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It's been a while. New Build Help...

  • Thread starter Deleted member 12930
  • Start date
D

Deleted member 12930

Guest
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
This will primarily be my workstation (web development). So it will be running Apache, PHP, MySQL, Photoshop, etc. I won't do much gaming, since I mostly game on my 360. PC Games I do play are usually indie games, Minecraft, Cortext Command, etc. Though I still want the capability to be able to play a PC game here and there. (Minecraft is my latest addiction, though I'm sure if I could I would try out StarCraft 2)

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
My budget is about $500. Yes, I know that's pretty damn low. :( Tax and shipping not included.

3) Where do you live?
California.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Everything. ;) I will need CPU, mobo (plan to use onboard audio + LAN), RAM, video card, HDD, PSU, mouse and monitor. I have a case and keyboard already.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I have a CoolerMaster Praetorian from a failed computer build (lost my job right after buying it), and a Logitech keyboard.

6) Will you be overclocking?
No

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
I'd like to have a 24". I won't go smaller then 21". Eventually I plan to add a 2nd and 3rd monitor. But I'll tackle that when funds are available.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
In 3 months. Hopefully.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc.
Being able to upgrade key components in the future would be nice. I know my budget won't allow top-top of the line hardware, so I'd like to be able to upgrade as funds are available. I intend to use the boards onboard audio and LAN. Since this will be a workstation, RAID would be preferred, but not necessary.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I don't, and intend to buy Windows 7 64-bit.

Also, my last build was over 8 years ago. Back then there was a big arguments about Intel vs AMD. I've always gone AMD due to price. I've been out of the loop for about 6 years now, so I don't know if those arguments still apply. Personally my last few workstations have all been intel (through work, personally I've been using a 6 year old laptop for a long time), and I enjoy it. So unless there really isn't much difference, I'd like to stick to Intel.

Any help figuring all this stuff out would be much appreciated! Like I said, it's been a long time since I've built a machine, and almost as long since I've actually known anything about the 'latest' hardware!
 
I would wait until about a week before you plan to build. Its way to early to ask for advice. Revisit this thread when your ready
 
In the least help in answering my last question would be appreciated. Besides reading the front page I don't really know what's new out there. Usually all the reviews and articles just end up referencing more hardware that I'm not familiar with...

Thanks!
 
Unfortunately due to your low budget, AMD is pretty much your best bet for a bang for the buck system. Yup still the same as it was years ago. Unless you up your budget to about $1000, an bang for the buck and not-so-outdated Intel system is simply not in the cards for you.

That was your last question BTW right? AMD or Intel?

We really can't recommend any parts at this point in time since you're not planning on building for another three months. Whatever parts we recommend today may not even be the best parts to buy next month let alone three months from now. Parts can be overpriced, outdated, out of stock, or outperformed in a little as a week. Hell sometimes daily too. So it would be a great disservice to you if we start recommending specific parts right now. And it would be a waste of both our time and your time to gather a list of parts that'll be outdated in the next month, maybe even week.

So your best bet for the best deals, recommendations, and hardware selection, would be to ask again about a week or two before you buy. Preferably towards the middle of the month as that's usually when Newegg's best combo and regular deals comes out.
 
Do you live near a Fry's or Microcenter? Not that Fry's has been having combos lately, but MC definitely has some good AMD combos that could save you some cash.
 
My budget is about $500. Yes, I know that's pretty damn low. Tax and shipping not included.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.

CPU, Mobo, RAM, Video Card, HDD, PSU, mouse and monitor.
Click to expand...

Is the Windows 7 Included in the the 500 or is there a set side amount for this & what Case do you currently have?

It will be very difficult building a PC of Quality @ 500 dollars with a Monitor & Windows. Expecially one that will run StarCraft 2
 
You know, I hadn't really thought about windows. Though I should be able to swing a license from IT at work... I realize now my budget is a little bit off. :( I'll have to see what I can do.

Thanks guys!
 
Its all good you just gotta realize.

Windows 7 is $100.00
a Decent Monitor 23 inch is around 150 - 170
Video Cards: Range between 130 & 180ish

So right there is all your budget wich leaves maybe 100-120 for hardware. If you had a monitor & windows already that would help alot.
 
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