my first build

[alphaonias3]

Howdy all,

I just wrote a long post introducing myself and talking about how great this site is, how much I have learned and how thankful I am for your input. I talked about my computer history and what I wanted out of this new machine and so forth. It was so long in fact that I timed out or something.:( Suffice it to say that it was very gracious and informative but obviously too long so here is the condensed version.:)

This is my first build and cost is a big factor. I want to make an above average home computer with moderate gaming ability with avenues to upgrade over time if I want. My goal was to come in under $400.

case http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=n82e16811147055

mobo http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=n82e16813138074

cpu http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=n82e16819103778

hard drive http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=n82e16822136074

dvd http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=cat3&product_code=347401

ram http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=n82e16820231085

The bill comes to just under $400 with tax and shipping. Please tell me what you think and if I goofed somewhere and there is something that is not compatible, or if you have any suggestions for substitutions.

Thanks again for all of the info on the site.

[alphaonias3]

This is first and foremost to be a home computer. I want to have descent gaming ability in this computer, but in the end, cost has to win out. I am thinking that with this setup I should be able to play most games out there even if on some I have to lower the settings.

I did not include a video card in the initial build because I am counting on the integrated video on the mobo to do the job. I figure that I can put in a new video card at a later time as money allows and the software demands.

Is this plausible or am I deluding myself?:confused:

[Jamie Nixx]

Thats a pretty decent setup, and the GPU chipset is very good for intergrated graphics.

I would usually advise people to build a core 2 duo system, as AMD are in a mess, but seeing as how you are on a budget, that X2 is a great CPU.

But, i doubt you will be able to play any new games on the intergrated graphics, i would advise saving up a bit more and putting in a 7900GS or even a 7600GT, just to tide you over.

I would also recommend 2GB of Ram, as appose to 1GB.

[Jamie Nixx]

Give me your maximum budget mate, and i will price together a very decent home/gaming computer for you if you want.

[alphaonias3]

lol I knew you were going to plug the core 2 duo lol. I would go with it too but I just couldnt find a competitive cpu in that price range.

2 gigs of ram is certainly on the "to buy list", it just is not going in for a few months. On that note, I picked 800 ram. How big of a deal is that?

As far as gaming ability, this is a $400 set-up and I do not expect to be playing hellgate or bioshock, the really top tier games. Whatever I do play I am prepared that I may have to lower the settings. I do plan on getting a video card, but I am going to limp along on the board graphics for a while.

[alphaonias3]

For a game example, I am looking at oblivion. (it is sitting on the desk in front of me unplayed:o )

Thanks for your responses btw.

As for max, I want to see what I can do with $400. I still have os to deal with and ultimately, gaming ability is a luxury for us so if the graphics have to suffer then that is just the way it has to be.:(

[Jamie Nixx]

Trust me i don't like plugging the Intel C2D, but when something is much better you have to go with that, when AMD blast back i will be going straight back to them :D (if they ever do that is)

For $400, i reckon i could build you a computer capable of playing, Oblivion, Half life 2 ect. Maybe even Bioshock if you turned the graphics down a tad.

Its up to you :)

[alphaonias3]

I just checked out the 7600gt and its not priced too bad. If I went that route, I wouldnt need the integrated graphics on the mobo and could look for another board.

[alphaonias3]

To give you a frame of reference and a good laugh, this is what we are using now...

intel celeron-s 1300mhz
nvidia geforce4 mx 420

I was heavy into mmos for several years on this setup swg, city of heroes and wow. I had to really massage the settings to be competitive and most of the time the characters were stick figures but it worked.:D

[Jamie Nixx]

Right here goes.

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103774

Excellent dual core CPU, it has a Brisbane core, so its energy efficient, and it runs very cool, had one myself a while back, Oblivion will be easy peasy with this.

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138082

Excellent budget gaming board, supports 8GB memory and has the latest expansion slot (pci x16)

GPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

7600GT will play anything out now, older games will run on high, newer games should run nicely with a bit of eye candy.

Ram (2gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144047

Geil is becoming the new corsair imo, its excellent budget gaming ram.

This, so far comes to $294.96

We still have to add the case, HD and Optical drive.

How big does the HD need to be.

Looking at this now, it will prob work out to about $420, but this is going to be a great little gaming computer.

[alphaonias3]

I already bought the case, but with the rebate it is so cheap that If I needed to change out the psu, I could turn the old one into a paper weight and not feel bad about it.

[alphaonias3]

and the hard drive does not need to be big. I could live with 160 as a min but I would rather have someting around 250.

[Jamie Nixx]

The PSU should be sufficient for this pc.

I downsized the CPU, but it is still very fast, and easily overclocked.

[Jamie Nixx]

HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144098

250GB Maxtor, excellent HD.

This brings the total now to around $350, and if you already have the case, you just need to add the optical drive.

[alphaonias3]

also I already have the dvd drive. It is the one listed in the first post.

[alphaonias3]

As for overclocking, I will prolly stay away from it. I tend to keep my computers for a long time lol. How much difference is there in those two cpus'? One on the reasons I looked at the 2.5 was that I figured it would stay current longer.

[Jamie Nixx]

The 4000 is very good, i doubt you would see much difference between the two.

You could always go for the 2.5GHz version, but it means you have to fork out more.

[alphaonias3]

Well I am going to have to process this for a bit before I make a decision on the cpu. I am definitly updating my list to include your ram, hard drive and video card. YAY FOR REBATES!!! :D

I am certainly no expert, but I am pretty excited about this lil machine. This should be a real performer for the $ invested. I always enjoy these exercises in minimalism.

Thanks again for your help.

[Jamie Nixx]

No worries mate i am here to help.

Whatever CPU you go for this machine will be great for home use and gaming.

:)