New Computer builder. Need some advice.

[Gretzky]

Well im planning to build a new computer. I dont have expierence in building a computer, but I have put my system back together when re-installing a new mobo. Could anyone offer me some advice when building a new computer, also I want to build a gaming rig, nothing special but I want it to run games well. My budget is about 500 to 800 bucks, I have a sound card already. Also im looking for a Pentium4 setup now.

Thanks

 

[gunf1ghter]

I would strongly recommend that you do some research before starting to ask for people's advice on this. Folks will have a variety of opinions based on criteria that might not matter to you (overclocking, types of games you want to play, etc).

$500-$800 is a pretty tight budget, but you could certainly build a P4 1.6a northwood assuming that you had some parts you could re-use.

Case $40
Motherboard $100-$150
CPU $135
256M DDR2100 RAM $79
Video Card - $100 (Radeon 7500).
CD-ROM $40
40 Gig 7200 RPM Hard Disk - $90

Tack on about another $40 for shipping and you are in the $700 price range.

That's assuming that you don't need floppy, speakers, extra case fans, arctic silver, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Wolfsraider]

the faqs help for

<< Could anyone offer me some advice when building a new computer, >>



do you plan on over clocking?

do you need monitor keyboard mouse speakers?

what about raid or usb ?

also do you need operating system? which one if you do?

 

[Wolfsraider]

also this might help

visit mvave.com newegg.com googlegear.com after reading the threads here on the p-4 setups

get an idea of what you want then ask for opinions as to what will work and what won't and see if anybody has any problems with the same equipment

spend some time looking at what your needs are and ask questions

hope this helps you

 

[Dreadogg]

spend about one week reserching this like reading post and reading all the facts so you understand the process! Also when I built my first PC the hardest thing for me to do was install the OS drivers etc.. in proper order make sure you do reserch on this also, putting the parts together is easy its like putting together a sterio system except for the processor and heatsink this you will need to reserch also, I'll warn you though people really hype this up and make it sound scary but its probally one of the easiest things after you have done it once! Other than that just make sure you buy your parts from a good site and get the manualls with them also read them from front to back so you understand your hardware, and do reserch on it in the forums and reveiws to see if anyones been having problems with it! good luck and post your results on your first build!

 

[Gretzky]

I dont need raid, i wont be overclocking. But I do need a monitor, keyboard, mouse. Im thinking that 500-800 is to low for a comp. I might just save up more to like $1,500. Maybe then I can get something worth building

THanks

 

[herbage11]

I also have been saving and like the following system for about 1500-2000 depending on what I finally decide on for a few things. After posting all of my previous posts thus far for info. to build my 1st sytem I came up with:

Asus P4B266 mobo. or if wait longer one of the Asus 533's
P4 1.6A Northwood
512 DDR PC2100 or PC2700 RAM Crucial or Samsung
GF3 Ti200 Gainward Video or if wait GF4 Ti4200
19" Hitachi/Sony/Samsung monitor not sure which yet
Chieftec (Antec 1040B) w/ 420 watts power supply (already have)
Lite on CDRW and DVD player
40 gig Maxtor 7200RPM hard drive
Logitech z560 speakers
Santa Cruz sound card

I think most people around here would agree that this is a solid Intel setup for the 1500-2000 range.
I know I cant wait to get the $ so I can buy it. I will overclock it to 2ghz+ and be happy I am sure. Good luck.

 

[Gretzky]

thanks for the info.

Also suppose i buy a Antec case with a powersupply already in it at a local bestbuy. You think that would be OK? or should i look for a case and powersupply separtly? Are those psu's that come with cases good? or cheap shiz?

 

[herbage11]

From what I have heard you cannot go wrong w/ Antec cases and power supplies both. I DONT have one. But the Chieftec case I just got came with a nice 420 watt power supply. The Antecs 1030 has 300watt and 1040B has 400watt. I dont think it would matter which one you got really but I wanted to have the extra power.

 

[jcmkk]

Look at the P4 setup in my rigs profile. I just built that one, and it is a screamer. The total cost came in at a little under $1500, and I didn't skimp on any of the components. That might give you a little base to start on, then you can substitute a couple components here and there until you end up with something that fits you just right.

 

[Gretzky]

thank you for all the help. Ya i decided to save my money for a better system. I mean im only a student in high school. My income isnt as you say HIGH .

Thank you again

 

[jcmkk]

I am a student in High School too. I never thought I'd say this, but I am sure glad the government took part of my paycheck every week, then gave it back to me now. If I would have had that money then, I would have spent it. Then I wouldn't have this new kick @$$ rig right now. I do wish I had rich parents though!

 

[travler]

Well an often skimped on component is the monitor. thats going to cost ya around $300-350 for something you will truly enjoy. I know you are set on the P4, but if money is a concern you could save $75-100 on a AMD XP/KT266a combo.

Like someone said above - newegg is a good starting spot for puting together a low cost, high quality system.

What I usualy do is look for Items that meet my specs. I first have an Idea what I want from reading sites like this. then I start with newegg. and browse through pricewatch.
If you use pricewatch, make sure to check out reseller ratings, or a similar site to make sure the dealer is reputable.

Then After I pick my components I start searching for hardware reviews. If they dont get good reviews I start over on that peice.

Its time consuming but its a hobby, plus i learn a bit. And at the end im rewarded with a low cost high performance system. By next week I should have my 3rd computer built.

Here is what Im going to order based on my research.

AMD athalon XP 1800+
shuttle AK35GTR MB KT266A
256MBx2 Crucial PC2100DDR
Sparkle 350w PSU
MAXTOP CSX-147K2F case
Maxor 40GB 7200RPM ATA133 HD
Visiontek Ti 4400 (if it ever gets here)
SiS flux capacitor (for time travel)
NIC card
floppy drive

already have Samsung 19" 900NF

total cost comes to around $1100 shiped including keyboard, mice and fans and the price I paid for the compnents I already have. And I have been strugling over this setup for 2 months.

I think I will hit the sweet spot for bang/buck. And I dont plan on upgrading a single thing for about 3 years.

oy yea add $80 for the lite-on CD-RW i will be leaching from my current rig.

Hopefully I gave you some ideas. if nothing else this will be my obligatory pre-brag post.


Travler