My First Computer AKA I have no idea what I'm doing.

[zekrahminator]

You forgot the OS, and as a preventative measure (so you don't run into any problems with the new video card), get this power supply .

 

[kwchang007]

ahh boo zek, you cleared out the key. limewire? that'd take forever....like wayy forever, lol.

 

[zekrahminator]

Limewire is a staple of piracy, I was just using it as an example, we all know that for real pirating speed we'd use a bittorent client .

 

[NewbieBuilder]

O.k 2nd review...

20X Lite-On DVD burner: $34

Rosewill case: $50

Hanns G 19" Widescreen with 5ms response time: $170

Gigabyte AM2 motherboard: $85

Microsoft keyboard and mouse: $17

2GB of G.Skill DDR2 800 RAM: $85

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ CPU: $56

Western Digital 160gb: $53

mushkin 550w: $80

Radeon X1950GT: $155 - $20 rebate

Microsoft Windows XP Home: $90

$954.50 with shipping and tax all together, on the high side, but I definately like this computer...

 

[zekrahminator]

If you want a little more CPU horsepower and don't mind bringing the pricetag dangerously close to a grand, an Athlon 64 3800+ will serve you nicely.

 

[freaksavior]

since you guys are so freely talking about pirating an os! you can get almost anything off torrents, but news groups are wickedly fast! also the vista can be cracked as well as xp, i've done both like that! although i do onw xp.......as for your build, it looks nice for that price.....the hanns g monitor is awesome, my dad picked it up at circuit city for $149 a couple months back, but for 170, i think you could get a 20" for like $10 moreexapmle

well thats my 2 cents!

 

[zekrahminator]

Newbiebuilder, you have discovered the staple of the hardware community.

It's REALLY easy to spend $100-$300 more than you originally planned .

Take a good hard look at this rig, and figure out what you REALLY need, and what you can cut back on. The 3200 will serve you well, and the Hanns G will be INCREDIBLE (the price includes shipping).

 

[NewbieBuilder]

Ok, well I pushed it way close to my limit, and I got that 3800. I'm not really pushing my limits, but I barely made it under my limit...I think this computer is really wonderful, I'm gonna look over all the parts in extreme detail to make sure. But, at a glance it looks amazing, this is a lot better than what I can get from pre-built computers at a store or something for the same price...

P.S - even if it's only 10 dollars more, that 10 dollars is quite a bit...I have a 19'' monitor right now and it's just fine, so I'm good with the monitor.

 

[zekrahminator]

Excellent choice, the 3800 is 2.4GHz of awesomeness .

 

[NewbieBuilder]

Woo, O.k my parents will buy me it, but I have to wait until they get a bit of extra money. I definitely am not going to complain about any wait time.

Man, I am so happy right now !!! Thank you guys, every single one of you especially mr.zekrahminator. I don't really know what else I can say besides thanks X-x....

I will probably start building in a month or 2, and I will definitely come back if I need any help.

I should start reading, and researching on prices and learn a lot more of what makes a computer... and again thanks a lot.

 

[FatForester]

Wow if he doesn't need that monitor, then he can change over to C2D! ..if he pirates his OS maybe.. Actually, the 170 savings off the monitor by itself would be enough. But, budget is always a priority!

 

[zekrahminator]

And you kinda need to see what you're doing to enjoy your new computer .

 

[NewbieBuilder]

Question! What PCI card should I get, I was thinking about getting a Netgear GA311 Gigabit PCI Adapter for 30 bucks

 

[anticlutch]

Your motherboard should come with an ethernet connecter so you don't need to buy another one (unless you have another reason? )

 

[zekrahminator]

For what, wired networking? You don't need any PCI cards, the motherboard comes with an Ethernet port that works quite nicely. If you need wireless, Gigabyte makes a very nice $20 adapter that I'm too lazy to look up.

 

[NewbieBuilder]

Oh... now I know.......................................................................................................................-___-

 

[zekrahminator]

Oh that's right, you're prolly going to ask what kind of speakers you need .

That monitor has speakers built in, and while they may not be the best for gaming (like my 5.1 surround sound speakers), they'll do fine. The green wire plugs into the monitor on one end, and the green hole in the motherboard on the other. Color coded is awesome .

 

[NewbieBuilder]

The monitor has a speaker? x]...Well, I have a very nice sound system that I'll use with that instead...

 

[amd64skater]

The monitor has a speaker? x]...Well, I have a very nice sound system that I'll use with that instead...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1068243&CatId=2893


nice speakers lots of bass and clean highs not sure where to find it cheaper but these are a good buy i have them my self

 

[erocker]

Wait a minute, can't he keep the e4300?

 

[NewbieBuilder]

O.K, well turns out my parents don't like the fact that I'm buying off of new egg because it's on the internet. Anyway you guys can convince them that it's safe and not a rip-off?! Apparently they want to buy the same stuff off of stores around the area, but when I check for the parts the stores don't have it.

They basicly don't trust online sites where you have to order, and that they'll rip me off, also they want to know, if something is broken or its the wrong product how I can return it. Anyway to convice them that new egg isn't stupid and totally only wants to rip you off?

 

[NewbieBuilder]

Oh also, my dad thinks you're all a bunch of stupid amateurs who have no idea what the heck you're doing and you're all trying to rip me off, convince them please...-_______-

 

[Wile E]

Well, all you have to do is look into 3rd party reviews of Newegg. It is not like eBay. They are the top rated online computer retailer in the USA. I buy all of my computer parts from newegg, and the few times I've received anything bad, they replaced it with no hassle what so ever.

Additionally, buying those same parts suggested by Zek, and the others, in a normal retail store will almost double the price.

While many of us may be amateurs, a good majority of us are not. I, myself, am 30yrs old, and have been building and trouble shooting computers since I was 14yrs old. I am, by no means, a professional, but I am nowhere near an amateur, either.

To buy these pieces in a normal retail store, when you can buy them from a well documented, fully respected online store, for half the price, is absolutely ridiculous.

For looking up the credibility of Newegg, I suggest starting at the Better Business Bureau.

In fact, here's the link: http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=13146135

 

[NewbieBuilder]

My god, thank you Wile E.

 

[Namslas90]

I will gladly vouch for the members here at TechPowerUp forums, that have helped you and their recomendations. Also Newegg is a highly respected site. Furthermore internet sales are safer than any method.

go here;

http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/alarm.htm

enter my ID # I will PM you with it.
This should solve all of your parents issues with trusting us here at TPU.