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Old Jul 28, 2006, 05:29 AM // 05:29   #1
Desert Nomad
 
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Default A bit of advice?

Hello. I don't really post much here, so I hope these types of topics are allowed. I tried searching for the answers I'm looking for but didn't have any luck.


My computer's getting old. I want a new one, lol. My current PC is a year-old Dimension 3000...yeah I know, not really the best gaming PC...it doesn't even have an AGP slot...PCI Graphics card FTL...

Anyway, I'm having trouble making the decision...pre-built or build myself. I've looked at a few pre-built PCs...an Alienware and an XPS...they both look really impressive, but the price is a little out of my range. The cost of building my own seems like it'd be a bit lower, but that leads to this problem...

I've never built my own PC from scratch. I don't really know anyone that I could ask to help me with it, either. I fear that I'll spend a grand on all the stuff, put it together, and then have it totally not work...or tell me there's a hardware conflict...or something. In addition, the choices can be pretty mind-boggling....single-core or duel-core...AMD or Intel...HT?...ATI or nVidia...1GB or 2GB...I really don't know where I should even start. For example...do I choose a processor...then a motherboard...then the memory...etc? Or do I choose the motherboard first?

I'm really good with electronics. I have disassembled and re-assembled my current PC quite a few times, as well as upgraded it...so I'm PRETTY sure that I COULD build my own...if I could get some advice to help me out.

In addition to all this...I am on a budget. I would REALLY like to keep the price limit at $1,000...no more. Is it possible to build a good gaming PC for this much?


ANY help would be appreciated. Would you suggest tackling my own custom PC, or keep it simple and go with a pre-built? Any tips you can give me to help me decide on hardware? Any links or anything that'd help me understand the steps and stuff involved in building one? Like I said, anything would help. Thanks a lot.
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Old Jul 28, 2006, 06:07 AM // 06:07   #2
Frost Gate Guardian
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Guild: just call me jimmy
Profession: W/Mo
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Age old question .. My advice and , it is only advice. You have to go with what you feel is best, also with your money options. Buying the parts seperatly and building them is great, but their is one major problem with doing that (If there is a problem you are totaly on your own) This can cause you allot of extra money, or worse a ton of grief. I built mine and I have had nothin but a great expierience, but from what iI have read you are lookin at about 80 - 30 everything goes good. There are allot of realy great already built PC's , it just takes time to find the one that suits you. Try not to get things you don;t need, also say hey..I realy don;t need the free printer how about 500MB ram instead .

There are pros and cons to either decision. I say go with your 1st choice, before you asked.

Goood Luck!! Whatever you decide congrats on the new Comp!!

oO just noticed the dual core question. Unless you use 3 major programs and game at the same time, my opinion do not even bother with dual core. Most games do not support it, and dual core prob for the next year or more is only for people using photoshop and other very intensive programs at the same time ( Dula Core will give you no bennefits in gaming)

Last edited by just call me jimmy; Jul 28, 2006 at 06:13 AM // 06:13..
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Old Jul 28, 2006, 06:45 AM // 06:45   #3
Krytan Explorer
 
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Guild: Shrophire Protectors [Lion]
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Ok well, since I'm bored. I'll build you one virtually and provide you to links to all the stuff. I have a few questions though. What stuff are you willing to reuse? I mean if you want a monitor with it, I may have to downgrade a few components to make up for the price. Mouse? Keyboard? Case?

EDIT: Oh and if you want a new case, do you want it flashy or sleak? Note from me: I have a cse with a side window. Some people think it's cool and some don't. I, personally, am getting tired of seing all the internal stuff.

EDIT #2: This is EVERYTHING for the computer including the monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard $87.98
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 2000MHz HT Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3700BNBOX $109.00
Thermaltake CL-P0200 Silent 939 K8 - AMD K8 solution w/ Heatpipe Cooling Tech $29.99
eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT KO 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card $165.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3120213A 120GB 7200 RPM 2MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive $59.99
Patriot Signature 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory $86.99
Rosewill R6A34-BK 0.8mm SECC 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $39.99
ASPIRE CONCORD ATX-MR500W ATX12V v2.03 500W Power Supply 115/230 V cUL, FCC, CSA, CB, TUV, CE, NEMCO, DEMCO, SEMCO, TC
$59.99
NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner $30.99
Tyris T701DB Black 17" 8ms DVI LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 500:1 0.264mm Pixel Pitch $145.99
Thermaltake A2364 80mm Sleeve Case Cooling Fan
(Pack of 4) $11.99
Logitech G5 Laser 931376-0403 2-Tone 6 Buttons 1x Wheel USB Laser Mouse $45.99
Logitech Ultra X 967353-0403 2-Tone 104 Normal Keys 6 Function Keys PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard $21.99
Cyber Acoustics CA-3090rb 26 watts 2.1 Speaker $25.99

Total: $917.86


Have fun!
- Riplox

Last edited by Riplox; Jul 28, 2006 at 08:02 AM // 08:02..
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Old Jul 28, 2006, 05:09 PM // 17:09   #4
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Location: Las Vegas
Guild: Beautiful Peoples Club [LIPO]
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I offer alot of people support through various forums and through my job and I would suggest that you not tackle building a pc. If you want to learn and figure out everything find yourself a used PC store locally (or go e-bay) parts as cheap as possible, build a low end pc and get it working, then maybe sell it...

I wouldn't go with the big gaming names (alienware XPS) for the reason that their hardware isn't really superior and even though you'll feel like you have the rolls royce of gaming machines, in reality you're going to save yourself a chuck of dough going with supermax or some other off-brand machine with the same quality part for the most part.

Bottom line suggestion is get yourself something pre-built you can afford and go with lower specs on everything but the video card and memory, if you need to keep costs tight.
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