buying first real computer... need some help

jumpman2334 · Apr 12, 2009

ok, after having a job for a couple of months, ive decided that my parents computer is driving me crazy. i think it only has 512mb of ram. and it runs slow as hell. for what im trying to do. i design on it. i use adobe ps and ai. and the computer almost freezes up everytime i open the programs up. so, i know a little bit about computers.. but i was wondering if someone could help me out with some desktop suggestions. ive only got around 550 to spend, for now.but i don't necessarily need a monitor... thanks a lot!

tuxify · Apr 12, 2009

Have you considered ordering the parts and building the computer yourself? You can usually get a much better deal on a better computer if you buy the parts and build it on your own, as opposed to buying an HP or a Dell.

Bodaggit23 · Apr 12, 2009

jumpman2334 said:
i think it only has 512mb of ram. and it runs slow as hell. for what im trying to do.

What are the specs on the old pos? lol Just to get a baseline.

With your budget, you will easily be able to get into a Dual Core AMD system
with a couple Gigs of RAM, pre built or custom.

bosing · Apr 13, 2009

You can still use your old machine. Just upgrade your motherboard, cpu and ram.

BeastlyTech · Apr 13, 2009

I highly recommend this one for you.

jumpman2334 · Apr 13, 2009

tuxify said:
Have you considered ordering the parts and building the computer yourself? You can usually get a much better deal on a better computer if you buy the parts and build it on your own, as opposed to buying an HP or a Dell.

id love to do that... but i have no clue how to install it all, and i dont know how much it costs to have someone assemble it. and id need a checklist of everything needed id need to buy. but like i said, id like to do it...

i saw this on compusa, and is that a complete system? or do i still need to buy a few other things for it? and does it come pre-assembled? sorry for all the questions. haha

Bodaggit23 said:
What are the specs on the old pos? lol Just to get a baseline.

With your budget, you will easily be able to get into a Dual Core AMD system
with a couple Gigs of RAM, pre built or custom.

cool, well thats good to hear that i can get one, for the budget ive got

ummm i just print screened it... here you go!

bosing said:
You can still use your old machine. Just upgrade your motherboard, cpu and ram.

well i thought about that option, but ill be moving out of the house in about a year, so ill need to buy one, preferably sooner than later...

BeastlyTech said:
I highly recommend this one for you.

is that a custom built one?

BeastlyTech · Apr 13, 2009

It looks like that's almost everything, except you'll need to purchase a graphics card because that motherboard doesn't come with any integrated.

jumpman2334 · Apr 13, 2009

BeastlyTech said:
It looks like that's almost everything, except you'll need to purchase a graphics card because that motherboard doesn't come with any integrated.

well, that doesnt seem too complicated... but what about assembly, and cost? and are kits like that reliable?

BeastlyTech · Apr 13, 2009

jumpman2334 said:
well, that doesnt seem too complicated... but what about assembly, and cost? and are kits like that reliable?

Assemblies like this are pretty self explanatory. Plus since there is a large community of DIY computer builders, there is going to be lots of helpful information to ease your new computer construction. I'm sure you can take those parts into a local computer store and they would put it together for you, but the odds are is that they a highly likely to overcharge.
The cost for those particular parts bundled together is very cheap for what you get, and like I said, with the large numbers of people who build computers themselves, the manufacturers have made it so that these kits are highly reliable.

jumpman2334 · Apr 13, 2009

BeastlyTech said:
Assemblies like this are pretty self explanatory. Plus since there is a large community of DIY computer builders, there is going to be lots of helpful information to ease your new computer construction. I'm sure you can take those parts into a local computer store and they would put it together for you, but the odds are is that they a highly likely to overcharge.
The cost for those particular parts bundled together is very cheap for what you get, and like I said, with the large numbers of people who build computers themselves, the manufacturers have made it so that these kits are highly reliable.

cool, thanks for all the help... def. looking into getting a custom computer... still might have to go into a comp-usa, cause im still not sure whats all there, and whats missing... but thanks for all the help!

BeastlyTech · Apr 13, 2009

jumpman2334 said:
cool, thanks for all the help... def. looking into getting a custom computer... still might have to go into a comp-usa, cause im still not sure whats all there, and whats missing... but thanks for all the help!

You're very welcome.
I hope everything works out greatly for you!

thermophilis · Apr 13, 2009

Personally if I were you, I would go for something like this:
http://www.computerforum.com/1201310-post11.html
An excellent build that's in your price range.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116485 add that and you're good to go. It isn't that difficult to build it yourself, plus the feeling of self satisfaction is awesome.

jumpman2334 · Apr 13, 2009

thermophilis said:
Personally if I were you, I would go for something like this:
http://www.computerforum.com/1201310-post11.html
An excellent build that's in your price range.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116485 add that and you're good to go. It isn't that difficult to build it yourself, plus the feeling of self satisfaction is awesome.

That's all I need to build a full working computer?! Damn, that's not as much stuff as I thought I needed... And can I upgrade to bigger ram and hard drive down the road?

Isn't the 64 bit version of vista better? With the software capability and all?? And does that build work with the 64 bit version??

Thanks so much for the help mannnn.

jumpman2334 · Apr 13, 2009

Oh. And, do they make any see through cases with red LED? It doesn't really matter, just a preference thing. Do cases like that run hotter cause of the lights?

thermophilis · Apr 13, 2009

jumpman2334 said:
That's all I need to build a full working computer?! Damn, that's not as much stuff as I thought I needed... And can I upgrade to bigger ram and hard drive down the road?

Isn't the 64 bit version of vista better? With the software capability and all?? And does that build work with the 64 bit version??

Thanks so much for the help mannnn.

I actually meant to link to the 64 bit version. Yes you can upgrade to more ram, and you can always add more hdds.

jumpman2334 said:
Oh. And, do they make any see through cases with red LED? It doesn't really matter, just a preference thing. Do cases like that run hotter cause of the lights?

I'm sure there are, however I don't know any right off hand. Also if you buy a different case it will most likely increase your price because you will need to buy a power supply. As for temps, if there is any increase it will be negligible.

Something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
And you can add LED lighting or cold cathode lighting for relatively cheap.

bosing · Apr 13, 2009

jumpman2334 said:
id love to do that... but i have no clue how to install it all, and i dont know how much it costs to have someone assemble it. and id need a checklist of everything needed id need to buy. but like i said, id like to do it...

i saw this on compusa, and is that a complete system? or do i still need to buy a few other things for it? and does it come pre-assembled? sorry for all the questions. haha

The one the you saw in compusa looks cool to me. Specs are really great. However, yes you still need to buy some other things for that. Monitor, CD/DVD drive, keyboard, mouse with mouse pad, speaker system, floppy drive(if you still need one, hopefully not), fans to keep it cool, etc.... They will come by parts so you will need to assemble it. The Mboards manual should be able to show you how to assemble it and don't forget to wear a ground wire. You don't want to put static electricity on those parts, specially the rams and chips on the board. Bios setting should also be on the manual. HD and CD/DVD drive settings whether to connect it as primary or secondary or auto should be clearly printed on the HD casing. Before I forget, you need the OS of your preference also, of course.

Well goodluck on this. There's a saying that goes, "when all else fails, consult the manual".

thandakid · Apr 14, 2009

jumpman2334 · Apr 14, 2009

bosing said:
The one the you saw in compusa looks cool to me. Specs are really great. However, yes you still need to buy some other things for that. Monitor, CD/DVD drive, keyboard, mouse with mouse pad, speaker system, floppy drive(if you still need one, hopefully not), fans to keep it cool, etc.... They will come by parts so you will need to assemble it. The Mboards manual should be able to show you how to assemble it and don't forget to wear a ground wire. You don't want to put static electricity on those parts, specially the rams and chips on the board. Bios setting should also be on the manual. HD and CD/DVD drive settings whether to connect it as primary or secondary or auto should be clearly printed on the HD casing. Before I forget, you need the OS of your preference also, of course.

Well goodluck on this. There's a saying that goes, "when all else fails, consult the manual".

I think I should know what all of this means. That's why I'm kinda iffy on doing it. I got lost after the 5th line.

thermophilis · Apr 14, 2009

I really think you'll be fine. The first time I ever built a computer I was quite scared but it's not that difficult, really. Plus if you have any questions this forum is a pretty good resource to get them answered.

thandakid · Apr 14, 2009

Well If you want to go for an assembled P.C i think you should go wit this

AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz $95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103244

ASRock AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 7025 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $47
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157158

CORSAIR XMS2 4GB $52
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145229

HITACHI 1TB 7200 RPM $87
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145233

Casing $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811164114

PSU $16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817165024

Video Card $37
ASUS EAH3450/HTP/512M Radeon HD 3450
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121250

Vista $100
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488

Total $457

buying first real computer... need some help

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