This is my first real build, i built my own comp in 2002 but it had a glued on processor and on board video so i never really had a chance to really build a comp. i am trying to build 2 computers. One of them for my girlfriend, and the other for me, i will be building them around april, but i am trying to get a head start on things by trying to figure out the best parts for the cheapest price.
For my girlfriend, she is an architect major, so she does need a comp that has some ok graphics and she plays games, but nothing serious, she likes age of empires and games like that. i am trying to build a comp that comes out to $500 with monitor and keyboard, so i have about $300 to spend on parts, if u have any other recommendations, i would like to hear them, i don't want to get her a mac and she doesn't like them either.
i already have an athlon x2 3800+ processor
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6827118003 Sony NEC Optiarc Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM $27
psu undecided yet
This computer is for me, i do some light to medium gaming, but i am not a serious gamer, i can spend up to around $500, if there are parts that are cheaper and better then please let me know.
None of these comps will be overclocked, they will have wide lcd screens around 19-22" let me know if there is a cheaper and better way to build this thx alot
I will be running xp on the first one and xp or linux on the second one, vista will not touch these comps.
Message edited by StreetSoldier on 01-31-2008 at 06:54:11 PM
FYI, 5000+ black doesn't need a good cooler even if it's overclocked to 3ghz at stock volt. Keyword stock voltage = same temps as stock pc. Pick up any $10 AM2 cooler. Even a used one. FWIW, I'm in the process of upgrading to TEC which bring temps to below room temps.
Message edited by akhilles on 01-29-2008 at 02:42:50 PM
ok, thx alot i changed the memory to 2gigs, and the psu i didn't decide yet for me or my girlfriend...how does this look? is it good to go or are there any more suggestions?
thx for the suggestion...i didn't think of it, i just picked 2 of them cause i always had 2 i guess, and no we don't live togather, i am building her the pc for her birthday...
If I were you I would build hers first and spend around $1000 on hers with monitor.
Then build yours in a month or so when you have more money.
$300 for parts is to tight of a budget to get a good computer. If she uses cad she is gonna need one hella of a good GPU and CPU, and probably a 64bit OS with 4g of ram. The graphics you picked for hers is only 64bit memory interface. She wont beable to render crap.
I wouldnt use anything less then the build you proposed for yourself for her computer. What your doing is great but if she gets one less powerful that doesnt do what she needs it to do she might feel cheap.
You said building in April. Spend it all on her computer because in May you will get $500-$600 from uncle sam with the new tax rebates that the government is gonna hand out. If she has a job she will get the money also then you can have her pitch in and the both of you can get some nice highend systems with Intel quad yorkfields, and atleast a 3750 or 8800gt card.
Sounds like you have $800 to spend for April so add $600 more in May you got $1400 and is she pitches in you got $2000. You could have some major potential there.
ok, thx for the information, my plans were to build her this comp for now, and then in about 4 months to upgrade it, i want it to be an amd built so that i can use future tech on it. this is the start up system because that is all i can afford and i definitely need a comp i have a 1 gig duron and 512 ram with a 64 bit card, i am surprised this comp is still alive
You would do yourself great favors by waiting and do it right the first time. I know its hard, I like to build all of the time.
I have a AMD 3800x2 computer with 2g ram, 7300 SE, Vista Ultimate that is sweet for surfing watching movies and doing general apps. I spent $450.00 on it.
I also have the computer that I'm on now that I spent $650 on. This one has Asus P5k SE with e2180 intel overclocked to 3.3GHz 2 gig ram 80g HDD, 500G HDD, and a 8500GT, both have DvD burners. This computer smacks the hell out of the other one by a huge margin.
Intel build gets a 4.8 Vista score.
CPU: 5.7
Memory: 5.7
Graphics for Aero: 4.8
Gaming Graphics: 5.2
HDD: 5.7
AMD build Visa score is 3.0:
CPU: 4.8
Memory: 4.2
Graphics for Aero: 3.4
Gamiong graphics: 3.0
HDD: 5.2
The AMD computer cant do gaming or 3D graphics apps to save its ass. Evertything else is sweet. Moral of the story is you get what you pay for. You said she games and will be using 3d apps you definately got to reconsider on the graphic card.
i will be reconsidering the graphics card, i am considering getting her something atleast 128-bit min...i hope i can even get to 256, she hardly games, age of empires is the only thing, i might buy a couple more games for her...are there cards that are better for graphics then for gaming? i would rather give her a graphics card...and no, i am not buying her a mac, me and her both don't like them.
If she does 3d Cad get her a minimum of 256 interface. The best way to know for sure is look up the specs for the Cad program she will be using and then get her a card based on those specs.
hah, i just purchased that G.skill ram too, but i got 2 packages instead of just one, it's a hella a deal since you save $63 or so instantly! there regulary $109 and it has free shipping! snatch it up man!
If that is the case you should be fine. I been installing lots of stuff on my amd and it takes twice to 3 times as long s the intel computer. Its driving me nuts.
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