[Jaba the Hut]

Well i want a computer that has plentiful ram, mine is 512 right now and i would prefer a gig. I enjoy playing computer games so want a system that will have great graphics. I've heard of the new game called crysis that runs DX9 or DX10, anyone know if these are good cards?

I do a lotta work on my comp (college) so need all microsoft stuff...excel/word/PwrPt and have a few other designing programs i wouldn't mind having on my comp like MDSolids/Pro-Engineer/AutoCAD...So i want my comp to run up to par if i were to put a few other programs on like these and not have it slow down.

What i really hate is when i am playing a game/watching a movie on my comp and press start to minimize and it takes about 3-4 minutes for my comp to get back into gear and i'm able to click on icons and such...my roomys computer (XPS i think) when u press minimize automatically minimizes and within seconds u are ready to do whatever you want on the desktop.

As of right now I have a Dimension 3000 with a GeFORCE 5500 graphics card and i basically want more. As i said before i'm willing to spend near 800 as i am a poor college student but wish to have a descent computer for my last year of college and a computer that will last and be able to have the capabilities to upgrade for the next 5 years.

Any suggestions for starting out as i know jack crap about building a computer, roomate is a computer engineer so he can help me with that. All i need is a good start of what components i need to start this up, what type of CPU/MB/...etc that could handle what i'm going to be doing.


Thanks a lot
Jaba

So far here are some ideas as for cards and such:

Graphics/Video Cards:

- DIAMOND X1950PRO512PCIE Radeon X1950PRO 256-bit GDDR3 Video Card
- BFG Tech GeForce 7800GS BFGR78256GSOC Video Card

Burners:

- NEC Black 18X DVD±R Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write - OEM
- LG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model GSA-H42N-BK - OEM

No ideas for cases and/or fans

Hard Drives:

- Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
- HITACHI Deskstar T7K500 320GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Input devices..not a clue maybe wali-world i'll get something cheap

Memory not a clue

Have a Samsung SyncMaster 204B Monitor right now so think i'm good there since i just got it as a gift not too long ago

Again motherboards i don't know and really don't know about what i put above i just saw the ones at newegg that had the best reviews for the prices.

Edited by Jaba the Hut, 28 February 2007 - 11:08 AM.

[Advertisements]

A real deal on a coolermaster case right now. $35 +$16 shipping.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119047

It doesnt matter what CPU you use, AMD is just as good as Intel and these 2 really match each other.

Conroe 2.13 $221
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115004

AMD Athlon X2 5000 $215
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103030

For motherboards it depends on the CPU. I like intel MB's for intel CPU's but they can be a bit expensive. My next choice for both processors is the Gigabyte boards.I have used Abit, MSI, FIC, and a few others with no problems. Ones i do not like is the Asus boards as i have had too many with problems to trust them.I do not like trying to explain to a customer that he cannot have his computer because i had to RMA the motherboard.Prices are all close in the $100-150 range.

Intel gigabyte board
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128012

AMD Biostar Nforce 4
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813138041

Along with some new memory to match the motherboard you have spent almost $500 here, and along with the nec drive($35), Nvidia graphics card($210), HD($95), your Expense is just over $800.

I get fans at these places.

http://www.directron.com/casefans.html

http://www.nexfan.com/

SRX660

[SRX660]

A real deal on a coolermaster case right now. $35 +$16 shipping.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119047

It doesnt matter what CPU you use, AMD is just as good as Intel and these 2 really match each other.

Conroe 2.13 $221
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115004

AMD Athlon X2 5000 $215
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103030

For motherboards it depends on the CPU. I like intel MB's for intel CPU's but they can be a bit expensive. My next choice for both processors is the Gigabyte boards.I have used Abit, MSI, FIC, and a few others with no problems. Ones i do not like is the Asus boards as i have had too many with problems to trust them.I do not like trying to explain to a customer that he cannot have his computer because i had to RMA the motherboard.Prices are all close in the $100-150 range.

Intel gigabyte board
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128012

AMD Biostar Nforce 4
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813138041

Along with some new memory to match the motherboard you have spent almost $500 here, and along with the nec drive($35), Nvidia graphics card($210), HD($95), your Expense is just over $800.

I get fans at these places.

http://www.directron.com/casefans.html

http://www.nexfan.com/

SRX660

[Jaba the Hut]

i'm still really confused on how to tell what works with what?

I've been researching a bit at new egg, not exactly sure what i'm looking for? Could you by any chance make a list of what needs to be bought from scratch to a running quality comp?

All i see is a bunch of #'s and ports, not going to start building until late may->early june, i just want to start getting a feel of what i need to look for an what works with what and how to tell.

I know you start with a MB and make ur comp from there or so i heard, but i just don't know what any of the #s/ports mean.

Well thanks for the reply so far anyways.

[SRX660]

Hardware Parts needed

1. Case (usually comes with a bag of screws for MB)
2. Motherboard (comes with data cables and other parts)
3. Processor (retail comes with fan)
4. Memory
5. cd or dvd drives ( only really need a DVD-RW)
6. Video card( needed fro better graphics)
7. Sound Card(some MB's have on-board)
8. Floppy Drive (optional anymore, not needed)
9. Monitor
10. Keyboard
11. Mouse
12. Speakers

Software needed
1. Operating system (usually Windows)
2. other software for doing anything with the computer. Windows is just the system the software for really doing anything runs on.

All that can cost you between $500 and $5000 depending on the quality and quantity you want for everything. Building your own is more expensive than buying off the shelf computers but you get better quality hardware.

Every 6 months i build myself a new computer to keep up with the hardware changes. I do not buy top of the line. I buy better than my last purchase which sometimes is the top of the line. I usually end up spending ftom $1000 to 1500 for the computer. Prices have been going up lately so my last build cost $1900. I keep computers for about 2 years and then sell them to recoup some costs. My average old computer sells is $500 to 700 because its still better than 99% of the big brand computers sold at stores. I do have a list of people that want me to call them when i have a newer computer for sale.

SRX660

[Hemal]

Personally, in my opinion, I wouldnt even bother spending that much on the high end conroe- getting a 4300 or a 4400 should overclock to even higher speeds for a fraction of the price.

For Ram- I would recommend 2 gig, especially if you are looking to upgrade this to vista anytime soon but 1 gig should be proficiant

A good mobo and those 2 componnents above can run to be about 500 (with 2 gig). Slap on a decent case with a dvd drive and a harddrive for another 100-150 and get a decent video card for around 150 and that should do it. Prices in the summer should come down from what they are now a tiny bit.

Happy hunting

[james_8970]

Just to point this out, there is a rumor circulating right now that on april 22 intel is dropping the price of all C2D's, ranging from 40% on the high end to 12% on the lower end.
Also, ATI is releasing their new R600 card in May, this card however has been delayed 3 times i think now, originally to be launched in December. However NVidea is planning to release the 8600 series (their own lower end DX10 GPU's), ATI will be releasing their DX10 series card all on the same month now.
Thought it was worth mentioning.
If your looking into Crysis you want nothing less then a DX10 card.
Alot is going to change between now and May/June (i'm also building at this time), if you plan on building yourself begin reading everything and anything you can get your hands on. Expect prices to change quite significantly in this time frame.
James

Edited by james_8970, 02 March 2007 - 11:55 PM.

[Jaba the Hut]

Hardware Parts needed

1. Case (usually comes with a bag of screws for MB)
2. Motherboard (comes with data cables and other parts)
3. Processor (retail comes with fan)
4. Memory
5. cd or dvd drives ( only really need a DVD-RW)
6. Video card( needed fro better graphics)
7. Sound Card(some MB's have on-board)
8. Floppy Drive (optional anymore, not needed)
9. Monitor
10. Keyboard
11. Mouse
12. Speakers

Software needed
1. Operating system (usually Windows)
2. other software for doing anything with the computer. Windows is just the system the software for really doing anything runs on.

Thanks this is exactly what i needed to see.

Every 6 months i build myself a new computer to keep up with the hardware changes. I do not buy top of the line. I buy better than my last purchase which sometimes is the top of the line. I usually end up spending ftom $1000 to 1500 for the computer. Prices have been going up lately so my last build cost $1900. I keep computers for about 2 years and then sell them to recoup some costs. My average old computer sells is $500 to 700 because its still better than 99% of the big brand computers sold at stores. I do have a list of people that want me to call them when i have a newer computer for sale.

SRX660

maybe if i get lazy or just can't build one i'll give ya a PM

Edited by Jaba the Hut, 05 March 2007 - 10:54 AM.

[james_8970]

Please post here as more people can help and learn from your possible mistakes. Remember we are all volunteers and it's a lot to ask for someone to research a complete build.
James

[Jaba the Hut]

Please post here as more people can help and learn from your possible mistakes. Remember we are all volunteers and it's a lot to ask for someone to research a complete build.
James

not asking him to build it, he just stated that he sells his old comps he built in previous years to ppl on this site sometimes...don't worry not gonna ask someone to build it for me

btw good news...i got some input from family (22nd b-day is in august) might be able to jump the price to 1000-1100, but no further. I'll put my ideas down later on (@ work now so don't have time) and let me know whatcha guys think)

Here it is:

Case:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811208021

DVD/CD-Drive:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827131039

Hard Drive:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148140

Memory:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820220144

MB:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131028

Processor:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115013

Video Card:
Waiting on DX10...possibly dual core one i think is what it is.


Again i'm a noob at this, basically looking at what had the best reviews and a good price area for me.

Comment as harsh as u want.

Edited by Jaba the Hut, 09 March 2007 - 09:22 PM.

[SOORENA]

Nice things you listed I would suggest getting this for memory. It is a much better brand and also you'll save some money. This is the same brand but its Gold Edition, I'm not sure what the difference is but I've heard that the first one is better.

Edited by SOORENA, 12 March 2007 - 01:41 PM.

[jrm20]

You need to get a power supply also, I have tons of research in my head and this is the best quality power supply for the price. Its a good price of only $89.99.. Remember do not get a cheapo power supply that has low amps on the rails. This Hiper power supply I picked out is very good and has really good amps on all of the rails including the 12Volt rails which is good if you wanted a high end video card that requires alot of power.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817128002


The difference between the 2 memory sets that SOORENA listed would be the Timings on them and the voltage.

The platinum has some weird timings and the gold has more constant timings throughout. Take a look at the Corsair xms2 ddr2 800 ram also before you buy some ram.


Asus motherboards are not my favorite but when you get a working one it will run fine. They do have below than average DOA failure rate. DOA is Dead on arrival.

[Jaba the Hut]

Personally, in my opinion, I wouldnt even bother spending that much on the high end conroe- getting a 4300 or a 4400 should overclock to even higher speeds for a fraction of the price.

For Ram- I would recommend 2 gig, especially if you are looking to upgrade this to vista anytime soon but 1 gig should be proficiant

A good mobo and those 2 componnents above can run to be about 500 (with 2 gig). Slap on a decent case with a dvd drive and a harddrive for another 100-150 and get a decent video card for around 150 and that should do it. Prices in the summer should come down from what they are now a tiny bit.

Happy hunting

thanks for the input. not sure about vista just yet, but i guess a 2 gig would be nice...since right now i have 512

[james_8970]

Just a heads up, I know new operating systems can be a pain but there is one issue that i'm beginning to read over and over again regarding Vista and you'd think Microsoft would have thought of this.....but they didn't. The problem being that if you have/had XP and then get the upgrade DVD or CDs every time you'd need to reinstall vista, you'd have to install XP over it and then Vista over that. It could and is becoming a huge pain considering once you install vista of the XP CD the serial code for XP expires so there is no going back and wanting support on that operating system (xp).

For new builds I'd always go with Vista, even though it's got a few bumps right now, by the time summer roles around the field should be very different with thing such as driver support and system stability (not much of an issue if any with vista).

James

Edited by james_8970, 16 March 2007 - 06:55 PM.

[Jaba the Hut]

KK think this is the final shopping list. i'm not 100% sure, but think everything works together. Tell me what u guys think, still gonna probably wait another month to see if the prices go a bit down, and not quite sure on a hard drive to get. but here it it:

Case:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119068

Memory:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145566

Hard Drive:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148140

vid card:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130038

MoBo:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813121059

CPU:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115005

Op System:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116196

DVD Drive:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827136108

PSU

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182045


Alright this is so far final, waiting for the prices to go down and that' it.

Edited by Jaba the Hut, 25 March 2007 - 08:15 PM.

[james_8970]

Wait till may to build, R600 and Nvidea's 8600 is coming out and at the end of april both intel and AMD are cutting prices pretty drastically to continue the price wars. In other words you'll want a different graphics card and you'll get a better CPU at the same price.
You'll need a harddrive to boot your computer You might want to adjust a few things for that to fit into your budget.
James