another first timer needs help

J

jones14

New Member
Hi, I'm looking for a little guidance on my first time build, what's new right?

At the moment I've been having major issues with my current 5 year old Dell computer that I've been using in college. It's slow, hard drive is full, and as of late I've been running into a lot of virus and pop-up issues. I think I can finally accept my dad's criticism when he says "you need to quit downloadin' all that music crap." Basically I'm fed up with it, and I think it would be a fun and cheaper route to build myself a new one.

I've been doing my research, reading up on as much as I can, but that only gets me so far. There's still a lot of things I'm clueless on, and probably will be unless I attend a class or something. However, I feel that I have a good "basic knowledge" of how things are working here. I also contacted a friend that has always been good with these kinds of things and he asked me what I was looking for in a new computer.

I told him I would like a DVD burner, a large hard drive, 500GB+, for music and movies (sorry dad) and just some mid-level gaming hardware. I believe the most demanding games I play are flight simulators such as X Plane 9. I'm not sure on exact requirements, but it would be nice to play on high settings. Also an important aspect is that I'm on a rather tight budget, probably absolutely no more than $600.

The list I got in return:

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L Micro ATX Intel
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 2.8GHz
Memory: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
Optical: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA, Model GH22NS30
Power: Antec earthwatts EA500 500W
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s
Case: NZXT Apollo Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
OS: Windows XP (already own a copy)
Note: Already own monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer and speakers
Total Price: $441.93 all from Newegg.com (leaving me about $150 to expand on)

When I saw the list and did some looking around a few questions began to race around in my head. He didn't include a video card. I remember him mentioning that most motherboards have basic video, but again I would like to be able to play my sims on high levels. Here is where I'm not sure how great of a card I really need, if one at all. Another thing is that I listen to a lot of music, so I wasn't too sure what an audio card would do to improve the system. And lastly, I will still have my existing Dell computer.. so anything that can be re-used, as boring as that is, i will (case, psu, fan).

I also turned to another friend who recently built a computer himself. He's kind of like me.. he knows enough, but no wizz by any means. I believe he spent in the upwards of $1200 for everything so of course when I showed him my parts list it was full of "cheap" brands and parts. He doesn't know about Newegg though, somehow?! :rolleyes:

I suppose I'm just trying to get as much input and opinions as possible before I go and spend all this money. After reading a few other threads there seem to be some bright people around here willing to give all the noobs their input. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate them.

Thanks
 
To add, the "Buiding a computer and budget recommendations/Forum Rules" thread at the top of the list seems like it will be very informative, and I will be taking it all in on my lunch break tomorrow :)
 
sound

jones14 said:
Hi, I'm looking for a little guidance on my first time build, what's new right?

At the moment I've been having major issues with my current 5 year old Dell computer that I've been using in college. It's slow, hard drive is full, and as of late I've been running into a lot of virus and pop-up issues. I think I can finally accept my dad's criticism when he says "you need to quit downloadin' all that music crap." Basically I'm fed up with it, and I think it would be a fun and cheaper route to build myself a new one.

I've been doing my research, reading up on as much as I can, but that only gets me so far. There's still a lot of things I'm clueless on, and probably will be unless I attend a class or something. However, I feel that I have a good "basic knowledge" of how things are working here. I also contacted a friend that has always been good with these kinds of things and he asked me what I was looking for in a new computer.

I told him I would like a DVD burner, a large hard drive, 500GB+, for music and movies (sorry dad) and just some mid-level gaming hardware. I believe the most demanding games I play are flight simulators such as X Plane 9. I'm not sure on exact requirements, but it would be nice to play on high settings. Also an important aspect is that I'm on a rather tight budget, probably absolutely no more than $600.

The list I got in return:

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L Micro ATX Intel
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 2.8GHz
Memory: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
Optical: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA, Model GH22NS30
Power: Antec earthwatts EA500 500W
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s
Case: NZXT Apollo Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
OS: Windows XP (already own a copy)
Note: Already own monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer and speakers
Total Price: $441.93 all from Newegg.com (leaving me about $150 to expand on)

When I saw the list and did some looking around a few questions began to race around in my head. He didn't include a video card. I remember him mentioning that most motherboards have basic video, but again I would like to be able to play my sims on high levels. Here is where I'm not sure how great of a card I really need, if one at all. Another thing is that I listen to a lot of music, so I wasn't too sure what an audio card would do to improve the system. And lastly, I will still have my existing Dell computer.. so anything that can be re-used, as boring as that is, i will (case, psu, fan).

I also turned to another friend who recently built a computer himself. He's kind of like me.. he knows enough, but no wizz by any means. I believe he spent in the upwards of $1200 for everything so of course when I showed him my parts list it was full of "cheap" brands and parts. He doesn't know about Newegg though, somehow?! :rolleyes:

I suppose I'm just trying to get as much input and opinions as possible before I go and spend all this money. After reading a few other threads there seem to be some bright people around here willing to give all the noobs their input. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate them.

Thanks
Click to expand...

If you have a Home theatre set up with spdif inputs on your reciever then don't bother buying a sound card. Just use one of the spdif outputs on the motherboard to hook to your reciever. I have 3 computors hooked up this way and the sound is amazing. It takes no cpu usage for digital sound to be passed through you board. It will not effect your gaming in anyway when using this method.
If you dont have a reciever for some reason, Then i suggest you re evaluate your cost of build and put some towards a good ht setup. You did say after all Its mainly for music and gaming!
 
jones14 said:
Hi, I'm looking for a little guidance on my first time build, what's new right?

At the moment I've been having major issues with my current 5 year old Dell computer that I've been using in college. It's slow, hard drive is full, and as of late I've been running into a lot of virus and pop-up issues. I think I can finally accept my dad's criticism when he says "you need to quit downloadin' all that music crap." Basically I'm fed up with it, and I think it would be a fun and cheaper route to build myself a new one.

I've been doing my research, reading up on as much as I can, but that only gets me so far. There's still a lot of things I'm clueless on, and probably will be unless I attend a class or something. However, I feel that I have a good "basic knowledge" of how things are working here. I also contacted a friend that has always been good with these kinds of things and he asked me what I was looking for in a new computer.

I told him I would like a DVD burner, a large hard drive, 500GB+, for music and movies (sorry dad) and just some mid-level gaming hardware. I believe the most demanding games I play are flight simulators such as X Plane 9. I'm not sure on exact requirements, but it would be nice to play on high settings. Also an important aspect is that I'm on a rather tight budget, probably absolutely no more than $600.

The list I got in return:

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L Micro ATX Intel
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 2.8GHz
Memory: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
Optical: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA, Model GH22NS30
Power: Antec earthwatts EA500 500W
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s
Case: NZXT Apollo Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
OS: Windows XP (already own a copy)
Note: Already own monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer and speakers
Total Price: $441.93 all from Newegg.com (leaving me about $150 to expand on)

When I saw the list and did some looking around a few questions began to race around in my head. He didn't include a video card. I remember him mentioning that most motherboards have basic video, but again I would like to be able to play my sims on high levels. Here is where I'm not sure how great of a card I really need, if one at all. Another thing is that I listen to a lot of music, so I wasn't too sure what an audio card would do to improve the system. And lastly, I will still have my existing Dell computer.. so anything that can be re-used, as boring as that is, i will (case, psu, fan).

I also turned to another friend who recently built a computer himself. He's kind of like me.. he knows enough, but no wizz by any means. I believe he spent in the upwards of $1200 for everything so of course when I showed him my parts list it was full of "cheap" brands and parts. He doesn't know about Newegg though, somehow?! :rolleyes:

I suppose I'm just trying to get as much input and opinions as possible before I go and spend all this money. After reading a few other threads there seem to be some bright people around here willing to give all the noobs their input. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate them.

Thanks
Click to expand...

That with onboard VGA, I don't recommend if you want to play game.
Drop that mobo, get something like ASUS P5Q SE instead.
Then get a 9800GT or HD4830
 
Linux0009 said:
Heres a descent build for $594.97 including shipping. Then there are $40.00 in mail in rebates bringing the net cost down to $554.97. Just my 2 cents.


https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=8275874
Click to expand...

Seems like a solid list, I will take into consideration. Thanks

Jg Maximum said:
If you have a Home theatre set up with spdif inputs on your reciever then don't bother buying a sound card. Just use one of the spdif outputs on the motherboard to hook to your reciever. I have 3 computors hooked up this way and the sound is amazing. It takes no cpu usage for digital sound to be passed through you board. It will not effect your gaming in anyway when using this method.
If you dont have a reciever for some reason, Then i suggest you re evaluate your cost of build and put some towards a good ht setup. You did say after all Its mainly for music and gaming!
Click to expand...

By home theatre with a spdif input reciever, do you mean something similar to a Bose Companion series system?
 
jones14 said:
Seems like a solid list, I will take into consideration. Thanks



By home theatre with a spdif input reciever, do you mean something similar to a Bose Companion series system?
Click to expand...

No. I am taliking about a true home theatre reciever with speakers. Any entry level reciever nowadays have digital interface inputs. They will usually have both a coax input and optical inputs Usually more optical than coax. However either one deos exactly the same thing. are you using this machine in same room as you watch tv on or is it in totally seprate room and you dont have a system to hook up to? Its to bad you spent money on the bose setup. Bose are such a rip off. Take you existing computor to your stereo and just temporaly hook it up to it just to try. even when you use your analog out to say video 2 input you will be suprissed on the sound diffrence. I am suprised not more people do this. When ever soem one new see how i have my three units hooked up to three diferent stero recievers and speakers for that matter, They act like they never heard of such a thing! And then they are usually blown away when i crank it up. think about it. You using aT LEAST 100 WATTS PER CHANNEL VIA A TRUE AMPLIFFIER, RATHER than a measly 5- 15 watts per channel from a crappy pc speaker set up. check out J&R computor music world and just take a look at the great deals you can find.
http://www.jr.com/pioneer/pe/PIO_VSX519VK/ as an example.
also there are many home theatre in a box that make great pc gaming setups for unbelievable prices and still have spdif inputs (optical,coax)
 
My computer is in the same room as my TV. At least the one I watch most. It's just a little 20" Samsung LCD though, so a home audio system might be a little over the top, not to mention out of my price range at the moment. That is a good idea however, and someday I will own the ultimate setup. The Bose Companion 3's are getting me by right now.. 10x better than the stock Dell speakers at least.
 
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