First build questions

[R3POMAN]

Hay yall, I just got my tax return back and i have decided that its time for me to
build my first computer. What i was wondering is could someone please suggest some parts for a sound mid level gaming rig? My budget is currently about $500 to $600. I have an enpower case that used to be my brothers computer before he firebombed it with p2p pornography so i dont think i will need another case but you can suggest if you would like. Also can someone explain or link me to somewhere that will tell me how to install the OS and everything after i have the parts together? I literally know nothing about building and am going to try to find an online tutorial so if you know a good one of those aswell please post. Thanks in advance i know its not a quick process putting the right parts together and i really appreciate your help.

 

[iRoN_mOnKeY]

Hi,
I'll start first. I would take a look at this:
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=553826

It lists all the current deals to get you started on building ur comp. As for CPU, AMD is the cheaper way to go. Think newegg still have that sale on a AMD Phenom II 920 2.8Ghz Quad Core for $135.

Intel is a bit more but is better in its tasking . I'm usng Core2Duo E8400 @ 3.6ghz. Its pretty fast and gets the job done.

Quad-core might be over-kill if u just be playing games and not video editing or anything requires that much power. lol.

 

[PropagandaPanda]

As far as the actual process of building the computer, I've recommended this before. It also has instructions for installing the OS.

One thing that I would strongly recommend is that you have another internet-accessible computer of some sort on hand incase something doesn't work.

When you are shopping for components you want to get the best deals you can, but you need to be careful. Read the reviews on everything before you consider buying. Some brands are notorious for failure-prone or cheap parts. As long as you do your homework, you don't really have to worry about bad components.

I always buy from Newegg.com, but there are other good sites out there. Newegg has (in my experience) great customer service and a nice return policy.

 

[Die Geheimwaffe]

For reading reviews like PropagandaPanda suggested you can use the Techpowerup review database. It's usually easier to find reviews for computer hardware in there than using google.

 

[Ryken]

AMD Phenom II 920 $164

Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P $110

G.Skill 4GB Ram $40

Saphhire ATI Radeon HD 4830 $90

Corsair 650W Power Supply $90

Western Digital Caviar 750GB 5200rpm-7200rpm Hard Drive $60

Lite-On DVD Burner $23

Total is $576.94 without shipping or rebates. Current shipping to the midwest puts it at $588.58. Like to do the rebates? That brings it down to $553.58.

Nice quad-core build, with a bullet-proof power supply, and a steal of a graphics card. If you wanted, you could go for a dual core to save money. I would HIGHLY recommend that path, but no one ever listens. That motherboard works with more processors than you can shake a stick at too, neat stuff.

Just use the case you have, not worth taking money out of your budget for the case.

 

[HardHat]

^ That's a very solid build. Can't think of any other suggestions to improve on it. Go for it R3po.

 

[-Jv-]

AMD Phenom II 920 $164

Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P $110

G.Skill 4GB Ram $40

Saphhire ATI Radeon HD 4830 $90

Corsair 650W Power Supply $90

Western Digital Caviar 750GB 5200rpm-7200rpm Hard Drive $60

Lite-On DVD Burner $23

Total is $576.94 without shipping or rebates. Current shipping to the midwest puts it at $588.58. Like to do the rebates? That brings it down to $553.58.

Nice quad-core build, with a bullet-proof power supply, and a steal of a graphics card. If you wanted, you could go for a dual core to save money. I would HIGHLY recommend that path, but no one ever listens. That motherboard works with more processors than you can shake a stick at too, neat stuff.

Just use the case you have, not worth taking money out of your budget for the case.

I would also consider a 4850/70 :w00t:

 

[R3POMAN]

Nice! I am really excited thanks for your help guys.

 

[Ryken]

4850 = $40 more
4870 = $75 more

List of Benchmarks

That list includes offerings by Nvidia, and you'll have to squint to see the 4850 and 4870, but they are on there. Really, for the money, I would get the 4830.

Also, let us know if you need help building it. If you read some guides and follow the instructions that come with the motherboard, it's quite easy.

As far as installing the OS, you put the disc in and start the computer. There will be an option for setup or boot order (or something like that) and then you just select boot from CD. It will let you set up partitions if you want to, and the rest is basically putting in your name and timezone (ie: cake).