~First Time Rig~

Hello. I'm trying to get a gaming computer for games such as crysis, cod:waw, cs:s, wow, alen wake ( when it comes out) ect.. My Budget is around ~800~ I might be able to pull a couple strings and raise it to 900, But 900 would be the ABSOLUTE max. I have a couple things in mind but they are kind of out of my price range.I was thinking : Q6600, 750i, antec 900, Gtx 260 216 Core. Um, The whole system there seems to add up to more then 800 though so :( I forgot to mention that i also need to get a moniter along with it, I was thinking the $170 Acer 22''. Anyways, I'm not in a rush so i can wait around a month or so... So if i'd be able to afford the above in a month that'd be great but i doubt it so :( I haven't really build a computer and my current one has celeron and no graphics card. Although i have been browsing through these forums listening to some peoples advice im still a noob. Anyways this is where you come in, basically if anyone knows parts ( or an awseome set-up) i can get that add up to 800-900$ that would be great. It has to be a full system Including moniter, keyboard, mouse and speakers. I can manage with a semi okay mouse or keyboard and then upgrade later on. If you're thinking why i don't keep my current one's i think im going to try and sell it to someone i know for 50-100$ and have cash for games/upgrades. Anyways thanks and hope i didn't sound like a complete noob.

EDIT: I forgot to say that i also am trying to get a 'future-proof' machine that can be able to run games on max/medium settings for the next 1-2 years.

DOUBLE EDIT: Lmfao and for the os i think im going to get a cd for xp ( from a person i know for free) untill windows 7 is realeased so no need to add that in the price and i was also hoping for 4Gb ram but idk.

Hi RedxSnipe, the two biggest problems I see, is that you need a monitor & I'm pretty sure your not an overclocker. I think you should study the Value builds at the following link, it should give you a realistic idea of what's possible. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-overclock,2117.html You should note...that when you add a top of the line video-card....you will need to increase spending on a good quality psu. Check-out the example on the link ! Cheers

Something to consider:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 E8400 $165

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345 MB $100

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146047 Case $100 rebate $20

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220335 Ram 2x2gb $52

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288 HD Seagate 500gb $65

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263 DVD $22

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703015 PSU $69 rebate $20

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770 Video-card $149

Alright thanks for those posts Anna. First off that's a pretty nice set-up which lands it self at 822$ after rebates with a moniter. you can probably get that for 850$ with keyboard, mouse and speakers. I do have a few questions. I've heard that duo cores don't do as good as quad cores and the Q6600 is priced around 20-30$ more then that E8400. Especially since games like Gta IV and Alen Wake ( It uses a whole core for physics * or so i've heard*) And the second thing is that psu would most likely have to be switched if i upgrade in the future. Don't you think if i were to Switch the psu to the Corsair 750TX(Or however you spell it, it's around 50$ higher unless they changed it.), change the mobo to something of similar price and add a Q6660 that it would be a great build at around 920$. Don't get me wrong im just wondering i mean after all i am still a noob. Anyways thanks again for the two posts.

EDIT: Just realised that the mobo can support a Quad. So unless theres a mobo thats better for that price for a quad then that can stay. And this is only if we are thinking of switching to a Quad.

Um anyone?RedxSniper

[QUOTE="RedxSniper"]Um anyone?Snake_raider

Alright thanks. I think that's what im going to go with. How do i cancel this thread? Or do i just let it die?

EDIT: Lol yeah i know what you mean and the whole "15" thing is true as well. But on the other hand i don't want to end up with a "okay" computer that i have to update very soon so i guess an extra "30$" can save me from updating for a couple months longer if you know what i mean.

Alright thanks. I think that's what im going to go with. How do i cancel this thread? Or do i just let it die?

EDIT: Lol yeah i know what you mean and the whole "15" thing is true as well. But on the other hand i don't want to end up with a "okay" computer that i have to update very soon so i guess an extra "30$" can save me from updating for a couple months longer if you know what i mean.

RedxSniper

LMfao yeah lol. Im about to post the "finished" thing in a couple minutes.

Wow this makes me pissed.... My dad basically, to make a long story short, told me that it's got to be 800$ MAX with Speakers + Keyboard + Mouse + Moniter. Which means like a 550$ computer.....................Screw this. I can't get anything with that...

LMfao yeah lol. Im about to post the "finished" thing in a couple minutes.RedxSniper

It was 1000$ with everything (750W psu...) although i did try to slide a gtx 260 by.... If only the other day i got to the 280 for 190$ in time.... even if i were to put that to a 9800gtx or back to the radeon.. Id still be like a 100$ over...RedxSniper

Sure, btw thanks for being so helpful.

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM ~24.99$

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ~ 109.99$

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail ~ 129.99$ 20$MRi

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail 54.99$ 30$ Mri( Mail in rebate)

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 99.99$ 15$ MRI

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail 189.99$

I'm Missing keyboard, mouse, speakers, moniter and a graphics card. To get a decent keyboard+mouse+speakers = around 60$. So where at 600$. Then there's the moniter i was deciding between the 22'' Acer at 170$ or the Ferrari one at Buy.com for 199.99$. That leaves me with 0-30$ for a graphics card...

Total ~ 609.94$ and then theres 65$ MRI.

EDIT: Forgot to add a hard drive and theSAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM is at 54.99$

Sure, btw thanks for being so helpful.

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM ~24.99$

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ~ 109.99$

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail ~ 129.99$ 20$MRi

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail 54.99$ 30$ Mri( Mail in rebate)

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 99.99$ 15$ MRI

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail 189.99$

I'm Missing keyboard, mouse, speakers, moniter and a graphics card. To get a decent keyboard+mouse+speakers = around 60$. So where at 600$. Then there's the moniter i was deciding between the 22'' Acer at 170$ or the Ferrari one at Buy.com for 199.99$. That leaves me with 0-30$ for a graphics card...

Total ~ 609.94$ and then theres 65$ MRI.

RedxSniper

I would but since im only paying 200$ and my dad's covering the rest he's saying that he wants me to get a one with everything and on top of that now he's being really annoying and saying that i should *wait* 1.5 Months and see if i can grab anything for a good deal like Gtx280 was going for yesterday... which makes me really pissed...Ugh wow .... On the Bright side he said i can go to 900$... but he says he wants me to wait for a good deal so i can end up with a better Video Cards like the Gtx260...

EDIT: With 900$ it would be the same thing above but depending on the Moniter if it was the 170$ or the 200$ i can get a 100-145$ graphics card. Which means i have to *wait* till i can grab a deal...You know having the same computer for 7 years kinda sucks, this is a Intel Celeron 1.3 Ghz..............

EDIT: Does anyone know if Buy.com does sales often like yesterday's 280?

Sure, btw thanks for being so helpful.

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM ~24.99$

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ~ 109.99$

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail ~ 129.99$ 20$MRi

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail 54.99$ 30$ Mri( Mail in rebate)

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 99.99$ 15$ MRI

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail 189.99$

I'm Missing keyboard, mouse, speakers, moniter and a graphics card. To get a decent keyboard+mouse+speakers = around 60$. So where at 600$. Then there's the moniter i was deciding between the 22'' Acer at 170$ or the Ferrari one at Buy.com for 199.99$. That leaves me with 0-30$ for a graphics card...

Total ~ 609.94$ and then theres 65$ MRI.

EDIT: Forgot to add a hard drive and theSAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM is at 54.99$

RedxSniper

EDIT: BTW, i have the Corsair TX650 (same thing, but less power, but the TX750 has 2 more 8-pin graphics-card connectors), so if you do like i did, you're case should turn out as messy as mine :P

Thanks for the advice. Can you get me a pic of you're case? Because i've never built a computer before although i know how to after reading a couple guides so i don't understand what you mean although i have a general idea. Um so this is the set-up im trying to achieve but due to my dad's "laws" im limited to 900$ which has to come with a moniter + keyboard + mouse + Speakers....And on top of that he wants me to stay on the lookout for "good" deals like the Gtx280 and Gtx260 that soared down the other day... I woulda been set with a gtx260 but i didn't get there in time... So i basically have to look for deals if i can't find anything compared to that The beginning of march/end of february i can get my build. So unless i have find a good deal im stuck waiting untill then.RedxSniper

I guess i should explain about the drive bays before you start building.

On the front side of the case, there are 2 fans, these are there to cool the drive bays. If you put you're HDD(s) in the bottom drive bay (bottom fan at the font), you wont have anywhere to put you're un-used power cables (there will be plenty, trust me :P).

The dvd drives go in the top bay,the top bay is wider, and the metal plates covering it (the plates with loads of holes in them, visible from the outside) can be removed.

You should be able to see where all the parts attach to the mobo, but if you are really unsure, you should use google, to try find a picture, or a description.

Thats especially important when you're installing the PSU cables, if you put one of these in the wrong place, you could fry the whole system.

Last, but not least, don't forget to wear static armbands, or you may damadge one of you're components. (i didn't have any, so i touched the bare metal of my old PSU at even intervals, that worked for me, but i wont guarantee anything).

I guess i should explain about the drive bays before you start building.

On the front side of the case, there are 2 fans, these are there to cool the drive bays. If you put you're HDD(s) in the bottom drive bay (bottom fan at the font), you wont have anywhere to put you're un-used power cables (there will be plenty, trust me :P).

The dvd drives go in the top bay,the top bay is wider, and the metal plates covering it (the plates with loads of holes in them, visible from the outside) can be removed.

You should be able to see where all the parts attach to the mobo, but if you are really unsure, you should use google, to try find a picture, or a description.

Thats especially important when you're installing the PSU cables, if you put one of these in the wrong place, you could fry the whole system.

Last, but not least, don't forget to wear static armbands, or you may damadge one of you're components. (i didn't have any, so i touched the bare metal of my old PSU at even intervals, that worked for me, but i wont guarantee anything).

matte3560

[QUOTE="matte3560"]

I guess i should explain about the drive bays before you start building.

On the front side of the case, there are 2 fans, these are there to cool the drive bays. If you put you're HDD(s) in the bottom drive bay (bottom fan at the font), you wont have anywhere to put you're un-used power cables (there will be plenty, trust me :P).

The dvd drives go in the top bay,the top bay is wider, and the metal plates covering it (the plates with loads of holes in them, visible from the outside) can be removed.

You should be able to see where all the parts attach to the mobo, but if you are really unsure, you should use google, to try find a picture, or a description.

Thats especially important when you're installing the PSU cables, if you put one of these in the wrong place, you could fry the whole system.

Last, but not least, don't forget to wear static armbands, or you may damadge one of you're components. (i didn't have any, so i touched the bare metal of my old PSU at even intervals, that worked for me, but i wont guarantee anything).

RedxSniper

Mhmm what i have so far is: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM ~ 24.99

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ~ 109.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM ~ 49.99

EVGA 896-P3-1265-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail ~ 269.99 20$ Mri

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail ~ 104.99 40$ Mri

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail ~ 54.99 30$ Mri

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ~ 99.99 15$ Mri

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail ~ 189.99

APEVIA CF12SL-UBL 120mm Blue LED Case Fan - Retail ~ 7.49 Total Cost ~ 912$ After rebates ~ 807$

A horrible keyboard + mouse + speakers = 10$ each = 30$ = 837$, my max max is 900$....

So now i need things to drop or else i won't be able to get a good moniter i was thinking http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009145 or thehttp://www.buy.com/prod/acer-ferrari-f-22-22-widescreen-lcd-monitor-20000-1-2ms-1680x1050-hdmi/q/loc/101/208808608.html.

So i need to get things down by around 100-200$ Preferably around 200$ because then i can get a good mouse and an after market cooler... So the thing is i have2 choices, wait for them to drop ( if it takes 1-1.5 Months ) I'll wait, if it takes longer then im going to have to downgrade or be lucky and grab a deal.. Do you think i will save 100-200$ if i have wait 1-1.5 months? Sorry for all the questions but one more is that psu a good one? or should i swap for something else?

Mhmm OKay i understand it now. But how do people end up with these cases that have almost no cables showing, where do they "hide" all the used ones.. All i know is that they use cable ties.RedxSniper

Quick Question i found a TX750W 750 Watt ATX 12V Power Supply at microcenter for 89.99$ after mail and rebate. Is that a "good" deal or can i find a better deal on one in the next 2 months?RedxSniper

Lol. That sucks for me because 1) No experience. 2) On a budget so can't get a modular psu and 3) An Antec 900 is what i want and even though it has amazing air cooling i hear it has bad cable management. Thanks though :)RedxSniper

Well, modular not That important! As for cases:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146047

Both a great....of course one is prettier.

Yes as in i can find a better deal? I mean im going to be waiting for the next month and a half apparently, i did find a OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply on new egg for 104.99$ with 40$ rebate so idk it makes it seem as though i should be able to find a better deal come end of february.RedxSniper

Lol. That sucks for me because 1) No experience. 2) On a budget so can't get a modular psu and 3) An Antec 900 is what i want and even though it has amazing air cooling i hear it has bad cable management. Thanks though :)RedxSniper

I have an Antec 900 and it has superb cable management...

Use the reverse side of the Motherboard Tray for excellent cable management... whoever said it was bad is dumb.

Not my pics, but a guy on a PC enthusiast website... Just run the cables behind the tray... thats what the holes are for...

[QUOTE="RedxSniper"]Lol. That sucks for me because 1) No experience. 2) On a budget so can't get a modular psu and 3) An Antec 900 is what i want and even though it has amazing air cooling i hear it has bad cable management. Thanks though :)Squeets

I have an Antec 900 and it has superb cable management...

Use the reverse side of the Motherboard Tray for excellent cable management... whoever said it was bad is dumb.

Not my pics, but a guy on a PC enthusiast website... Just run the cables behind the tray... thats what the holes are for...

Nice pictures, that's about as good cable management gets !!! Cheers--Anna--

Yeah here is his finished product...

If that's not good cable management then I don't know what is...

And thanks for the ocz tip. So i guess im back to the corsair 750W which is at 89.99$ atm.... Wow lol unless things start going down i wont be able to get a gtx 260. Do psu's go down in price alot?RedxSniper

That's pretty awseome i just don't see what's going on to the back. DId he like lead them through a hole and tape em there? RedxSniper

The guy that took the pics actually drilled holes in his case and used zip ties to hold the wires back, but electrical tape would work just as well if not better (because the plastic from the ties wouldn't be touching the bottom of the mobo...)