First Time Build - Looking for Advice

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struby2

New Member
I'll start off by saying my name is Andy, I am looking to build a computer for the first time with only knowledge gained from past computer troubles. I have at some point replaced probably half of the parts of my old computer, and will be working with a friend who has built before, so mainly I'm looking for parts advice. Here are my goals and major questions before I list what I feel might be possibly a good set of parts for me:

-A $500 dollar budget without monitor, I have something that will suffice for now

-The ability to run modern games (I am worried about this), but really I want to try the new Starcraft and play Diablo 3 whenever they decide to release it. I also like to play some first person shooters if possible. I don't know how well this goal fits with my budget, so that could be a quick shoot down on my plans.

-I don't want this system to fall out of date very quickly, and if something should, I would like to be able to upgrade, maybe a 5 year life? Is that reasonable?

-I want this to be worth the money, by that I mean, after you look at my plans and goals, could I go grab something off the shelf that will compare to some degree and save myself some trouble.

-Low stress build, I have put myself through some projects in my time, and I tend to get myself into trouble with a small gap in planning or issues with compatibility, I want to put this together and not go, I just wanna send this crap back this is insane.

-I assume you guys won't be, but please don't be afraid to tell me if something is unreasonable, whether for the parts I'm using or the type of build and system use I am going for. Maybe I'm picking too much processor for the rest of my system or anything really, let me know, I am clearly on a budget and I don't want to waste money

-I have a few other questions, but I will put them at the end because they are more purchase related.

That being said, here is what I was thinking:

Processor
AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103702

Motherboard - Something I have very little knowledge about
ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595
should I consider the -LM, what is the difference

RAM - Aware of RAM and it's importance, just not sure what a good company is
suggestions here would be nice, but I'll throw out an option I saw anyway - thinking 4 gigs (2x2)
Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2K2/4G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104001

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

Video Card - I am thinking this should be the major gaming concern
ASUS EAH4650/DI/1GD2(LP) Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121340

DVD drive - little concern to me
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

Case - Also of little concern to me, but a decently sturdy cheap case with good air flow and preferably not low USB ports would be nice
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233059
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203


For now I am now worried about speakers, keyboard, mouse, and like I said, monitor, although I will probably get a monitor eventually so I don't have to double up use on my TV. Am I missing anything else? Here are a few last questions, if anyone isn't tired of reading my topic yet.

-What should be my cooling concerns with these or any other cases, should I buy an extra fan?

-I hear alot about overclocking, should it be something I consider?

-Is ordering all of this from newegg.com most likely the best or a very good option?

Thank you very much

-Andy

since writing this on another forum, I have also added:

I have no idea what power supply to get, I have been suggested a $30 400W and an $85 650W and I have very little knowledge of power sources.

I will be using windows 7, hopefully 64 bit, unless people tell me that is a bad idea.

I am also looking for cheap case suggestions that have higher usb mounts, either middle or top mounted and angled would be good as well.

thanks again

-Andy
 
To answer your questions in order:
-$500 will get you a system that will run games on medium-low to mediumish settings.
-5 years is quite a long time to expect a system to last, especially for gaming. The highest end systems 5 years ago had Pentium 4's and Geforce 6X00 Gpu's, look at what sorta games those will play nowadays..not very many.
-Generally, building a computer will net you more value for money than buying from an OEM.
-I would go with the coolermaster elite case of those two, and as far as running at stock without overclocking you will be fine on the stock fans/stock cpu heatsink.
-After you build your computer, you may want to venture into overclocking, but you will want to get familiar with how everything works first off.
-Newegg is a great place to order from.

Does your $500 budget include an operating system?I would recommend what i would do at this price point for gaming, but this is somewhat of a key piece of information as it would sway the budget one way or another.Windows 7 is great, but its gonna cost you $99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ows_7_home_premium_oem-_-32-116-754-_-Product
____________
 
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no I am not including Windows 7, so I originally should have said 500 not including monitor and OS. I have made some progress since posting, and realized I will be up toward 600 more, here is where I am right now, and trying to get it a bit cheaper, I am also looking to get some other brand other than G-Skill Ram, any suggestions?

hard drive, dvd drive, and case are not listed, but total $115

ASUS Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131406

ATI video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161317

500W power supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371004

RAM that I want an alternative too, but I am wondering, are these good specs for my price range, or should I go to different DDR3, what is the difference within the DDR3 type:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371004

AMD Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103702

any comments? thanks again.
 
Here is what i would suggest at a price of $500:

Case: $10 more than the coolermaster, but top mount USB and that appears to be important to you
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121088

otherwise, you can save $20 over that HEC case by going with this case, with mid mounted USB ports:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147074

Or you could go with that coolermaster elite case you were looking at, its a great case for the price.

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176

CPU+GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.415899

PSU+ODD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.418942

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

That would come out to $503.92 with the HEC case, or $483.92 with the rosewill case.
 
I like the cheaper option, do you think I might see trouble with a game like Starcraft 2 or games in the future, and people have been saying bad things to me about G-Skill Ram. I know I said $500, but if you honestly think I will be disappointed if I stay in that range I don't want to do it. people also say stay with Asus board. Will the 5670 do the job I am hoping for. I like that top case. If I were to expand my budget to 600, could you give me what suggestions you would make on top of your 500 dollar suggestion. Thanks for the help.
 
I know I only just posted this here, but elsewhere has confused me

phew, I wish I would have just asked for the best gaming setup for that price, maybe I should repost. That or, can anyone just throw my stuff aside and give me the best setup for gaming that will do what I want for the cheapest they would suggest going. I don't want to be disappointed and I don't want it to run a game and then a year from now be falling behind. Given that I want to stay as cheap as possible without falling behind too quickly or being disappointed, can anyone make suggestions please. thanks again.
 
struby2 said:
I like the cheaper option, do you think I might see trouble with a game like Starcraft 2 or games in the future, and people have been saying bad things to me about G-Skill Ram. I know I said $500, but if you honestly think I will be disappointed if I stay in that range I don't want to do it. people also say stay with Asus board. Will the 5670 do the job I am hoping for. I like that top case. If I were to expand my budget to 600, could you give me what suggestions you would make on top of your 500 dollar suggestion. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

At a price of $600, i would change the CPU, GPU and mobo to the following:

Mobo+CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.407749

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131354

That would bring you to $599.93.

That would play SC2, not on highest settings, but you should get good framerates at mediumish settings.

Also, as far as budget AM3 boards go, that ASrock is among one of the better budget boards(asrock is the budget subsidiary of Asus).
 
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I have seen alot about the gaming computer for $1000 number, is that maybe a mark I should consider saving up and going for instead in terms of quality and longevity?
 
struby2 said:
I have seen alot about the gaming computer for $1000 number, is that maybe a mark I should consider saving up and going for instead in terms of quality and longevity?
Click to expand...

There really is no longevity when it comes to gaming computers. Spending more would cause it to become outdated slower, but IMO your better off getting yourself something halfway decent, and upgrading it as time goes along. I'd say $700-800 is around the sweet spot for a budget gaming computer with room to upgrade. $800 would net you along the lines of an HD5830, Phenom II X6, etc.
 
maybe that range would be a good idea then, I will be graduating in a year and should have money then to upgrade if I would like, but my laptop fried and I need a new computer at some point soon, so I can't really wait until then. I think maybe I would like to consider the 700-800 idea.
 
struby2 said:
maybe that range would be a good idea then, I will be graduating in a year and should have money then to upgrade if I would like, but my laptop fried and I need a new computer at some point soon, so I can't really wait until then. I think maybe I would like to consider the 700-800 idea.
Click to expand...

To give you a sense of what $800 would net you, this is a build list i put together earlier today for someone that costs ~$800:

bomberboysk said:
CPU+Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.405958

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161327

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203

Memory+PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.408245

ODD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

HDD: (Use promo code EMCYTYW48 for $15 off)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148445
Click to expand...
 
ok, thanks again everyone, I think I'll think about my options for a bit and maybe repost when I know specifically what my budget is and without all of the basic questions.
 
$600-700 gaming build - help/suggestions please

So here are my priorities:

-$600-700 shipped, not including os or monitor

-Gaming - I don't game a ton, but I don't want to be limited as far as what I can play. StarCraft 2 and Diablo 3 are in mind, but I also might want to play some FPS and whatever sparks my interest.

-I want to put quality/longevity priority on parts that won't be outdated when it comes time to upgrade.

-a 500 gb hard drive and cheapo dvd drive should suffice

-I want this to be a system that is on a budget, but will not disappoint me when it's complete, and will last for a couple years, at which point I can make a couple upgrades and have it last another couple years.

-While I say I want something to last, the main priority is to get me through a couple years. I graduate in the spring and will hopefully have more money then, so if having something I can upgrade will hurt the next couple years for me, I might rather just plan for a couple years to some degree.

other notes: Power supply and brand names seem to be the biggest debates to people that have been helping me so far, and I think that's what I know least about. I think I would like a power supply that will give me no worries about getting the job done, and high end names when it costs a little to get a good name, I don't want to spend an extra 50 dollars or something on a part because of a name, but I am willing to pay a little extra for peace of mind, especially where you guys think it is worth it.

I will be using a 23 inch 1080p samsung tv/monitor as my monitor for now, unless I find a good deal on something down the road

feel free to suggest everything, cases as well, I like black shiny cases with mid or high usb ports (maybe angled) and some style, but low price is most important.

If you think my budget will cause me problems with any of this, let me know, or if you think I can go cheaper let me know as well

Lastly, I would like just as much for people to comment on the suggestions of others as I would like build suggestions, so I am not left guessing which of a bunch of builds is best for me.

Thanks everyone,
Andy
 
I am in your shoes bud, I was gonna start off about $400 dollar build but with technology getting advanced faster and faster a $400 build won't last for long in this place.

Case: Rosewill is putting out good cheap cases. I'm an asthestic kind of person so a black case wont do it for me. I'm getting a Cooler Master 690 ii advanced for at $100.

Power Supply: Don't skimp out on, if you find a good deal on a high wattage PSU, I suggest get it. I picked up a 650w PSU even though I need only 550. It is good to have wiggle room.

GPU: ATi is what I am running and I am getting the radeon 5770 for my 32" 1080p Vizio. So I think anything above a 4200 series will do you good, which helps because you will be cheaper than me (5770 is $170ish)

I don't know what kind of processing you will be doing on your Comp. Me personally I am getting the AMD 955 Phenom II Quad core at 3ghz. Fast and efficient.

Ram: anything above 4gb is good. The speed is depending on your MOBO so make sure your MOBO is compatible with the RAM, Processor, and PSU.

The expensive items on my list are the Tower and GPU and PSU. I didn't want to skimp out on the basics. Everything else to me is upgradeable except the MOBO that I am pleased with.

I'm new just like you so anything I say please don't put too much money on me.
 
Thank you very much for your reply, however I just got a call from my friend, he is going to sell me an Nvidea GTX 260 OC
and an intel e5200 duo core 2.5 ghz for like 175 so I'm gonna do that and build from there I think and repost
 
Help me build around these parts please

My friend is selling me an Nvidea GTX 260 OC
and an intel e5200 duo core 2.5 ghz for like 175

first of all, can I make a budget gaming system off of these that will run games well, such as Starcraft 2, Diablo 3, and whatever I feel like playing...fps maybe?

and what would you recommend

-I would kind of like if the setup allowed me to upgrade the processor down the road

-Need Motherboard

-I was thinkin 4 g Gskill ram, I have been told mixed stuff about this

-not sure what power supply, how much should I need, I don't want to worry about underpowering if I upgrade

-any case recommendations besides that coolermaster with the blue edges?

I don't need monitor, OS, mouse speaker or keyboard.

I want to keep the rest on a budget

So basically I need a good ram, Mobo, PSU, and possibly case recommendation to go with what my friend is selling me.

thanks in advance,
-Andy
 
$645, exclude shipping.

Phenom II x4 955 + XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.415601

GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 + GeIL 2 x 2GB DDR3 1600 combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.424666

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB + HEC Blitz Black Steel Edition ATX Mid Tower combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.413256

OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W + LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.419457

I am not sure what style of case you want, just find one with combo deal
 
First of all, sorry for the multiple thread things, I kept thinking my other ones had gone down far.

Second of all, that Nvidea edeals newsletter came out, and I came up with this, I like it, and I was wondering what you guys thought. I don't want to change much around, because I don't want to get confused again, but if I could get it cheaper somehow that would be good.

Sorry I keep changing my ideas around and disregarding suggestions, but I think I found one I'm pretty happy with in this setup:

COMBO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.406247

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161317

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

DVD BURNER
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106333

plus 2 SATA cables and a DVI cable - $10

plus $10 shipping

Total = $689
 
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