Where do I start?

[TC Mueller]

I recently have gotten into computers, mainly for gaming (Counter Strike to be exact) and well my HP just cant handle it. Not enouph memory, and just a terrible video card. So I decided to go the fun way and build my own. Where do I begin? Buy a case? Motherboard? Someone point me in the right direction.

[Rob]

Right here. Lots of good introductory information and component overview.
http://www.mysuperpc.com

And the assembly steps are here:
http://www.mysuperpc.com/build/pc_parts_list.shtml

All the information is free. A printed copy of the assembly steps is only $19.95, cheaper than any computer component and certainly a better option than printing it out manually on a printer. It's available here:
http://www.lulu.com/content/230428

Feel free to use the message boards on this forum to ask anything. I'll be glad to help and I wouldn't surprised if others chimed in as well.

[TC Mueller]

Thanks Rob, I think im going to go with your latest setup. But I noticed you went with the cheaper processer. Is that just for money reasons or because the other one wouldnt work with the other components you had chosen?

[Rob]

Actually, if you read through this thread then you'll see I'm going with the 5200+ processor.
http://forums.mysuperpc.com/showthread.php?t=19

The price-performance on the 5200+ is pretty decent. It's probably more power than I'll need, at least for now, but I'm sure it will come in handy down the road and it will save me an upgrade step.

I like this thread. It might be where a number of PC builders start off. So I'm going to make it a sticky and lock it up. Feel free to start a new thread with additional questions.