My First Built Computer

[arqcomputer]

Hi

I have a few questions about how to build a gaming computer?

I would like to spend less than $900 worth of parts

1. What type of processor should I Use-Intel or AMD?
2. What brand of parts should I Use to build the Computer?
3. How will i know what parts is compatible with what?

If anyone can PM or reply a list of parts that are compatible with each other that would be nice.

Thanks
arqcomputer

 

[muskie32]

Ok,

First read this

Then Tell us These Questions:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

 

[Computers_Plus]

Also does a fancy case matter to you?

 

[muskie32]

I am guessing that you are going to be using this computer for gaming... Right?

So i would suggest a i5 Rig for gaming.

Here is a guild that should handle most games pretty good:

i5 And Mother Board $290
Video Card- GTX 465 $229 (before MIR's)
Ram 4GB G.Skill DDr3 $69
Case/PSU combo Antec 300+ 650W PSU $129
Optical Drive $20
500GB Hard Drive $55


The total for this build is $792 (not including shipping) so it is right in your range

If you are going to be using this computer for office tasks/photoshop and little to none gaming i would suggest the all the same components but with a AMD x6 CPU and This GIGABYTE GA-890GPA


Both build will stay in the $800 Give/take $$$ range

 

[muskie32]

And also this kind of a post should go in the "General Hardware" section. But i guess computer help works

 

[Computers_Plus]

If you have $900 to spend on parts do yourself a favor and build your system around these it will still leave you about $500 to finish the system with

1. Corsair 650 watt 80 plus certified power supply 5 year warranty

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

2. Western Digital 300 gig 10,000 RPM Raptor hard drive 5 year warranty

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136322

3. XFX HD5830 video card double lifetime warranty

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150497

 

[muskie32]

Dont get the WD raptor. Get a SSD and a Samsung F3

There is almost no performance difference between the F3 and the Raptor.

2010-10-11_1928 by applecreekwhitetails, on Flickr

2010-10-11_1937 by applecreekwhitetails, on Flickr

 

[Computers_Plus]

There is no way at this juncture I would shell out any cash for an SSD they are far to pricey for the amount of storage capacity and is still an evolving technology.

If you want you can get a 150 gig Raptor and save a few more dollars and still get a large cheap storage drive but what I am suggesting makes more since because the raptor cost less stores more performance is excellent and has a better warranty compared to the SSD

 

[muskie32]

I just do not think a Raptor is worth it. The performance between the Raptor and the F3 are just to close and the Price per Gig wins it for the F3. (my opinion)

If you want shell out for another 5.7 MB/s (write speed) maximum then go with the Raptor. I just dont think it is worth it.

 

[Computers_Plus]

I just do not think a Raptor is worth it. The performance between the Raptor and the F3 are just to close and the Price per Gig wins it for the F3. (my opinion)

If you want shell out for another 5.7 MB/s (write speed) maximum then go with the Raptor. I just dont think it is worth it.

But you were suggesting a SSD and an F3 both when compared to an SSD drive big difference plus have you ever ran with a Raptor it's not just about numbers it's how fast they feel I run two trust me they are fast

 

[crucibelle]

Muskie is right. I wouldn't waste money on a Raptor, when one of the newer 7200 RPM drives is almost just as fast. If the OP wants something much faster than regular HDD, SDD (with a HDD for storage) is the way to go, which I think is what Muskie was indicating.

 

[muskie32]

Exactly!

 

[Computers_Plus]

Dudes "almost as fast" is not the same as "just as fast" plus the cost of the two drives will be more than the single drive plus you are consuming more power and making more heat with two drives then one and I ask do either of you own an SSD or a Raptor?

 

[muskie32]

Each HDD realy only takes 10-20w. I would not really say that is alot, but... Idk! Second i still do not thibk it is worth it , a ssd/ data drive seems ( to me ) to be a better choice. And third he will get more hdd room with this config.

 

[Computers_Plus]

Well all I know is a 128 gig SSD is about $180-$200 or so depending with only a 3 year warranty a 300 gig Raptor is $180 with a 5 year warranty so twice the storage and almost twice the warranty man you guys are hypnotized by the SSD craze lol ...

 

[muskie32]

I think he should get the 60gb vertex 2 for around $140+ a 500gb F3 for about $55

Then he can use the ssd for the OS, and games. And use the 500gb for storage.

But lets not start a war here

 

[arqcomputer]

now i also have a old PC its a Gateway 500X series from 2001.

is it possible to take the parts out of that computer and put the parts that y'all are suggesting to me in the computer case?

 

[muskie32]

It would problel be better if you just go a Antec 300. it will have better air flow, and you will know for sure all the parts will fit

 

[fffblackmage]

I would not recommend a raptor either. If you wanted a raptor, it means you were looking for performance - low access times, high sequential and random reads/writes, and high I/O, etc. However, these high performance attributes are now taken much farther with SSDs.

I also think raptors are too expensive (per GB). The price premium is just too high for a slightly faster HDD.

The warranty might be longer with the raptor, but with moving parts, you're more likely to need that 5 year warranty.