Which parts should I get?

[GigaDrillBreak]

Some people find it easy to follow building guides and others have a hard time with it.

Watch these serveral times. When you can explain to someone else how to build a PC, you're ready to tackle your own assembly.
10 Tips
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

One thing to keep in mind when assembling your own PC.
> YOU have the ability to kill some components if YOU don't assemble them correctly <

I and many others built our first PC without any cool video guides like those linked.
Remember... Take your time, be well rested when you begin and again take your time.

Yikes, that sounds kind of intimidating. Should I just pay someone to build it for me? Buying pre-built computers is frowned upon, right?

Also, the system requirements for Battlefield 3 are out:
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/...d-3-39-s-official-pc-system-requirements.aspx

Would I be able to play it on high settings with these parts? I've been playing console game all my life until now so I don't know from this stuff.

 

[Blain]

Yikes, that sounds kind of intimidating. Should I just pay someone to build it for me? Buying pre-built computers is frowned upon, right?

* You could buy your components from Directron that charges $39 for full assembly and OS install.
* Pre-built systems have there place. Things to consider are customer service, type of case used.
Tower type cases usually allow for some type of component upgrading later down the road.
I and many other members here do not frown upon buying pre-built systems if it is expedient given the circumstances.

 

[zCypher]

Yikes, that sounds kind of intimidating. Should I just pay someone to build it for me? Buying pre-built computers is frowned upon, right

It can be intimidating when put that way, but it's really not that scary. You just take your time and go one step at a time. Some definitely frown upon prebuilt systems but like already stated they definitely have their place. I wouldn't really get a prebuilt myself just because they often tend to use shoddy power supplies and building the system myself really isn't a big deal.

I'm sure if you're careful and you follow the advice given here that you'll be alright. Won't be hatin if you decide to go prebuilt tho.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Building it yourself saves you 39 dollars (or whatever they charge)

 

[zCypher]

Building it yourself saves you 39 dollars (or whatever they charge)

It also means you buy all your parts from them, which means the price difference for parts will likely be a lot higher than if you pick all your parts from places that have the best deals and even more so if you have a place that price matches based on your findings (such as NCIX for canuckistan, not sure of the US equivalent). Just sayin.

edit: checked that directron site, and they actually have some pretty reasonable deals on a lot of their parts. not too bad at all.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I'd rather have the satisfaction of knowing I made the computer

and i could brag to everyone how I built my own computer

 

[Blain]

I'd rather have the satisfaction of knowing I made the computer

and i could brag to everyone how I built my own computer

Would it still be a bragging situation if you installed the MB and a standoff shorted out the board when powered on?

 

[lehtv]

Would it still be a bragging situation if you installed the MB and a standoff shorted out the board when powered on?

Where there is a risk, there is an opportunity.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Well, its all an experience

some have it easier than others

 

[mfenn]

Yikes, that sounds kind of intimidating. Should I just pay someone to build it for me? Buying pre-built computers is frowned upon, right?

Also, the system requirements for Battlefield 3 are out:
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/...d-3-39-s-official-pc-system-requirements.aspx

Would I be able to play it on high settings with these parts? I've been playing console game all my life until now so I don't know from this stuff.

It really isn't all that hard to build one. Just take your time and ask for help if you get stuck.

Also, you should ignore any system requirements that come from the manufacturer. They are conceived in marketing land and have little to no basis in reality. Benchmarks are the only way to go. Based on the benchmarks I've seen, a 6950 will get you about 55 FPS on average.

 

[Peppered]

Maybe more FPS if them update drivers to work with it better too.

 

[mfenn]

Maybe more FPS if them update drivers to work with it better too.

Yeah, that's true. NVidia and AMD have officially released BF3 drivers in the last couple of days.

 

[GigaDrillBreak]

How about this build from Directron:

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4GHz quad-core CPU.
Memory: 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333 (PC3-10600)
Motherboard: ASUS M4A89GTD Pro/USB3 Socket AM3 motherboard with AMD 890GX Chipset.
Video: ATI Radeon HD 6850 Graphics with 1GB GDDR5 Memory
Audio: 8 Channel Audio
Storage: 1TB SATA2 Hard Drive
Optical: 24x DVD-RW Drive
Case: Thermaltake Element G mid tower gaming case.
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 RX 650W Active PFC modular power supply.
LAN: Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbits/sec).
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit.

Would I be able to play anything on max settings with this?

 

[Blain]

Would I be able to play anything on max settings with this?

What resolution is the monitor?

 

[mfenn]

How about this build from Directron:

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4GHz quad-core CPU.
Memory: 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333 (PC3-10600)
Motherboard: ASUS M4A89GTD Pro/USB3 Socket AM3 motherboard with AMD 890GX Chipset.
Video: ATI Radeon HD 6850 Graphics with 1GB GDDR5 Memory
Audio: 8 Channel Audio
Storage: 1TB SATA2 Hard Drive
Optical: 24x DVD-RW Drive
Case: Thermaltake Element G mid tower gaming case.
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 RX 650W Active PFC modular power supply.
LAN: Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbits/sec).
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit.

Would I be able to play anything on max settings with this?

Sure, Minecraft will run great! Just kidding, but no you won't be able to run much on max without lowering the resolution.

Also, you would be better served in gaming by getting an i3 2100 and an H67 motherboard like the ASRock H67M.

Also, that Thermaltake PSU isn't that good. You can get a PCP&C 500W for $40 AR AP.

 

[lehtv]

^ Agree.

Seems like currently the best PSU deals are
PCP&C 500W $40 AR
XFX Core 650W $60 AR, and
XFX Core 850W $90 AR