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First time building a computer


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#1
bwiz

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Hey guys,

im building a computer for the first time, trying to get a little more bang for my buck than last time i bought at a retail place.

ive been looking around on websites like tigerdirect and such (im in canada btw), but honestly i cant realy tell whats good. im hoping you guys can help me out. i look at all these pieces of hardware and it turns out i dont know enough about them :whistling:. im hoping you guys can show me to some quality parts, at a decent price. im looking to spend $1000~ canadian on my computer itself. i want to build the computer for gaming, as mines not able to keep up with the newer games anymore. mice keyboards and all the peripheral stuff i dont need help with, just the computer itself.

ive been looking at things like this http://www.tigerdire...p;Sku=V133-9201

the barebones systems seem more managable to me as theres less guess work involved, but any help would be appreciated.

maybe i just havent done enough research, but id like to be pointed in the right direction at least :blink:

thanks alot in advance
brent

Edited by bwiz, 14 August 2007 - 01:53 PM.

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#2
jackflash1991

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Well what games exactly? Do you want the newest top of the line games or just slightly newer games like counterstrike.
Tell me the kinds of games that you are looking forward to buying and I might have a better idea of what you are talking about.

Here are a couple of the top of the line (meaning need a good computer) games that are coming out.

*Halo 2/3
*Personal favorite at the moment: Battlefield 2142
*Crysis
*And the one a can't wait for: World in Conflict
Take a look at some trailers and see if you want to get these awesome games or if you are happy with lower demanding games like counterstrike and stuff.
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#3
bwiz

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well i play bf2142 right now, as well as world of warcraft

i wanted to play 2 worlds but my computer cant handle it, im also going to be playing warhammer online when it comes out.

main thing i want help with is, how do i know which parts are good for what, what kind of things should i be looking for in parts.
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#4
Troy

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That barebones looks expensive! I think you could get better parts for the same price, we can help you with that no problem. When you go looking for parts, obviously it's important to make sure everything is compatible. Things like motherboard size and case size, cpu socket and graphics card and ram all fit with the selected motherboard, power supply able to give enough power to all components (and then some)...

Also, you are much better off looking for quality brand-names, even though it will be a bit more expensive they usually last much longer/are better quality/have better customer support/have better warranties...

EDIT: I couldn't find how to save it, but I made a quick system using TigerDirect website, it comes to $1007.

O451-1000 :: Sony NEC Optiarc SuperMulti (AD-7170A) OEM DVD Burner - 18x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD±RW, 8x DVD-R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW, Black, No Software
1 $32.97

A177-3146 :: ATI Radeon X1950 Pro / 256MB GDDR3 / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / CrossFire Ready / Video Card
1 $239.99

TSD-250AS7 :: Seagate / Barracuda 7200.10 / 250GB / 7200 / 16MB / Serial ATA-300 / NCQ / OEM / Hard Drive
1 $93.99

O261-8070 :: OCZ Platinum Revision-2 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 x 1024MB)
1 $119.97

CP2-DUO-E6550 :: Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 2.33GHz / 4MB Cache / 1333MHz FSB / Conroe / Dual-Core / OEM / Socket 775 / Processor
1 $239.99

T925-1177 :: ThermalTake / PurePower W0100RU / 500-Watt / ATX 2.0 / 120mm Fan / 20/24-Pin / SATA-Ready / PCI-E Ready / Power Supply
1 $79.99

C283-1002 :: Cooler Master Centurion 5 - Silver ATX Mid-Tower Case with Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports
1 $53.99

I69-2148 PROMO :: Intel DP35DPM Intel Socket 775 ATX Motherboard with FREE Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII PC Game
1 $146.99


Edited by ruthandtroy, 16 August 2007 - 10:48 PM.

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#5
jackflash1991

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Im not a big fan of the ATI Radeons. Right now ATI does not have that good of video cards. If you are going to get a new computer I would get a card that is DirectX 10. For a good card that will not have to be replaced in the near future I would go for the 8800GTS 320MB for $250 at newegg: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150171

The OCZ RAM seems a little overkill. OCZ is great RAM but I am guessing that Bwiz will not really need that premium RAM.
Do you overclock your RAM Bwiz? If not I would not worry about what brand you buy. But I do agree with getting 2GBs.

I agree with any Intel Core 2 Duo. Any version I think will do.

The power supply I would think of last. Once you chose all of your components we can see how much they will consume. I kinda like Antec power supplies.

Motherboard mostly just has to meet your components. And I would make sure you have an extra PCI-E slot so you have the option to run dual video cards instead of having to replace it. If you get an nvidia card I would just get an 650i Nvidia SLI Motherboard.
http://www.tomshardw...oards_compared/

The case is your preference mostly. I like to get bigger ones because you don't have to worry about things not fitting as much.

And for the OS I would get Vista home premium.

And some links for you:
http://www.tomshardw..._for_the_money/

Edited by jackflash1991, 18 August 2007 - 11:43 AM.

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#6
Troy

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Right now ATI does not have that good of video cards.

I think this comes down to personal opinion, but both ATI and Nvidia make very good cards.

For a good card that will not have to be replaced in the near future I would go for the 8800GTS 320MB for $250 at newegg: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150171

I cannot find the card anywhere near that cheap in Canadian $$$. After a quick look, the cheapest I can find is about $350. This is, though, an excellent card.

If not I would not worry about what brand you buy.

I would worry, you'll find that you will get better performance for longer with something like I have recommended. The warranty usually is much better, also. This is true for any component, not just the RAM.

The power supply I would think of last. Once you chose all of your components we can see how much they will consume. I kinda like Antec power supplies.

This is true, it was just a suggestion as part of a build example. Antec make very good power supplies, as do Silverstone, Thermaltake, Sea Sonic, PC Power and Cooling...

And I would make sure you have an extra PCI-E slot so you have the option to run dual video cards instead of having to replace it.

I have to admit I didn't really like the Intel motherboard, but for price and lack of range on the www.tigerdirect.ca website, it seemed about the best. If you never plan on running SLI, there's no reason to waste extra money for an SLI-capable motherboard.
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#7
jackflash1991

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The ATI cards with DirectX 10 just don't meet up to the performance value of the Nvidias. If you are just getting DirectX 9 I think they are good but I was suggesting mainly to get a DirectX 10 card.

I thought newegg ships to Canada now. IDK maybe I am wrong.

I guess your right about the RAM but I still think OCZ is like the Cadillac of RAM and is a little overkill for a cost efficient gaming PC.

That is what I thought about SLI and now I am stuck with my crappy motherboard and I have to keep replacing my video card and sell em on ebay.


PS: I don't mean to bust your balls about all that crap Ruthandtroy.

Peace
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#8
Troy

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Sure no worries, we're just bantering about parts, all in the name of getting a better system for bwiz. :whistling: Nonetheless...

I also agree that a DX10 card would be better for gaming, but given bwiz's budget in Canadian $$$ I'm not sure if we can fit one in. Also it seems to be that with the Catalyst 7.7 driver release (7.8 is out now), the ATI HD 2900XT card's performance has really picked up, so again I would argue either way with the brands... Both will give good performance!

I have no idea about shipping, I just thought www.newegg.com was USA only in price, so the www.tigerdirect.ca prices were more on-par. I'm trying to help from Australia, for crying out loud! I also never bother with shipping myself, I order online from someone who has a local shop and then pick it up. I hate the idea of shipping...

RAM depends on deals you can find at the time, but good brands are Kingston, OCZ, Crucial, Mushkin, Geil, , Corsair, amongst a few others that escape my mind at present. Above all else, avoid generic brands.

When it comes to motherboards and SLI, you usually will find one good card will give excellent performance. For the price/performance ratio, SLI (or Crossfire) is just far too expensive. I'm guessing that your (jackflash1991's) 8800GTS is going to be bottlenecked by your Pentium D anyway, so I would hope your next upgrade would be a new motherboard with better chipset and Core 2 processor.

By the way, bwiz: how are we going, are we helping you? Please ask questions/make comments...
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#9
jackflash1991

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Yeah everyone keeps on saying that the Pentium D is bottlenecking it but when I play my battlefield 2142, I never use 100% of the CPU. Maybe these new games will push it over the edge. :whistling:
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#10
Titan8990

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Try it with GRAW. It's very processor intensive.

Edited by Titan8990, 19 August 2007 - 06:12 AM.

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#11
bwiz

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thanks so much for all the imput guys! your helping so much and i actualy know the basic model for what im going to get now :whistling:

the only thing im realy confused about is if i should go with an nvidia or radeon card.

CPU: http://www.canadacom...d...&cid=CPU.84

Mobo: http://www.canadacom...d...&cid=MB.157

Ram: http://www.canadacom...amp;cid=RAM.835

PSupply: http://www.canadacom...d...&cid=PS.808

Writer: http://www.canadacom...d...&cid=CR.184

HD: http://www.canadacom...d...4&cid=HD.96

Case: http://www.tigerdire...842#detailspecs

(ive been going with mostly canada computers since it seems to be a bit cheaper, and theres one nearby me so i dont have to ship them)

as for video card im kind of lost. i was going to go with: http://www.canadacom...amp;cid=999.243

but i was also under the impression that nvidia was a little better. but then the problem lies that the 8800 card is REALY PRICEY!, is there a more equivalent (in price) card from nvidia that would run better than this card? or should i just stick with it.

also if theres anything else in the build you dont like, let me know :blink: (as for the ram i think id rather stick with the OCZ even if it is a little overkill, i think it'd help me in the long run.)

thanks guys
brent

Edited by bwiz, 19 August 2007 - 10:47 AM.

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#12
jackflash1991

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If you do not plan to play the new and cool DirectX 10 games and just stay with the DirectX 9 games then that card is fine. But if you want to be able to play any new game that comes out I would get a DirectX 10 card Nvidia or ATI. I would upgrade to DirectX 10 now so you wont have to do it later down the road and end up buying two cards (a DirectX 9 and 10) instead of just getting a DirectX 10 from the start.

Here is another article for you: http://www.tomshardw...dx10/index.html

PS: What OS have you decided on Vista home premium, XP, whatever.
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#13
bwiz

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god [bleep], now i want to get the 8800GTS lol!

its gonna put my computers price up by 150 on its own :whistling: but i suppose its going to be worth it if games are gonna start coming out in directx10, i was not aware that this was happening so thanks for giving me the heads up.

as for OS i suppose just windows vista basic. (also can the rest of my system support such a powerfull card? or will it just bottleneck)

thanks again
brent

edit: few more quick questions, about sli, sli is 2 videocards running at once am i right? and you need both videocards and motherboard to support it? how much does sli actualy help? thanks

Edited by bwiz, 19 August 2007 - 06:22 PM.

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#14
jackflash1991

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Yes two of the same cards running at once. One card runs the left side of the screen and the other runs the right side of the screen. And yes you need a SLI supported board probibly a 650i motherboard would be best.
I posted this like before but here it is again.
http://www.tomshardw...oards_compared/

And SLI doubles the performance. 2x cards = 2x performance. It is basically for when your card gets outdated and it just doesn't have enough juice for a new game and runs slow. So you just pop in another of the same card and the performance is doubled. Instead of having to replace the card you just add one. And also the card will be a lot cheaper because it is outdated.
You can understand it better with some of the demos on the site:
http://www.slizone.c...zone_learn.html

PS: I would go with Vista home premium because Vista home basic does not have anything really. I am going to upgrade soon to home premium soon also. I think the home basic crap is all a scam because once you get it you are all disappointed and have to upgrade online and pay an extra $80.

PSS: You want the 8800GTS 320MB right, not the 640mb?

Edited by jackflash1991, 19 August 2007 - 07:25 PM.

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#15
bwiz

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alright good info about vista thx.

ive been doing a little looking around and reading about the nvidia cards, it seems i could get a 8600gts, how would that be in comparison to the 8800gts.

8600: http://www.canadacom...d...&pid=013507

its a realy good price so it would be awesome if its a good card. apparently its directx10 ready, the main reason you guys suggested the 8800, cept its like 150~ cheaper :whistling:

i was also looking at a motherboard like you suggested : http://www.canadacom...d...&cid=MB.157

so with that id have a sli motherboard for not too much more than i was looking at before, and a videocard for only 30 bucks more, what do you think? (id then have the option to go sli with two 8600's if i chose to in the future)

thanks again
brent

Edited by bwiz, 19 August 2007 - 09:58 PM.

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