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Ideas for... well, everything!

S

Stoopid Guy

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 1, 2004
Messages
240
Well, being new to making a computer:rolleyes:, I have a hard time understanding much about anything, much less how to go about figuring out what the best idea for each component would be... If someone could guide me through what graphics cards, RAM, hard drive, motherboard, CPU, etc. would be the best to fit into my $1,000 budget, I would appreciate it! I'm looking for a more graphics-heavy gaming system...
 
if you want a graphics heavy system under $1000 dollars theres just about one thing u could do, go to ebay find yourself a good motherboard and processor barebone system and build into that. find one with an asus mother board and a processor u like, but remember one important thing when looking for processors, AMD 3000 doesnt mean it runs at 3.0GHz so i might recommend an intel P4 with HHyper Threading if u can get it.

also pricewatch is a good way to get cheap parts
 
$1000 - Is this with or without a monitor?

Instead of Ebay, I would suggest checking out the For Sale/Trade section in this forum. Also, if you are to order parts online, check out Newegg. They have great stuff at a great price. You can even browse their refurbished section and walk away with a huge deal.

When you say graphics heavy, are we talking about gaming type of stuff, or more like Rendering/Editing?
 
Stoopid Guy said:
Well, being new to making a computer:rolleyes:, I have a hard time understanding much about anything, much less how to go about figuring out what the best idea for each component would be... If someone could guide me through what graphics cards, RAM, hard drive, motherboard, CPU, etc. would be the best to fit into my $1,000 budget, I would appreciate it! I'm looking for a more graphics-heavy gaming system...
Click to expand...

Intel P4 2.8c ($185)
Asus P4P800-E Deluxe ($111)
Corsair XMS 1GB (2x512) PC3200 ($224)
ATI 9800 Pro 256bit 128MB ($200)
Seagate 160GB ($100)
NEC DVD+-R/RW ($60-70)
Stable 480W ($55)
Evercase E4252 w/o power ($35)
Misc $50

If you need a monitor then ditch the Intel and Mobo for an AMD Barton 2500+ which you should OC to free up some cash
 
Sorry: that is without a monitor (I have one already), and definitely trying for a gaming machine... Thanks for the ideas! :)
 
You may read The [H]ard|OCP 500, Q3-04 in the front page and the guides in Sharky Extreme; your budget would fall in between value and high-end.
I think Athlon64 in any of their flavors are the best value processors for a gaming machine.
If i'd live in the 'states i would surely buy from NewEgg.
 
Thanks, now I have some good ideas... But two new questions arise: how do I figure out what wattage power supply I need, and how do I figure out how many case fans I need?
 
I get asked this alot over on the Sharky Forums, and this is one I built without a copy of Windows XP a few days ago, totally from Newegg.

RAIDMAX Black 10-bay Case, Model "268WBP" -RETAIL
$26.00


CHAINTECH "VNF3-250" nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Supports the new generation of AMD Socket 754 Athlon64 CPU
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce3 250
RAM: 3x DIMM for DDR400/333/266 Max 2GB
IDE: 2x ATA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X, 5x PCI, 1x CMR
Ports: 2xPS/2,2xCOM,1xLPT,1xLAN,6xUSB2.0(Rear 4),Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: 5.1-Channel AC'97 Codec
Onboard LAN: Realtek 8100C 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet
Onboard SATA/RAID: 2x Serial ATA 150, RAID 0/1
$79.00


eVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB GDDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, $283.00


Antec 430W Power Supply, Model "TRUE430" -RETAIL
$69.99


AMD Athlon 64 2800+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor - Retail
$142.00


PDP SYSTEMS Memory Dual Channel Kit 184-Pin 1GB (512MBx2) DDR PC-3200Cas Latency: 2-3-2-5-T1
$154


Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
$71.00


Pioneer Black DVD+RW/-RW Drive, Model DVR-108
$85.00


Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2
$74.99

Subtotal » $985

If you NEED a copy of Windows you can always drop the Audigy 2 for now and go with the onboard 5.1 sound.

This gives you all new tech - Athlon 64, 6800 video card - and nice ram with a quality powersupply, etc.

I don't know if you could build a better pc in your budget. Keep in mind these are all new parts.

Also if you overclock you should be able to hit 2.4Ghz or so, I'd guess.

Anyway, something to think about.

Hell, depending on where in MD you are I could probably help you put it together if need be.

Anyways send me a PM if you have any other questions.
 
Thanks for the idea! I am now wondering if the following would be feasible (no sound card, because I certainly don't need one):


AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - Retail - $204

ASUS "K8V SE Deluxe" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL - $114

Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail - $224

ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL - $233

SAMSUNG 160GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model SP1604N, OEM Drive Only - $80

NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A BLK, OEM BULK - $62

Thermaltake W0014 Silent Purepower 480W with Black housing - Xaser Edition ATX 2-Fan Power Supply - $55

RAIDMAX Black 10-bay Case, Model "268WBP" -RETAIL - $26

-------
$996

(Yes, I realize I don't have WinXP in there ) ;)
 
I would switch your 9800pro to a geforce 6800 vanilla series. for an extra 60 dollars you have a graphics card that is head and shoulders above what you have listed.
 
Your setup is ok, but definately a downgrade from the one I have listed.

Also the Thermaltake PSU's 12v rail amperage isn't as good as the new Antecs.

Why would you go with the VIA chipset and a known non-oc board over the nforce 3 Chaintech?

About the only thing better in your setup is the hard drive size.

Plus you are taking a big hit sacrificing the 6800 Non Ultra in the setup I listed for a 9800 Pro.

The case was just a recommendation.

Also the timings on the corsair xms you selected are 2 3 3 6 and the PDP I listed is 2 3 2 5, so not only is the PDP faster, its 70 bucks cheaper.

I dunno, its your money :)
 
OK, I've changed the video card and RAM to yours, but I have a question about the power supply: what difference would a more powerful power supply make, if a weaker one already was able to run the machine? That is to say... what more can you get out of a good supply than an average one, if I am overclocking nothing?
 
Mainly stability.

Athlon 64's and newer videocards draw power from the 12v rail of your psu. A lot of cheaper PSU's do not have a lot of amperage on the 12v line and you'll see stability problems because of that.

Usually its in the form of random restarts, especially during gaming.

That is the main reason to go with a quality psu.

Also keep in mind that generally your cpu will last you through a few upgrades.

I'm not sure with how much the mobo you are looking at costs, but if you are not going to be overclocking this is a really nice, full featured motherboard:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-498&depa=0

Keep in mind that I prefer the nforce 3 250Gb due to its feature set (hardware firewall) and stability over first gen VIA boards. This board also has raid 5, which is a nice thing if you need it in the future.

Also the case I showed you is sold out in black, this is the same case in silver, just an fyi :)

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-156-019&depa=0
 
Thanks a lot for all your help! [H]ardforums should have a gold star system for people who help n00bs :D
My setup as of now looks like this (I really can't get the 6800 video card :( ) :


AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - Retail - $204

ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL - $233

TOSHIBA 8X Beige DVD±RW Internal Drive, Model SD-R5272 BEIGE, OEM - $55 (I had to sacrifice the CD read speed from 50x to 40x to stay under $1000)

Antec 430W Power Supply, Model "TRUE430" -RETAIL - $69

SAMSUNG 160GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model SP1604N, OEM Drive Only - $80

NETGEAR 54Mbps Wireless PCI Ethernet Adapter, Model WG311 - $43

PDP SYSTEMS Memory Dual Channel Kit 184-Pin 1GB (512MBx2) DDR PC-3200, Model PDC1G3200LLK - Retail - $154

ASUS "K8N-E Deluxe" NVIDIA nForce3 Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL - $135

RAIDMAX Silver Case 10-bay Case without Power Supply, Model "ATX-268WSP" -RETAIL - $26

---
$999

Would it be better if I went for a cheaper processor, but the better graphics card?
 
I would make a few changes to your list.

1) Get a 2800+, the difference between that and a 3200+ is minimal, and the 70+ dollars can be better spent elsewhere.

2) Get the MSI K8N Neo-FSR Motherboard, not the Asus, you save $30, and give up essentially nothing.

3) I picked up a 12x DVD+-RW drive, instead of the 8x, for an additional $9

I added it up on a newegg wishlist with the Asus brand 6800 video card, and came out to 972, but that was without the Wireless PCI-E adapter.

The differences were:
 
I've heard of so many complaints with that MSI board.

If he changes it from the Asus my recommendation would be the Chaintech VNF3-250.

Stability, features and its only 80 bucks.

I've built 5 systems based on them without a hitch.
 
I've swapped the CPU and graphics card like you suggested, thanks a lot for the planning ! :cool: Now, I think I'm ready to buy this :D

(and I definitely want to stick with the Asus for now, it sounds like Asus has better support in case anything goes wrong...)
 
Stoopid Guy said:
I've swapped the CPU and graphics card like you suggested, thanks a lot for the planning ! :cool: Now, I think I'm ready to buy this :D

(and I definitely want to stick with the Asus for now, it sounds like Asus has better support in case anything goes wrong...)
Click to expand...

No. Asus has the universe's worst support. The thing is that Asus boards almost never need support. I've had, ummm, lots (I think 9) of asus boards. 8 of them never had any problems. When I had a problem, I never got any kind of response from Asus whatsoever, and ended up giving up. However, the Asus boards are more likely to work flawlessly than anything else out there.
 
I just wanted to post that I got all the parts Wednesday (ordered Thursday) and have it put together and running. I love it ! Especially given that my last computer was a pentium, 350mhz, 64mb RAM and a whopping 2gb harddrive (that was actually what I have been using for the past... 8 years :( ) Thanks a lot OpStar !
 
OpStar said:
I've heard of so many complaints with that MSI board.

If he changes it from the Asus my recommendation would be the Chaintech VNF3-250.

Stability, features and its only 80 bucks.

I've built 5 systems based on them without a hitch.
Click to expand...

I have my eye on the Chaintech VNF3-250, but I might splurge for the Asus K8V SE Deluxe. How much performance and features, as an average user, would I be losing if I went with the Chaintech? I don't plan to overclock. Well, maybe not initially.
 
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