first pc build, completely clueless

Yes I can play Halo 1 with a 8500 GT and a 2 GHz Dual core AMD with 2 GB of ram :)
with 1280 by 768 max settings I can get between 50-125 FPS (I go higher res. but I'm fine with that) Oh I can also play halo 1 on a non def. TV :) little hard to see numbers and stuff but it's still fun
 
Gentlemen you have all made valid points. A few suggestions if I may:

- Avoid eMachines. They are cheap - both meanings of the word.
- Bilbog, as was mentioned early on, you can get a decent computer for what you want to do in the $300-500 range quite easily and still have a quality build.
- Never build a system toward the minimum specifications for a video game. Start with the recommended specifications at least. There is a reason why it is called minimum in the first place. It is a place to avoid, not start at. (Besides, it is obvious that Bilbog already has a computer capable of the minimum performance.)
- If you are going to upgrade your system, upgrade for goodness sake. A faster/more modern computer is worth it if just for general moving about the OS. It will also allow for some growing room if your needs expand.

Food for thought.

I'll try to post up a build a little later on as well.
 
thanks guys, i've been looking at all of the parts that you have posted. that's a very reasonably priced computer. this compaq of mine has 3 versions of windows, 512 of ram, and it's just about shot, it barely even works. so it's time to upgrade. i saw that tidbit about the recording tv as well...any good cards/supplies i can look at for that? and just out of curiosity, how do you know that parts are compatible? i've noticed a lot of things like DDR2 and the graphics cards all have memory, and HDD's run at diffrent rpm's. does all of this make a big difference, or is it just fancy numbers for people to ooh and aah about? just curious. thanks again for the help
 
My turn, here is my suggested build list:

Phenom 8450 Tri-Core (2.1 gigahertz) Processor - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103254

GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 Socket AM2+/AM2 Motherboard - $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376&Tpk=GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3

Super Talent 2 gigabytes DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) RAM - $26
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609027

Seagate Barracuda ST3250410AS 250 gigabyte Hard Drive - $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262&Tpk=ST3250410AS

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600 Watt Power Supply - $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010&Tpk=OCZ600SXS

GIGABYTE GZ-X6BPD-500 Black SECC Steel Mid Tower Computer Case - $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233041&Tpk=GIGABYTE GZ-X6BPD-500

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Premium - $100
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008484&prodlist=celebros

Samsung Black 22x Model SH-S223Q - $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

MSI R4650-D512 Radeon HD 4650 Video Card - $63
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127417

Shipping around $30

$559 Total

Here are also some tips that will help you build a computer:
http://www.computerforum.com/104641-how-build-computer-step-step-photos.html
 
Darn...2Gig beat me to it. That is a slick little case by Gigabyte.

Well, here is an alternate option with some room to grow:

Antec 300 case + Althlon 64 X2 7750 Combo @ $108:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.181836

Motherboard - ASUS M3A78 @ $80:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131340

RAM - OCZ Platinum 2GB @ $27:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227178

PSU - Corsair CMPSU-650TX @ $80 (after $20 rebate):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

GPU - Sapphire HD4670 @ $70 (after $10 rebate):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102820

HDD - WD 320GB 72K @ $55:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074

ODD - LG 20X DVD Burner @ $22:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136149

OS - Vista Home Premium OEM @ $100:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488


Shipping - $34

Total w/Shipping (after $30 in rebates) - $596
 
bilbog said:
...i saw that tidbit about the recording tv as well...any good cards/supplies i can look at for that? and just out of curiosity, how do you know that parts are compatible? i've noticed a lot of things like DDR2 and the graphics cards all have memory, and HDD's run at diffrent rpm's. does all of this make a big difference, or is it just fancy numbers for people to ooh and aah about? just curious. thanks again for the help
Click to expand...

For TV tuner cards, have a look at a few of these cards:

PCIe Interface - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116015

PCI Interface - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116010


The speed of RAM in a graphics card can make a difference in the overall performance. Faster RAM allows for higher bandwidth when moving data between the GPU and VRAM (Video RAM).

The faster a hard drive spins, the faster that data can be located and transferred off or written to.

It isn't just fancy number in these cases. ;)
 
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