Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > General Homebuilt > 1st step to build?
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jaywarren   09-25-2008 at 05:54:29 PM

I am in need of a new computer. I am looking at getting a dell xps. Looking at boards all I see is build one dell sucks... I would love to try to build one. But no very little about computers. How hard is it to build one? Any books that will give me step by step? How much can i save if I build over getting a 620 xps? Thank you

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thrule01   09-25-2008 at 06:23:37 PM
- 0 +

its very simple...id go custom

first off we need to know your:
goals?
budget?
which os you plan to run?

this will help out

Reply to thrule01
megamanx00   09-25-2008 at 06:51:48 PM
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The fist step is to define your budget. The second is to read this site. Third define what you want to use that computer for and what features are important to you.

------------------------------ Playing X-Men Origins: Wolverine Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @3.24 Brisbane | GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 | 4GB Mushkin DDR2 1066 | Plextor 760A| 2x 3850 512M CF| WD 1TB Black| Fortron Blue Storm II 500W | APEVIA X-Dreamer Black | Win XP Pro & Vista Buisness 32bit
 Reply to megamanx00
dirtmountain   09-25-2008 at 07:17:32 PM
- 0 +

Agree with the other posters. It's not that hard to build your own system. Lots of available info online, at bookstores and in libraries, just look for up to date material.
1. what is your budget
2. what do you want to do with your system? (gaming, websurfing,e-mails,video editing, etc.?)
3. doing research, the more you know, the better off you are, no matter what choice you make.
Here's a good site with lots of varied info that might help, especially the tutorials.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/

Reply to dirtmountain
jaywarren   09-25-2008 at 08:49:38 PM
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Ty for the replies. I was looking at about $1000 to spend at dell. If I can build my own I would like to spend $500-$700. All I nned it to do is play wow with it. And keep my i tunes songs. As far as the os I dont care to much. What ever makes it easyer for me to build. thanks again

Reply to jaywarren
piratepast40   09-25-2008 at 09:38:36 PM
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Since wow isn't extremely taxing your immediate needs aren't extreem. Realistically, at the $1000 price point you can buy a mid range system with monitor, peripherals, and OS included. If you go for the same price point and build it yourself, you will need to add the price of the monitor, keyboard, and OS so you might not end up with as good a deal.

Building your own is more a hobby and source of enjoyment than just straight dollars. Again, at your price point, you'll probably end up with similar characteristics with buying the box and building it yourself but if you build it yourself you'll be having much more fun -IF- you enjoy that sort of thing.

Reply to piratepast40
megamanx00   09-25-2008 at 09:44:16 PM
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How about this then.

GIGABYTE GA-MA770-DS3 78.99 + 8.97 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128081

AMD Phenom 8750 129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103252

OCZ Vista Upgrade 4GB (2 x 2GB) 58.99 + 6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227195

Lite-On lightscribe DL DVD burner 29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106265

500GB Western Digital 67.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136178

XP Pro 139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116515

X-Dreamer II with 420W PSU 69.99 + 21.37
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811144026

HIS 4670 with dual slot cooler 89.99 + 8.25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161249

So that gives you a total of $711.50 for this build it yourselfer. I didn't take into account any Mail ins, but some of these items have them. I stuck XP-Pro in there since I figure that would be what you're familiar with, but you can save money by going with Vista Home basic or spend a little more and get Home Premium. You could also spend more on the GPU, but a more powerful GPU is going to need a better PSU. The X-Dreamer is a nice case, but it's not exactly newb friendly. If you want an easy case to worth with then I guess this Raidmax would be good for you altho it's a little bit more

RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156078

And of course you would need a power supply for that. For $25 more there is a version that comes with a PSU, but if you're going to spend more then you should just get a quality PSU from Antec, Corsair, or Fortron.

------------------------------ Playing X-Men Origins: Wolverine Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @3.24 Brisbane | GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 | 4GB Mushkin DDR2 1066 | Plextor 760A| 2x 3850 512M CF| WD 1TB Black| Fortron Blue Storm II 500W | APEVIA X-Dreamer Black | Win XP Pro & Vista Buisness 32bit
 Reply to megamanx00
bdollar   09-25-2008 at 10:16:05 PM
- 0 +

for that usage not sure that the OP needs to spend that much. a box system with monitor and printer and stuff will do him fine come with a warranty and can probably do cheaper then the 1k dell. if he already has the periperals (monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse,) then he can build one for $500ish pretty easy that will more than meet his needs.

Reply to bdollar
dirtmountain   09-25-2008 at 10:42:40 PM
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I've built and upgraded several computers for WoW, if you raid or PvP and play at a monitor resolution of 1440x900 or higher i would not get a weaker graphic card then a 9600GT or HD3870. Better is always a good option, it will run with a weaker card with settings turned down though. Here's a chart to compare graphic card capabilities, this will be useful if you build your own or go with a prebuilt.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 011-6.html

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