Building a new computer, could use some help!

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
A

Anasazi

Junior Member
Sep 21, 2009
9
0
0
Hey there, this is my first time posting on these forums and I'm in need of some help. I haven't built a computer in a very long time and I am a bit out of the loop when it comes to the incredibly fast advancing technology. So if you could help me I would be thoroughly grateful.

If you do post what I should build on here, could you tell me a good place to order from? Is Newegg the place to go? If I left anything out, just let me know :). Thanks again.


1. I'll be using this computer for pretty much everything; school work, web browsing, but mostly gaming. World of Warcraft, Diablo III, SCII, etc. They will be the newer games to come out during the next few years

2. My budget will be 1200$-1500$

3. I plan on ordering from the USA unless I can get another good brand from a European country.

4. I'm an nVidia and Intel fanboy, other than that I have no preference.

7. I plan on running at default speeds

8. I would like to play at least 1920x1200 resolution

9. I'm not sure when to build. I could do it now, but would I save myself a chunk of change if I wait till the upcoming holiday season?
 
Nik

Nik

Lifer
Jun 5, 2006
16,101
3
56
Welcome to Anandtech.

Newegg is great for parts, yes. However, check places like gottadeal.com spoofee.com and bensbargains.net for periodic part specials (like cheap good-quality power supplies, etc).

Also consider pricewatch.com if you're buying individual parts as opposed to a pre-built system.

Consider how soon you need the computer versus when the sales are. Nobody can answer the "when" question as it's based on your own needs and opinion on value. There are, however, some most excellent sales on Black Friday but that's the end of November if you can wait that long.
 
A

Anasazi

Junior Member
Sep 21, 2009
9
0
0
Thats when I planned on waiting for. Was black friday, but could anyone tell me what parts to get?
 
M

Mr Fox

Senior member
Sep 24, 2006
876
0
76
Add a Case, and Hard Drives...

If You want to go SLI add a 850 Corsair PSU


Get a Full tower Case Like

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119160

SILVERSTONE KUBLAI Series KL03-BW Black 2.5mm aluminum front door, 0.8mm SECC body ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811163102

Cases are a personal preference kinda thing but you will appreciate the room inside the case having a huge Vid card

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor 280.00 (MicroCenter has for $200.00)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115202

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 250.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131359

EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail 230.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130475

BFG Tech BFGR650WGSPSU 650W ATX 12V 2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail 70.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817702018

mushkin 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 998677 130.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820226036
 
krnmastersgt

krnmastersgt

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2008
2,873
0
0
Originally posted by: Anasazi
Hey there, this is my first time posting on these forums and I'm in need of some help. I haven't built a computer in a very long time and I am a bit out of the loop when it comes to the incredibly fast advancing technology. So if you could help me I would be thoroughly grateful.

If you do post what I should build on here, could you tell me a good place to order from? Is Newegg the place to go? If I left anything out, just let me know :). Thanks again.


1. I'll be using this computer for pretty much everything; school work, web browsing, but mostly gaming. World of Warcraft, Diablo III, SCII, etc. They will be the newer games to come out during the next few years

2. My budget will be 1200$-1500$ Are you planning on spending this all in one lump sum or could you piece it out over an extended period of time?

3. I plan on ordering from the USA unless I can get another good brand from a European country.

4. I'm an nVidia and Intel fanboy, other than that I have no preference.

7. I plan on running at default speeds. Out of curiosity is it from fear of overclocking, can't be bothered to do it, or some other reason?

8. I would like to play at least 1920x1200 resolution Gonna have to be a tad more specific here, I'm assuming the above budget will include the price of a monitor so that might be an actual starting point for the system, along with the software/games

9. I'm not sure when to build. I could do it now, but would I save myself a chunk of change if I wait till the upcoming holiday season?Prices tend to drop the longer you wait, however if there's ever a bargain or something around, it'd be nice to jump on it assuming you know it won't be cheaper. As mentioned before Black Friday is usually one of the best times to pick up parts, but good sales pop up from time to time.
Click to expand...

I'm assuming school work would just encompass word docs and powerpoints so no real horsepower needed there, as with the web browsing. But you list 3 games and then etc., I'm more curious on what else you like playing, since the vast majority of games can do just fine with a good dual as opposed to quads, WoW on the other hand would definitely benefit from the extra cores.

Also like I asked in bold, do you have a reason to spend this all at once (like a relative/family member is paying for it) or could you instead just sort of put together a decent system for a few hundred bucks, then upgrade over time?

And then, you've decided on your monitor resolution but there are many sizes of LCD monitors that can give you that resolution, I'm assuming 22-24" but any size preference would be nice too.
 
A

Anasazi

Junior Member
Sep 21, 2009
9
0
0
To answer your questions krnmaster, I plan on spending this mostly in a lump sum, unless I spot some good deals, then I will pick up the parts. But I'd like to have it built by the holidays.

Well, I'm not very knowledgeable on over-clocking. I suppose I could and I do have a friend who knows how to do it. Lets say that I will overclock.

I'm shooting for a 22"-24" screen.

And I just pointed those out because those are the games I am waiting on to come out but there are obviously going to be other great games that come out and I just want to be ready.

Also, I am shooting for this upgrade because currently I'm using a very nice laptop but it is 3 years old. That is why I'm spending a bit of money on this build.
 
A

Anasazi

Junior Member
Sep 21, 2009
9
0
0
Originally posted by: Anasazi
Thats when I planned on waiting for. Was black friday, but could anyone tell me what parts to get?
Click to expand...

And thank you very much for the input Mr Fox. I do like everything you listed. Now tell me this, I was looking at the prices on the video cards and I see that I could get a 1792 MB video card for 10$ more than the one you listed. Whats up with that?

Thanks.
 
M

Mr Fox

Senior member
Sep 24, 2006
876
0
76
Then they have lowered the cost on that card very recently.... it was 290.00 the last time I checked it..
 
M

Mr Fox

Senior member
Sep 24, 2006
876
0
76
Originally posted by: Anasazi
So is it worth the upgrade then?
Click to expand...

If This is the card that you are talking about...... but it is still $290.00

EVGA 017-P3-1175-AR GeForce GTX 275 1792MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130476



It is an outstanding card...

You still have a monitor, hard Drives and an Operating System to buy

LG, and Samsung make the best LCD's
 
A

Anasazi

Junior Member
Sep 21, 2009
9
0
0
Well, I have the school to buy the operating system - cheap, Hard drives are cheap.. I have a large external, and monitor is covered.
 
S

ScorcherDarkly

Senior member
Aug 7, 2009
450
0
0
For your budget I wouldn't bother with a sound card. The onboard audio is pretty good on most mobos, and you have more important pieces to spend the cash on. Network card is necessary if you're going wireless, otherwise you can probably pass and spend the money elsewhere.
 
B

betasub

Platinum Member
Mar 22, 2006
2,677
0
0
Originally posted by: Anasazi
Hard drives are cheap.. I have a large external
Click to expand...

Try to choose a fast drive for your boot/OS - SSD might be out of your price range, but a modern fast 7200rpm drive, like a large WB Black (if you like the GB space), or a 10000rpm Raptor (if you don't need the GB space) will make life much nicer than some old, slow HDD.
 
E

ekoostik

Senior member
Sep 10, 2009
202
0
0
For my money I'd be tempted to go with the WD caviar black 640. Unless you know you'll need the extra space. The WD 1TB is $20 more expensive right now. Granted, it is also a better $$/GB buy. So if you know you'll need the space and don't want to add another drive later, 1TB may be the way to go.
Here's some options for the WD so you can compare yourself: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...201035424340&name=32MB

Also, as far as performance goes, the 1TB generally, but not always, beats the 640GB - depending on what is being measured. But the 640 is very competivie, almost equal in many cases: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com...hard-drive-review.html
 
krnmastersgt

krnmastersgt

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2008
2,873
0
0
Originally posted by: Mr Fox
Add a Case, and Hard Drives...

If You want to go SLI add a 850 Corsair PSU


Get a Full tower Case Like

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119160

SILVERSTONE KUBLAI Series KL03-BW Black 2.5mm aluminum front door, 0.8mm SECC body ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811163102

Cases are a personal preference kinda thing but you will appreciate the room inside the case having a huge Vid card

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor 280.00 (MicroCenter has for $200.00)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115202

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 250.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131359

EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail 230.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130475

BFG Tech BFGR650WGSPSU 650W ATX 12V 2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail 70.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817702018

mushkin 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 998677 130.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820226036
Click to expand...

Not saying Mr. Fox's list isn't a good choice of parts or anything, but I'm curious as to why a $250 motherboard when there are alternatives, just as good, for $100 less, such as this Foxconn FlamingBlade GTI LGA , or if you would prefer the Asus P6T series, the SE model is already $30 cheaper than the one linked above.

Also while the 275's a good card, I can't help but feel the 260 would be enough for the majority of your games, unless you intend to playing with all your settings as high as your card is gonna let you go. However, this is also probably the place where I'd sink the most money, if you don't plan on upgrading for a while.

Also for the price you're paying, I'd rather go with a PSU from a company known for their PSUs such as this Seasonic SS-500ET 500w would be a good alternative for the price, and 500w should be enough for the system you have specced out so far.

For memory, the link above is fine, but if you wanna save a bit extra you could opt for these from Crucial.

And as Fox said, the cases are indeed about aesthetics and how it appeals to you, but a good case should have a good airflow design regardless of how it looks. Personally I'd suggest either of these 2: the CM 690 or the Antec 900.

As I've said before, these prices might change, for better or for worse, by the time you're buying the parts for your system. Chances are though that they'll be lower, Black Friday still being your best chance in terms of sale prices.

So my new questions would be, what the other games you play/want to play are, since if they are very graphically intensive you might want to consider spending more on the video card(s) that you buy.
 
S

sunshinetechnology

Junior Member
Sep 25, 2009
7
0
0
M

Mr Fox

Senior member
Sep 24, 2006
876
0
76
Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
Originally posted by: Mr Fox
Add a Case, and Hard Drives...

If You want to go SLI add a 850 Corsair PSU


Get a Full tower Case Like

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119160

SILVERSTONE KUBLAI Series KL03-BW Black 2.5mm aluminum front door, 0.8mm SECC body ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811163102

Cases are a personal preference kinda thing but you will appreciate the room inside the case having a huge Vid card

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor 280.00 (MicroCenter has for $200.00)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115202

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 250.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131359

EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail 230.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130475

BFG Tech BFGR650WGSPSU 650W ATX 12V 2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail 70.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817702018

mushkin 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 998677 130.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820226036
Click to expand...

Not saying Mr. Fox's list isn't a good choice of parts or anything, but I'm curious as to why a $250 motherboard when there are alternatives, just as good, for $100 less, such as this Foxconn FlamingBlade GTI LGA , or if you would prefer the Asus P6T series, the SE model is already $30 cheaper than the one linked above.

Also while the 275's a good card, I can't help but feel the 260 would be enough for the majority of your games, unless you intend to playing with all your settings as high as your card is gonna let you go. However, this is also probably the place where I'd sink the most money, if you don't plan on upgrading for a while.

Also for the price you're paying, I'd rather go with a PSU from a company known for their PSUs such as this Seasonic SS-500ET 500w would be a good alternative for the price, and 500w should be enough for the system you have specced out so far.

For memory, the link above is fine, but if you wanna save a bit extra you could opt for these from Crucial.

And as Fox said, the cases are indeed about aesthetics and how it appeals to you, but a good case should have a good airflow design regardless of how it looks. Personally I'd suggest either of these 2: the CM 690 or the Antec 900.

As I've said before, these prices might change, for better or for worse, by the time you're buying the parts for your system. Chances are though that they'll be lower, Black Friday still being your best chance in terms of sale prices.

So my new questions would be, what the other games you play/want to play are, since if they are very graphically intensive you might want to consider spending more on the video card(s) that you buy.
Click to expand...



I never recommend anything that I don't have either hands-on experience with, or that has been used successfully by either my friends, or that the reviews on multiple trusted review sites are overwhelmingly positive....

The P6T I have have personal experience with, and have great confidence is recommending. Hard OCP gave that particular board a Gold Award...

However Foxconn is not what I would consider as a top tier company especially from a C/S warranty perspective. and it was not SLI capable, where as the P6T has great flexibility, and outstanding features and layout that the Foxconn cannot match...
.
BFG has Top Quality PSU's, and they have a Five Year Warranty Backing them.
The new units that have been added since Jonny went on staff there are as good as they get for the outlay.

When you buy a Full Tower Case, especially a good one, it stays with you.. the initial cost is higher, but you won't ever want to get rid of it after you see how much easier they are to build into.. The internal clutter is minimized.

To O/P with the time that you have you can watch the "Card Wars" and Judge for yourself.
I would also recommend highly that you research this whole build more yourself...
That way you are more comfortable, when the credit card bill comes !!






 
krnmastersgt

krnmastersgt

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2008
2,873
0
0
Originally posted by: Mr Fox
Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
Originally posted by: Mr Fox
Add a Case, and Hard Drives...

If You want to go SLI add a 850 Corsair PSU


Get a Full tower Case Like

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119160

SILVERSTONE KUBLAI Series KL03-BW Black 2.5mm aluminum front door, 0.8mm SECC body ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811163102

Cases are a personal preference kinda thing but you will appreciate the room inside the case having a huge Vid card

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor 280.00 (MicroCenter has for $200.00)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115202

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 250.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131359

EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail 230.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130475

BFG Tech BFGR650WGSPSU 650W ATX 12V 2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail 70.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817702018

mushkin 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 998677 130.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820226036
Click to expand...

Not saying Mr. Fox's list isn't a good choice of parts or anything, but I'm curious as to why a $250 motherboard when there are alternatives, just as good, for $100 less, such as this Foxconn FlamingBlade GTI LGA , or if you would prefer the Asus P6T series, the SE model is already $30 cheaper than the one linked above.

Also while the 275's a good card, I can't help but feel the 260 would be enough for the majority of your games, unless you intend to playing with all your settings as high as your card is gonna let you go. However, this is also probably the place where I'd sink the most money, if you don't plan on upgrading for a while.

Also for the price you're paying, I'd rather go with a PSU from a company known for their PSUs such as this Seasonic SS-500ET 500w would be a good alternative for the price, and 500w should be enough for the system you have specced out so far.

For memory, the link above is fine, but if you wanna save a bit extra you could opt for these from Crucial.

And as Fox said, the cases are indeed about aesthetics and how it appeals to you, but a good case should have a good airflow design regardless of how it looks. Personally I'd suggest either of these 2: the CM 690 or the Antec 900.

As I've said before, these prices might change, for better or for worse, by the time you're buying the parts for your system. Chances are though that they'll be lower, Black Friday still being your best chance in terms of sale prices.

So my new questions would be, what the other games you play/want to play are, since if they are very graphically intensive you might want to consider spending more on the video card(s) that you buy.
Click to expand...



I never recommend anything that I don't have either hands-on experience with, or that has been used successfully by either my friends, or that the reviews on multiple trusted review sites are overwhelmingly positive....

The P6T I have have personal experience with, and have great confidence is recommending. Hard OCP gave that particular board a Gold Award...

However Foxconn is not what I would consider as a top tier company especially from a C/S warranty perspective. and it was not SLI capable, where as the P6T has great flexibility, and outstanding features and layout that the Foxconn cannot match...

All X58 boards can do SLI/CF, Foxconn is a bigger name for mobos than most "companies" that you know of, and that still doesn't address the issue of the SE being cheaper as well.
.
BFG has Top Quality PSU's, and they have a Five Year Warranty Backing them.
The new units that have been added since Jonny went on staff there are as good as they get for the outlay.

BFG doesn't make any of their own PSUs, most of the "big names" in PSUs don't actually. Seasonic/Corsair Memory are Seasonic made, and they have a reputation on this forum as just about the best you can buy. Also the warranties for PSUs tend to not cover the system they could have potentially destroyed, just the PSU.

When you buy a Full Tower Case, especially a good one, it stays with you.. the initial cost is higher, but you won't ever want to get rid of it after you see how much easier they are to build into.. The internal clutter is minimized.

And you're saying the 900 isn't a good case? It comes highly recommended from a lot of people and a lot of members here have followed the 300/600/900/1200.

To O/P with the time that you have you can watch the "Card Wars" and Judge for yourself.
I would also recommend highly that you research this whole build more yourself...
That way you are more comfortable, when the credit card bill comes !!
Click to expand...

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom