Help a newbie build a decent gaming/work computer

[TreadonmenoT]

http://ati.amd.com/certifiedPSU for a list of Certified products
Minimum 1GB of system memory
Installation software requires CD-ROM drive
DVD playback requires DVD drive
Blu-rayTM playback requires Blu-ray drive
For an ATI CrossFireXTM system, a second ATI RadeonTM HD 5850 graphics card, an ATI CrossFireX Ready motherboard and one ATI CrossFireX Bridge Interconnect cable per graphics card are require

[TreadonmenoT]

Oh I don't need a top of the line computer, I play MW2 at the moment and will probably buy a few games with the completion of this comp.

But I don't need to buy the best of the best components

[stilly]

Here is MY take on this. Lol. This is how I got my current gaming system. Someone gave me a Phenom x4 9950 or something black edition for building them a computer so I upgraded my gaming system and incorporated it. I have had it for the past 3+ years now running great.

1. Graphics card? LoL. Chuck it and get a Nvidia. Okay, kidding, I am not a radeon guy but I have used them.

1st. You want gaming so you will be paying more for your system. What I would do is FIRST look at cases.

Get a case with a bottom mounted power supply (PSU) and it does not have to come with one. Next that case SHOULD be an ATX Mid Tower or something of the sort.
Look for a Scout or something cool that has a decent reputation and maybe a handle to carry around from lan party to lan party. (LoL)

Next you want a decent mobo/cpu/ram setup. SO, head over to directron.com and lookup AMD mobo/cpu combos and if you are lucky, when you choose one that you like, add in about 2-4 GB of RAM also. If you are planning on an XP based OS then look for about 2 GB of ram but if you are looking to run windows 7 then look for maybe 4GB instead of 2. Mushkin and Kingston are decent picks.

Next place your order and if you want to look at their PSU choices too, maybe get a Enermax 550w PSU with a silver or gold star for efficiency and an active PFC or whatever those are called. Use this order to pick up a larger CPU cooler also.

While you are at it you might want to switch to getting a SSD 32-64GB HD for your C: (where you will be installing windows) and then look for a SEAGATE 500GB-2TB CONSTELLATION hard drive for the rest of your computer. Pick up a Samsung Write master or BLUR-RAY drive from Microcenter in Tustin.

Oh yeah, if you are in the OC then you can go to Microcenter off of Edinger/55fwy in Tustin and look at their cases too. They will not have the CONSTELLATION drives but you can look at PSUs that they have as well as optical drives.

Get it all in and take all things out of the case, READ the mobo instructions and mount your RAM and then CPU and then CPU cooler (you might wanna pick up a larger CPU cooler like a V-10 or V-8, I have a V-8 and it is killer...).

When choosing your ram it is REALLY best to see what the CPU FSB is and match it with your RAM speed. Like, if the CPU is 1066 then get the 1066 speed ram or 2000 then get 2000 based RAM. It really helps to make things run better if they are all on the same speed (Asynchronous or something) Sorry, I build MUCH better than I spell. Mount the MOBO and hook up the front panel connectors, hook up the USB and the Audio but be careful because SOME mobos will disable the rear ports on the mobo if you plug in the front. Plug in your HD/Opticals and then plug in your PSU and check that all is connected right, plug in your graphics card and give it power and then go over everything you just did, plug in the graphics to a monitor, plug in power and usb/mouse/kb and set up the bios, install the OS and have fun with the rest...

Did I miss anything? I was actually going to be doing a demonstration of a build like this on you tube... LoL.

There are MANY variables when it comes to building computers. I prefer Windows XP myself while others prefer Windows 7 but it is easier to play with XP in my opinion and it has been around FOREVER.

Anyways, I favor Nvidia and AMD setups so if you want something else then feel free to swap out parts OR even reuse some of your old burners/HDDs but depending on how old they are I would not consider the HD reliaable and if you do NOT get a seagate constellation then don't sweat it, but I have one and that is all that I use when I can.

Good luck and have fun.

**** Edited for a overall price breakdown

I almost forgot, here is what you are looking at money wise:

Case <100
MOBO + CPU < 220
RAM <75
Graphics = 0
Blur ray drive <150 (I do not even have one of these but they are GREAT for data backups as opposed to DVD drives)
Optical DVD Burner <35
PSU <85
CPU Cooler (Cooler Master V8) <60
SSD 32gb <60
SSD 64gb <80
Seagate Constellation 500GB < 100

So you are looking at a total package of about $870 for high end stuff OR as little as about $650 and if you want to reuse your dell dvd burner then you saved a bit more. Heck, you can even NOT use an SSD and just get the Seagate Constelation ES and partition off about 50GB for your C: and use the rest as a D and E drive.

If you want more details then you will need to specify but when people start talking about specific boards and stuff, I know that things change and opinions change twice as fast with new readings. Heck, me telling you THIS for free could NOW end up costing you more money then I just mentioned because you go running off and finding a cheap already barebones system that you decide to buy instead and then it breaks on you a few months down the road and then you got a massive repair bill. (please do not ask me to explain that, but trust me it can and HAS happened).

Heck, worst case scenario if you are such a noob and you do not wanna deal with it then bring me $750 and your graphics card and I will return you your new gaming system after about 2 weeks... You can always add or change things later on down the line.

[xtalpimp]

you can also check these builds out as well.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-pc-do-it-yourself-geforce-gtx-560,3216

.html

Good luck I wish gunsmithing was as easy as building computers! I tend to swear while i'm doing both

[JDay]

I really recommend going with an Nvidia card.

[Tr3v]

Since you already have a video card I'd just focus on a good Processor (like a iCore7 or AMD equivalent) and at least 6 - 8gb of memory. Everything else will just be icing on the cake.

Check out Newegg.com, that's where I've gone to get all my computer components for the past 10 years and haven't looked back.

[JDay]

Since you already have a video card I'd just focus on a good Processor (like a iCore7 or AMD equivalent) and at least 6 - 8gb of memory. Everything else will just be icing on the cake.

Sandy/Ivy Bridge are real fast and are much cheaper than the Intel processors that use the x58 chipset (the chipset that has triple channel DDR). An Ivy Bridge i5 with the z77 chipset should do just fine and you can get a 16GB RAM kit for around $100 these days.

Check out Newegg.com, that's where I've gone to get all my computer components for the past 10 years and haven't looked back.

You can get better deals on Amazon these days. They tend to keeps their prices slightly lower than Newegg and if you have a Prime account you usually get free overnight shipping if you order before noon, otherwise it's 2 days.

[Tr3v]

Sandy/Ivy Bridge are real fast and are much cheaper than the Intel processors that use the x58 chipset (the chipset that has triple channel DDR). An Ivy Bridge i5 with the z77 chipset should do just fine and you can get a 16GB RAM kit for around $100 these days.



You can get better deals on Amazon these days. They tend to keeps their prices slightly lower than Newegg and if you have a Prime account you usually get free overnight shipping if you order before noon, otherwise it's 2 days.

I've been out of the PC upgrade game for a few years now but I'd go with JDays suggestions, with prices/specs like those I might just have to do an upgrade myself!

Also thanks for pointing out that Amazon has better deals, to be honest I didn't even think to check them out for computer components. Free overnight shipping too, man I feel like I've been living under a rock now .

[stilly]

I hate intel. **** them in the ear! Have you ever tried to replace a freaking cpu cooler on them? OMG they are so lame. Someone at a business purchased intel based computers for their network and recently one started having overheating issues. Turns out the CPU cooler fan was gummed up with dust and stuff. Anyways, in order to replace the CPU cooler I had to REMOVE THE MOTHERBOARD because of some Gawd-awful X mounted with DOUBLESTICK TAPE underneath the board. Oh damn was I gritting my teeth watching that thing flex as I tried to remove it carefully with a flathead screwdriver...

Things like that make me glad that I chose to go AMD a LONG time ago and I rarely flip over to the sIntel side. Sadly though they made the purchase but hey I guess I get to do all the work... Now I need to order cpu coolers with screws and without so that I can have a choice next time...

Newegg is great for photos and reviews, but amazon is getting better for reviews and prices.

Directron.com is just a well kept secret when you do not need to worry about ordering things and having issues (usually).

[JDay]

I hate intel. **** them in the ear! Have you ever tried to replace a freaking cpu cooler on them?

Have you? There's 4 push tabs and it locks into place. Very easy to do.

Someone at a business purchased intel based computers for their network and recently one started having overheating issues. Turns out the CPU cooler fan was gummed up with dust and stuff.

Then clean it out.

Anyways, in order to replace the CPU cooler I had to REMOVE THE MOTHERBOARD because of some Gawd-awful X mounted with DOUBLESTICK TAPE underneath the board. Oh damn was I gritting my teeth watching that thing flex as I tried to remove it carefully with a flathead screwdriver...

You want know how I know you're full of it? You haven't needed a screwdriver to install or remove an Intel heatsink since the P4 came out.

Lever style Intel heatsink.


Locking pin style Intel heatsink.



Installation.

[penguinofsleep]

Stilly covered most of the things I was going to say. Not quite how I would do it but he isn't "wrong" by any means. Also $750 for him to build one for you is reasonable, he isn't making much if anything using the components he has listed.

One thing I would like to add though is don't skimp on the power supply. Buy a quality unit. It doesn't happen much but if the PSU craps, it can cook your whole system. Anything else craps your computer either runs a little slow or can't boot up until you replace that 1 part.

[bg]

If you can swing it, here's a PSU that will last you a while. Corsair's
CS is first rate and I believe Corsair has Sea Sonic building their
higher end PSU's. Comes with a 7 year warranty.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

[JDay]

One thing I would like to add though is don't skimp on the power supply. Buy a quality unit. It doesn't happen much but if the PSU craps, it can cook your whole system. Anything else craps your computer either runs a little slow or can't boot up until you replace that 1 part.

The Antec HCG-900 is a rock solid PSU. I have one myself and the reviews for it are excellent. You can find them for around $100.

http://store.antec.com/Product/power_supply-high_current_gamer/hcg-900/0-761345-23890-8.aspx

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=211

[slo5oh]

OP, building your own PC can go any direction you want. Intel vs AMD is a coke vs Pepsi question. I use AMD still even though the I5\i7 smokes them. I recommed you public "wish list" all your proposed parts on newegg so we can critique your decisions.
I think you can build a good system for under $500 that will be on par with the video card you already have.

[Icypu]

Also get a good computer case like a Cooler Master HAF X or CM Storm Scout. Cases make your computer run better and cooler.