The (new) Official PC building thread!

@sarthak14,

Here is the link to the 8800 GTS I was talking about. If you go times 2 at $260 each that's $520 + Taxes. <After MIR>

And the link to the 8800 GTX. If you go 1 GTX at $540 + taxes. <After MIR>

I'm not advocating either method because I really don't know how these cards will do. I know how the 7600 GT will perform in SLi, well to be sure. I'm just giving you some options for now and trying to take advantage of the SLi board at a low cost. I truly think that you can use this combination for at least 5 years and the maturity level of the games will not exceed the capabilities of the SLi configuration. JM2C. ;-)

...gm

 

LP531
NIce Cars.
And Btw i mentioned Bout a Xtra USB PORT CARD well I jus saw that motherboard has 6 USB Ports and i think they are v2.0. so i dnt need more.

BTW Can i hav internal Bluetooth with these parts or jus gettin a bluetooth USB Dongle will be betta.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815124021
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833203014

Oh yaah also saw that motherboard has 2 normal pci sloTS So i can only add a wifi card and sound card and no more ? is this correct.
also ill be using Some Normal Creative 5.1 or 4.1 Speakers so do i need a sound card or will the internal one be good enough plus does the motherboard hav a line in port ??

Btw how much power do i need to power all the things
and for future upgrades like going SLI and adding Hardisks and rams.
Anyways waitin for your list.Ill be lukin at parts myself afta the 26th.Thats when my exams ends.

greensman
I still can decide whether to go wid a 8800 GTX nw and then Go SLI in the Future with two of em or go with 2 8800 GTS's nw.

Ya i still cant decide


Thanks for the help and cooperation thanks and waitn fr the list and anwsers LP531

 

@Lp531 , Love the Cuda Like that style of body! I always dreamed of getting a Hemi-Cuda when i was a kid, in (Panda Pink) no less! Rare cars nowadays hold on to it! /Unjust

 

@DocTY
So Doc is a Doc...I did not know...My brother did Med school at USC...Go Trojans...He then did 8 years in the Air Force...they paid for Medical School...He also did it so he could fly Jets...The pilots treat Doctors like God...They determine if the pilot's can fly...so the pilots will do...just about any thing...for their Doctor...He loved it...We love Airplanes in our family...BIG TIME...

@Crowy & Greensman
Just to stay on track... I don't want ddp getting mad...

For Air Cooling...The Cuda Case Works best for cooling...as long as all the parts stay on the roof as your making your 1/4 mile pass...some time the air pressure at 120mph can dislodge components...so make sure every thing is tight...

Now for Water Cooling...The USS Missouri...is an excellent choice...lots of metal...Works like a giant heat sink...You need lots of dialectic grease to keep the salt water out of the electrical circuits...You need to be very careful...Some times the prop...can damage components while trailing behind the ship...

@sarthak14
You do not need the usb expansion card...if you need more usb's...get a Hub...much more convenient anyways then going around back of case...

The power supply...should handle all the components just fine...so do not worry...you are future proof for more drives as the need arises...

 

Hi im pszczoll . I want to build a pc but my knowledge about building is equal 0. I need a lot help with that. My budget range is 1500-2000.
and i dont know where to start. Im not sure whats better amd or intel. sli mode or crossfire. ect.

 

Welcome to AD pszczoll, are we talking US $.
What is the main use that the PC will be put to (gaming, video editing, web browsing).
Do you have any parts you can already use in system such as monitor,keyboard, mouse (&anything else).
Do you have any software already (Windows, office etc..)
What ever the use, are there any particular applications that you want to be able to run (a particualr program or game).
Do you want to be able to upgrade the PC in the future, or just run it into the ground and buy another one when the time comes.
Do you want to overclock the system to get more for your money either now or in the future, or will you never attempt to do it.

All this will help to get a good parts list that is actually suitable for you're needs rather than just us giving a wish list we would like.

 

ok guys/girls i'm looking to build budget computer for a family member with in the next month or so .

heres what i have
monitor
keyboard
mouse
1 gb of ddr 400 (3200)
amd 3200+
dvd-rom drive
dvd-rw drive

so i need a case , motherboard, video card, psu.
heres what i was looking at
case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119114
motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131125
video card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143049
psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817128001

only looking to spend about 300- 400 dollars on this.
will all this work?

 

Lp531,

LOL!!!!

 

ok so the pc is gonna work more like media center (music. games. video.)
what i got is 19" hp p930. got logitech g5 mice. and logitech Z-5300e speakers. thats 7.1 . need gaming keyboard.

 

ok so the pc is gonna work more like media center (music. games. video.)
what i got is 19" hp p930. got logitech g5 mice. and logitech Z-5300e speakers. thats 7.1 . need gaming keyboard. I would like to run Vista Home Premium . (now i cant lol). The game Unreal Tournament 3. Future upgrade would be good if possible. and not sure about overclocking. if it is gonna be save why not.i also need to get Windows Vista. thats all about software that need to buy. and yes we talking US $.
The best i think would be list of prats that u would choose to fit the budget and build something worth using

 

I was asking my friends if someone would help me with building pc. but everyone just gave me bunch of web sites adresses and thats it. the one i got is ibuypower.com they got nice pc's but the next day i heard that that site isnt worth and theit machines are not made from cheap parts.

 

LP531

Thanks and ya do i really need 2 spend on a sound card as i am jus gnna buy a normal Creative 4.1 or 5.1 speaker set or just use the onboard Sound. And does the motherboard have an Audio LINE-IN Port?

Thanks man


PSZCZOLL

Will try to help you build your pc.

 

@redice

All looks well. But might I suggest a changes.

Video Card: I would go with the Radeon x1950GT over the 7600GT esp. since the x1950GT is less after rebate:

PSU: The Thermaltake should do the job just fine, save the money.

Do note that VIA 800 series chipsets are ones that require that a WinXP SP2 install disc. If you only have a SP1 disc then you will need to do a slipstream procedure see here:

If you don't do this then you'll always run into a PCI.sys BSOD during installation.

 

@redice,
I'm with 6spdSER on the mobo. I had a mobo with the VIA chipset and had a terrible experience. If I can make a suggestion or change if you will. Try the ASUS A8N5X or the Foxxconn NF4SK8AA-8KRS. I personally have the ASUS and love it. My machine is very similar to the one your building and it does what I want it too. Nothing extreme but you wouldn't expect that with the "older" tech components.

Good luck with our project.

.....gm

 

@6spdSER

thanks for the help and i will look into the suggest. however i would like to wait and get other peoples views on the parts before i buy them.

 

@ greensman

i had looked at the ASUS A8N5X board afew months back when i was just looking around. however the one that you linked me to is opened box and with that being said i would much prefer a unopened box one. would you happened to know of another cheap site that has this board in stock because newegg is out of stock of the unopened ones?

on aside note i may also need you alls help when building it see as this is my first build but hey what better way to learn then to do it yourself right.

 

hello everyone,(wow look at all the people in here)

I have a dell Dimension 3000 that I put some money into and I want to put it into a nice new case.

The Cabinet form factor is Micro tower.

Is Micro tower the same a atx micro tower?

I was Reading some where that The dell 3000 has standard micro atx motherboard form factor boards.

Can anyone confirm that?

Will my Motherboard fit into any other case's?
If so please link me to a couple.

I feel dumb asking but I been wanting to do this for a long time and I just I can't figure it out.

I also was reading a couple places that They don't fit other case's.
(I'm getting mixed signals)

Thank you for your time

 

pszczoll here is a good parts list for you.

Main point is I am recommending Intel over AMD, is AMD’s just don’t perform as well as Intel’s at the moment and as such there’s no reason to buy an AMD system.
I am using Newegg, as I am in the UK and don't know too many other sites in the US, Newegg seems to have a mix of good stock, fair prices and good reputation.

Motherboard:
This is a quality board that performs very well, supports the latest kit and OC's extremely well.

ASUS P5B Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$178.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131045

CPU:
This is as good as it gets without spending stupid money, and will easily give 50% OC on that board giving you a 3.6GHz CPU for the price of a 2.4GHz CPU.
It is worth spending the extra money on this one rather than the lower models, as you get the 4MB dynamic cache, which seriously makes a difference in real world use.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor – Retail $313.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115003


Memory:
This is compatible with just about any board will work well with this board and allow a very easy OC with the memory matching the CPU speed.
Also for Vista and gaming you'll need 2GB of RAM, don't go for 1GB.

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory – Retail $194.00 – R$154.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590

Graphics:
Supports DX10 (Vista compatible) and will perform very well, you could look at a different card but this will handle all you'll throw at it.

GIGABYTE GV-NX88S320H-B-RH GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card – Retail $294.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125054

Case:
Personal choice really, but this will be built well, fit your board easily, also looks quite nice.

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – Retail $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

PSU:
Very good make, with high efficiency rating, and enough power to handle the system at both stock and OC load.

ENERMAX Liberty ELT620AWT ATX12V 620W Power Supply 90V~265V (Auto Adjusted) UL, cUL, TUV, CB – Retail $149.99 – R$134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194004

Soundcard:
Worth getting a soundcard, as the on the P5B the onboard is sound isn't too hot (its main downfall) but considering the other features of the board it is worth just living with it or fixing it via a card.

Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card – Retail $28.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102002

Hard Drive:
Again, it’s down to what you think you need, 250GB is large enough for most users without massive archives, and additional space can always be added later.

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive – OEM $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144701

Optical Drives:
DVD Burners is worth having, maybe look for a SATA interface version instead, but this will work well, another good cheap make is NEC, BenQ is another good make, very good make is Plextor.
DVD ROM is worth having as well, they normally read faster than the burners, will allow disk to disk copying and will save the burner for more specific use rather than wear it out.

LITE-ON Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE Burner – OEM $28.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106042


LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM ATAPI/E-IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SHD-16P1S - OEM $17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106028

Keyboard:
There may well be others, you're better off looking at gaming review sites and seeing what keyboard gamers recommend, and then searching for that.

Creative Fatal1ty White & Black 104 Normal Keys USB Slim Gaming Keyboard - Retail $49.99 – R£39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823200007

Floppy:
Still worth having a floppy, makes life very easy for BIOS loads and boot drivers.

NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model FD1231H-302 – OEM $5.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16821152005

Windows:
OEM is just the disk with serial, no direct support or manuals (who needs it) rumours are that Vista OEM will only be activated on 1 machine unless you are good at blagging.
If you change PC in the future then you'll need another licence.
Still the price difference makes it worth going OEM over retail.

Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD – OEM $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116202

 

I understand your concern and I wouldn't have mentioned it but this is newegg.com and I trust their service and products. I also found the parts that you may need for the mobo if they don't come with them. I know this may set you back a few days but it may be worth the change in mobo's and quality you get for your money. JM2C here.

link to ASUS parts list for A8N5X

Just something to consider. ;-)
Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't come with the I/O plate and maybe the driver CD. I think you can dl those anyway. Anyone with more experience kick in here. TIA for that.

@BigDK,
You remind me of docTY and how he handles things. (btw that's a good thing....hehehe) Great post for pszczoll!

BigDK here is a short list that is used by some of the PC builder guys here in the States. It's by no means comprehensive but it gives you some other places to hunt. ;-)

newegg.com of course
tigerdirect.com
zipzoomfly.com
svc.com
coolerguys.com
directron.com

And what ever these guys may add later. lol.

...gm