Completely inexperienced with $1000 budget

[greenbird]

I've never built my own computer or done anything harder than swapping laptop hard drives. Looking into buying a desktop though and I keep reading that building my own will get me more bang for my buck.

Typically I run photoshop, a media player of some sort, winrar, dreamweaver and trillian. Nothing too crazy but I'd like to be able to play EQII as my friend keeps raving about the damn thing. Even if I can't play on the highest settings being able to function would be nice.

I have exactly $1000 to spend on everything including a monitor, windows, tools, etc.

Is building something best left done to the experienced or will a relatively intelligent human being manage?
Will I really get more for my money?
Where do I even start?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

 

[jda70]

Is building something best left done to the experienced or will a relatively intelligent human being manage?

A relatively intelligent human being can manage.

Will I really get more for my money?

For sure.

Where do I even start?

What I did was start looking at cases and power supplies.
I read the posts here at the forums.
The whole reason I got the mobo I have is because
it is a forum favorite here. I also read reviews at newegg.

 

[rockyjohn]

You might also start by looking at some reviews of systems already put together at some comparable prive levels - then tweak them a bit - instead of starting from scratch.

A comparison of several machines (prices excluse O/S and Monitor)
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/05/11/system_builder_marathon/
The $1250 machine from the above comparison
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/05/09/system_builder_marathon/
The $525 machine from the comparison
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/05/08/system_builder_marathon/

An $805 system - including O/S but no monitor
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1822641,00.asp

Then you can go to the Build your own forum on this site and look at the systems others have proposed and the responses received.

 

[FallenSniper]

Well here is one easy way to get started. Look through the forums in this section for a topic that mentions a price similar to that which you are planning to spend. (If you plan on spending $700), look for a topic called $700 budget Build, or something of the sort.

Another option is to check out the Newegg Public Wish Lists. Do the same thing for the titles and see if anything pops up.

If you don't see anything or nothing pleases you. Give us some more info and we'll put together something for you.

 

[marlborosmoker]

Here's some ideas (prices are in AUD so knockoff between 25-40% from the price listed)

http://www.overclockers.com.au/wiki/Gaming_Machine

You could do better wth US prices but it's a good place to start

 

[greenbird]

Wow, thanks a bundle for all the great links and information. It was a bit overwhelming to sift through it all but here's what I came up with:

Sony NEC Optiarc 18X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model AD-7170S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827152079

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119068

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148262

SMC SMCWPCI-GM PCI MIMO Wireless Adapter - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16833129041

EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130062

Athena Power AP-P4ATX50F12 ATX12V 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817104123

Patriot eXtreme Performance 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC21G6400LLK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820220143

ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131142

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115003

Acer AL1917WAbd Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16824009100

The monitor, power supply and wireless adapter decisions are the least informed decisions I made. The lot comes out to $989.42 after shipping.

I'm wide open to suggestions, especially ones that save me money.

 

[do_it_anyway]

Can't see an operating system on your list.
Oversight?

You could save money by not going for 800Mhz RAM.
The C2D only uses 533MHz at stock speeds so going for something like 667MHz would save you some cash and allow a little overclocking.
If you plan on OC'ing alot stick with what you've got.

 

[greenbird]

No operating system was an oversight. I'm pretty satisfied with WinXP Home edition since Vista doesn't really have anything extra I'm excited about and I know next to nothing about Linux. As far as overclocking goes; it's something I'd be tempted to try but I doubt I'll work up the nerve.

Thanks for the heads up on ram Do_it_anyway, I switched to this and now I'm under $900:

Patriot Signature 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PSD21G667KH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820220070

psychomunkey I'm not sure my laptop will make it three weeks but it's probably worth the wait, thanks for letting me know. If I have a little extra in the budget before buying I'll definitely upgrade to 2x1GB. About that HDD, is sata better or ata?

The power supply got pretty decent reviews on Newegg. A common complaint was the voltage running at 11.4-7 but I'm not entirely sure what that means or effects.

 

[geofelt]

You will need an OS. The OS on your laptop will be OEM which means that it can't be transferred to a new PC. Why buy XP which will lose support sooner than Vista? I would find some place to save and get a better monitor. The one you listed has a very poor viewing angle(150/135) . That means that you must sit precisely in front of the screen, keeping your head at the right height to see things clearly--not good--. The monitor is what you see and use every day, get the best you can afford. Look at the samsung(they make panels for many others)906BW $210 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020+50001077+1309821317&Configurator=&Subcategory=20&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc= A quality low cost PSU is Fotron AX400 $40. : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953 check this link for a list of good psu's: http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1491365#1491365 .
Why do you need a wireless adapter?
Don't forget keyboard and mouse.
---good luck---

 

[Hatman]

I see you chose 2x 512mb memory and e6600, id actually reccomend a e6420 and 2x 1gb memory. 2gb gives so much more speed and performance.

And the e6600 dont really need 2.4ghz 2.2 or w/e the e6420 offers is enough.

 

[jda70]

I recommend you pick a different power supply unit.

Here is one option.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153028

About the hard drive.
I was told here that SATA is faster.

 

[greenbird]

Ok, here's what I've got in my shopping cart at the moment based on all of your wonderfully helpful suggestions:

Sony NEC Optiarc 18X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model AD-7170S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827152079

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119068

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148262

SMC SMCWPCI-GM PCI MIMO Wireless Adapter - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16833129041

EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130062

ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131142

SAMSUNG 906BW Black 19" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16824001094

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX400-PN, RoHS, 12cm FAN, version 2.2, 2 SATA, 20+ 4 pin, PCI Express, 400W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817104953

Patriot Signature 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PSD22G667KH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820220071

Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6420 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115016


I haven't put an os in there yet because I'm reading up on Vista. So far it seems like it uses up more resources without offering a whole heck of a lot in return.

I need the wireless adapter because the system will be in a room upstairs without access to a cable barring a whole lot of drilling I don't think my landlord will appreciate.

Current total (before shipping) if all is purchased from Newegg: $930.91

 

[marlborosmoker]

umm can I suggest a change in vid card?

7900gs ($104 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130056

see this article far better performance for a few dollars more
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/07/03/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money/page3.html

Personally I'd spring for a bigger PSU with the way GFX cards are eting up wattage nowadays
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104037

 

[greenbird]

I'd very much like to upgrade the video card but the money is a problem. After shipping everything I listed comes out to $981 which leaves twenty dollars of room as is. Even if something is cheaper after a rebate I can't afford it at the pre-rebate price. It's a pain in the ass but it's all I have to work with.

At any rate odds are the only game I'll be playing is EQII. Is the 7600 gt really not good enough for that?

 

[marlborosmoker]

Yeah you could looking at the requirements for EverquestII, and your video editing it's just better value performance wise. I'd also think about why you're buying a motherboard with SLI capabilities (linking two vid card together) which costs more but is highly unlikely to ever use when something like this will do the job. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130059
and knock off another $20 and get a quieter 250gig drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152025

You're fine as is, but we're just suggesting better value options.

 

[geofelt]

Your list looks good now. One exception would be the motherboard. There is no need to pay for a SLI capable motherboard with the level of vga cards you are looking at. You can get a P965 board for $80 to $110. Look at the gigabyte 965P-ds3 . Http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128012 . It is well regarded here, and has been out long enough to have the bios fixes worked out.