Building a new computer

[The Sloth]

Hey i'm new to building computers, this will be my first one , just saving up the money for it. I would just like some suggestions for all the parts I should buy, because i really dont have a good idea of what to look for untill I learn more. So can I get some suggestions, my budget is probably going to be around $500, this will be a gaming computer for tf2 etc

 

[Snuf]

Are you going to build it from scratch, or will you be using some Hardware from an existing PC ?

 

[The Sloth]

starting from scratch, all i have right now is a mediocre laptop

 

[Snuf]

Since you need everything and Budget is $500, i'd say your best bet is to buy one at Bestbuy. $500 isn't going to go too far on a custom PC.

 

[Simon]

$500 won't get you far if your building from scratch :/

I mean, processor and mobo is over $200 alone

 

[JunK]

$500 won't get you far if your building from scratch :/

I mean, processor and mobo is over $200 alone

depends what you get

but in order to make it worth getting a new computer i'd say you need 800-1000 for a "from scratch" build if you're building it yourself. monitor, operating system, speakers, keyboard/mouse all get in the way of getting better necessary components like cpu/mobo/gpu.
unless you can find a good prebuilt kit like a barebones or just one in best buy type of thing...but it will seriously be lacking power and might not be worth spending 500 dollars on right now

 

[phalanx]

If you are planning on only playing Source games, $500 is an okay start, I suppose. If you are wanting something more substantial you are looking around $700-800.

I configured this for a total of $425.93 with room for you to choose a graphics card you'll end up a little over your $500 budget, but you'll have a decent gaming machine. (Assuming you have a monitor, keyboard, mouse etc.)

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM Motherboard

AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz Processor

4GB DDR2 800 G.Skill RAM

Rosewill Case and Thermaltake 500w PSU Combo

Asus SATA DVD Drive
-note: Not DVDR can be upgraded if you want.

WD Caviar Blue 500GB HDD

 

[The Sloth]

well i have a monitor, keyboard and mouse already as well as windows os, i guess my budget could be around $700 id just have to save up an extra paycheck, i just want to get the best computer for gaming for about the cheapest i can get but its definatly going to have to be under $800 because next year is college , and then im officially poor

 

[phalanx]

For a total of $555.94 I built this (you pick the video card--i suggest an ATI card for hybrid CFX):

ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO Motherboard

4GB G.Skill RIPJAWS DDR3 1333 RAM
DDR3 at 1333 gets better timings than DDR3 at 1600. I have OCZ Obsidian 1600 running at 1333 because of better timings. (7-7-7-21 vs 9-9-9-24)
The OCZ Obsidian RAM is horrid by the way I would not recommend to anyone. EVER.

AMD Phenom II x4 925 2.8GHz Quad Core Processor

Rosewill Gaming Case and Corsair 650w PSU

WD Caviar Blue 500GB HDD

Lite-On CD/DVD Optical Drive w/ Burner SATA

Others feel free to tweak/ critique this build, see what builds we can come up with for him!

EDIT: for $531.94 i found the DDR3 1600 RIPJAWS cheaper. Clock them to 1333 you get the same thing for less.

4GB G.Skill DDR3 RIPJAWS 1600

 

[Snuf]

I pieced something together for you.


CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 925 Deneb 2.8GHz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103656

GPU: XFX HD-485X-ZDFC Radeon HD 4850 1GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150351

MOBO: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

DVDROM: ASUS Black 24X SATA http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

CASE: Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066


Total: $704.93


If you wanted a better GPU (Video card), you could go with this:


GPU: SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) http://www.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingItem.aspx?ItemList=N82E16814102858


New Total: $759.93



-Snuf

 

[PewPewBangBang]

yea your gonna have a tough time building a good gaming computer from scratch. But i guess since your only playing TF2/source games it won't matter much.

You should look into pre-built computers by like ibuypowerpc or cyberpowerpc.