Need help building gaming computer.

[Guest]

Hello all, I have around~850 dollars saved to build a new computer, I am a complete newbie to what parts are the best and compatible/upgradeable etc.. I am hoping the someone is bored and can help me pick out the parts on newegg so I can order them. If you can email me at Unskilled@cox.net or respond on this thread with a list of the parts I should buy that would be much appreciated.

I am mostly going to be playing counterstrike and MMOs(WoW, EQ, etc.)

Thanks, Tom.
*edit*
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: next week

BUDGET RANGE: $650-$850

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, internet, movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse not required

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: whatever is the best nowadays

OVERCLOCKING: No idea

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No idea

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024 I think..

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Thanks for the help!

 

[hunter315]

If you could edit it into the format shown here it is very helpful as you left out some important information
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[FallenSniper]

haha I like your username ^_^

 

[stecman]

I recently built a system for just over $1100 NZD (about $750 USD) with a 2.93GHz Intel Dual Core, 2GB RAM and a nVidia 9400GT (for my girlfriend). You could get a system similar to this but with a slightly better graphics card as the x400 cards are the lower end of whatever series (9600 or 9800 would do a fine job).

As far as compatible/upgradeable goes, pretty much all motherboards now have at least one PCI Express 16x slot (for graphics cards). It is highly unlikely that the interface for graphics hardware will be changing soon, so you will be able to upgrade to a better graphics card in the future should you choose. In terms of RAM, I would say get the highest frequency/speed that your chosen motherboard can support - RAM is dirt cheap and it pays to have plenty. Don't make the mistake of getting one or two large RAM sticks, as the number of total MB does not equal speed! I tend to fill up all availiable RAM (DIMM) slots, even if it is with 512MB sticks.

The games you mentioned are not hugely graphics intensive so having a beafy SLI/Crossfire system is not neccessary. If you can afford to, get a decent graphics card now so you don't have to upgrade later if you decide you want to play extremely graphics intensive games. I have an nVidia 8600GT and can play most games on max graphics (although newer games require me to run at a lower screen resolution ).

Also, if you like your gaming, get a decent quality monitor at a good size. I run dual ViewSonic VX2233WM widescreens @ 1920x1080 and the picture is awesomely clear. The system I mentioned above has a low end monitor and itjust isn't the same.

Here are the components of that recent build and price I paid for them in NZ dollars:

Gigabyte GZ-X1 ATX Mid Tower Case, 420W PSU, Black - $132
Gigabyte GA-EP41-UD3L Motherboard, Socket 775, 1333MHz FSB, 4xDIMM DDR2, PCIe-16, 3xPCI, 3xPCIe-1, 8xUSB2, Audio, 1xATA, 4xSATA, ATX - $156
Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 2.93Ghz, 1066MHz FSB, Socket 775, Retail pack with fan - $242
Asus EN9400GT SILENT/DI/512MD2 Video Card, GeForce 9400 GT, 512MB, DDR2, PCIe-16, TV out, DVI, Low profile - $96
Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS Hard Disk Drive, 500GB, 7200rpm, 32MB Cache, SATA-2 - $107
Corsair XMS2, TWIN2X2048-6400C4, 2x1GB, DDR2-800, PC2-6400, CL4, DIMM, EPP - $74
ViewSonic VA2013WM Monitor, 20" LCD, 1600x900, Speakers, Black - $258
LG Electronics GH22NS50 DVD Writer, DVD 16R/22W/8RW, CD 48R/48W/32RW, Internal, SATA, Black, OEM - $75

 

[batuchka]

Oh well shall start from the lower end of your budget since you are after all on 1280 x 1024 hehe

 

[hunter315]

I opted for a bit higher up in your budget with the idea of upgradability, 787 before shipping/tax/MIRs

PII 955 $189
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

Asus 790X $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402

Patriot 4GB DDR3 1333MHz CL7 $84
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220278

Samsung F3 $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Corsair 650TX $100-20MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=650tx

HAF 922 $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

XFX 4850 $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337

LG DVD Burner $29
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136167

Gives you the option of crossfire down the line and the extra 19 for the processor gives you an unlocked multiplier to make for easy overclocking.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Could start here

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-2-overclock,2310.html

 

[Guest]

Wow thanks alot for all the replys, you guys rock.