complete newb trying to build pc :)

[machina]

Hey guys, sorry this is my first post and im already asking for help but a friend recommended hardforum to me so here i am

Im wanting to ditch my old pooter and build a new one but Im a total hardware newb. I've done some reading around and compiled a list of stuff that I think (with my grossly limited knowledge) would be good. Do you guys think this setup is much good or can you suggest anything better? Im in england but i guess my budget in dollars would be around $3000 give or take. I haven't even thought about a case yet as that would cause my brain to explode

CPU: Athalon Fx-55
RAM: Corsair 512MB XMS4000 Pro DDR X2
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLi Deluxe nForce4 SLi
Hard disk: 250GB Maxtor D/Max+10 133/7200 16M
Graphics card: ATi Radeon X800XT 256MB PCI-E


Thanks

 

[Epicenter]

Here are some parts that'd be a better bang for your buck. Spend the saved money on a great monitor.

- Motherboard: DFI NF4 Ultra-D
- CPU: Athlon 64 3200+
- RAM: 2 512 MB Sticks of Kingston ValueRAM (DDR400/PC3200)
- Video: eVGA 6600GT on PCI-Express
- HDD: 2 Seagate 7200 RPM 8MB Cache 160 GB SATA Disks
- Optical: NEC 3250A DVD+/- Double Layer Burner
- Power Supply: Enermax Noisetaker 430 or Enermax NoiseTaker 420
(or get an Antec Sonata case with Included Antec 380W Supply)

This will total up to only around $1,000. Enjoy the saved money and beefy machine.

 

[Othersider]

CPU: Athalon Fx-55
RAM: Corsair 512MB XMS4000 Pro DDR X2
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLi Deluxe nForce4 SLi
Hard disk: 250GB Maxtor D/Max+10 133/7200 16M
Graphics card: ATi Radeon X800XT 256MB PCI-E

You want an Nvidia motherboard with SLI, and then proceed to buy an ATI video card?

 

[machina]

Here are some parts that'd be a better bang for your buck. Spend the saved money on a great monitor.

- Motherboard: DFI NF4 Ultra-D
- CPU: Athlon 64 3200+
- RAM: 2 512 MB Sticks of Kingston ValueRAM (DDR400/PC3200)
- Video: eVGA 6600GT on PCI-Express
- HDD: 2 Seagate 7200 RPM 8MB Cache 160 GB SATA Disks
- Optical: NEC 3250A DVD+/- Double Layer Burner
- Power Supply: Enermax Noisetaker 430 or Enermax NoiseTaker 420
(or get an Antec Sonata case with Included Antec 380W Supply)

This will total up to only around $1,000. Enjoy the saved money and beefy machine.

cool, thanks for the info, i'll look into it

You want an Nvidia motherboard with SLI, and then proceed to buy an ATI video card?

er, probably not *cough* newbie

 

[natpond]

this is sound advice. FX-55 really is an enthusiast processor for people who want the best of the best and where money is no object. while you could afford it technically... you could save a bundle and as was said, get a great monitor and other peripherals that newbies (i STILL do) forget to take into account such as speakers, mouse/keyboard, maybe even an iPod, who knows. point being, your money and overall experience with your new computer will be much better if you either tone the whole thign down to maximize bang/buck, or just put the money elsewhere.

Nat

Here are some parts that'd be a better bang for your buck. Spend the saved money on a great monitor.

- Motherboard: DFI NF4 Ultra-D
- CPU: Athlon 64 3200+
- RAM: 2 512 MB Sticks of Kingston ValueRAM (DDR400/PC3200)
- Video: eVGA 6600GT on PCI-Express
- HDD: 2 Seagate 7200 RPM 8MB Cache 160 GB SATA Disks
- Optical: NEC 3250A DVD+/- Double Layer Burner
- Power Supply: Enermax Noisetaker 430 or Enermax NoiseTaker 420
(or get an Antec Sonata case with Included Antec 380W Supply)

This will total up to only around $1,000. Enjoy the saved money and beefy machine.

 

[machina]

this is sound advice. FX-55 really is an enthusiast processor for people who want the best of the best and where money is no object. while you could afford it technically... you could save a bundle and as was said, get a great monitor and other peripherals that newbies (i STILL do) forget to take into account such as speakers, mouse/keyboard, maybe even an iPod, who knows. point being, your money and overall experience with your new computer will be much better if you either tone the whole thign down to maximize bang/buck, or just put the money elsewhere.

Nat

Yeah that seems fair enough. Im just so sick of having this rubbish PC I reasoned I was going to buy the best I could afford. Really I use my machine for coding and some 3D modelling. I don't game because I have onboard graphics but it would be nice to be able to play them

Thanks for the advice

 

[InorganicMatter]

Everyone is going to hate me for this. You say you are a hardware n00b, right? Well, if that's the case, and you have $3000 to spend, I would highly suggest getting a high-end prebuilt. Although you won't get quite as big a bang-for-your-buck, you sound like you have extra cash to spend anyway. I can suggest Alienware, Voodoo, Dell's XPS, and Falcon Northwest. I would avoid iBuyPower and Dell's "economic" systems. Seriously, if you are new as you say, I would just go this route, spend a few extra bucks, and not use $3000 worth of components as your learning guinea pig. Trust me, it's not worth the risk just to save a few dollars. I'm not saying building it yourself is bad, it's the best route if you know how to do it. However, in your position, I'm gonna' have to say that a prebuilt is your best option.

 

[machina]

Everyone is going to hate me for this. You say you are a hardware n00b, right? Well, if that's the case, and you have $3000 to spend, I would highly suggest getting a high-end prebuilt. Although you won't get quite as big a bang-for-your-buck, you sound like you have extra cash to spend anyway. I can suggest Alienware, Voodoo, Dell's XPS, and Falcon Northwest. I would avoid iBuyPower and Dell's "economic" systems. Seriously, if you are new as you say, I would just go this route, spend a few extra bucks, and not use $3000 worth of components as your learning guinea pig. Trust me, it's not worth the risk just to save a few dollars. I'm not saying building it yourself is bad, it's the best route if you know how to do it. However, in your position, I'm gonna' have to say that a prebuilt is your best option.

yeah I get what you're saying and I was actually looking at prebuilt systems before I decided to build my own. I've built a couple of systems before so Im not new there, I just don't bother (to any extent) following hardware news or anything, Im more interested in software, so Im a newb when it comes to deciding what is best to buy and what goes with what. As long as I know i've bought the right components I can put em together fine. Plus...building your own is more fun, hehe.

as for Dell's 'economic' systems I coudln't agree more, my current system is a couple-year-old Dimension and it sucks, but thats my fault for buying it I guess, laf.

Thanks for the response tho, appreciated

 

[GlobalFear]

For your situation this would be a better route. A step up for epicenter's but not to the point of overkill.

- Motherboard: DFI NF4 Ultra-D
- CPU: Athlon 64 3500+
- RAM: 2 512 MB Sticks of Kingston ValueRAM (DDR400/PC3200)
- Video: ATI x800 XL on PCI-Express
- HDD: 2 Seagate 7200 RPM 8MB Cache 160 GB SATA Disks
- Optical: NEC 3250A DVD+/- Double Layer Burner
- Power Supply: Enermax Noisetaker 430 (Or better)

 

[natpond]

i have to say, that building your own is the best route no matter what level, as long as you have the impetus. its the only way you learn reading books and things can give you an idea, but the best and most educational experience is first hand experience. ( i realize you said you had built before, but im just responding to what sac_tagg said.). and lastly, there is just no satisfaction like the satisfaction you get from using somethign you built (marx much?).

Nat

 

[Epicenter]

Those are sound selections, but the Noisetaker 420 or Antec True430, or even the 380W, will still drive the components with power to spare. While people building most PCs OVERestimate their PSUs, people here have a tendency to UNDERestimate them.

If you do go Pre-built-- hit up http://www.monarchcomputer.com, pick their Furia with PCIe line, and enter the parts I specified, and if you want to take up video a notch, grab an X800XL or a 6800GT as was mentioned.

 

[InorganicMatter]

i have to say, that building your own is the best route no matter what level, as long as you have the impetus. its the only way you learn reading books and things can give you an idea, but the best and most educational experience is first hand experience. ( i realize you said you had built before, but im just responding to what sac_tagg said.). and lastly, there is just no satisfaction like the satisfaction you get from using somethign you built (marx much?).

Nat

But using $3000 worth of parts to learn on? No, you learn by reading books and practising on an old machine that's no big loss if you blow it your first time. THEN you go on to build your dream rig.