Need alot of help... and i know it.

[KalGor]

Ok firstly, thank you for the time you spend reading this, and if you do so, replying.

Im new to building systems on the whole, ive done loads of upgrading of various parts, but starting from the start is a daunting task to myself, so im hoping to gleem some of the expertise obviously abundant on these forums.

If this is the wrong forum sorry, but i wasnt too sure WHERE to post this as i need help with pretty much everything.

I have these items that id really like to transfer over to the new system,
P4 3.06Gig CPU.
Ati Rad 9800 XT,
1 Gig SDRAM

Im more than happy with buying the rest, but im not sure exactly what i do need to build a system, obviously tower case, motherboard, PSU etc. But what all in all do you need to make a computer?

Currently im lookin at a case along the lines of the Thermaltake Xaser 3 Super Tower, a friend has one and it looks the business with a nice 7 inbuilt fans. Now im not too fussed about looks directly, but it would be nice to have a case that looks some what decent as well. But hey maybe im being silly and that case sucks, i have no idea i need help.

Im a avid gamer, and want to have a go at making my own system. Im pretty sure im capabe of the actual building of the system as soon as i know what i need to put into it, as the jargon used really does go over my head.

If push comes to shove, i could put off buying the stuff a extra month and then splash out on all i need for the new system from scratch but i still need input, baring in mind that it will be namely a gaming system.

So in reality im looking for two recomendations, one owuld be what i need/ should get if including the three items above in the build.
And seond what to buy in total if was to build a system from scratch.

 

[Nickel020]

First you might want to post under General Hardware to get recommendations for a motherboard or a completely new system. Make sure to state your budget and what games you run or are looking forward to running.
As for the case, it's a perfectly fine case if you don't mind noise all that much. For silent PCs it's recommended to get cases with 120mm fans and the Thermaltake has 80mm and maybe some 92mm fans. Other things to look out for in cases are things that make installation easier like a slideable motherboard tray, but unless you work a lot inside your computer you will generally rather get the case with the "better" looks.
If you would like a silent PC take a look at the Antec SLK-3700 BQE.

 

[fanboi]

Antec Sonata is also a very quiet case.

 

[Tbirdkid]

honestly, here is my 2 cent... for all its worth,
I wouldnt buy an expensive case.... I would go to newegg and get an aspire without a psu and purchase an antec true power psu like a 430 watt or so. Then you get a good quality psu... the case is all looks as long as it has a bunch of fan locations for it. As for the fan controllers... you can buy one. I think the xaser case is over priced... and not needed.
The pc starts with the psu, then go cpu, mobo, ram, and then video. The hard drive as far as I am concerned is the least important as long as it works. You can always upgrade that later...
Get plenty of fans... if you can i would get panaflo's they are quiet and move quite a bit of air. Take your time... and have fun. You will love it when you are done.

 

[KalGor]

Ok all thanks for the input, i really appreciate it.

If anyone else has any input throw it my way and ill eagerly listen... or read.

Ill work up some specs of what im thinking about buying and run it past you guys first... will take me a few days im still tryin to make heads and tails of it all

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

When I built my first system, geez....like five years ago, I studied a few tutorials on the web. That's what I'd do if I were you and then come here asking for specific guidance on any parts you're fuzzy on. The average messageboarder is ill equipped at patiently and thoroughly explaining complex tasks like this.

But, really, now a days, "building" a computer is essentially "assembling" it. I built one last night as a matter of fact in about 15 minutes.

Dropped the CPU in the MB socket.
Applied thermal compound to the CPU and bottom of the heatsink.
Attached the heatsink to the MB.
Attached MB I/O plate to the case.
Put the MB in the case and screwed it on.
Screwed in the HD to the case.
Screwed in the CD/DVD-Rom to the case.
Attached a fan to the heatsink.
Dropped in the memory.
Dropped in the video card.
Plugged in the power plugs to the MB and video card and HD and CD/DVD-Rom.
Screwed on the case fans.
Connected front panel wires to the MB.
Connected IDE cable from MB to HD.
Connected IDE cable form MB to CD/DVD-Rom.
Connected case fan cables to MB.
Plugged in PSU power cable to the wall.

Every part comes with instructions for attaching it to the corresponding part. Easy as pie. The real skill is in choosing the parts and that's where this site will offer you invalueable insight.

 

[mechBgon]

Here's my attempt at helping the first-timers: photo guide with perhaps a little too much commentary Hope that's some help

 

[KalGor]

Thanks hero, i do think im pretty capable of building a PC as in time, ive replaced at least every piece of my pc except the case.

Thanks mech... and the more commentary the better! I shall read it right now and *Added to faves*

 

[mechBgon]

For a parts kit to complete the system, I'd look for a board with the Intel i865PE chipset and then if you have two PC2700 or PC3200 memory modules that match, you will have dual-channel memory. Your 1GB of RAM, is that a pair of matching 512MB DDR modules? PC2700 or higher?

So let's see here...

• Antec Sonata case with quiet 380W Antec TruePower PSU and a 120mm rear exhaust fan
• Asus P4P800 SE motherboard
• Seagate 120GB ATA/100 hard drive with 8MB cache
• Sony floppy drive (black)
• Inwin i530 memory-card reader with front USB 2.0, Firewire and audio jacks (black)
• NEC DVD burner that fits your budget
• WinXP Pro
• Good brand of surge supressor
• Large Canadian Bacon & Pineapple with two Pepsi's
• Antivirus software
• Doom3

And I was going to make a Newegg Wish List to total that stuff up with, but I think I broke Newegg's site :Q Can't even ping www.newegg.com at the moment. Don't tell anyone it was me!

 

[KalGor]

WOWWWWW... You guys can even order pizzas to come with the parts for a good ole "night in building" man i wish i could order from newegg lol

Thanks again mech mate! Much appreciated!

 

[mechBgon]

Ooops, if you can't order from Newegg then maybe I broke their site in vain but anyway, here is a wish list that I think would cover the parts you'd need for the computer itself (no peripherals except for a portable memory stick I threw in on a whim):

http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=996864

That assumes that your RAM is matching sticks of PC2700 or faster, which would let you have 1GB of dual-channel DDR to maximize the performance of the CPU. The Inwin memory-card & front-port units are very well-made with beefy internal cables and I just threw in representative items for the drives, you probably will want to pick the drives to suit your own tastes. Getting a high-quality power supply is one of my highest priorities so do be picky about your power supply. Good luck and have fun with your project

 

[KalGor]

Lol, Yes, im in the UK and newegg.com doesnt ship to here, shame really, even with the shipping costs the total price would of been less than i will pay in the uk.

Need to find some good suppliers now, so the hunt, is onnnn.