scared to build :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

M

marvelusmarvcus

New Member
:eek: ok, i am a lil scared to build a computer, but i know how much cheaper and better it can be. i kinda built one with a friend a few years back, but he was there to make sure everything ran smoothly. this time, im on my own.

well, maybe you guys could help me through it. i would spend up to $1500-$2000 if it made sense.

here is a list of needs/what i use my computer for:
1 speed/processor
*i want the fastest processor possible
*i surf the net, use webcam, listen to music, watch videos, downloading
*i do like to multitask, and have different windows/programs open at once

2 memory
*would like lots of storage without speed loss
*looking for fastest hd and memory possible

3 aesthetics
*want the setup to look cool
*modern/industrial looking, lights in the case, etc
*will be using a 40" lcd as the monitor(already have)
*wireless keyboard and mouse(please refer me to one that works well at long distance, 10ft)

i do not game, i do not use any complex programs, i do not need any fancy graphic cards, sound cards, or software. i just want lightning speed mostly, no matter what demands i put on the computer. i would like to load 32 bit windows vista on the system once complete.

if you had up to $2000 to spend on a computer, and your one and only goal was speed, with my uses, what would you recommend? thanks for all the help guys.
 
Im from the UK myself so i dont know if the hardware available to you is different to what i have available.

In terms of CPU i would go for one of the Intel Core 2 Duo's, they're around £150 over here ($300). Or if you can stretch to the next level then go for one of the quad core systems, but the price hike is pretty big up to these, and they require very good motherboards too.

For the memory i would go for 2GB DDR Corsair, if you're not gaming i dont think you'll be needing more than 2GB.

In terms of hard drive, i think Seagate have recently released a HD that supposedly accesses data at twice the speed of a conventional HD, something to do with the data configuration on the drive. These run at a decent 7200rpm too, and are available in sizes up to 500GB. If there are certain files/programs that you use alot then you could also get a smaller but faster HD to store these on, HD's of about 80GB can be purchased that run at 10,000rpm.

Make sure you spend alot on the motherboard as this will be the heart of the system, if you concentrate on all the other components but neglect this one then it can become a data bottleneck within the system.

As for the graphics, i know you dont play games, but due to the size of the screen being used tried to get a half decent one, it doesnt have to be anything majorly impressive, but at least something that will improve the image quality on your screen.

Finally, the case. There are hundreds of different towers available, all with neon lighting and things available. You can also buy LED fans and coloured cabling etc, so that shouldnt be a problem.

Finally (again), as for the building side of it, just do a search on the net, there are dozens of step by step guides of how to build your own system.
 
ok but if you have 2000 dollars to spend and you already have a monitor (a beast at that) you can get a sick computer... quad core... 8800gts to run that beast of a monitor off... it can be real nice i'm gonna look around on newegg
 
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $149.99

MSI P6N Diamond LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $249.99

EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail $279.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply - Retail $169.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 Kentsfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6700 - Retail $579.99

OCZ Flex XLC 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2FX800C32GK - Retail $159.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $109.99

SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black SATA Model SH-S183L - OEM $36.99

Subtotal: $1,736.92
MIR: -$80.00
Total: $1,656.92

MIR on Case=$30 on PSU=$30 on Video Card=$20

Or you could even switch that C2D out with the Core 2 Extreme QX6700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115011
That would put you over budget 50 bucks but you could easily shave 50 bucks off somewhere else (ie case or video card since you said you don't game). Or get some other random add-ons you want or save $350.

EDIT:::
I didn't include a wireless mouse/keyboard set-up but thats totally personal preference and you can get the best out there and stay in budget. Maybe you want a 10,000 RPM drive... i don't know.
 
We need to know if you need a new monitor or not since in case you didn't need one, we could use that money for suggesting you better parts
 
wow thanks for the help, and i do not need a new monitor as i will be using the 40"lcd as mentioned.

those are some great suggestions, i am looking into them now, thank you!
 
I would suggest you do not get a SLI motherboard since you won't be gaming anyway. I'd say, get an Asus P5K familly board, depending on your needs.

Also, I might be a bit cheap, but I'd much rather buy a Q6600 (300$) than a Q6700 (579$), because that's nearly double the price, for a small increase in performance.

Besides that, it seems fine... For the PSU, you could surely go a 520HX from Corsair, but the 620 is good if you plan to upgrade stuff later on and get some power hungry one.

Case, mouse, keyboard are personnal. I personally like the Antec P180 or the newer P182.

I'd also try to get some advice from people who know more than me to be sure that the 8800 gts 320mb video card will be enough for a 40 inch LCD or perhaps if it is too much and a 8600GTS would do just as well.

With those 2 changes (provided you get the basic P5K), you'd save nearly 400$ and you wouldn't be sacrificing much performance IMHO.
 
Uhh with $2000 if he already has a monitor, I'm pretty sure he can get a Q6600 and OC to like 3.4ghz using water cooling (or top of the line air cooling if he's worried about building), an 8800gtx, an amazing case, and up to 4gb of ram. And speakers to boot.
 
Just make sure that what ever video card you select, that it will support the resolution of your monitor. Most cards will not handle a monitor that size.
 
I'd go with something like this



Plus the corsair 620w, just get it from buy.com since you save 20 bucks and it has free shipping, btw 32bits os only support up to 3gb if you want to run 4gb o more you'll need 64bits

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-620w-sli-certified-modular-atx-power-supply/q/loc/101/203270718.html

Total:

1807.86 without shipping


Edit:

If you don't like that case i have some other suggestion around that price

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133020

And

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133152
 
Last edited:
They are about the same in performance but have a bigger price tag which is WTF, you'll probably be running 1920 resolution or 1650
 
thanks for all the help chup. any ideas on the power supply? and do i really need that expensive of a graphics card? i dont game, just tryin to get it on the 52" monitor for surfing and such. i dont think i need a dvd burner drive either as i have all of that equipment hooked to the 52" monitor via my theater system. just a nice cd burning and cd drive.

any rf keyboards and mice out there? saw the rocketfish which operates on blue tooth at 60ft. i will prolly be about 8 feet from the actual cpu and would like a wireless keyboard and mouse that works as well as a connected one. any ideas?
 
Yes you pretty much need that expensive of a video card. You will be running at ultra high res and you need a card that will handle it for long periods of time with out over heating or burning out. Just look for a card that is HDMI capable. There are some cheaper cards that handle it, but you get what you pay for.
 
Just stay with the dvd burner since the cd burners are around the same price and are obsolete, if you want to run a high resolution then yes you need it, if you're going to run like 1280 resolution then no
 
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