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Looking to Build a PC - Details Inside!

Bokteelo

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Okay, so as you can tell I'm COMPLETELY new on this forum, and also completely new to computers. I've gamed on computers for years now, and have always been fascinated by building a personal computer. Over the previous few months, I've looked into various computer parts and overclocking. I've been on Youtube many times searching & watching videos of people building computers step by step, and I think I've got the hang of it.

I've finally decided to ask my parents if they would give me the funds to build my own computer, and fortunately they both agreed. What I'm looking for in a computer... I'm not too sure, but I want one that's build for gaming and videos, which would probably mean insane graphics.

I know that in order to efficiently overclock, you need a great combination of 3 things: motherboard, processor, and memory. (How much faster will my hardware die out if I overclock? I've heard that overclocking shortens the life span of a piece of hard ware by a lot.)

My budget is around $800, although lesser would be awesome. (I would've had around $1000 to spend on a computer, but I spent a small portion of that on some gaming peripherals such as mouse/keyboard/mousepad/headset/webcam.) I plan on using this computer for the next 3-4 years, so please keep overclocking potential in mind when picking out my parts.

I know I probably sound like a lazy bum, but I'm honestly not sure what parts to order, what's good for this/that, what's compatible with what, and which parts would give me the biggest bang for my buck. (I'm still quite new to all this computer stuff.)

Code:
[B][Size=3]What it looks like so far:[/B][/SIZE]

[SIZE="4"][B]Intel Build:[/B][/SIZE]

LCD - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009125[/url]
HD - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319[/url]
PSU - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005[/url]
RAM - 
GPU - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.163933[/url]
MB - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358[/url]
CPU - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041[/url]
Heatsink - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233023[/url]
Case - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119077[/url]
DVD - 
Card Reader - 
TC - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007[/url]

[SIZE="4"][B]AMD Build:[/B][/SIZE]

LCD - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009125[/url]
HD - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319[/url]
PSU - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005[/url]
RAM - 
GPU - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.163933[/url]
MB - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131368[/url]
CPU - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471[/url]
Heatsink - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233023[/url]
Case - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119077[/url]
DVD -
Card Reader -
TC - [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007[/url]
 
Last edited:

Rapid

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Processor Intel e6550 Oc'd to 3.17Ghz
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Theres me getting excited about you building and actual CPU! Not just the actual pc base unit.

I think one of the first questions to ask you would be. What exactly are you going to use this pc for?
You mentioned gaming, is it soley a gaming pc? Or will you have any other specific needs which might need some sort of specific hardware??
 

ShadowFold

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Keeping hardware at safe voltage(below 1.5v for CPU's) will not shorten it's life span.
Assuming you don't have a monitor..
CPU + Motherboard Phenom II 720BE + MSI 790GX http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165035
4gb Corsair XMS2 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
HIS HD 4870 512mb - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.162207
19" Widescreen monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254005
LG DVD Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147075
250gb Hard drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262
Corsair 550w PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

I have the motherboard, RAM, case HDD and DVD drive listed above, they are all stellar products and I recommend them :)

Also, don't skimp on cooling!! I have this heatsink and it's a beast
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233023&Tpk=Xigmatek HDT-S1284EE
Here is some really good thermal compound that I use
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233030&Tpk=Xigmatek

If you do have a monitor upgrade to this stuff
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165080

And don't be intimidated by building one. I'm 16 right now and I can do this stuff with a blindfold on.
 
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Although I can't quite give detailed information right now about which parts to buy because i need sleep lol..
I will say overclocking will not decrease the life badly at all if you keep the cpu cool.
water cooling is best..
air cooling or thermo cooling is also optional.
even more extreme measures, like oil submersion.

You mention maybe 5 years of using it..
degradation due to overclocking won't be an issue as long as you cool it properly..
I've been using an e6400 conroe at 1.6volts, which is well over safe specs for 2 years lol..
it runs like a charm still.
keep it cool.

and use good thermal paste..
arctic silver 5 is among the best.
apply it properly.

some would say an X from corner to corner in a fine line and a dot in the middle..
don't mess up the paste to much, leaving bubbles or imperfections, between the cpu and the heatsink.
 

MKmods

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you are gonna get 1000s of different opinions here...

Since its your first build make it as simple as possible (no multiple video cards or HDs or water cooling and dont worry so much about OCing at first, just get good stuff)

Start by picking a case you like, look for one that has good cooling from the beginning so you wont overheat the comp you build. (Lian Li is a good start)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112184

Than get a "VERY GOOD" Power supply (Corsair, Seagate, Silverstone etc)

Now its time to start the war over Intel/AMD Pick one...

When it comes time to get a Video Card it will depend on what monitor you have and plan to use.

$800 wont go too far building a gaming comp so try to get some good quality used parts.
 

ShadowFold

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$800 wont go too far building a gaming comp so try to get some good quality used parts.

Now I don't know about that, I just put together one with a PII x3 and a 4870.. I have a dual core and two 4830's and it's pretty awesome for gaming. Building a top of the line Crysis crunching, record breaking machine, now that's more than 800$ but a basic gaming machine only really costs 500$-600$.
 

Bokteelo

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Okay, ShadowFold, I just looked at your build and I must say, it looks quite promising. Even with the cooling and thermal compound, AND an extra hard drive, it comes out to $800.89! How do you think it would OC? As you said, if I kept the voltage under 1.5 would it break 3.5ghz with the air cooling you listed?

So, in response to your original build, I do need a lot more hard drive space, and hopefully a larger monitor. Also, how about an extra fan just to be safe? I know that my budget might be limiting, but in all honesty, I have over $800 to spend, my parents are willing to invest more than that, but I simply don't want to spend so much.

PS - I'm sorry I didn't reply to everyone's post. I wrote up quite a lengthy response but some double posting error I ran into erased it, and I'm quite lazy to rewrite it.
 
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MKmods

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Remember this is his first build..And he dosent have your connections or experience.

Dont forget he is probably gonna need a monitor (for gaming, look at a 20 or 22" one)

And rather than thinking of OCing to 3.5 why not get a 3.2Ghz CPU at stock? (Like an AMD X2 6400 or an E8400 if Intel)

Remember keep it simple...

and while I like Rosewill for ME (I mod the shit out of them) he dosent have the skills,time or tools to mess with airflow. Better to get a better case to begin with.
 
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Bokteelo

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I'm quite lost and confused right now. You all know so much and I'm sitting here trying to keep up with you guys!
 

Bokteelo

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Theres me getting excited about you building and actual CPU! Not just the actual pc base unit.

I think one of the first questions to ask you would be. What exactly are you going to use this pc for?
You mentioned gaming, is it soley a gaming pc? Or will you have any other specific needs which might need some sort of specific hardware??

Oh crap! I should've wrote PC instead of CPU, sorry I'll see if I can fix it. (Probably not though, knowing this kind of forum layout.)

And I do plan on storing a lot of videos on it, and recording a lot of gaming footage with FRAPS, so I need 500+ GB worth of storage.

Keeping hardware at safe voltage(below 1.5v for CPU's) will not shorten it's life span.
Assuming you don't have a monitor..
CPU + Motherboard Phenom II 720BE + MSI 790GX http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165035
4gb Corsair XMS2 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
HIS HD 4870 512mb - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.162207
19" Widescreen monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254005
LG DVD Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147075
250gb Hard drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262
Corsair 550w PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

I have the motherboard, RAM, case HDD and DVD drive listed above, they are all stellar products and I recommend them :)

Also, don't skimp on cooling!! I have this heatsink and it's a beast
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233023&Tpk=Xigmatek HDT-S1284EE
Here is some really good thermal compound that I use
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233030&Tpk=Xigmatek

If you do have a monitor upgrade to this stuff
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165080

And don't be intimidated by building one. I'm 16 right now and I can do this stuff with a blindfold on.

Well, I REALLY appreciate all the detail you put into your post. Indeed I have a monitor, but I plan on occasionally running both computers at once, so I'd like to keep my current computer in one piece! (My mom might use my current computer, it's an HP Pavilion a1540n, quite good for something I bought two years ago!) I'll start adding up the costs and of the rig you put together, then looking at some reviews on the internet on the various parts and pieces.) Oh, and will your rig be good for overclocking?

Although I can't quite give detailed information right now about which parts to buy because i need sleep lol..
I will say overclocking will not decrease the life badly at all if you keep the cpu cool.
water cooling is best..
air cooling or thermo cooling is also optional.
even more extreme measures, like oil submersion.

You mention maybe 5 years of using it..
degradation due to overclocking won't be an issue as long as you cool it properly..
I've been using an e6400 conroe at 1.6volts, which is well over safe specs for 2 years lol..
it runs like a charm still.
keep it cool.

and use good thermal paste..
arctic silver 5 is among the best.
apply it properly.

some would say an X from corner to corner in a fine line and a dot in the middle..
don't mess up the paste to much, leaving bubbles or imperfections, between the cpu and the heatsink.

Artic Silver 5 is indeed a good thermal paste. How do I know? Some guy on Youtube said so! If you have the time, please find a build for me, I'd love to know what you would throw together for a budget wise gaming rig.

Okay, so from all 3 posts, I have this to say:

I'm looking for more space in the hard drive, and aside from gaming/videos and the occasional Photoshopping, I won't need it for anything else. (Well, of course I'll go on MSN/AIM and browse the web.)

And thank everybody for letting me know that proper cooling won't damage the hard ware too much, this was one of my main worries.
 

MKmods

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take your time and dont be in a hurry. Wait till others start to chime in and give their opinions...
(LOL, there is gonna be a lot to decipher)

PS: where are you? US, EU, China..

Shadow is right on the 720, its an excellent OCer (if you go AMD)
 

Bokteelo

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I'm actually in the USA, New York. Turning 16 in about a month!

you are gonna get 1000s of different opinions here...

Since its your first build make it as simple as possible (no multiple video cards or HDs or water cooling and dont worry so much about OCing at first, just get good stuff)

Start by picking a case you like, look for one that has good cooling from the beginning so you wont overheat the comp you build. (Lian Li is a good start)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112184

Than get a "VERY GOOD" Power supply (Corsair, Seagate, Silverstone etc)

Now its time to start the war over Intel/AMD Pick one...

When it comes time to get a Video Card it will depend on what monitor you have and plan to use.

$800 wont go too far building a gaming comp so try to get some good quality used parts.

Oh, I can care less whether it's Intel or AMD, I just want a rig that will give me the most for my money.
 

MKmods

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well I like AMD, but there are a lot that like Intel. Shadows build is AMD also. I think right now you get more for the money with AMD/ ATI.

And you could save a bit of $$ by buying one of Shadows 4830s (very good cards)

Also are you gonna use XP, Vista 32 or 64bit? If you use the 64bit than get 4 gigs if not you only need 2 gigs of memory.
 

Wile E

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If 5years is how long it must last, I suggest going with a quad core, not a tri-core. I would also suggest grabbing an Intel quad over an AMD, as the Intel's are a hair faster, and OC a touch better if you grab a 45nm version. Not by much, but every little bit counts if it has to last 5 years.

$800 is a tough budget to work with if you have to buy a case and a monitor, but it can be done.
 

Bokteelo

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well I like AMD, but there are a lot that like Intel. Shadows build is AMD also. I think right now you get more for the money with AMD/ ATI.

And you could save a bit of $$ by buying one of Shadows 4830s (very good cards)

Also are you gonna use XP, Vista 32 or 64bit? If you use the 64bit than get 4 gigs if not you only need 2 gigs of memory.

I'm probably going to stick with XP, if not then I'll run with a 32bit. (I'm eagerly awaiting Windows 7, once it's officially released I'm using KillDisk to wipe my drive!) As for Shadow's card, I'm not too sure; but I promise I will heavily consider it!

If 5years is how long it must last, I suggest going with a quad core, not a tri-core. I would also suggest grabbing an Intel quad over an AMD, as the Intel's are a hair faster, and OC a touch better if you grab a 45nm version. Not by much, but every little bit counts if it has to last 5 years.

$800 is a tough budget to work with if you have to buy a case and a monitor, but it can be done.

It doesn't necessarily have to last 5 years, because I might be upgrading the parts every now and then. (This is why I want a custom built, so I can easily upgrade the parts, and get some experience along the way. This way I don't have to keep buying prebuilt systems from ripoff stores like Best Buy.)

As for the $800 budget, I COULD squeeze in a little more, but I know I sure as hell won't be playing any insane games like Cod4 or Crysis.)
 

MKmods

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Bokteelo

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COD4 is a mid level game, Crysis even kills $3K comps..

Shadows card with a 20" LCD would play COD4 on high settings.

Maybe take a look at the AM3 Mobos (more future proof for AMD) with Shadows 720 or a 940 CPU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378
One nice thing about the Gigabyte mobos is their onboard sound is VERY good 9that will save you a bit by not buying a sound card)

See how amateur I am? I don't even know what a high level game is, probably because I don't play them that much. I just want one that will allow me to run low-mid level games, and futureproof the computer too!

My cousin's girlfriend's brother owns a company that sells computer parts even cheaper than Newegg, I think he said that either the company sells Newegg it's parts, or the company buys from Newegg in bulk and sells it for cheaper. (He built his quad core comp with a 23/24 wide screen, all for around $800.)

Right now, I've been told that Shadow's suggestion, the 4870 HD would be great for OCing IF I go AMD. But someone, I can't really check right now, said that Intel's quad core are better for OCing.

-Lost-
 

MKmods

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One of the good things about TPU is there are MANY good people here that can help you a lot.

If you got the DDR3 mobo and memory, and Shadows card and the PS and 720 CPU he recommended with a 20" LCD that would be a very nice gaming comp.

One other good thing is as you gained more experience you could pick up another 4830 and run them in Crossfire for even crazier graphics.

Forget about OCing for right now..just focus on a simple but efficient build till you gain experience.
(there is absolutely no reason to OC a 4870, its a killer card the way it is, just like the 4850 and 4830s)
 
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Wile E

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Well, if incremental upgrades are the plan, it's hard to say what the right way to go is. Both AMD and Intel have screwed consumers with socket changes.

Intel is probably going to transition to a new socket in the next year or so, so if upgrading the cpu is a consideration, AMD may be the better bet, But then again, by the time you are ready to swap cpus, you may need or want to swap mobos anyway.

Tough call really.

Shadowfold has a nice build going there, but I would rather have an AM3 board and DDR3 at this point, just to keep future options more open.

Downgrade the video card to a 4830 to get the extra money to upgrade to AM3 and DDR3.
 

MKmods

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Crosshair is an Asus motherboard.. Crossfire is using 2 or more ATI video cards to improve graphics.
http://game.amd.com/us-en/crossfirex_about.aspx

When using Nvidia based cards its called SLI.

dont worry so much about that right now, just focus on the basics.
 

Wile E

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What exactly is crosshair!! T_T

It's a Mobo model.

At any rate, can you get your PC parts from the cheaper place? If so, an Intel quad build is the way to go.
 

Bokteelo

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It's a Mobo model.

At any rate, can you get your PC parts from the cheaper place? If so, an Intel quad build is the way to go.

I'm not sure, but my cousin did get all his parts from his future brother-in-law's company, and it wasn't because of a discount either.

If I bump my budget up to $1000, how much more promising would my gaming rig look?
 

Wile E

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I'm not sure, but my cousin did get all his parts from his future brother-in-law's company, and it wasn't because of a discount either.

If I bump my budget up to $1000, how much more promising would my gaming rig look?

Much more promising. lol.
 
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And don't be intimidated by building one. I'm 16 right now and I can do this stuff with a blindfold on.

Yup, I just turned 17 when I built my first rig, I should have done it like 2 years ago. It's actually not that hard though there can be complications, usually software crap. A lot of people are afraid of building their own computers in fear of something blowing up or not going right, but just follow some simple tips and take it slow, you'll get it. I built my rig on a measly €340 budget (about $430), it helps to use parts from your old computer like DVD Drive, hard-drive, monitor, keyboard/mouse and so on. It also helps if you buy some parts used to get them a bit cheaper.

Ask around and see if you can get some parts free, my mam used to work in an office and they got rid of their old PCs, my mam got one and it had an 80GB hard-drive in it which I'm using now.

Anything else you will be doing with the PC besides gaming? Video or photo editing? 3D modeling? Will you be doing any DVD ripping or playing BluRay or HD-DVD movies? Do you listen to much music?

It helps to know what you do, so if you played games but have a lot of movies and music you would probably want a large hard-drive, but if you just gamed and had some music you wouldn't need one as big and could go cheaper and spend the extra money on something else.
 
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