First off, I want to thank all of you crazy people who read these things and help people like me out, thats pretty awesome.
Current System: Hopefully this is even useful but i am currently running a WindowsXP from 2005 with a intel Core2 CPU @ 1.86ghz and 2gig ram. Dell prebuilt. I play CSS with the lowest quality game settings at 11 - 50 FPS depending on the map and whether or not i am looking at a wall.
I am newer to computers, I took a basic college course last term and have learned everything else via the internet. There are plenty of things i don't understand so it would be much appreciated if some reason for parts were explained - if its too complex and not worth explaining i understand, thanks still. This is my first build, I have a friend helping me put it together too.
FORM
Approximate Purchase Date: Not in a rush
Budget Range: Between $500-600 After Rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Internet use, Youtube/Forums Mainly - Gaming (CSS, Magicka, L4D2)
Monitor Resolution:1280x1024
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference although newegg seems to be the best. (Free shipping/Rebates)
Country of Origin: USA
Parts Preferences:
Hard Drive: I Really don't need much space I honestly think a 320 or so is more than enough if they sell those.
CD/DVD Drive: Yes.
RAM: You guys probably know the amount I should get better than me, depending on the CPU of course.
Mobo: Up To you guys; Does USB 3.0 Help a lot towards what I want?
CPU: I multitask a lot. Play a Youtube video while in game and 10 tabs open on Firefox. Does that mean a Quad-Core would be more suitable even at a lower clock speed. But Quad cores i see are typically AMD while Intel is talked about having better chips anyways. I don't know.
Case screws with me, i could care less about looks or size or whatever but i am unsure of how to know whether it will all fit.
Video Card also screws with me. I guess this allows for more detail but i don't understand 1gb vs 512meg ect. I originally though a processor and ram is what you need to run a game efficiently.
Overclocking: Maybe? Never have done this, Understand the concept and would love to learn and do as long as its not super time consuming and safe. Maybe i could get a CPU where the max multiplier is known and set it a little below that to be safe.
Additional Comments: Overall I want a reliable computer; that meets my needs. I'm currently using a pretty crappy PC so its not the biggest deal if I don't run L4D2 at insane frame rates with full graphic features on. I would rather not deal with cheap off brand ram that would blow up on me (not literally) or anything in that sense. If its off brand and its known to work, great, but if its taking a risk i don't want to deal with that for any parts. Do you know what I mean?
Also please let me know if 500-600$ is enough to spend for what i am wanting. If there is a fantastic deal for 680$ that improves my system by a large %. I suppose i would buy that. I am just wishful thinking that what i want is between 500 and 600
Current System: Hopefully this is even useful but i am currently running a WindowsXP from 2005 with a intel Core2 CPU @ 1.86ghz and 2gig ram. Dell prebuilt. I play CSS with the lowest quality game settings at 11 - 50 FPS depending on the map and whether or not i am looking at a wall.
I am newer to computers, I took a basic college course last term and have learned everything else via the internet. There are plenty of things i don't understand so it would be much appreciated if some reason for parts were explained - if its too complex and not worth explaining i understand, thanks still. This is my first build, I have a friend helping me put it together too.
FORM
Approximate Purchase Date: Not in a rush
Budget Range: Between $500-600 After Rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Internet use, Youtube/Forums Mainly - Gaming (CSS, Magicka, L4D2)
Monitor Resolution:1280x1024
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference although newegg seems to be the best. (Free shipping/Rebates)
Country of Origin: USA
Parts Preferences:
Hard Drive: I Really don't need much space I honestly think a 320 or so is more than enough if they sell those.
CD/DVD Drive: Yes.
RAM: You guys probably know the amount I should get better than me, depending on the CPU of course.
Mobo: Up To you guys; Does USB 3.0 Help a lot towards what I want?
CPU: I multitask a lot. Play a Youtube video while in game and 10 tabs open on Firefox. Does that mean a Quad-Core would be more suitable even at a lower clock speed. But Quad cores i see are typically AMD while Intel is talked about having better chips anyways. I don't know.
Case screws with me, i could care less about looks or size or whatever but i am unsure of how to know whether it will all fit.
Video Card also screws with me. I guess this allows for more detail but i don't understand 1gb vs 512meg ect. I originally though a processor and ram is what you need to run a game efficiently.
Overclocking: Maybe? Never have done this, Understand the concept and would love to learn and do as long as its not super time consuming and safe. Maybe i could get a CPU where the max multiplier is known and set it a little below that to be safe.
Additional Comments: Overall I want a reliable computer; that meets my needs. I'm currently using a pretty crappy PC so its not the biggest deal if I don't run L4D2 at insane frame rates with full graphic features on. I would rather not deal with cheap off brand ram that would blow up on me (not literally) or anything in that sense. If its off brand and its known to work, great, but if its taking a risk i don't want to deal with that for any parts. Do you know what I mean?
Also please let me know if 500-600$ is enough to spend for what i am wanting. If there is a fantastic deal for 680$ that improves my system by a large %. I suppose i would buy that. I am just wishful thinking that what i want is between 500 and 600
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