Building a new computer - Help

[ToiletPastries]

Heya. So I don't know anything about computers. I know what some of the things inside of my computer do, but I don't know the technical, important stuff.

I want to build a new computer with these specs.

Quad core - at least 2.2 GHz (prefer 2.4 or 2.6). AMD.
Memory - 4GB
Memory - 500GB - 1TB
Graphics Card - one that can run TF2, Assassin's Creed, Left 4 Dead on Highest Settings
Case - doesn't matter. Would like a neat case with a blue LED light in it if it's not too expensive.

Could you guys help me out and provide with your opinion on what would be best (and cheapest)? Please include all the other neat items I will need (like motherboard, fans, etc.) and an approximate cost. Thanks!

 

[JonPaso]

Do you want to build it yourself or have someone else do it. Best and cheapest do not go together. Compromise to what you want and can afford is key. What will do the job I want and a bit more with out going overboard. If you want to spend under $ 1,000.00 buy a built system. Want to build higher end you can, with careful shopping, build your own for less than
buying a high end system. Plus you will know how to work on the hardware side incase of failure. Follow simple rules and it is very easy. I do build computers as a hobby. AMD and Intel.
What you need to do is list what you want in your computer then run the numbers.

 

[bobtheworm]

I have found this guy is very informational.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0l2kU4Pk7o[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdsUuWlhOvo&feature=channel[/ame]

 

[bobtheworm]

Hey TP, i spend my nights at work putting together parts for a computer so i will look up some parts in your spec range.that is about your spec range.

 

[ToiletPastries]

Hey thanks guys!
I actually have a good friend that's gonna put the computer together for me. I would try putting it together myself but the computer but I'm not very good at reading/following directions.

[edit] and as far as price. I would like it under 1000. Not sure where to buy pre-made ones.

 

[-Jv-]

Hey thanks guys!
I actually have a good friend that's gonna put the computer together for me. I would try putting it together myself but the computer but I'm not very good at reading/following directions.

[edit] and as far as price. I would like it under 1000. Not sure where to buy pre-made ones.

It's really simple. The first computer i've put together I didn't even had to read the manual. It all seemed just logical to me :thumbup1:

 

[Ryken]

AMD Phenom X4 810 Processor ($170) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103650

Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P Motherboard ($140) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378

Saphire Radeon HD 4830 512MB ($90) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102822

G.SKILL 4GB RAM DDR3 1333 ($70) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231188

Corasir 850W Power Supply ($130) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

Antec 300 Case ($60) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=antec 300

Seagate 640GB Hard Drive ($70) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148335.

Lite-On DVD Burner ($22) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148335

There you go! Nice machine for $752, plus shipping, and minus any of the rebates you care to send in. Want to go uber-leet and stay under budget, you could go with a nicer graphics card.

EVGA GTX 260 ($220) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130400

That would put your rig at $882, but if you are going to just be playing Valve stuff, I would probably go for dual core and that 4830. You can check out this thread where we build Lance a rig that will rip through TF2 for less than $400!

As far as building it, I would recommend doing it yourself! Just read some online guides, and give it a whirl. Everything is pretty easy, and actually doing the process takes all of the mystery out of a computer. You will be much happier down the road when it comes time to upgrade, and you can reuse a lot of parts and equipment. Also, there is lots of friendly help here about parts and problems, so just ask if you don't know what something is.

 

[Endiment]

yeah it isn't that hard to figure out where the parts go since they all have different shaped slots.

now watch in utter amazement as Endiment builds a computer for youuuu!

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 920 @2.8GHz
HDD: Hitachi 1TB HDD @7200RPM
PSU: Corsair 750W PSU
Motherboard: Asus M4A78 Pro
RAM: 4GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2
Graphics: ATI Radeon 4850
Case: NZXT Apollo Black
DVD: Lite-On 22x DVD +-R
OS: Vista Home Premium 64 bit

Total price: $935 before shipping

Buying from Tiger, you can get mail-in rebates on several of those items, upwards of 50$ worth.