Need help building a new PC (No clue!)

Hello everybody.

I haven't been current with computer parts since the time Doom 3 came out, when the Radeon 9600 was the one. Now, computer tech is another language to me, therefore, I need some help! I'd like to purchase a computer this fall, and want to spend between 1500-2000. On a scale of 1-10 how good of a pc can I build (NewEgg) in this price range? Can someone list the basic parts I need (hardrive, ram, etc.) for a stupid person, and what I should be looking for, perhaps even helping me build the best computer I can in this price range. Basically I need a computers for dummy guide! I understand I am asking for a lot, but any and all helpis much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

It's hard to properly plot a build that far out - suffice to say for $1500-$2000 you can get one hell of a rig. You'll most likely be looking at a quad-core processor, high-end graphics card, at least 500GB of storage space, and 2-4GB of RAM.RayvinAzn

I all agree with what you say, but is a quad core honestly needed?BEAN_LARD_MULCH

If you're spending $2k, I'd sure as hell get one.

Check this out http://www.alienware.com/product_pages/desktop_all_default.aspx .MrPower1

Those are overpriced, build it yourself

Do you have a Porsche?MrPower1

I have a Boxster, what about you?

Thanks everybody.

Sowhat is a good video card to get nowadays? Not necessarily the best and most expensive, but a good quality one. I know the newest card is usually ridiculously expensive, and the 'last generation' one is practicallyas good but muchcheaper.Do computer parts still work this way? Also, what is better, air cooled or water cooled? At least I think it's water...I'm sure you all know what I am talking about! (Again, remember I am completely uneducated in this field, so sorry if I sound like a retard).

Cool I too had a top of the line 9600 pro b4 I upgraded Saturday. Is not real difficult.

Ultra 8800 GTX $700--- Top of the line handles DX10.1 Vista

ATI 2900 XTX $600--- Top of the line

Here just read this www.gamespot.com/features/6173135/index.html

Cool I too had a top of the line 9600 pro b4 I upgraded Saturday. Is not real difficult.

Ultra 8800 GTX $700--- Top of the line handles DX10.1 Vista

ATI 2900 XTX $600--- Top of the line

Here just read this www.gamespot.com/features/6173135/index.html

Cracker__Jack

Thanks alot!

So let me try and put this in dummy terms. I need;

Graphics Card

Sound Card

Motherboard

RAM

Hard drive(s)

DVD drive(s)

Heatsink fan

Power supply

PC Case

Monitor, speakers, etc.

Am I missing anything, or is this basically it? Thanks!!

[QUOTE="Cracker__Jack"]

Cool I too had a top of the line 9600 pro b4 I upgraded Saturday. Is not real difficult.

Ultra 8800 GTX $700--- Top of the line handles DX10.1 Vista

ATI 2900 XTX $600--- Top of the line

Here just read this www.gamespot.com/features/6173135/index.html

cole7948

Thanks alot!

So let me try and put this in dummy terms. I need;

Graphics Card

Sound Card - Optional.

Motherboard

RAM

Hard drive(s)

DVD drive(s)

Heatsink fan - Unless you plan an using the one packaged with your CPU.

Power supply

PC Case

Monitor, speakers, etc.

Don't forget the processor, the most important component.

Am I missing anything, or is this basically it? Thanks!!

OS

wooz101

[QUOTE="Cracker__Jack"]

Cool I too had a top of the line 9600 pro b4 I upgraded Saturday. Is not real difficult.

Ultra 8800 GTX $700--- Top of the line handles DX10.1 Vista

ATI 2900 XTX $600--- Top of the line

Here just read this www.gamespot.com/features/6173135/index.html

cole7948

Thanks alot!

So let me try and put this in dummy terms. I need;

CPU--- intel Quad core 6800 $800

Graphics Card-8800 gtsPCI express dx10 $350

Sound Card----just use onboard $0

Motherboard---Asus ddr2 $150

RAM---2gb ddr2 800mhz $100

Hard drive(s)500gb $100

DVD drive--sony DVDrW $50

Heatsink fan $30

Power supply---600watt---$70

PC Case---- $100

Monitor----samsung 22"--- $230

5.1 speakers w/sub $75

Keyboard/mouse $30

__________________________________

$2000.00

Should do you fine for 3+ years. Just add more RAM in a year w/vistaDx10

or you can build a fast kick ass one like mine for $1000.00

Wow...this'll be one hell of a system...lol I had fun pickin' out these parts. Here we go:

Case: NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case = $69.99, $49.99 after $20 Mail in Rebate.

Monitor: Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1 = $219.99

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor = $319.99

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3P LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard = $149.99

Power Supply: FSP Group (Fortron Source) FX700-GLN ATX12V V2.2/EPS12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CSA, IEC, UL, CE, TUV = $129.99, $104.99 after $25 mail in rebate.

Sound Card: Creative X-Fi 30SB073000000 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Blaster = $85.99

Video Card: EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card =$ 529.99, $509.99 after $20 Mail in Rebate.

Hard Drive: SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive = $119.99

Speakers: Logitech Z-4 40 watts 2.1 Speaker = $69.99

Memory: Patriot eXtreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory = $254.99, $234.99 after $20 mail in rebate.

DVD/CD Burner: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache E-IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner = $29.99

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD = $114.99

Keyboard/mouse = Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black 105 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included = $21.99

TOTAL = $2032.78 (AFTER MAIL IN REBATES & BEFORE SHIPPING)

This is an AWSOME build. Just goes over your budget. Personally I'd ditch the speakers and get a nice headset.

Ditch the Acer monitor and spend $20 more for the samsung 22". Are you kidding me?Cracker__Jack

What? Does that make sense?

Yes build your own system. This guide has old parts, but is very usefull. http://tools.corsairmemory.com/systembuild/report.aspx?report_id=12472&sid=1

roulettethedog

Wow...this'll be one hell of a system...lol I had fun pickin' out these parts. Here we go:

Case: NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case = $69.99, $49.99 after $20 Mail in Rebate.

Monitor: Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1 = $219.99

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor = $319.99

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3P LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard = $149.99

Power Supply: FSP Group (Fortron Source) FX700-GLN ATX12V V2.2/EPS12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CSA, IEC, UL, CE, TUV = $129.99, $104.99 after $25 mail in rebate.

Sound Card: Creative X-Fi 30SB073000000 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Blaster = $85.99

Video Card: EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card =$ 529.99, $509.99 after $20 Mail in Rebate.

Hard Drive: SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive = $119.99

Speakers: Logitech Z-4 40 watts 2.1 Speaker = $69.99

Memory: Patriot eXtreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory = $254.99, $234.99 after $20 mail in rebate.

DVD/CD Burner: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache E-IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner = $29.99

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD = $114.99

Keyboard/mouse = Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black 105 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included = $21.99

TOTAL = $2032.78 (AFTER MAIL IN REBATES & BEFORE SHIPPING)

This is an AWSOME build. Just goes over your budget. Personally I'd ditch the speakers and get a nice headset.

gamerwiz09

i would ditch the sound card and go with onboard, go with the next level down 8800, and go with creative 5.1 speakers.mindless1987

Hell, I'd ditch the speakers and sound card, and up the video card...I like headsets better...but I think he wants speakers...

is there that much of a noticable difference between the two 8800s?

WTF? Thats the stupidest thing I've heard...Why would you not take 4GB, if you can? 4GB is better then 2GB...You dont make any sense...gamerwiz09

Thank you SO much guys. Just researching these parts I brought myself up to speed (slightly) on the modern technology.

One question I have, is what is the difference between manufacturers? For instance, the 8800GTX, is made by ASUS and EVGA and several others. Is one better than the other, or is it all about price and favorite brands?

How much difference do you guys think is between the 8800GTX and the Ultra, and would SLI configuration with either or be worth it or is that overkill as you wouldn't even notice a difference?

Duo has a 2 core micrprocessor. Quad has 4.ifYour gonna dump $2000 in your rig then get the Quad Core. There arent any software programs or games that utilize the extra 2 cores, howver you'll be safe in knowing your ready to go when they do. Probly 6mths to 1 year away. Multi core cpus allow you to multitask many programs at once without seeing any lag or slowdown. For example 1 core might be utilizing the internet and downloading. Then the other core might be installing a game or program at the same time. All while you might be watching a DVD movie. All at the same TIME. Trust me it is GREATCracker__Jack

You have no idea how easy you just explained this. Thank you so much. Gamerwiz's setup seems really good, been researching all day, however the motherboard had some bad feedback. Seems Asus is the best in this category, but what do I know hahah. With this much crap in a pc do I go water cooling?

[QUOTE="MrPower1"]Do you have a Porsche?cole7948

I have a Boxster, what about you?

No but I think of buying one soon.

So the quad 2.4 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017) is 290 while the duo 3.0 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115028) is 320. For gaming, does the extra cores offset the extra MHz for a better deal?

What is this B3 vs. GO nonsense I am reading about?

Who knows how long that will take, but it looks like you have the money so why not get a quad?X360PS3AMD05

Well what I was asking is the quad has .6 less MHz than the duo, but it's a duo. Since I don't feel like overclocking as that seems complicated, I was wondering if the less MHz makes a major difference, or if the quad is still worth it over the duo.

It's kind of like saying, should i get the car with 200HP or 205HP? When the 200HP car comes with a turbo.X360PS3AMD05

Thanks. Made it much clearer :)

I'll probably piece this all together late Sept-early Oct...Hopefully prices will drop a few hundred by then, as I have no need for a new pc until then.

lol get a pair of 8800gtx on SLI.... the rest is bull...

edit:4gb ram, 64bit OS, 680i motherboard, QX6600 or any QX from the new intel processors...

EDit 2: any chance I ever get to spend 2k on a new rig?

What is this B3 vs. GO nonsense I am reading about?

cole7948

B3 is the older stepping used by the Core 2 Quad processors - G0 is the new stepping that offers a decrease in power and heat (around 3-10% I believe), although its real importance shows though more in overclocking than at stock. I wouldn't worry about it if you're not an overclocker.

As for Gamerwiz's setup, I wasn't overly impressed with it. Weak in more than one area (especially the power supply), and it might not reflect a good setup in a few months. Don't set this build in concrete now, just get a feel for what's available and what'll be here by the time you're ready to build.

Dang lol...you guys must not live where I live...either that or you just stayed up all night...

Anyway, I don't see what you guys are so picky about what I picked for. Its a perfectly fine $2000 PC in my opinion...and Rayvin, after what you said in this topic, and in my topic, I'm starting to question if you're a certain PSU manufacturer fanboy...Not all PSU's are bad if they're not picked by you.

Anyway, I got your PM Cole, and to answer some of your questions from that, and this topic. First off, I do believe water cooling is better and more efficient, though as long as your case has a few fans, I really don't think cooling is necessary.

Also personally, I don't trust quad-core right yet...if you have the money, I'd say go for it, but I won't get it for another year or so...

I would also drop the sound card, you really don't neeed it, but if you want it, keep it...I just threw it in there cause I assumed you wanted one. Also, I hate speakers. I say drop them to, and get a nice headset...

It's kind of like saying, should i get the car with 200HP or 205HP? When the 200HP car comes with a turbo.X360PS3AMD05

Anyway, I don't see what you guys are so picky about what I picked for. Its a perfectly fine $2000 PC in my opinion...and Rayvin, after what you said in this topic, and in my topic, I'm starting to question if you're a certain PSU manufacturer fanboy...Not all PSU's are bad if they're not picked by you.

gamerwiz09

No, but when pretty much all the trusted power supply reviews (a multimeter to some power leads does not constitute an accurate review) state that certain units are good, trustworthy, and stable I'm rather inclined to trust them. If I'm a fanboy because I prefer the best, or at least the higher-tier power supply units, you're damn right I'm a fanboy. I like clean, stable power to my components so they last longer and have less chance of failing. And if I were to spend $2k on a new rig, there's no way in hell I'm putting my entire rig in jeopardy just to save $30-$50 on some cheap or even middle-of-the-road unit. If I'm on a tight budget, that's one thing. Spending $2k, I'm investing in something worthy of powering all those components.

As an aside, I always give power supply manufacturers a chance. If Apevia came out with a stable, high-quality unit that met all specifications, had high efficiency, active PFC, decent value, etc. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. Problem is, nobody bothers reading up on things anymore, and will just settle with whatever if they can't see a pretty, color-coded graph indicating their performance is greater than something else's.