New to the whole PC building thing

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touwe

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I have always wanted to try putting together my own machine but never really had the need to. Now I am finding this pos Dell pointless to try to upgrade, and not running Starcraft 2 well at all so it may very well be time to learn to build a computer. My problem though is that after an hour an a half of sifting through parts and trying to find stuff on Newegg I am realizing I have no idea how to even get started on selecting the right parts.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

This is the guide I was referred to but am still having trouble figuring out what parts I should pick to begin with.


Saw someone post this template to use so here I go
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next 2 months

BUDGET RANGE: I'd like to keep it between $600-$900 USD

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: I want something I can play Starcraft II on at a decent quality. I am not huge on games but I play some here and there. Other then that I don't do anything overly harsh with my computers. School, word processing, internet, though I do have this nice 24" 1080p monitor that currently can't be run in HD because my current pc doesn't support it

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: I will transfer my keyboard/mouse/monitor/speaker system over to the next one. I don't think the details on those are all that necessary though I do have a sub and two small desk speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg is where I usually shop but am open to better prices from other sites

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: I like Intel cpu's but honestly I know so little about the actual parts that I would be open to any suggestions

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: I don't even know what that means :sweat:

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080
 
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touwe

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touwe

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I totaled up your build vs the first build in that link and yours actually comes to around $50 more than their most expensive option they gave. The $229 1GB GTX460 was the one they had set to their system
 
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touwe

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Another question I notice in that guide to building in my op they talk about installing the HSF and have it listed as another part but i don't see any builds on here that even have a HSF listed in their parts why is that?

 
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touwe

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GTX $229.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130565&cm_re=gtx_460_1gb-_-14-130-565-_-Product

SAMSUNG cd/dvd burner $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188

rosewill challenger case and WD 500GB 7200 HDD combo $84.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.458444

Corsair 750W + 4gb 1600mhz CL7 RAM - $166.98 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.469105

Mobo ASUS M4N98TD EVO - $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131636&Tpk=Asus%20M4N98TD%20EVO

That leaves the CPU, the RANA 440 is $76.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103843&Tpk=rana%20440

Made some substitutions from that other threads build to try to take advantage of the 48 hour sale right now and knocked another $30 or so off the price by switching around the combos. How does this look now? Comes out to just under $724 + I believe it was $17 for shipping
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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When you get a good parts list, then download and read cover to cover the motherboard manual and the case manual.
Many things will be explained and some new questions raised.

In the motherboard manual, look at the list of supported ram AKA the QVL list. Get ram that is on that list .
Or, check the ram vendor's configurator to verify that your motherboard supports your ram.
Most other similar ram will work, but if there is a problem it become much easier to resolve.

If your budget allows, I recommend installing a OEM cpu cooler up front.
It will keep your cpu cooler and run quieter than the stock cooler that comes with the cpu.
If you want to overclock abit, a good cooler will let you get higher and easier.
I like the large tower type coolers with a slow turning 120mm fan. Almost any will do. You should be able to get one for <$40.
 
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touwe

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Im intending to go with the cheaper priced AMD build i posted if people don't see anything wrong with it. So are you saying that if I am not Ocing I don't need to worry about the Heat Sink Fan? Would it be a good idea to install the one that comes with it regardless? I also don't know since the AMD processor comes with the HS and fan does that mean it has some type of that compound you have to put on it as well?
 
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touwe

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Oh and if possible could someone please give me thoughts on this build and whether it will work and the parts be compatible or not asap. If it is good I would like to know in time to hit this newegg sale
 
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calguyhunk

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I thought you said you liked Intel!!!

Anyways, your build looks pretty ok. But you can save a bit without any real hits on the performance, or future upgradability.

Also, all CPU'S (AMD & Intel) come with their stock HSF. Using that will just be fine. It'll come with a thermal 'pad', & not a paste. If you don't intend to keep detaching / resetting your CPU every few days, then you wont really need any paste. But you can still go with the AS 5 if you want to. (Also the Hyper 212 plus). It's your call.

You can go with this ASUS M4A87TD future ready mobo (6 GB/s, USB 3.0, DDR3) mobo for $100 & save a bit (seeing as you're going with ddr3 anyways).

Also I know you're going for a combo on the PSU, but 750 is plenty, that you're not thinking of SLI 'ing the 460 bad boy.

A $70, 80+, SLI, Xfire ready, (non-mod) CORSAIR 650W will be more than enough.
 
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touwe

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I dropped down to the 650w to cut the price a bit but I think I am going to go with the nice mobo still. It is $40 more but from what I can tell if I end up wanting to do more with it later it will be the better option.

I think the original link had the PSU in a bundle but I shifted bundles and items around to take advantage of the current sale so that 750w PSU was actually on its own making it easier to downgrade.
 
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touwe

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Shifting things around then adding an anti-static band, and an hdmi cable to my cart my total cost managed to get under $700 including shipping. I can't believe I pay like $8 for shipping for a video game on other sites but newegg can ship me all this stuff for only $10 Thanks for all the help. I will try to get around to ordering later today :D
 
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calguyhunk

calguyhunk

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AMD is always gonna be cheaper, as in a more cost effective price / performance ratio.

Intel is the performance king - especially at the higher end. Makes gr8 sense to buy a 500 dollar AMD system over Intel. But makes very little sense not to buy a 2000 dollar Intel system.

Btw, the i5 750 / 760 annihilates the Athlon II 440 any day. A totally & utterly unequal & lopsided one-way battle. It's like having a dagger against a battle tank. Your guess is as good as mine as to which one is which.
 
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touwe

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Yeah but for strictly playing SCII I don't see much need for a more expensive beast of a machine which is why I am trying to keep the price low. As long as I can run it without getting "your computer is slowing down the game lower your settings" messages every 5 minutes while playing on all the lowest settings like I do now.
 
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touwe

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Okay one last bump of the thread to see if anyone else has any thoughts before I go about buying parts

This is the build as of right now

CPU AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103843

Mobo ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131636

RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

Case/HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.458444

GPU EVGA 01G-P3-1371-TR GeForce GTX 460
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130565

PSU Corsair 650w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188
 
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