe more but one for sure. BUY reliable proven good quality components and your life will be easier because of it. LOL. Speaking from experience here, take my word for it. I think that everyone that has tried to do this thing on his/her own will admit to making a bad purchase here or there but let these people help you pick your components and you almost can't go wrong. Be sure to give some sort of budget along with your requests, it makes things much easier on the person helping.

Man i've said enough. lol.

....gm

 

Alright so I'm building a comp. and I need to know if the setup I have chosen is the best I can get for that money.

- Asus M2V-MX motherboard
- AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 2.0GHz Dual Core Processor
- ATI Radeon Sapphire X1600 pro 512MB
- 320GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
- Sony 18XDVD+R/RW
- MicroX MidTower
- 450W Power Supply
- 80mm Case Fan
- Heatsink & Fan
- Logitech keyboard & mouse
- 17" LCD monitor
- 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
$870

Bear in mind I've never built a computer before so I'll take any feedback

 

I wanted to post a couple of screen shots of PC Probe II to let you guys see what she looks like. lol.

big window version

small window version

@accordlx,
Give me a few minutes and I'll see what I can do. Lp531 or Mort81 may better serve you but I'll give it the old college try.

 

accordlx,

A couple of suggestions. Intel core 2 duo is the best bang for the buck. Even the bottom end C2D's like the E4300 or E6300 will out perform most AMD dual core offerings especially when OC'ed. Less money too.

If you can swing it, go with a nvidia 7600GT instead of the X1600 Pro. Price should be pretty comparable.

Asus P5N-E seems to be a popular mid priced mobo.

 

accordlx,
you might be a little more specific with your choices. Listen to Mort81 he knows his stuff. If you can give us some links to the parts you have picked or more info on what your thinking will make your build.

....gm

 

Alright so what about this:
- Biostar P4M890-M7 PCI-E mobo
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
- 1GB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz
- Western Digital 320GB 7200rpm HD
- ATI Radeon Sapphire X1600 Pro 512MB
- Sony 16X DVD+R/RW
- Windows XP Pro X64
- Spire Case
- Spire Heatsink & Fan
- 80mm Case Fan
- MicroX 450W Power Supply
- Logitech Keyboard & Mouse
- 17" LCD & speakers
- $840

 

accordlx,
I did some research today and found these deals at newegg.com. I like newegg.com because the price is normally good but the service in my book is 2nd to none. I'll post a link to the cart that I created but I don't know if it will show up. It totals before S&H $978 with $80 in MIR. Pretty good deal for the money. I included a good psu, better mobo, 19" LCD, good case with easy mount hardware, 250GB HDD, LITEY burner (i like 'em), and an nVIDIA gpu (7600GT and somewhat better than the ATi card you picked). I hope that this helps in some way. If you have questions post them and we'll see what we can do. Before you buy, if you haven't already, get Mort81 and Lp531 to comment or add to this little venture. I really trust their judgment and opinions.

...gm

link to cart

GOOD LUCK and happy computing......;-)

 

yeah the cart is empty

can you tell me the specs so I can try and recreate it

 

accordlx,
Give me a couple of minutes and I'll post the cart by hand. Works on mine but I know why. lol.

....gm



LITE-ON 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model LH-18A1P-185 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106042
$30.99

COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119106
-$5.00 Instant
$49.99
$44.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822144417

$69.99

SCEPTRE X9g-Naga V Black 19" 8ms DVI LCD Monitor - Retail
Item #: N82E16824112177

-$10.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$189.99
$179.99

EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130062

$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$109.99

mushkin 550200 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817812002

-$10.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$99.99
$89.99

Logitech Cordless Desktop EX110 967561-0403 Black USB + PS/2 RF Wireless Standard Keyboard Mouse Included - Retail
Item #: N82E16823126174
$29.99

OCZ 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P8001GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227082

$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$97.99

ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131142

-$10.00 Instant
$149.99
$139.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115005

$185.00

Subtotal: $978.91

This amount does not reflect S&H charges or MIR's. This is not gospel either, like I said above you need to check with the other guys on this stuff. If I was constrained by $1000 this is almost what I would do myself. As you can tell I didn't include MS Win XP because I'm not to sure about XP 64 and the compatibility with other progies. I think is has some problems with gettin along with most of the progies out right now. Might be wrong on this but you might at least check on that. Again happing computing and good luck. ;-)

 

@accordlx
Intel is a better deal then AMD right now...Nvidia is a better deal the ATI right now...People here are just trying to get you the best bang for your buck...

In general if your going with an Intel CPU...you should go with an Nvidia Video Card...

In general if your going with an AMD CPU...you should go with an ATI Video Card...

I am a long time AMD & ATI fan...however...Intel and Nvidia is just the way to go right now...

People here will be glad to help you pick parts...and retailers out...
Where are you located?..
What is your budget?..
What are you going to do with computer?..

 

1. GA
2. less than $900
3. Play high-graphic games like Half-Life 2, burn DVDs, create documents on Flash MX pro, DVD-editing, etc

 

Actually if I go with that last setup on the bottom of the previous page and just change the video card to EVGA GeForce 7600GT 256MB it would save me $15 and I would still get a better video card.

 

Is the $900 a hard cap?..meaning you just cannot spend a penny more...and is that before?..or...after any rebates?..

 

read the last post I did on the previous page and change the video card to the one listed above, I'm pretty sure that's a good deal.

 

Case?..PS?..Memory?..HD?..Coolers?..Lots of different models...with different spec's

What are you looking for in a case...flashy?..or clean?..

If you could post links to actual items...with prices...that would be the biggest help...so we can compare...

 

Biostar P4M890-M7 PCI-E Motherboard w/ Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 1066MHz FSB Processor Combo - $300 www.PartsPc.com

Western Digital 320GB 7200rpm SATA2 16MB RAID Hard Drive - $103 www.PartsPC.com

EVGA GeForce 7600GT Video Card - $110 www.NewEgg.com

Sony 16X DVD+R/RW Black - $26.85 www.PartsPC.com

80mm Case Fan - $4.15 www.PartsPC.com

Spire SP-2009B Black/Silver Case - $36.65 www.PartsPC.com

Spire SP512S7 QuadroFlow V Socket LGA775 Heatsink & Fan - $16.70 www.PartsPC.com

MicroX 450W Power Supply - $12 www.PartsPC.com

1GB PC4200 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM - $63 www.EnetShopOnline.com

NEC 17inch LCD 1760V - $130 www.Azatek.com

Windows XP Pro X64 - $77 www.CietDirect.com

I already have a keyboard and mouse. but if I left anything out please let me know.