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building my first computer! im gonna need lots of help!


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#1
Better_Than_Justin

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ok so here is what i want to build.. i want a super fast gaming computer, but also reliable for everyday use for just browsing the net, or email or w/e, and doing schoolwork. im thinking i might want to make it dual boot with mac os x and vista.. is this not smart to do on my first computer? is it alot harder?

i really dont even know where to start with building my new computer, but i'll start looking at parts and get a general idea of prices, models, brands ect. i am going to start to put together a list of pieces, and if you could tell me if that would work/ work great/ catch on fire/ ect. that would be great! thanks

o and btw whats the best parts buying site that you know of? or would it be cheaper to buy everything at a local bestbuy?

thanks!

Edited by Better_Than_Justin, 26 May 2007 - 12:36 PM.

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#2
james_8970

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Don't buy at best buy.
www.newegg.com is the site you'll want.

Dual boot with OSX and vista is impossible if your building. Don't get an apple computer if you want a high end gaming computer, since you can't upgrade and Apple isn't known for gaming. That's more windows.
James
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#3
computerspecialist101

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the site that i like the best is www.tigerdirect.com. they have the best cheap reliable parts that you can get.
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#4
jrm20

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Newegg tends to be cheaper for almost all parts in general but tigerdirect is cheaper when it comes to the barebones systems which you wont be needing.

For the same motherboard at both places newegg is usually atleast $10 cheaper on the same exact motherboard model and they even throw in a mail in rebate Sometimes on top of the already $10 instant rebate..
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#5
james_8970

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Just to echo what jrm20 has already mentioned they tend to be cheaper without the needed hassles that are associated with mail in rebates, they still have them but arnet as widly used as tiger. However check both sites for sales and such because one will always have a better price over the other. Before I purchase anything I check 4 sites, every 5 dollars makes a difference in the end.
James
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#6
Better_Than_Justin

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thanks for the help, im looking around trying to decide what i want now
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#7
UV_Power

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One piece of advice...

An uncommonly told, yet highly crucial, fact about building a gaming machine: Make sure you do not skimp on the power supply. Whatever video card you search for (my suggestion for gaming is the 8800 or 7900 depending on your budget) make you you have a nice power supply to back it up. When it comes to power supplies, make sure you have the right wattage (500W should do it or 600W if you want to SLi) but also make sure you have at least 20A on the +12V channel for best performance and stability. Also, to find the best parts, Newegg usually has the best prices and hassle-free to work with, but I really like the reviews. You can get tons of reviews about most products you see on Newegg.

Whatever you decide on, I agree with james_8970. Check out more than one site for prices, but also check out more than one site for reviews as well (to weed out the biases :blink: )

That should get you started... Good luck. :whistling:
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#8
james_8970

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but also check out more than one site for reviews as well (to weed out the biases :whistling: )

Yeah, there seems to be to many of those. I find you can never find out the truth behind ATI's hardware because of many leaning towards Nvidia. Got to hate bribing as well, I can only guess how much of that goes around. Intel comes to mind.
James
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#9
Better_Than_Justin

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This is a lot harder that i thought it would be. I'm comparing motherboards right now, and i don't know how to decide whats more important. For example, is an agp slot a lot better to have if your looking at gaming, or is it not that big of a deal to just use a pci. and is there anything that would end up holding me back in the future from upgrading it? well, to help me start off, is there any brand of things that i just shouldn't look at, as that would help me rule out a few, and also, is it true that overall AMD motherboards are better for gaming? hmm i'll keep doing research...


so yea dual boot is impossible if you build? why? My brother has a mac, and i really like macs setup for just browsing the net, checking mail, and doing schoolwork, but i like windows for its gaming capabilities, and its just what im used to i guess.. just wondering how store bought can dual boot but not built. thanks

Edited by Better_Than_Justin, 01 June 2007 - 12:57 PM.

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#10
james_8970

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I have never heard of a motherboard being better for gaming, I have heard this a few time but you must remember it doesn't matter how good the motherbaord is at gaming, if you don't have a good CPU who cares about the motherboard.

You don't want AGP or PCI for your graphics card, you want PCI-e or PCI-x (both stand for the same thing, PCI express). If you get AGP for your graphics you won't see any high end graphics cards in the future as it'll become a large bottleneck, also AGP cards are more expensive and very difficult to find. I strongly suggest you look at Intel, because of you budget fits it right as well as you want to overclock. Also like warriorscot has already mention look at P35 chipset motherboards, there are very few right now, but in the coming days there are to be much more. The formal release is said to be tomorrow, though I find it hard to believe because I have yet to see new hardware released on a saturday. But anything is possible.

Because if you want to dual boot you need to buy a mac, if you want a mac then you can't build your computer. If you buy a mac you can't upgrade in the future. What I'm saying is that it's illegal to install a mac OS onto a home built computer.

James
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#11
Better_Than_Justin

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oh, i didnt know that it is illegal.. my bad.. ok well if you cant tell, i pretty much dont know anything about hardware and what i need for a computer, but you guys are helping alot. so i guess i'll just wait till tomarro and look at the new boards that come out, if they do.

i cannot find a p35 chipset for sale, everything is a "first look" at the it.. hmm any suggestions
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#12
james_8970

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Tiger is selling them.
http://www.tigerdire...e...&image1.y=9
Go newegg and type p35, I'm sure they're selling them as well.
James
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