Building first computer

[mike1990]

I am a total noob when it comes to building a computer. I tried looking around online for tips and what components I need but I am still confused. I hope someone can help.

I am looking to spend no more than $600 on the entire thing. The sole reason I am building this desktop is for gaming (specifically having Star Craft 2 run smoothly on highest settings). I do not need this thing to be a super computer. I also will be using my T.V. as a monitor so I will need HDMI capability (no idea how to do this in the build) and a few USB ports for wireless mouse and keyboard. Any advice on where I should start?

 

[danthrax]

http://www.computerforum.com/104641-how-build-computer-step-step-photos.html

This is an excellent guide from a user on this forum on how to put together your PC.

As far as parts that you need:

- Motherboard
- Power Supply Unit
- Graphics Card
- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Hard Drive
- Optical Drive
- Operating System

 

[Sergeant Fox]

well i was in the same place as you about a week and a half ago until i came across a site that helped me understand what to look for and what i needed. There are 5 parts to the guide and the site also has a guide to assembling your custom PC. Hope they help you as they did for me.

Part 1 Pro's and Con's
Part 2 CPU
Part 3 Motherboard and RAM
Part 4 Video Card and Optical Drive
Part 5 Hard Drive, Case, and Power Supply

 

[mike1990]

That was a big help but I have one more question. How do I know which parts are compatible with one another?

 

[StrangleHold]

Just decide if your going AMD or Intel. Then people here can help you on the compatibility.

 

[mike1990]

This is just speculation. I am well aware I did not include a case or RAM. I might have an extra case and RAM lying around somewhere. I am going to have a few people look this over and give me suggestions. I guess the sole question is, will this be able to handle games to their full potential? If would anyone be able to suggest something different for less then $650?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136112

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125310

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135202

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817165040

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

 

[jevery]

Came in too high, but hate to trim anymore,

CPU, Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition, $104
MB, ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX, $85, $70 w/Rebate
RAM, G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB, $91
GPU, SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB, $130
Case, Antec Three Hundred Illusion, $60
PSU, OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W, $60, $40 w/Rebate
HDD, Western Digital Black 500GB, $70
ODD, LITE-ON Black SATA CD/DVD Burner, $19
OS, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, $100,

Total $684 w/Rebates + Shipping

 

[mike1990]

Came in too high, but hate to trim anymore,

CPU, Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition, $104
MB, ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX, $85, $70 w/Rebate
RAM, G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB, $91
GPU, SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB, $130
Case, Antec Three Hundred Illusion, $60
PSU, OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W, $60, $40 w/Rebate
HDD, Western Digital Black 500GB, $70
ODD, LITE-ON Black SATA CD/DVD Burner, $19
OS, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, $100,

Total $684 w/Rebates + Shipping

Will this be able to run most games at high settings and run them smoothly? You can knock off $100 since I already have a copy of an OS

 

[jevery]

Then you can get a better processor and graphics card,

CPU, Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition, $160
MB, ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX, $85, $70 w/Rebate
RAM, G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB, $91
GPU, SAPPHIRE HD 5770 1GB, $155, $140 w/Rebate
Case, Antec Three Hundred Illusion, $60
PSU, OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W, $60, $40 w/Rebate
HDD, Western Digital Black 500GB, $70
ODD, LITE-ON Black SATA CD/DVD Burner, $19

Total $650 w/Rebate + Shipping

I think you'd be happy with the gameplay.