Help A Newbie Build A Computer!

[Namis9]

Hey guys, I've never built a computer before, and I really don't know much about specific parts. I've been reading for a few days now and it still doesnt make much sense to me. Anyway, hopefully you'll be capable of helping me.

I want to build a new computer for gaming, my current one is about 7 years old. Specifically, I want a computer that can run a new game coming out called "Age of Conan". Here are the recommended configurations for the game.

Recommended configuration (Up to 1280X960, most features on)
OS: Windows XP SP 2 or Windows Vista
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz or equivalent
RAM: 2048MB Dual Channel DDR2
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX or equivalent
Video memory: 512MB
DVD-ROM: Quad-speed (4x) DVD-ROM drive
HARD DRIVE SPACE: 30GB

Ideally, I'm looking to spend around $750, but I'd understand if that is unrealistic for getting a computer of this caliber. If anyone could point out some viable options I'd certainly appreciate it.

Please keep in mind however that I'm Canadian, and I believe NewEgg does not ship to Canada.

Thanks fellas, I appreciate any help you can give!



PS: I looked around TigerDirect.ca and came up with this:

NZXT HUSH Black ATX Mid-Tower Case - $97.99
Intel DP35DPM Intel Socket 775 ATX Motherboard - $128.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40GHz Socket 775 OEM Processor - $341.59 (-$121.60) = $219.99
Ultra X-Connect V-Series (XVS) 500-Watt Power Supply - $97.59 (-$36.60) = $60.99
Corsair Dual Channel TWINX 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz E.P.P. Memory (2 x 1024) - $69.99 (-$25) = $44.99
$622.99 (-$25rebate) = $597.99

PowerUp P4 CPU Cooling Fan - $24.99
EVGA GeForce 8800 GT Video Card PCIe 2.0 - $189.99 (-$30rebate) = $159.99

Total = 824.97 before tax ($950 or so)

A little out of my price range, any thing you can fix up would be great!

 

[Namis9]

The barebone kit (everything but the fan/graphics card) I assume is non-changable? Also, it didn't come with a fan, which is why I put one in.

Any ideas?

PS: Funny site in your sig

 

[mindfields]

get a GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L instead, which will save you around 30 bucks.

if you're NOT in for video encoding and renderring then get an E7200, probably the best VFM dual core out there.

 

[Namis9]

Sure thing, here it is.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3645872&Sku=I69-2148%20B

Thanks for helping me out.

 

[royalcrown]

Yeah, you really could do just fine with an 80 dollar motherboard and you wont notice the difference. Nowdays everything is really close speed wise, not like way back 7 years ago when the board made a good bit of difference.

@amdgirl...you should do a cover of "smelly cat" ..lol

 

[ausch30]

Newegg doesn't ship to Canada but check out NCIX, it's usually cheaper than Tiger Direct.

 

[royalcrown]

Hey ausch30...I see you got your rig in your avatar...looks like one of those IBM pc-jr 70 series...sweet rig ! What you got on there vga ?

 

[Namis9]

^ Ok, do you seriously wanna stay under your limit? If so try to assemble your own list of parts. I do have a sense that almost built boxes give you less customization and etc. If your fine with the box take it! Or I suggest you start with a Core 2 E7200 or E2160 if you plan to overclock. Next maybe decide on whether you want an atx or matx case. I think in most cases (no pun intended) people will be better off with matx cases as they are easy to carry, take up little room and don't have great performance differences compared to ATXs. It's mostly about expansion tho... Once you chose your case go for the motherboard.

Sort out this much, I'll be back tomorrow...

Thanks for the responses! Theyre certainly appreciated.

It all depends how much over the limit, at absolute max I would say 900 or less. I don't really have a preference in ANYTHING because as I mentioned, this would be my first computer I've ever built, thusly I have no experience with any computer except this dell

I'm just looking for a computer that I can play some new games on relatively smoothly. I don't care about cranking the graphics up to max or anything, I'm content with medium settings. I found a store that has very similar prices to NCIX/Tigerdirect that is very close to me, heres a link.

http://www.yesplay.com/storeonlinequote.asp?hstore=BA&hCPU=INTEL

Any suggestions on what to fill in? It has drop down boxes and such with parts.

 

[ausch30]

Hey ausch30...I see you got your rig in your avatar...looks like one of those IBM pc-jr 70 series...sweet rig ! What you got on there vga ?

MacII

 

[royalcrown]

Well Tom's just did an article, which has a part in it that said recent graphics cards do best between 2.6 and 3 ghz, lower and you end up losing a lot of performance because the card is not pushed enough. Games tend to like more cache on intels, so personally, I'd go for 2 or 4 meg and skip the cpu's with the 1 meg. Ya go with what you can afford, another option might be a midrange AMD, they are less money, but for the midrange, you can get something about as fast as the 6400's or so for not a lot of $$. Just a thought. On the high end, of course you'd have to go Intel right now, no contest.

 

[royalcrown]

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z311/AUsch30/MacII.jpg
MacII

Sweet, you can totally double up on your mouse with 2 fingers and save your strength in your nose picking pinger( or button pushing finger )

 

[Namis9]

graphics cards do best between 2.6 and 3 ghz, lower and you end up losing a lot of performance because the card is not pushed enough.

Does this include the Duo Core CPUs?

Games tend to like more cache on intels, so personally, I'd go for 2 or 4 meg and skip the cpu's with the 1 meg. Ya go with what you can afford, another option might be a midrange AMD, they are less money, but for the midrange, you can get something about as fast as the 6400's or so for not a lot of $$. Just a thought. On the high end, of course you'd have to go Intel right now, no contest.

AMD Athlon 64 X 6400+ / 3.2GHz - Socket AM2 - L2 2MB (2 x 1 MB) - $174
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550, 2.33 GHZ @ 1333Mhz w/ 4mb - $176

Any preference? Also, is there any way to know if different items are compatible with one another? I've read that there can be major issues if you mix-and-match different components. I'm just so confused, I find it very hard to know where one item (be it CPU/Video Card/Motherboard/etc.) sits in comparsion with others. When I have everything all picked out, how will I even know if it can run the things I'm looking for?


EDIT: Also, I'm trying to pick out some memory, how do I know if I need PC5300 - Pc6400? Is there a difference between DDR1/2/3?

 

[Namis9]

Try looking for the E7200 or E8400, faster just a tiny bit more expensive. Make sure you match this with 45nm capable 1333MHZ motherboard. Your motherboard should state what RAM it uses (DDR2 or DDR3). If I were you I'd stay away from DDR3 as it is very expensive. PC6400 = DDR2 800.

Pretty much any PCI-E video card will fit with a PCI-E motherboard. Its very hard to find AGP these days so don't worry.

How's this look?

Case: Black xBlade Full ATX Case no PSU - $64.35
Power Supply: Antec@ TruePower Trio 550 - 550W ATX12V v2.2 Power Supply - $76.65
Motherboard: Asus P5GC-MX/1333 Intel 945GC LGA775 FSB1333MHz 2DD2 SATA Video AUdio 10/100 LAN MATX - $55.65
CPU: Intel@ Core2 Duo E8400, 3.0-GHz @ 1333Mhz w/ 6mb - w/ HEAT SINK AND FAN - $238.35
Memory: Kingbox PC6400 @ 800Mhz - 2GB - DDR2 - $47.25
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 Hard Drive - 320GB internal - 3.5' SATA 300 7200rpm 16MB Buffer - $73.64
Video Card: EVGA Geforce 8800GT PCI-E 512MB DDR3 Dual DVI HDTV - $168

Price: $723.89
GST: $43.43
PST $57.91
Total: $825.23

Am I missing anything?

 

[skyguy]

Optical drive. Samsung SH-S203B. Highly recommended.



Hey Ausch, hope you're doing well.

 

[royalcrown]

Well, the 6000 and up from AMD aren't worth the price honestly. 5200 and up are good for the money compared to intel, with the 5400 scoring right around the same as the e6300 and 6400's, but if I was gonna spend 170 or so, go Intel for sure, AMDfangirl is right on !
As far as memory, there isn't a lot of performance increase for ddr3, but it is a lot more, she is right, stick with ddr2, as far as compatibility, most ram works just fine with most boards, but you can check each motherboards site for a compatibility list of what they actually tested with if your super nervous; I wouldn't be though...you're pretty safe picking and decent ram. As far as power supplies, a good rule of thumb is, if it doesn't have a name skip it, if it's super cheap, skip it (like 750 watts 49.99 = bad !), other than that, you'll do fine, building them is really easy and the motherboard manuals pretty much tell you how to do EVERYTHING. If your not comfortable with that, the other advantage with getting it built is that it is tested for you and usually a warranty.

 

[royalcrown]

Here this gives a rough idea about cpu speed, and to play new games an e8400 is more than enough, my 5400 does okay even.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net

 

[Namis9]

heh cool, I think the reason I'm so nervous (besides it being my first time building a computer) is that I'm excited

What exactly does an optical drive do?

 

[Namis9]

heh I googled it, its a CD drive. I'm dumb

 

[skyguy]

Actually, a DVD drive

 

[Namis9]

oh boy -_-

 

[royalcrown]

Actually, a DVD drive

Actually it could also be MO for magneto-optical...but that's nit picking.

 

[dagger]

Actually it could also be MO for magneto-optical...but that's nit picking.

I thought that fad died already.

 

[skyguy]

Get a Gigabyte P35-DS3L mobo......as long as you don't need RAID, it's cheap, stable, overclocks like a champ, decent board layout, pretty solid power distribution, resets on its own when an overclock is unstable..........a real winner that won't break the bank.

 

[ausch30]

Jake, I haven't seen you in a while. I know you canuck's are pretty busy this time of the year, playoff time.

 

[skyguy]

Haven't been here in a long time.........after the Big Switch when they got bought out, the mass exodus, etc, etc.......I simply didn't have it in me to keep going.

I still find the forums glacially slow and the interface painful, but at least the dust has settled. I wonder if the Mods have mellowed as well.......? Still, looks like lotsa help needed here LOL. Dunno if I have the time to contribute much here though, at least nowhere near my heyday

Been busy working at another Tech site (a very respectable one now) after the fiasco with David. PM me and I can catch you up quick.