Thinking of building a new computer sometime...

[HexiledRazz]

Well, for the last 4~ years i've been using a crappy office computer(Dell Precision 340 that hasn't been reformatted I'm guessing since it was bought off the shelf) that my dad bought off Ebay to do any sort of computer stuff. But honestly, this thing is a hunk of junk. It has countless registry errors, can't run RuneScape for crap(I think it's a problem with my graphics card, as i've hear about problems with ATI cards and RuneScape), has terrible RAM, and is on a terrible ISP to begin with(Seriously, my Download speed is 1.08 Mb/s, while my upload speed is 0.32 Mb/s).

 

The internet connection isn't really something i can fix. We have Windstream Communications, and aren't able to upgrade to higher speeds. Something with our house being "on the end of the line" as they put it. And what's worse is that Windstream is the only ISP where i live.

 

And i know a lot of my problems would go away if i could just reformat. But that isn't possible. I have a Windows XP disk, but it won't let me reformat because the computer has Windows XP Professional on it. I try to boot up the disk, and it says it's a older version and won't let it reformat.

 

Uh, but i've gone off topic here.

 

Anyway, i want to fix what i can by building a new computer. I don't really play many games on my computer(Then again, i wouldn't be able to anyway) so the specs don't have to be top-of-the-line. Just something that is able to handle basic settings of standard games. And also the amount of Video editing i do on the side. And have it so i could upgrade if i got more into computer gaming.

 

But the problem is, that i am totally dumb-founded when it comes to the inside workings of a computer. So i would most likely would have to get someone else to put one together for me. But before that, i need a general idea of what i need for the activities i do.

 

I don't do much on my computer aside from RuneScape and every day internet stuff. I do have a couple games that i run on my computer, that do pretty well. But that's basically because they're older ones. Warcraft 3, Diablo 2, the Original Halo, And even World of Warcraft at one point.

 

I really only had a general idea of costs. I'm guessing around 600 - 800$ for the whole thing. As i saw a few build for 900$ that had over and above what i needed. But i have no clue what i actually need for my uses. This is where i would like you to help.

 

I just kinda want a general guesstimate of how much RAM i would want, what kind of cards, motherboard, case, power supply and all that.

 

If you could help that would be great. But if i don't provide enough information, I'd be happy to provide more if you just ask me. Thanks!

[OldJoe]

You can run CCleaner for the registry. You could probably do with running defrag aswell (Auslogics or Defraggler are both faster than Win native).

I have an ATI card and i have no problem with RS. Your graphics card is an old AGP 4x, checked the manual for your computer but couldn't find which one so i'm guessing some low/mid range one.

Your internet speed is good. 1 mb/s should be more than fine, unless you're streaming blue ray movies or something. Upload speed doesn't matter for the average Joe.

You could use DBAN (1.0.7 stable) for formatting.

 

I don't know about speakers, screen and that. But just the computer hardware for your needs, i'd say... 500$? +30-50$ for a "pro" to put it together (cheaper option: buy a friend or a relative who knows how-to a pizza and a beer). I can make you a list if you want.

[HexiledRazz]

You can run CCleaner for the registry. You could probably do with running defrag aswell (Auslogics or Defraggler are both faster than Win native).

I have an ATI card and i have no problem with RS. Your graphics card is an old AGP 4x, checked the manual for your computer but couldn't find which one so i'm guessing some low/mid range one.

Your internet speed is good. 1 mb/s should be more than fine, unless you're streaming blue ray movies or something. Upload speed doesn't matter for the average Joe.

You could use DBAN (1.0.7 stable) for formatting.

 

I don't know about speakers, screen and that. But just the computer hardware for your needs, i'd say... 500$? +30-50$ for a "pro" to put it together (cheaper option: buy a friend or a relative who knows how-to a pizza and a beer). I can make you a list if you want.

 

 

Thanks for the suggestions ^.^

 

As soon as i dig up some iso writing software, I'll see if i can get this program to dump my drive. I dream of doing that almost every night. Plus, since i have all of my important stuff on my external drive, I don't have to worry about losing anything. So I'll most likely get right on that.

 

And yeah, i wouldn't be surprised if my video card is low-performance relic. Considering how old the computer itself is, and what it was made for in the first place(office work).

It's also nice to know that my computer itself is most of the problem. Because it's the on thing i can change.

 

I'm set on everything else. I have a decent monitor, sound system(Actually my sub just konked out, but i should be able to replace that easily), and basically all the other stuff i need. I just need the tower.

Oh, and if you could make a list that would be awesome ^.^

My sister knows a few people from collage that are pretty tech savvy and have built towers of their own. I might be able to convince one of them to help me out.

[OldJoe]

Cooler Master E330 - 40$

Lite-on cd/dvd read/write - 20$

WD caviar blue 500gb - 56$

OCZ 500w psu - 55$

AMD Athlon 2 X2 3ghz - 62$

Biostar AM3 785g mATX - 65$

Geil 4gb DDR3 1066 - 108$

=406$

 

Couple of things:

Since you said a bit of video editing and some light gaming, i haven't picked up a better CPU. There's some quad Athlons as well, but they are limited to 512kb cache per core. And to get up a bit in performance you'd have to fork out the double, at lest 130$. Please say if you want it changed.

Heatsink should have pre-applied paste on it, but please call to be 100% sure. Other i recommend this, i don't recommend AS5 since you need to re-apply it once a year. Which maybe isn't the best option for someone like you.

 

Graphics card, i don't know if you're planning on keeping XP or going to Win7. Depending on what you're going to do, there's some alternatives. Also, if you're gonna keep with those games and not something like AC2 there's no point getting a brick.

Win7 Pro OEM costs 140$

If you think you'll buy a couple of new games (since this computer would be able to handle it), or not, please tell. And i'll give you a couple of alternatives on that.

 

E: I forgot. The hd is on 500gb, i don't know if you want a smaller or bigger one (say if so). Since you have one already, if you'd want a 250gb or something to save some money? I don't know. Just some options =)

[HexiledRazz]

Thanks for taking the time to make a list ^.^

 

As far as i can tell from my computer knowledge, all the components look pretty good and very well priced(Thinking that's why everyone recommends Newegg for building computers).

 

About the operating system.

Well, considering my budget being about 500 - 650$, i think it would be worth it to pickup windows 7. As that kinda widens my possibilities for upgrading.

 

As for getting new games...

 

Well, that really depends. I happen to have a Xbox 360, and most games that i find interesting that come out on PC also come out on a console. So, i think I'll maybe get some new games. But I'm not totally going to convert to a full time PC gamer. I'd just like the PC to be able to meet standards.

 

Edit: Actually, the 500GB looks fine to me. My external is 1TB, and i actually even run all of my games off of it with only slightly longer loading times. So it's fast enough to put all of my music/videos/pictures on(Videos are what take up space. As i archive most of what i record). I might go for a 250, but that really depends on how much I'll save. If it's only about 25$ then i think I'll go for the 500. As it'll let me go longer before having to add another.

 

And plus i've hard my external hardrive for over a year now, and I'm not even close to filling it.

[OldJoe]

Biostar 4670 - 63$

 

Gigabyte HD4850 - 100$

ECS GTS 250 - 110$

 

Powercolor 5770 - 150$

 

The next step is getting a HD5830 for 225, but i don't think you want to spend that kind of money.

 

The 5770 outperforms all of it's cards above, and is the only one to be able to use DX11.

4850 and GTS250 performs great for their price, you'd have no problem playing any of the latest games with high settings, toss a coin to choose which one.

And if you don't want to spend all that much money there's the 4670. I've got one for 1&½ year now and for me, it suits my needs. Played Assassins Creed 2 on high settings without any lag (ok mine is a bit overclocked, but still) for example.

The 4850, 250 and 4670 can't however play in DX11. Depends on if that will matter to you or not.

 

If i were you, i would probably pick the 4850 or 250.

[Sam]

I'm set on everything else. I have a decent monitor, sound system (Actually my sub just konked out, but i should be able to replace that easily)

 

How do you mean it 'konked' out?

[Jernlov]

i don't recommend AS5 since you need to re-apply it once a year. Which maybe isn't the best option for someone like you.

I don't know, man. I've used the current application of AS5 on my heatsink for over a year now and I've noticed a very minimal temperature increase. I'll probably re-apply later this year anyway, but I can't say that anything bad has happened. I can definitely see where you're coming from though.

[OldJoe]

i don't recommend AS5 since you need to re-apply it once a year. Which maybe isn't the best option for someone like you.

I don't know, man. I've used the current application of AS5 on my heatsink for over a year now and I've noticed a very minimal temperature increase. I'll probably re-apply later this year anyway, but I can't say that anything bad has happened. I can definitely see where you're coming from though.

To get optimal performance from it, that's what you should do. Which is why i don't recommend it to him.

[Jernlov]

Yep. The paste that comes with the stock heatsink will be fine. All AMD processors do come with it applied.

[HexiledRazz]

Biostar 4670 - 63$

 

Gigabyte HD4850 - 100$

ECS GTS 250 - 110$

 

Powercolor 5770 - 150$

 

The next step is getting a HD5830 for 225, but i don't think you want to spend that kind of money.

 

The 5770 outperforms all of it's cards above, and is the only one to be able to use DX11.

4850 and GTS250 performs great for their price, you'd have no problem playing any of the latest games with high settings, toss a coin to choose which one.

And if you don't want to spend all that much money there's the 4670. I've got one for 1&½ year now and for me, it suits my needs. Played Assassins Creed 2 on high settings without any lag (ok mine is a bit overclocked, but still) for example.

The 4850, 250 and 4670 can't however play in DX11. Depends on if that will matter to you or not.

 

If i were you, i would probably pick the 4850 or 250.

 

 

Well considering the price, and how much gaming i do already, i would most likely go with the 250 or 4850. They both look like they'll suit what i need, and directX isn't exactly important to me.

 

I'm set on everything else. I have a decent monitor, sound system (Actually my sub just konked out, but i should be able to replace that easily)

 

How do you mean it 'konked' out?

 

'Konked' out meaning it no longer works. I think the circuit board in the sub is bad. And since it's only a 50$ speaker set, i might as well just pick up a new one sometime. I'm hoping to use my dad's in the meantime.

 

Yep. The paste that comes with the stock heatsink will be fine. All AMD processors do come with it applied.

 

And thanks, i was kinda wondering about that.

 

 

Anywho, thanks for the help!

Hopefully I'll be able to get underway with this soon and start building it sometime in the summer ^.^

[OldJoe]

Hope everything works out. If anything arises, just ask.

 

(and pre-applied paste is on the heatsink not the cpu *besserwisser*)