So I would like to assemble a computer that is somewhat similar to this:

 

But also is there anything I've gone overboard with? I know I don't need a TB HD (I've got a 750GB one on here) but is it worth getting one? (Same question with BluRay/DVD/CD drives) I'd like to have the things circled in green, I'm assuming there's other wireless hubs you can get for computers... And I'd much rather have XP than Vista, but I'm okay with Vista.

 

 

(btw this is a Dell Studio XPS, $2193 USD)

 

But if possible cheaper. I don't want Mcafee (it was included in the price) or Norton as this is a project I'm taking on to show that you can in fact build a computer that is as good as or better that a prebuilt one for cheaper. And that free/cheap antivirus works better than McAfee/Norton.

 

 

 

I'm planning on using this as a main computer. I'm not good with the specs and crap so if someone could look over this and see if there's something I could get better or that I can get rid of please tell me.

 

 

 

I'd like it to be able to at least run RuneScape HD, if it could play WoW with minimal lag that'd be great... idk. Enough RAM and HD space to store plenty of music and pictures and a fair amount of extra space for GIMP (and addons..), Blender, Apophysis, various programs for printers and cameras and crap, and eventually PS and what have you. Also the wireless/Bluetooth capability is probably the most important thing in here; eventually I'd like to be able to buy a Wacom Graphire tablet and use it with no problem... Plus a wireless mouse and keyboard are nice too. Maybe speakers as well at some point idk.

 

 

 

I'm not worried about actually assembling it... That appears to be the easy part. :

The specs look OK. You might not want to stick precisely to the dell version's components; you might be able to get a step up for a little extra or a step down for a lot less, for example. Your probably never going to fill that 750 GB drive, especially with a BD. You might want something a little beefier for a graphics card if you plan on playing WOW. Don't get XP 64, it has way too many problems. Now that Vista has the bugs worked out, there's no reason not to get the 64 version. It can be obtained for under $80.

First of all, package pc's are much more expensive, I really do recommend you build it yourself. :thumbsup:

 

 

 

That looks like a great PC set-up, aiming to match that will be easy enough. The Radeon HD 4850 is a great card (slightly better than my 9800GT), and I have no problem running ANY games. You may think now that 1TB is over-the-top, but let me assure you that it isn't.

 

 

 

I've got a 500GB and 250GB, both of which are more than half full. It wont take you long to fill them. :)

 

 

 

As for the OS, I see you've written XP. :lol:

 

While XP is somewhat faster for gaming, if you aim to be web browsing and such, Vista is the one to go for. I'm running Vista x32 Business, and have no troubles. I find it more stable than XP, and naturally XP will no longer be supported after 2012 (I think).

 

 

 

One thing I personally think is a bit over-kill is the i7 processor, they're heavily over-priced and probably too much for what you'd need. I can see it being sat at 1/4 speed most of the time, you'd be better off getting a fast Core 2 Duo, an AMD triple core, or an Intel Quad-core. They're all much cheaper than the i7.

 

 

 

Sound, looks like that's got on-board sound, never a wise move. The Sound Blaster FX cards are cheap enough, and make a huge difference, this also means power isn't drawn from your CPU. :

 

 

 

Blu-ray. Optional. I wouldn't bother, I NEVER watch blu-ray movies, you'll be paying quite alot extra for this.

 

 

 

I'm no expert, but I've been building computers for a few years, and recently built a gaming PC for myself, costing around £500. ($1000?).

 

 

 

Let me know if you need any more advice, I owe you.

 

 

 

Mylez

I would never buy a prebuilt computer if it includes the i7. Nix nix nix! Since you basically never know what motherboard you get from one of these pre-builds.

 

Blu-ray... I guess it depends if you don't think normal dvd's are good enough (they are for me)... I personally wouldn't get a blu-ray since it raises the price really much.

 

Compfreak: 4850 isn't good enough for WoW? Lol, right.

 

 

 

Uhm, i'm not really understanding... Are you checking some parts that you are thinking about? Or are you getting a pre-built or thinking of building yourself?... I don't really understand.

 

Get Vista 64-bit if you want to use more than 3.5gb memory.

You are way overboard on the parts if all you are woried about is "playing WoW with minimum lag".

 

 

 

None the less, if you are adamant about building your PC instead (just let it be warned that you can screw it up if you don't do something right, potentially frying parts. Putting it together is easy, but having to diagnose any potential problems is not. This is just a warning, if you still want to build it it can be a great project for you).

 

 

 

 

 

Now, with the build you have you are going for an i7 processor (expensive!), an HD4850 (fairly expensive) and the DDR3 RAM goes for a lot too. If you're worried about future proofing, playing Crysis on all high details, ect... then yeah this kind of build would be wonderfully powerful.

 

 

 

However you state you are playing Runescape HD and WoW on this. A 5 year old rig can run runescape and WoW without too many problems. If you're playing more than those, tell me, but otherwise I would go for something a lot less powerful and less expensive.

 

 

 

 

 

I.E

 

 

 

Q6600 $190

 

HD4850 OC $155

 

GIGABYTE motherboard $120

 

CORSAIR 650W PSU $70

 

Cooler Master RC-690 Case $79

 

Western Digital 1TB HD $120

 

OCZ Platnum 1066 DDR2 4GB $40

 

Vista 64bit Home Premium $99

 

Lite On CD/DVD Drive/Burner $20

 

TOTAL: $893

 

 

 

 

 

Now granted, this system might still be overkill, but it's got a lot of life in it. To make matters better it's an Overclockers dream for a system. Just slap a Freezer Pro 7 on the CPU if you are worried about temps and you can easily get that CPU to 3.2ghz, not to mention bumping up the RAM and video card.

 

 

 

That would last you a long while. :thumbup:

Alright, so I'm thinking a 50GB HD for the heck of it, even though I won't fill it, and use the money to get the better video card.. Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814102801

 

 

 

Or not. I'll see how much the TB HD is and probably buy it, I wasn't planning on playing WoW, I just thought it'd be a good baseline.

 

 

 

There's probably a way easier way to put together a computer... I have no idea what I'm looking for specifically (brand names, sizes of stuff, etc.) but I know what sort of stuff I want... and I don't get Newegg's product listings.

 

 

 

Reading what Mylez has written:

 

Getting rid of BD in favor of a Memorex Light scribe DVD/CD burner (I believe it's in the range of $50-75... My mom got one for Xmas) But still keeping 2 drives. Possibly two of the same.

 

Planning on Vista Professional (? Is there one? Similar to the XP/2000 business where you've got the multiple users on it) or is it Business? idk)

 

 

 

The i7 was what it gave me... I honestly have no idea on the processors. So I'll go with Mylez and look for the probably the Intel Quad-core or the triple core one for the heck of it.

 

 

 

It has on board sound... once again I've got no idea on this. So I'll add another sound card.

 

 

 

Also can someone recommend me a case? And whatever other parts I would need to build a computer... Sorry I've got no idea about any of this stuff.

 

 

 

OldJoe:

 

I'm using this as a basis to build my own, it was an idea because my mom and dad are of the mindframe that prebuilts are always cheaper. And that you get what you pay for with antiviruses.

Before this thread goes anywhere, hawkxs, are you playing anything other than Runescape HD? :wall:

 

 

 

If so just get yourself a prebuilt, cheap [wagon] machine and don't bother building it. You can run RSHD On like an 8 year old system. If you don't know what you're doing I really don't want you getting yourself in over your head, because if you break something you in turn are costing your parents a lot of money, and that isn't really fair to them. If you don't even know where to start with a computer I'd rather you not build one, especially if you're just playing Runescape.

Muhahaha Nadril - I think you're a bit "hmm..." about build threads since one *special* one lol.

 

Nah Hawkxs: I must agree with post junkie. If you're playing RS and WoW and lagging in (probably) WoW maybe a new graphics card or something is just in order.

 

If you don't know how to build and wouldn't want to spend time reading up on components.. etc, buy a pre-made if you'd want a new one.

Honestly this was an idea. I'm not planning on building it myself, my dad has a lot of experience with this sort of thing... So I'd run it by him, prove it's cheaper than a similar prebuilt model and then possibly buy it and build it.

 

 

 

I'm not sure of the graphics requirements on Spore, that's probably the only game I can think of that would require a better than average (all I play are lego video games... :roll: and the occasional RS or what have you) video outuput.

 

 

 

But I guess I want to lean toward the multimedia stuff then if the graphics card is fine with whatever... That's just software though.

 

 

 

Also I have I believe a 7 year old Micron (Win2000 Pro) which I can't play RSHD on. But that's beside the point... Actually it's not as this would most likely function as a replacement for the Micron.

I mean, you can run by a cheap computer if your dad wants to build it, but really at the lower price range there isn't as large of a difference in price to performance between prebuilts and building it yourself. If you can find a good deal on a (decent) prebuilt machine you should be fine. an 8600GT or 8800GT would be the most you would need out of a video card for something like this.

 

 

 

If you want to save a bit, sure, but it's not really needed. If you're looking at the lower end spectrum for prices (like a $400-$600 PC) than you may as well just get a prebuilt and save the hassle.

 

 

 

 

 

Muhahaha Nadril - I think you're a bit "hmm..." about build threads since one *special* one lol.

 

 

 

Yeah I don't want another repeat of that thread. I find that too many users here in T&C try and force on this idea of building your own computer to those who aren't comfortable with doing it.

I have a P4 with an 8600GT and SPORE runs fine on highest with no framerate issues. You aren't going to need something like a 4850, that's just overkill.

 

 

 

As Nadril said, a prebuilt would probably save you a lot of hassle and wouldn't cost that much anyway seeing as you aren't going to be running anything that demanding. Newegg has some decent ones iirc.