Building a Compter? $600-$800 USD Range.

[zeekyhbomb]

So, I've been working a bit this summer and have decided that I want to put some of the money towards a new computer. Now, I don't know the first thing about building them but I guess there has to be a first time for everything, so it's what I want to do. What I need is a decent gaming computer, doesn't need to be top of the line, I know I can't afford that, but I want it to be good. Now this is where you wonderful people come in, I really have no idea what to get, and I probably don't even know all of the necessary parts so... it would be fabulous if you could help me out! :D The main game I play is World of Warcraft. Newegg parts would be fabulous, as that's where I think I am going to order them from.

 

 

 

EDIT:

 

Real sorry, guess I forgot to mention. I have a mouse, monitor, keyboard etc. I would prefer not to reuse my old Disc Drive but if I do it isn't the end of the world. :lol:

[WutangFlu]

Video card

 

Evga 256mb 7900GS - $120-140

 

 

 

Cant beat it for the price, it was recommended to be by Nadril.

 

 

 

Might want to make a list of components you need...

 

 

 

http://www.davesite.com/computers/syste ... list.shtml

 

* __ Case

 

* __ Motherboard

 

* __ CPU (with heatsink/fan)

 

* __ RAM

 

* __ Graphics/video card

 

* __ Sound card (Might be incorporated into Motherboard)

 

* __ Hard drive(s)

 

* __ Speakers

 

* __ Keyboard

 

* __ Mouse

 

* __ Wrist rests for Keyboard/Mouse (optional)

 

* __ Monitor

 

* __ CD-ROM or DVD-ROM or CD-RW or CD-RW/DVD-ROM

 

* __ Surge Protector

 

* __ Floppy Drive (optional)

 

* __ Zip Drive (optional)

 

* __ Network Interface Card (optional)

 

* __ Modem (optional)

 

* __ FireWire/i.Link (IEEE 1394) Card (optional)

 

* __ Printer (optional)

 

* __ Scanner (optional)

 

* __ Webcam (optional)

[blade995]

Well first question I'm going to ask is this. Do you need a new monitor? Can you re-use your cd/dvd drives, and case?

[Nadril]

Well first question I'm going to ask is this. Do you need a new monitor? Can you re-use your cd/dvd drives, and case?

 

 

 

Same questions I have.

 

 

 

my PC cost right around the $800 mark (with OS included).

[blade995]

Well first question I'm going to ask is this. Do you need a new monitor? Can you re-use your cd/dvd drives, and case?

 

 

 

Same questions I have.

 

 

 

my PC cost right around the $800 mark (with OS included).

 

 

 

Well I was going to post a suggested parts list but it would be easier if you would just post your system specs Nadril :) .

[Mercifull]

$600 is far too low to create something from scratch including monitor etc, especially a gaming computer.

[Bac_Talan]

And don't just use NewEgg, it's almost always waaaay too expensive. Try TigerDirect and Buy.com as well to get the best price.

 

 

 

And for the best computer for the money, buy one from a sale in the Sunday newspaper ads. There you can get a computer that would cost $1000 for the components for only $700-$800. Just add a good graphics card and you're good to go.

 

 

 

And your budget is way too low for a "good" gaming computer, but can still get a moderately good one.

[WutangFlu]

And don't just use NewEgg, it's almost always waaaay too expensive. Try TigerDirect and Buy.com as well to get the best price.

 

 

 

And for the best computer for the money, buy one from a sale in the Sunday newspaper ads. There you can get a computer that would cost $1000 for the components for only $700-$800. Just add a good graphics card and you're good to go.

 

 

 

And your budget is way too low for a "good" gaming computer, but can still get a moderately good one.

 

 

 

best computer for the $ = building it yourself.

 

Tigerdirect = ripoff of newegg with terrible service (from what ive read)

 

Buy.com... Ew :uhh:

[Nadril]

And don't just use NewEgg, it's almost always waaaay too expensive. Try TigerDirect and Buy.com as well to get the best price.

 

 

 

And for the best computer for the money, buy one from a sale in the Sunday newspaper ads. There you can get a computer that would cost $1000 for the components for only $700-$800. Just add a good graphics card and you're good to go.

 

 

 

And your budget is way too low for a "good" gaming computer, but can still get a moderately good one.

 

 

 

Like I said I spent $800 for my PC, only thing is I had a monitor already. I built this:

 

 

 

 

 

7900GS 256mb

 

1.8ghz intel duo 2 core

 

2GB DDR2 ram

 

320 GB hard drive

 

Apevia Case

 

550w (or so) thermaltank PSU

 

CD/DVD drive/burner

 

Nvidia 660i motherboard (fairly sure its 660i)

 

Windows Xp media center addition

 

 

 

It was actually only like $750 because I returned the CPU cooler I got.

 

 

 

 

 

Also, that machine above played bioshock in DX9 on all high details just fine.

[zeekyhbomb]

Real sorry, guess I forgot to mention. I have a mouse, monitor, keyboard etc. I would prefer not to reuse my old Disc Drive but if I do it isn't the end of the world. :lol:

[das1330]

Real sorry, guess I forgot to mention. I have a mouse, monitor, keyboard etc. I would prefer not to reuse my old Disc Drive but if I do it isn't the end of the world. :lol:

 

 

 

is there any particular reason you don't want to reuse your drive? its probably the easiest way to save money. Anyway, heres a quick list I made from some parts on newegg. The rest of the people here can help you refine the list.

 

 

 

Mobo: Evga 680i This motherboard uses a nice powerful chipset, and is good if you plan on ever adding a second video card for sli'ing the cards. otherwise, I would go with this motherboard. It is slightly slower and only supports 1 video card, but is 50$ cheaper. Both are good overclockers. At your price point, I would recommend the 650i chipset board.

 

 

 

processor: Core 2 duo allendale 1.8 ghz Again, relatively inexpensive, and a great overclocker

 

 

 

memory: corsair 2 gbs fast, cheap good timings and 2gbs, the sweet spot right now.

 

 

 

power supply: Thermaltake 550 watts thermaltake is known for well built, stable power supplies. this one should work well.

 

 

 

hard drive: westeren digital 320gb Fast, cheap and spacious.

 

 

 

If you really want a new dvd drive this one here would work well, but it will put you slightly over budget.

 

 

 

Graphics card: you really have two options here. Either you can go with better dx9 performance for games currently out, which would be good for this card Here, or you could go with something that is slightly less powerful in dx9, but is more powerful in future dx10 games. This card Here would be better for that. Personally, I would go with the 8600 gts, but many people here on these forums are partial to the 7900 gs, so meh.

 

 

 

windows vista: Here Not much to say about this, windows vista is the only OS which supports dx10, and is thus the only one useful for future gaming. The oem copy is the same as the retail at half the price

 

 

 

the total for all of this comes to 773$ before 50$ or so worth of mail in rebates, which is plenty to pick out a good case. The case itself should be more of a personal choice, based on which one you think looks better, but in general look for at least 2, reccomended 3 fans and generally good reviews on Newegg.

[Nadril]

Nice setup for the most part snipersas.

 

 

 

Only problem is the 8600GTS has way to little of memory if it wants to handle DX10 games. It would have to be at least a 512mb+, not 256mb.

 

 

 

 

 

Anyways I agree with all you say there. However I might try and fit in a 512mb 7900 or some sort instead of 256, because a lot of new games coming out seem to want that 512mb card.

[blade995]

Nice setup for the most part snipersas.

 

 

 

Only problem is the 8600GTS has way to little of memory if it wants to handle DX10 games. It would have to be at least a 512mb+, not 256mb.

 

 

 

 

 

Anyways I agree with all you say there. However I might try and fit in a 512mb 7900 or some sort instead of 256, because a lot of new games coming out seem to want that 512mb card.

 

 

 

Thats whats killing my computer too. My graphics card is fast enough (x1950XT) but doesn't have the 512MBs of ram. It's terrable because all newer games will require it for high detail.

 

 

 

Anyway, I read yesterday that Sparkle is coming out with a 8600GTS with 512mbs of ram. I don't know how much it is, but I'm sure it can't be more than $20 over what the other cards are.

[Nadril]

Nice setup for the most part snipersas.

 

 

 

Only problem is the 8600GTS has way to little of memory if it wants to handle DX10 games. It would have to be at least a 512mb+, not 256mb.

 

 

 

 

 

Anyways I agree with all you say there. However I might try and fit in a 512mb 7900 or some sort instead of 256, because a lot of new games coming out seem to want that 512mb card.

 

 

 

Thats whats killing my computer too. My graphics card is fast enough (x1950XT) but doesn't have the 512MBs of ram. It's terrable because all newer games will require it for high detail.

 

 

 

Anyway, I read yesterday that Sparkle is coming out with a 8600GTS with 512mbs of ram. I don't know how much it is, but I'm sure it can't be more than $20 over what the other cards are.

 

 

 

Yeah same here. I love my 7900GS and it runs stuff great, but I do get lag [bleep]es in games like bioshock on all high details. Ah well its more of a temporary card until others come down in price a bit. :P

[ltb2006]

I'd defenitly recommend getting an e2180 cpu. Cost me ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã51 and overclocks from 1.6ghz to beyond 3ghz :lol: pretty easily. Buy a ddr2 motherboard that supports all lga 775 cpus and you can easily upgrade your cpu as the price drops if you need.