Help with building a computer for a newb!!

[circky]

Hi, I've been reading through threads in this computers section and I noticed that people have been posting about help with computer set ups, and I thought I'd ask for some help myself... I'm a complete newb with computers, so it would be great if you guys could reply with as little jargon as possible so I can understand it lol.

I've been using my 4 year old laptop for my everyday computer use and I think it's time for an upgrade. I just need the tower itself.. I have a 23" monitor, speakers, and keyboard/mouse combo already.

What I plan on using the computer for:

- multi-tasking basic applications (ie: internet explorer, msn, microsoft word)
- some basic photo-editting
- I don't play games on my computer currently, but would like the computer to be able to handle starcraft 2 with decent performance
- I don't d/l often (I still have space in my 60GB harddrive)
- I would like my computer to be able to handle HD content to take advantage of my monitor I got recently
- I would like my computer to be as quiet as possible

I'd like to spend between 600-1000 after tax.

Thanks for the help!

[Hairball]

If you have no experience building a computer, perhaps it's better just to buy a fully assembled one, and then slowly learn the parts of it, and maybe next time you can do it yourself.

[terrybear]

I'd say a Phenom II X3 or X4 based build would be up your alley.

Are you looking for just a tower or a full system thought I didn't see you say ??

[circky]

I was thinking about just buying a pre-made system too, but I thought it'd be cheaper buying the parts seperately. I saw on some other thread of local RFDers who were helping others build systems as a hobby and thus, for free so I thought I'd go that route. My brother's also a computer geek but he's out of the country for the next month... but if there were to be any future problems with the computer I'd feel comfortable handling the situation with him around.

I edited my original post to state that I'm looking for a full desktop set up. thanks again.

[terrybear]

I was thinking about just buying a pre-made system too, but I thought it'd be cheaper buying the parts seperately. I saw on some other thread of local RFDers who were helping others build systems as a hobby and thus, for free so I thought I'd go that route. My brother's also a computer geek but he's out of the country for the next month... but if there were to be any future problems with the computer I'd feel comfortable handling the situation with him around.

I edited my original post to state that I'm looking for a full desktop set up. thanks again.

My sugestion would then to be probly order a custom configuration of parts thru ncix, pay the $50 assembly fee unless your interested in doing it yourself then put the $50 towards the shipping, by buying from them your not only being able to get the cheapest parts prices by price matching but also saving 10% tax.

If you'd like I could do a system for you before tax's based on there site ?? And how big of a LCD monitor would you like ?? need speakers ?? keyboard ?? :)

[circky]

My sugestion would then to be probly order a custom configuration of parts thru ncix, pay the $50 assembly fee unless your interested in doing it yourself then put the $50 towards the shipping, by buying from them your not only being able to get the cheapest parts prices by price matching but also saving 10% tax.

If you'd like I could do a system for you before tax's based on there site ?? And how big of a LCD monitor would you like ?? need speakers ?? keyboard ?? :)

Sorry, Now i get what you meant bull full system or not. I just need the parts for the tower itself. Currently, I'm just plugging all my external peripharals to my laptop (for some reason I thought you were referring to the case lol). I have a 23" lcd with keyboard/mouse combo and speakers already. Sorry for the confusion :confused:.

That woudl be great if you could make a system based on their site.

[Hairball]

Sorry, Now i get what you meant bull full system or not. I just need the parts for the tower itself. Currently, I'm just plugging all my external peripharals to my laptop (for some reason I thought you were referring to the case lol). I have a 23" lcd with keyboard/mouse combo and speakers already. Sorry for the confusion :confused:.

That woudl be great if you could make a system based on their site.

I'm not sure if NCIX does this, but most computer stores will be glad to only sell you the box with customized parts. In fact this is extremely common.

[Hairball]

Another good way is to buy a "barebone kit" from places like TigerDirect.

Usually it'll have the cpu, motherboard, and tower. You'll just need to buy your own video card, memory, and hard drive. As a lot of things are on board, there is actually very little you have to put together.

[terrybear]

Another good way is to buy a "barebone kit" from places like TigerDirect.

NO NO NO NO NO & for the umpteenth millionth time ..... NOOOOOOOOO

That would be the WORST thing this user could do !!! Peaple realy need to stop getting hard on's for TigerDirect & more so there "Bundle" or " Barebone " Kits. Ya know why there cheap ..... cause there crap & the ONLY way they can get rid of it is to sell it as a cheap bundle to some poor consumer whom doesn't know what he's in for when he gets it & tries to get it going & stuff.

[mulambo187]

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power

ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Pioneer CD/DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-118LBK LabelFlash Support - OEM


Picked these off newegg, this will make a good system, wait till starcraft 2 actually comes out to get the videocard... or get like a gtx 260 and you should have a great computer right there. also use ncix and pricematch these parts, in addition, optical drive is expensive, grab that from a local shop for around $35.

edit: 775 is where its at.

[enginear]

I would like my computer to be as quiet as possible

You'll paid a premium for silence, but here's my silent build

CPU heatsink - Scythe Orochi, 140mm fan attached to the top of an Antec 300
Remove the case fans, replace the top front one with a Scythe 500 RPM fan.
GPU heatsink - AC Accelerato II, another Scythe 500 RPM fan zip tied to the heatsink
PSU - Seasonic M12 II

It's almost inaudible except when I go to sleep at night and the house is silent. (For comparison, I can hear water flowing through pipes louder than I can hear my computer)

[terrybear]

edit: 775 is where its at.

775 is NOT where its at.

[mulambo187]

heh, well, at least the build i put up is better then the one in your sig dollar for dollar. especially if the op puts a 260 in there :razz:

[terrybear]

heh, well, at least the build i put up is better then the one in your sig dollar for dollar. especially if the op puts a 260 in there :razz:

*LMAOL* ohhhhhhhhhhhh u just made my day !!! Another " intel is the best " brainwashed user ... I hope you got your flame retardant cloths on cause I'm not the only one thats gonna find your coment hilarios :lol::cheesygri

[terrybear]

OP, when the new ncix sale starts tonight I'll build a box based around some of the stuff thats there. :)

Ohhhhhh I forgot 1 important thing, do you need a store bought os as part of the build ?? :)

[circky]

OP, when the new ncix sale starts tonight I'll build a box based around some of the stuff thats there. :)

Ohhhhhh I forgot 1 important thing, do you need a store bought os as part of the build ?? :)

nopee

[terrybear]

K this is a pretty nice setup that on the stock cpu cooler you should be able to run the cpu up around 3.4 or up to 3.7 if you go after a better cooler afterwards. It might be a lil more powerfull then what your thinking BUT you will easily run any games & the new Win 7 o.s on it. Not to mention free ground shipping on the whole order :) If you use the price match more I am shure it can come down another $50-150 or so.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/terrybear/quotejune09.jpg

[attonbitusira]

Terrybear,

1. Why are you recommending a 1 TB drive?
2. Why are you recommending a 4890?
3. Why are you recommending a 750W PSU?

This build is overkill by at least $200.

Your "recommendations" do not meet any of the goals of the OP.

[terrybear]

Terrybear,

1. Why are you recommending a 1 TB drive?
2. Why are you recommending a 4890?
3. Why are you recommending a 750W PSU?

This build is overkill by at least $200.

Your "recommendations" do not meet any of the goals of the OP.

I have a 23" monitor, speakers, and keyboard/mouse combo already.

What I plan on using the computer for:

- multi-tasking basic applications (ie: internet explorer, msn, microsoft word)
- some basic photo-editting
- I don't play games on my computer currently, but would like the computer to be able to handle starcraft 2 with decent performance
- I don't d/l often (I still have space in my 60GB harddrive)
- I would like my computer to be able to handle HD content to take advantage of my monitor I got recently
- I would like my computer to be as quiet as possible


I think what I recomended out of the parts I put together cover exactly what he will want to do. Also it will run Win 7 as 4890 will be supported right out of the box. The power supply is a quality supply that if he ever wants to add more parts in the future when he has the money too its there.

ALSO factor in, games are becoming 12+ gig installs, if the user wants to work on anything in HD or watch HD based video downloads from torrents there 4+ gig for the X2xx standard HD rips are they not ?

[SivaNevets]

cpu:Intel Q8400 (quad is a must for ur budget,q8400 got the best price/performance ratio, which AMD cannot beat) $230
mobo:Asus P5Q $120
mem: 2x2GB DDR2 800 (find a deal,brand doesnt matter) $60
HD: WD black 640gb $80
video card: ATI4830 512mb ($110, will run most games in decent setting, no problems running full setting for starcraft, ATi has better HD picture quality than nvidia)

PSU: 500W or slightly higher, find a deal, most brand will do $60


$760 + case + tax, dont go any lower

if u want go higher,
upgrade the 4830 to 4850 or 4890 for another $30, $80 bucks

upgrade to core i7 is gonna cost u an extra $250

[attonbitusira]

We don't know what the specs of SC2 will be, but Blizzard tends to reach the broadest audience possible. I very much doubt this will be a DirectX 10 game.

- I don't d/l often (I still have space in my 60GB harddrive)

1 TB?
750 W power supply?

Are you going to hog that spliff all night?

[mulambo187]

cpu:Intel Q8400 (quad is a must for ur budget,q8400 got the best price/performance ratio, which AMD cannot beat) $230
mobo:Asus P5Q $120
mem: 2x2GB DDR2 800 (find a deal,brand doesnt matter) $60
HD: WD black 640gb $80
video card: ATI4830 512mb ($110, will run most games in decent setting, no problems running full setting for starcraft, ATi has better HD picture quality than nvidia)

PSU: 500W or slightly higher, find a deal, most brand will do $60


$760 + case + tax, dont go any lower

if u want go higher,
upgrade the 4830 to 4850 or 4890 for another $30, $80 bucks

upgrade to core i7 is gonna cost u an extra $250

this build is proper.... i still recommend the sonata 3, i dont know of a better deal, especially when the power supply it comes with is quite good it alone is worth at least 60 bucks, and will be virtually silent, feedback has been very positve for it.

i think the q8400 is ok, but maybe try the Q9550 if you can get it on sale, i think its around 250...

the ram i like the ddr2-800 is the right price, 1066 is overkill...

videocard i think op can go even lower with a 4670 or 9600GT too if they wanted.

anyhow good luck op, if you have someone to help you save the 50 bucks and build it yourself, check a couple youtube vids or somthing.

oh yeah +1 for ncix with price matching, (use price canada) and newegg.ca for their prices.

[manyoo99]

*LMAOL* ohhhhhhhhhhhh u just made my day !!! Another " intel is the best " brainwashed user ... I hope you got your flame retardant cloths on cause I'm not the only one thats gonna find your coment hilarios :lol::cheesygri

Not trying to hijack the thread. Just wondering, why wouldn't anyone recommend a Phenom II build. The 920/940's are very attractively priced, plus the boards are cheaper too.

[terrybear]

Not trying to hijack the thread. Just wondering, why wouldn't anyone recommend a Phenom II build. The 920/940's are very attractively priced, plus the boards are cheaper too.

Its cause most users on here are 1. out of the loop on current technoligy info & 2. brainwashed into the mentality that ONLY Intel based systems are the best ... The'd be the type to probly even say a Pentium classes dual core or Celron based intel system would be FAR superior to ANYTHING Amd has to offer.

I LUV how peaple have in the last 4-5 months INSISTED that a socket 775 based pc is going to be FAR superior to even a high end Amd build that cost's less & still has future support vs 775 which is for the most part been deemed EOL by MOST hardware manufactorers out there.

In fact if you ask me .... when Core i5 based hardware hits the market the bar for REALY powerfull cheap pc's is gonna be raised & most peaple will be in a position to choose either a AMD AM3 based build or a Intel Core i5 build in the sub $1k price bracket.

[SivaNevets]

here is the chart as referrence before overlocking
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/desktop-cpu-charts-q3-2008/PCMark-Vantage-PC-Mark-Suite,812.html
personally i think AMD is decent, but consider the cost difference between AMD and Intel is a fraction to a $1000 PC build, i would go for better performance for intel (not even talk abt overlocking, u can easily overlock ur Q8400 or Q9550 to 3.4Ghz to get the performance even better Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 without any problem, a lot of them can get to 4.0Ghz with wind cooling). i would only go for AMD for low budget build ($700 after tax or less). if u catch up wit the info, AMD was better than intel during the yr of 2005-2006 for their dual athlon vs pentinum 4. The first day Conroe came out AMD dropped 40% price on their CPU thats it for AMD.

[Qbit]

I put a dual core Pentium (E5200) and ATI 4670 card together with a cheap G31 board.. I like the results. Low power, low heat, don't need a lot of fans and performs decently. If I had to estimate, this thing uses no more than 125 watts on load and probably around 40 watts idle.

ps using Antec Solo box.

I can barely hear this thing.

[terrybear]

yeah thats right .. keep telling the use to buy a EOL'ed socket platform ... thats real smart !!:lol:

[Qbit]

I think what I recomended out of the parts I put together cover exactly what he will want to do. Also it will run Win 7 as 4890 will be supported right out of the box. The power supply is a quality supply that if he ever wants to add more parts in the future when he has the money too its there.

ALSO factor in, games are becoming 12+ gig installs, if the user wants to work on anything in HD or watch HD based video downloads from torrents there 4+ gig for the X2xx standard HD rips are they not ?

Blizz games don't need mega hardware to run and even lowly ATI and Nvidia cards from years ago can handle HD content...