Building first computer: Advice appreciated!

S

SuperCell

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 24, 2005
Messages
314
I've never built a PC before. The most I've done is remove the panel to install RAM and whatnot. I'm willing to undertake the task, and may even use this thread to ask relevant questions along the way.

Here's my situation:

Computer will be used solely for gaming, primarily for flight simulation to be exact. No need for internet, or any irrelevant software.

My budget is $1,000.

So, the first question is, am I kidding myself with that budget?

I want a computer that will have NO PROBLEMS running most of the latest games on the very high settings.

Let me know. I might be willing to adjust the budget higher, but would rather not.

Thanks in advance.
 
ok well there is some more info we need to make the best reccomendation possible.
The main one is what type of monitor will you be using and what resolution will you run it at?

That will have the biggest impact on the video card decision. The AMD solution would get the job done and preserve the most $ in your budget for the video card. FSX is very cpu limiting so you need the best cpu possible. Check out the video card performance on FSX here,
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=859&model2=722&chart=291

Here is what I would put together,

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor $189
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 $89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $34
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

SeaSonic SS-500ES ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 500W $69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151040

MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 $229
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127329

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s $49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075

Acer AL2016WCbd Black 20" 2ms(GTG) $189
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009131

Total: $854 after mir before shipping

This leaves plenty of $ for a decent case.

GL! :D
 
hossdaddy, thanks a lot for the links!

As far as the monitor, I'm pretty much set on a 22" flat panel, though I'm not too educated on the resolution. All I know is I want a good one...:D By the way, the monitor is seperate from my budget. The $1,000 is what I'm looking to spend just for the computer itself.

Does anyone else have any suggestions?

I'll give it a day or 2, and then I'm simply going to order everything, likely what hossdaddy has suggested, unless anyone else feels something might be better?

Also, what about an operating system? Perhaps Windows XP?

Lastly, I'm going to assume that any case is going to work, and that it will likely be compatible with whatever parts I buy, correct?

Thanks a lot everyone!
 
personally i would go with the corsair 520hx power supply instead because its highly rated as with the 620hx. your going to need a 64bit os if you plan on getting 4gb causse 32bit only reads about 3.5gb at max. case wise is up to you but i like the coolermaster 690, antec 900, antec p182.
 
Thanks.

Realistically, 2GB of RAM should be plenty for most games, no?

If anyone has any opinion on this, let me know.

The only thing I need help on after that is what OS to purchase.

Then I will order all the parts!
 
SuperCell said:
Thanks.

Realistically, 2GB of RAM should be plenty for most games, no?

If anyone has any opinion on this, let me know.

The only thing I need help on after that is what OS to purchase.

Then I will order all the parts!
Click to expand...

I think 3gb with vista 64 is minimum/optimum for gaming, though 4gb is the preferred amount.(2 x 2gb)
 
since your budget is $1000 without monitor heres my suggestion:
$253.99 Q6600 G0 SLACR
$82.50 GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L rev. 2.0
$46.99 G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB)
$80.99 Seagate Barracuda 250gb 32mb cache
$31.99 LITE-ON Black 2MB Cache SATA Burner with LightScribe
$109.99 CORSAIR HX CMPSU-520HX 520W
$229.99 XFX PVT88PYHF4 GeForce 8800GT 512MB
$69.99 Cooler Master 690
$100 OS: Vista 32bit or XP 32bit
That right there totals to about $1006.43 without rebate and shipping.

*you also need to get a fan/heatsink for processor unless you want to go with the standard crappy fan. $271.99Q6600 G0 SLACR w/ fan
 
Thanks a lot guys.

I'll look over all the parts and my options, and should hopefully place the order for the parts by Monday.

Once I'm in possession of everything, I'll be checking back to get some pointers on the build.

Thanks a lot.
 
crhscoog said:
since your budget is $1000 without monitor heres my suggestion:
$253.99 Q6600 G0 SLACR
$82.50 GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L rev. 2.0
$46.99 G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB)
$80.99 Seagate Barracuda 250gb 32mb cache
$31.99 LITE-ON Black 2MB Cache SATA Burner with LightScribe
$109.99 CORSAIR HX CMPSU-520HX 520W
$229.99 XFX PVT88PYHF4 GeForce 8800GT 512MB
$69.99 Cooler Master 690
$100 OS: Vista 32bit or XP 32bit
That right there totals to about $1006.43 without rebate and shipping.

*you also need to get a fan/heatsink for processor unless you want to go with the standard crappy fan. $271.99Q6600 G0 SLACR w/ fan
Click to expand...
Since he's using the rig only for gaming....only for one game at that, I wouldn't suggest the quad core.
Go with an E8400 or something instead which should give you higher performance in most games.
 
$110 for the 520HX is too much. Look for a deal on the 450 or 550VX instead. Newegg tends to overcharge on quality PSUs, so look around elsewhere.

I'd strongly recommend 4GB of RAM. A 4GB (2x2GB) AData DDR2-800 kit runs ~$80 ($20 MIR, $60 AR)

$81 is also too much for a 250GB drive. Look around -- $80 should get you a 320GB, $90-110 a 500GB. Seagate for warranty reasons.

$70 for the Coolermaster RC690 is /far/ too much. It was a good deal at $20 AR a month or so back, but it is /not/ a case worth $70.

I'd recommend something with more SATA ports than the DS3-L for expandability reasons. You can find a nice board for $120 or so with a much better feature set. The DS3-L is a good board for low budget machines, but for $1000 you should be able to do better. Look to the Gigabyte DS3R, Abit IP35-Pro, DFI LanParty Dark P35-TR2S, etc.

If you're buying an OS Vista 64bit is the only way to fly (Vista Home Premium 64bit). Period. In other words, unless you're planning to re-use an old copy of XP, plan on buying Vista. Ultimate is a waste for most. There is zero reason to buy the 32bit version.
 
And if you buy a processor, get the retail version. If not for the added HSF, retail CPUs also come with a three-year warranty (compared to OEM processors' 90-day warranties).
 
reason for $80 harddrive is the 32mb cache. u can find a 16mb cache for about $65 though. yeah 70 for cm690 case is "alot" but i only searched two sites (clubit and newegg.) also chose the 520hx because its modular which helps if your looking for cable management.

.
 
Okay, one final check here before I buy this would be greatly appreciated. Nobody had the E8400 CPU in stock, so I guess I'll just go with the Q6600?

Also, will I need any cables to hook the disk-drive up to the motherboard, or will they be included?

Anyway, if you guys could look over this list and see if any major problems jump out, I'd appreciate it. Total cost here is about $1,550.


Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: Nine Hundred
Item #: N82E16811129021

GIGABYTE GA-EP35C-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Dynamic Energy Saver Ultra Durable II Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-EP35C-DS3R
Item #: N82E16813128082

XFX PVT88PYHF4 GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: PVT88PYHF4
Item #: N82E16814150272

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: CMPSU-520HX
Item #: N82E16817139001

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80562Q6600
Item #: N82E16819115017

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail
Model #: F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ
Item #: N82E16820231098 (purchasing 2 for 4GB RAM)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3400620AS 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3400620AS
Item #: N82E16822148138

SAMSUNG 2220WM Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: 2220WM
Item #: N82E16824001240

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-05 - OEM
Model #: LH-20A1L-05
Item #: N82E16827106073

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Model #: 66I-00788
Item #: N82E16832116204

Rosewill RCX-Z3 92mm Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #: RCX-Z3
Item #: N82E16835200013

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Model #: ARCTIC SILVER 5
Item #: N82E16835100007
 
Why the 900? It's loud, and cable routing is horrible. You can pick up the P182 for $140, $90 AR ($50 MIR).

Look around for good prices on the 520HX -- Newegg tends to overcharge on the Corsairs.

Buy the Q6600 through ClubIT.com instead of Newegg, as they will guarantee the G0 stepping chip, which runs cooler and tends to OC higher than the B3. Plus they're somewhat cheaper anyway.

How much is that Rosewill HSF? I'd /strongly/ recommend not cheaping out on the HSF with a Q6600. The ZeroTherm Nirvana NV120 is a really good deal at the moment for $48 shipped $38 AR ($10 MIR) with free shipping. Cools in the same class as the much-loved Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme for $20-30 less once you figure in a fan for the Thermalright.
 
Thanks silent-circuit, I might have to make some changes and look around some more. Hopefully have everything ordered by Monday.
 
I don't really advocate the 8400 unless you're someone who upgrades semi-obsessively -- a quad at 3.6Ghz is really really fast, and it should last you longer than a dual at 4.2-4.5Ghz.
 
Even if he's doing zero multitasking on this PC? It's only being used to play flight simulator, and that is all. I thought the E8400 outperforms the Q6600 in stuff like this...
 
I just did a cheap gaming computer for my brother, complete for $940 after shipping for everything, including monitor, keyboard, speakers, etc. So it can for sure be done for under $1000 you just have to shop around a bit and deal with a rebate or three. Example below:


CPU: C2D E8400 $210 (quad cores gain pretty much nothing in games right now)
Motherboard: Gigabyte DS3L or MSI Neo2-FR $90
RAM: Mushkin DDR-800 (4-4-4-12) $45 (rebate)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro $25
Video Card: Leadtek/BFG/Galaxy 8800GT 512MB $200 (rebate)
Monitor: Acer 2216WDB 22" $180 (rebate)
Speakers: Logitech x-530 5.1 speakers $45
Case and PSU: Antec Sonata III w/Antec earthwatts 500w PSU $90
Extra 120mm, low db fan for front of case $8
Hard Drive: WD 16MB cache 320GB SATA - $70
Keyboard and mouse: Microsoft wireless mouse/keyboard combo $25
Sony/NEC Optiarc 20x DVD+-R SATA burner $29
Total: $1017
 
silent-circuit said:
I don't really advocate the 8400 unless you're someone who upgrades semi-obsessively -- a quad at 3.6Ghz is really really fast, and it should last you longer than a dual at 4.2-4.5Ghz.
Click to expand...

I think the Q6660 is 2.4Ghz stock, so I'm assuming you're talking about overclocking?

Can you really push those kinds of speeds on an air-cooled system?

Anyway, I just picked up Scott Mueller's book "Upgrading and Repairing PCs". This book is HUGE, and even has a chapter outlining building a PC from scratch.

Just what I need with my limited time: ANOTHER hobby!
 
$48 shipped, $38 AR gets you a ZeroTherm Nirvana NV120 which should get a Q6600 to 3.4-3.6Ghz easily. Potentially higher if you get a really good chip. 3.6Ghz on air with a quad is very doable. (And yes, the Q6600 is 2.4Ghz stock.)
 
Here's a couple pics from the build:

006-1.jpg


010.jpg


I really want to thank everyone for the help I've received. I haven't installed any games yet, but Vista is installed and working great. I've already moved some of my old pics and vids to the HDD as well.

I've still got some questions, but will save for relevant sub-forums and such.

Thanks again.
 
Shit, how did people not notice that you were getting 4 sticks of 1GB RAM?

Ahh well, shouldn't pose too much of a problem for overclocking. Just keep the northbridge cool.

Nice work though! Just do some cable cleanup man!
 
SuperCell said:
Just out of curiosity, what would have been the ideal setup as far as the RAM?
Click to expand...

2x2GB is potentially more stable and may pose slightly less strain on the northbridge chipset, hence Danny's "keep the northbridge cool" comment.

I personally have been running 4x1GB for a while now without any issues at all.

Did you end up with a quad? What motherboard in the end? Gigabyte, I can see.
 
Danny Bui said:
Shit, how did people not notice that you were getting 4 sticks of 1GB RAM?...
Click to expand...

Heck, I didn't even notice this thread til now, lol. :eek:

Thanks for the pics, though! If you have problems OC'ing, pull out two sticks and see if that helps... if so, for all 4 sticks, try giving the MCH more voltage (and increase the DRAM voltage, too), but as Danny said, keep the nb cool.
 
Yes, went with the Q6600.

I don't know the first thing about overclocking, but I might play with it after I've had the system running nicely for a few weeks.

Oh yeah, any ideas on the cables? There are so many of them I just don't know where start!

Lastly, what should I do with my old crappy PC? Any ideas?
 
SuperCell said:
Yes, went with the Q6600.

I don't know the first thing about overclocking, but I might play with it after I've had the system running nicely for a few weeks.

Oh yeah, any ideas on the cables? There are so many of them I just don't know where start!

Lastly, what should I do with my old crappy PC? Any ideas?
Click to expand...

OC'ing is easy. There's a tutorial sticky'd in the OC subforums here. Even a modest OC is easy and worthwhile.

You'll need to be more specific with your cable question. The basic idea is to bundle things up where you can, and tuck away the excess.

upriverpaddler said:
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#2 Network Attached Storage - Google NAS DIY
#3 Mail / Web Server - Google Apache Server
#4 Christmas Light Controls - Google Computer Christmas
#5 Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - Google SETI
#6 Learn Linux - Google Ubuntu and DistroWatch
#7 Sell it - You should have no need to google ebay.
#8 Donate it to a folder - http://www.hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=111
#9 Use it as a backup or second PC - Presently I'm at 3 running and 3 unplugged on standby (1 of those will be for #4 in another two months).

more...
#10 Media Jukebox for parties - Google Silverjuke
#11 HTPC (maybe you'll want a new case and TV tuner card) - http://www.hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=103
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#14 Firewalled router - Google m0n0wall
#15 Build an arcade cabinet - Google MAME
#16 Build a carputer - Google Car Computer
#17 Build a USB controlled Dance floor or Bar - http://web.mit.edu/storborg/ddf/
Click to expand...
 
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