1st Time build, need advice please.

C

Calibur

New Member
First post :eek:

So let me first give you my situation. I'm a sophomore in college, I worked for local 3 in NYC this past summer. Made a good amount of money, spent most of it, saved enough.

So lets give it the rundown.

Budget: I have $900 to spend. I also can have my parents buy me 1 component, probably the graphics card for my birthday (NOV 6th).

So: $900 to spend on everything else, and lets say $500 or less for the graphics card.

Experience: I have 0 experience at building a computer, but I have friends that do, so putting it together shouldn't be a problem. The main problem is selecting the parts to use. I am going to overclock the system.

So basically i need some help selecting the right parts, that fit my budget, and will give me the best system. Any tips, and tricks would also be appreciated.
 
porterjw

porterjw

Spaminator
Staff member
Calibur said:
First post :eek:

So let me first give you my situation. I'm a sophomore in college, I worked for local 3 in NYC this past summer. Made a good amount of money, spent most of it, saved enough.

So lets give it the rundown.

Budget: I have $900 to spend. I also can have my parents buy me 1 component, probably the graphics card for my birthday (NOV 6th).

So: $900 to spend on everything else, and lets say $500 or less for the graphics card.

Experience: I have 0 experience at building a computer, but I have friends that do, so putting it together shouldn't be a problem. The main problem is selecting the parts to use. I am going to overclock the system.

So basically i need some help selecting the right parts, that fit my budget, and will give me the best system. Any tips, and tricks would also be appreciated.
Click to expand...

What are you going to be using it for? Lots of school work and and internet/music/IM/whatnot? Or will you be doing gaming?

You mentioned OCing, so you'll want a motherboard that will allow free-reign of BIOS, and I can't help you there. Someone else will chime in though and give some ideas, I'm sure. If possible, look for a nice combo pack (Board and CPU) to get a better deal for your money.

Is space a huge problem (are you in a dorm?)? You'll probably want to stick with a mid-tower case. Don't cheap out on a Power Supply - look to spend at least $40 for a basic one. Those $19 ones are just too risky, IMHO.

Look at these two websites: Tigerdirect.com and newegg.com. They both are very well-respected, and though I prefer Tiger, I'm sure 20 people will post the Newegg is better :p I find Tiger to be a bit more user-friendly with searching and browsing products, but take a look at one of them.
 
O

oscaryu1

VIP Member
Calibur said:
First post :eek:

So let me first give you my situation. I'm a sophomore in college, I worked for local 3 in NYC this past summer. Made a good amount of money, spent most of it, saved enough.

So lets give it the rundown.

Budget: I have $900 to spend. I also can have my parents buy me 1 component, probably the graphics card for my birthday (NOV 6th).

So: $900 to spend on everything else, and lets say $500 or less for the graphics card.

Experience: I have 0 experience at building a computer, but I have friends that do, so putting it together shouldn't be a problem. The main problem is selecting the parts to use. I am going to overclock the system.

So basically i need some help selecting the right parts, that fit my budget, and will give me the best system. Any tips, and tricks would also be appreciated.
Click to expand...

$1400 max.

$900 on system. $900 is good enough, the $500 could get you an good 9800 this end of year.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017
Q6600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059
P35-DS3L

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590
XMS2 (2x for 4GB)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106049
DVD Burner

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136062
WDC 160GB SATAII

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002
OCZ GameXstream 700W

http://www.clubit.com/product_detai...=OTC-Adwords&gclid=CMaOy_Glpo8CFQGnPAodzTW5TA
Antec 900

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150171
8800GTS 320MB XFX (CHRISTMAS, WITH $500 I would go with maybe an 8800Ultra)

Total w/ shipping and after rebates : 1047.51USD

I would save up for an QX or something with the rest of the $$$ this november, their coming out with the new stuff.
 
Last edited:
C

Calibur

New Member
Thanks oscaryu1

I guess i should have been more clear.

The PC is going to be used for gaming. Basically i want to run the newest games at the highest settings, and of course fit into my budget. Its probably going to stay at home, so space is not a problem.

I have a laptop that i use for school, business, music, ect. So i want this computer, to be strictly for gaming.

Any more builds / advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
O

oscaryu1

VIP Member
Calibur said:
Thanks oscaryu1

I guess i should have been more clear.

The PC is going to be used for gaming. Basically i want to run the newest games at the highest settings, and of course fit into my budget. Its probably going to stay at home, so space is not a problem.

I have a laptop that i use for school, business, music, ect. So i want this computer, to be strictly for gaming.

Any more builds / advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

http://www.clubit.com/product_detai...=OTC-Adwords&gclid=CIDWyMbtqI8CFQRuZQodGlQVTQ

Change to that CPU. Same thing, but cheaper, and has G0 stepping, which means it's cooler, more efficient, and overall, better.

The 8800GTX (just replace the GTS) will last you an LONG time. This november look for the 8800GT, romoured cheaper and better than the GTX's and GTS.
 
C

Calibur

New Member
Are there going to be any huge (worth waiting for) advances between November and December in video card technology?
 
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oscaryu1

VIP Member
Calibur said:
Are there going to be any huge (worth waiting for) advances between November and December in video card technology?
Click to expand...

Yes, and some of the newer quads. The new QX's are coming out around $70 cheaper than the Q6600, and it will be better. As with the 8800GT, it is rumored to be better than any of the 8800GTS/GTX's, and is also going to be cheaper.
 
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