Looking to build a computer

[TheBiggmann]

Hi, I'm new to the forum so I'm not entirely sure if this is where this post should go but it seemed like the best choice. I've been looking to get a new computer and was looking around at prebuilt systems but people seem to be REALLY against them and are trying to convince me to build my own.I have no experience at all in building computers but they say as long as I can plug in a mouse and a keyboard to my computer i can build one, but a few more opinions on that would be appreciated. I want an Athlon X2 dual core, a GeForce 7900, a gig of ram, umm, I'm not really sure what a good motherboard is, I want this computer mostly for gaming (Fable, Warcraft, etc.) so if you could recommend a good one that would be cool. It would also be great if you could tell me like, everything that I'm gonna need to build one, besides the obvious parts like the ones listed above because I have ZERO experience in this. I need to stay under about $1500 so keep that in mind. I guess that's it so far, if I think of anything else I can add it in a later post. Thanks.

 

[Atheus]

For gaming it really is best to build your own. It's quite easy, but it's also easy to end up with a non-working machine, and it's not impossible that you might break something. If you read a generic guide on the net and all your manuals you shouldn't have any problems.

Home built machine:

+ More power more choice for less money
+ Satisfaction
- No guarantees
- No support

 

[statikuz]

I put together a pretty gnarly computer for about $1600 (including a 7950 GX2 that I didn't REALLY need ), so I'm sure you could do very well for a lot less than that. The Athlon X2's are a really good choice, I got a 4400+ for $250, they're coming down in price since the advent of the Core 2 Duo. If you can afford it I would shoot for 2G of RAM (~$200) because making the jump from 1G to 2G really does make a difference. ASUS motherboards are good, the A8N-SLI deluxe/premium/superduper/extrafancy whatever series they have now are all good boards (I have an A8N32-SLI). The Athlons come with a decent heatsink/fan so you don't really need to worry about that... you can get a DVD +/- RW for around like $40 (I got the Samsung Lightscribe one for $42).

Newegg.com is your friend, they have a lot of links to guides and things when you're looking at products (just have to poke around a bit to find them). Also read the hardware review sites (THG, HardOCP, etc.) and do some general Google searches. Like Atheus said, the manuals for your stuff will provide pretty good guidance (especially the one for your mobo).

 

[TheBiggmann]

Yeah, that was another thing I had a question on; knowing where to plug things into. From what you guys are saying though, all the parts come with a manual that tells you where everything on the part plugs into then? Is it really possible to like, break things while you're trying to put it together and be out $xxx.xx? Or are the problems more along the line of you end up with a non working machine and backtracking to try and figure out what you did wrong? Is it pretty tough to break stuff as well? And how about fans, what do I need for them? I know Statikuz talked about the Athlons having a decent heatsink and fan, so is the one that comes with that all I need? Nothing that like, mounts ot the case or anything? And I was looking at processors and I was wondering what the L2 Cache difference is, 2x512 kb vs 2x1 mb? Seems like the price jumps a bit and I have no idea what the difference is.

 

[dfuze]

Yes, you can break things if you aren't careful; but as long as you don't try to push on things with 2 tons of force you should be fine. I would say the hardest part is plugging in the wires from the case (power, led, ...) into the motherboard. Sometimes the documentation is not the greatest. Usually name brand companies do supply decent manuals though.

Fans are needed to keep the computer from over heating. There are no magical numbers for how many or what size. Different cases have different air flow, some requiring more fans than others. My case (Antec) has 1 80mm in the front and 1 120mm fan in the rear. Everything is nice and cool. If loud fans bother you, make sure you check the fans you buy for their decibal rating (sites such as newegg do list this).

For Athlons, the stock heatsink/fan is ok to use. I have a Zalman (forgot the model) because it offers better cooling and lower noise. Essentially, if you don't plan on overclocking, I would stick with stock.

I can't answer much about the L2 cache. It holds info that the computer needs instead of having to go to your RAM because it's faster. The more, the better. But I will say I have an Athlon X2 3800+ which has 512 L2 and it is plenty fast enough for me. I don't think I'm missing much in terms of latency.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

There are some good guides for building your own in these forums and at corsairmicro there are guides with pictures. Dive in and join the fun

 

[TheBiggmann]

Alright, next question. Looking at cases and I was wondering where all the ports and stuff for the monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc, etc come off of and how they attach to the case. Also, if you're putting like USB ports and stuff where do they come off and how do they attach. Also, what is the difference between Socket AM2 and Socket 939 on processors?

 

[mechBgon]

Welcome to the Forums See if this photo guide helps you scope out what's involved and how the parts fit, etc: http://www.mechbgon.com/build/index.html

 

[dfuze]

I took a quick look at the link myself and that should should be required reading for anyone looking to build a pc for the first time. Plenty of pictures and easy to read instructions. I wish I had that when I was building my first one!

 

[TheBiggmann]

Wow, thanks a ton for the guide, it provides a ton of enlightenment on what's involved. Really, the only part that seems complicated is the SATA stuff and even that's not that bad. I think I just may be able ot do it now . Well, I'm gonna make a wishlist and see what my total is parentally acceptable. Thanks for all the help, if you have anything else to throw in, go ahead but this gives me a great start.

 

[TheBiggmann]

Ok, new question. Do I need to put a floppy drive in? I wasn't planning on it because it seems like they've really become a thing of the past but after doing some reading it sounds like a lot of the drivers and stuff come on floppies.

 

[dfuze]

Floppies are mostly useful if you need to set up a RAID array or to update your BIOS (although a lot offer windows based updates now). I have one in this machine only because I had it laying around. My other machine has none. If I need one, I can open the side on that occasion and manually hook it up, use it, then dissconnect it later.

 

[TheBiggmann]

Looking at operating systems and I was wondering if I can/should buy the OEM version. it's considerably cheaper and I have no clue what the difference is.

 

[dfuze]

Retail version gives you flexability to move it from one pc to another if you decide to build another one in the future. The OEM only lets you install it on one machine; you can't transfer the license at a later date. That being said, for that reason it is much cheaper. That is the only difference between retain and oem. I myself picked up an oem version for the pc I am using now and am very happy with it. I saved a lot of money and by the time I want to upgrade a pc, I will probably be looking to buy Vista anyway.

 

[TheBiggmann]

What're you guys' thoughts on XP Pro vs XP home?

 

[dfuze]

I've used both. For the average user, no difference at all. Pro has a few extra features (such as turning your pc into a web server), but for the most part, nothing you'll notice except the word Professional at the startup screen. I say save your money and go home.

 

[mechBgon]

Pro also has an extended support lifecycle because it's Pro. Support for XP Home ends two years after Vista comes out (so that's a little over 2 years from now) whereas support for XP Pro ends in 2013. But at this point, maybe you should wait until Vista arrives and then buy a Pro variant of Vista?

If you get the Retail version of Vista Business or Vista Ultimate, it'll cost more up-front, but that sets you up for 10 years (Home versions have shorter support lifecycles). Because it's Retail version, you are allowed to move it on to any new computer you may build, unlike OEM versions where it's legally permanently "married" to the first computer it hooks up with, and no others.

Vista Ultimate Edition is probably going to retail at $450 street price and Vista Business is probably going to be around $280, is my guess. Divide by 10 years, is it worth it? You make the call