Looking to build a new PC

M

Mr.Pancakes

New Member
I'm looking to build a new PC. After having been away at college for a while, and being confined to a laptop (and realizing I have really no need for laptops anymore) I want to build a PC.

My budget in this is going to be around 1,200 dollars. I don't want to go higher than that. I don't have really any more money.

Possible salvageable parts include a GForce FX 5900 Pro (256 mb) card that I have left, and an old, 4 fan (noisy as heck) case (I don't know anything about what the power supply specifics are.. only that it has 4 fans and makes a ton of noise.... and from the GForce card it reads it normally runs around 66 degrees inside the case). I'm not sure if any of these are useful, though, in something I'd build... or if I could maybe make use of one in the short team (like the video card) to save some money and upgrade the video card later to one that would work well with a matching monitor. (Currently, I also have an old SONY Vaio monitor from years and years ago...)

If anyone would like to make hardware suggestions, I'd be appreciative (and could use some of your expert opinions). I don't need/really want speakers... headphones work fine for me.

I'm just looking to create something, decent. It doesn't have to be top of the line, or the really expensive stuff. I just want to be able to play games again (something I cannot really do now with some of the ancient hardware I have).

Currently, I have no experience building a computer from (absolute) scratch. I do know how to do a few things (such as designating a HD master or slave, and putting in RAM, and new video cards... and I do know how to properly open a computer up and have a anti-static wrist band). However, I have no idea how to figure out which RAMs go best with what things, etc. If anyone knows of any good tutorials, I think I'm experienced enough to be able to read/learn about the process.

I appreciate all input you guys might have. Thanks for any help in advance. :)

ALSO! I might be able to do without an upgraded monitor (at first). If I can use my old monitor I can buy the monitor/keyboard/mouse later on. I have an old SONY Vaio monitor, a simple USB Mouse, and a simple USB keyboard too. Unless anyone thinks they can fit a monitor in that budget, but I doubt it. I could always save for it later. If you want to make suggestions (that go over my 1,200 budget) go for it, so I know what monitor/keyboard/mouse I need to save up for that exceed the 1,200 budget.
 
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Tom's Hardware is a great resource for reviews, builds, etc.:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/

For $1,200 you can really put together a nice computer, and I doubt that video card would be useful at all. Heres a few different things I would suggest

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017
or if you prefer AMD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103249

VIDEO CARDS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121258
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500039

MOBOS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232 (Intel)
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153097 (AMD)
 
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Hmmm, well, I would need a complete parts list. I'm not really sure what parts go together.

I think the options you guys are giving me are great and all, but I don't really know which of these parts would work well with other parts (and part speeds and such).

Also, would I also need a new monitor for a new system? Or can I use my old monitor for now with my old mouse and old keyboard?
 
 
Heres my suggestion. Since you have never built a computer before and the one you have is junk, you wont have a clue where your new PC stands when its built and you boot it up (it will definitely be faster). I would ask tons of questions while in the planning stage since its not too late to go back, I'd also read some guides and stuff about building a computer. Its extremely easy but extremely easy to scrap your parts as well. When you finally think you have a setup and want to order, PLEASE make sure you know every part inside out before you hit Confirm :). It's better to wait a little longer to swap out parts then to have to do it after you have paid for them. I'm not saying I know everything about computers but when I built my first PC not too long ago I made a great machine for $700. I'm able to max every game I play with no lag. With a $1200 budget I'm sure your PC will be a monster. I'd go Intel b/c its just better :). I wrote this post in 2 dif time frames so I forgot what I was going to mention. Good luck with the new comp though!
 
I would go with this build:

Asus P5n -D 750i motherboard - 150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232

Intel q6600 Quad core CPU - 200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Corsair 4gb DDR2 800 Ram - 87
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

Rosewill 750 watt PSU - 110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182067

EVGA GTX260 - 350
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130373

Samsung Optical drive - 27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154

Western Digital 640gb HDD - 90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Tallys out to 1,013 and you have 150 to spend on a case for your self, and yes your mouse, keyboard, and monitor will work just fine with this
 
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Great! Could you make some case/cooling suggestions with a 200 dollar budget, aluminum?? (assuming you had 200 dollars max to work with on top of the parts your listed). Are you also sure it will work with my ancient monitor? (it is on the order of 5 years old).

I could always buy the monitor later when I save the money up to get a nice one. :) For now the old one I have shall suffice. (it shall have to, till christmas/birthday time).

I really like your idea aluminum. That video card is a BEAST... and btw, it comes with a mail in rebate so your total is sub 1000 actually... think you missed a few rebates in there.

Seriously, let me know about this :). If you can keep me within budget I might buy this stuff within the next few weeks so I can get it up and running before class starts.

Also, btw, I'm not doing this 100% alone. I know of at least 2 people who have experience assembling computers, who could help me slap them together. I just need them to help me get them together... but I'm sure I can get some help.
 
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A couple other things that you need to keep in mind is that you will need a cpu fan and a heatsink, for fairly good ones your looking around 60$ for those. As for a case, I'm in the process of building my own computer, and I think that I'm going with this case . from what I have read about it, it will keep your system nice and cool without making a lot of noise.

Also do you need a new operating system?
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042
Q9450

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128347
GA-EP43-DS3L

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220269
Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2x 2GB) CL4 Dual Channel Kit CL4

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118012
Sony NEC Optiarc DVD Burner SATA Black

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002&Tpk=OCZ+700w
OCZ GameXStream 700W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131113
PowerColor HD4870 512MB PCI-E 2.0 GDDR5 256bit

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec+900
Antec 900 ATX Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136149
Western Digital Caviar GP 500GB SATAII 16MB

Total after rebates including shipping: $1054.88
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042
Q9450

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128347
GA-EP43-DS3L

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220269
Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2x 2GB) CL4 Dual Channel Kit CL4

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118012
Sony NEC Optiarc DVD Burner SATA Black

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002&Tpk=OCZ+700w
OCZ GameXStream 700W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131113
PowerColor HD4870 512MB PCI-E 2.0 GDDR5 256bit

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec+900
Antec 900 ATX Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136149
Western Digital Caviar GP 500GB SATAII 16MB

Total after rebates including shipping: $1054.88
 
A couple other things that you need to keep in mind is that you will need a cpu fan and a heatsink, for fairly good ones your looking around 60$ for those. As for a case, I'm in the process of building my own computer, and I think that I'm going with this case . from what I have read about it, it will keep your system nice and cool without making a lot of noise.

Also do you need a new operating system?
Click to expand...

"Retail" CPUs include a Intel heatsink and pre-applied paste. If you're getting a OEM processor, you'll need to buy a heatsink and some thermal paste (preferably AS5 or MX-2)
 
Yeah, I also do need an operating system, like you said.

And everyone is giving me different build ideas. Which one is the best to get?

Is the GTX with 800ish mb of ram at GDDR3 ram better than that other card with 512 of GDDR5?

Also, Oscaryu1, I know that case!!! While I was an undergraduate, my roommate was a computer science major. His whole family basically is in the computer science field. He chose that case. It's quiet, very quiet. :) He said it was excellent.

(Also Oscar. When I do go to buy a monitor, which one will I need to utilize the graphics card? I know I have to get one that can make use of the card resolutions I think...)

I really like Oscar's build. Can anyone else help me verify it? And tell me the pros and cons of it? I like the case, and I like the equipment he has suggested.
 
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Operating system - Do ya prefer XP or Vista?

It doesn't 100% depend on the amount of memory or speed of the memory. Of course GDDR5 is faster, and more memory is great, but unless you're planning on connecting it to a 60" HDTV or such, it'll be more or less wasted.

Hehe, it's a popular case :D 2000 reviews... and most people don't even review 'em these days.

Monitor? Hopefully a 21" or so LCD. You could just use standard 15pin VGA, or you could step up and use DVI :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488
MS Vista Home Premium x64

One small problem is 32bit only supports 3.25GB maximum, while most builds here have 4GB+ of memory. 64bit utilizes up to 128GB of memory. The problem is, XP 64bit (if you're a fan of XP), is really hard to find drivers for such an OS.
 
Oscars build is good, but I like mine better but they are both very nice. Either build will be good. OEM Vista should still get automatic updates if you activate it. And for your DVI question, the GTX260 comes with DVI to VGA adapters to use with your monitor, If you get a newer LCD monitor, some come with DVI ports instead of VGA.

Also Nvidia graphics cards are a bit better than ATI. Their drivers are a lot better in my opinion since ive had both cards. I woukd go with the GTX 260-280 series cards instead of the 4870 that ATI makes
 
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