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01-24-2004
#5
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oh. I see.
#1Start with a Computer Case, Fry's and PCClub are the best places to buy a case. Make sure you get a powersupply with the case, It should be included, but make sure it is.
#2 Next you need to figure out what processer you want to run. AMD or INTEL. I would recommend a Intel Processor.
#3 So you figured out what processor. (hint) Get a Intel 3.0ghz with HT(hyper threading) technology. YOU WANT A BOXED PROCESSOR! Not TRAY, Not BAREBONE. BOXED, IMPORTANT!
#4 You need a motherboard. (hint) Get a Gigabyte motherboard that supports the 3.0Ghz Processor.
#5 You want RAM now. When you get the motherboard, either at Fry's or PCclub, ask the sales person what type of RAM the Motherboard will support. You want at least 512MB, Kingston is a good brand.
#1Start with a Computer Case, Fry's and PCClub are the best places to buy a case. Make sure you get a powersupply with the case, It should be included, but make sure it is.
#2 Next you need to figure out what processer you want to run. AMD or INTEL. I would recommend a Intel Processor.
#3 So you figured out what processor. (hint) Get a Intel 3.0ghz with HT(hyper threading) technology. YOU WANT A BOXED PROCESSOR! Not TRAY, Not BAREBONE. BOXED, IMPORTANT!
#4 You need a motherboard. (hint) Get a Gigabyte motherboard that supports the 3.0Ghz Processor.
#5 You want RAM now. When you get the motherboard, either at Fry's or PCclub, ask the sales person what type of RAM the Motherboard will support. You want at least 512MB, Kingston is a good brand.
01-24-2004
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Rep Power: 0 #6 You now need a Harddrive. Good deals at Fry's and PCclub. To make sure you have a nice speed, get a harddrive that has an 8MB Buffer. Most of them do now, but make sure.
#7 Drives. DVD, DVD-R, CD, CD-R. Your preference. If you want a burner get the TDK-5200B. Nice burner. I don't have a DVD-R burner so I do not know which to recommend.
#8 Video Card. If you are into Video games get a decent card. Entry level cards are the ATI 9200 and 9600. ATI is your friend. Nvidia is good also, but I am having problems with them right now.
#7 Drives. DVD, DVD-R, CD, CD-R. Your preference. If you want a burner get the TDK-5200B. Nice burner. I don't have a DVD-R burner so I do not know which to recommend.
#8 Video Card. If you are into Video games get a decent card. Entry level cards are the ATI 9200 and 9600. ATI is your friend. Nvidia is good also, but I am having problems with them right now.
01-24-2004
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Power supply. Most computer cases will come will come with a nice power supply. the standard is ATX, 350watts will do just fine. You can opt for a 400watt supply but 350watts is good.
Processor: When buying a process or my rule is that you always get a Boxed Processor. They are a little more $ (like $10-$30) more but they come with a CPU Fan that is meant to be sold with the Processor. Plus they are sealed by the manufacture. Tray processors are cheap in price, but you have to buy an aftermarket CPU fan. So for the effort, buy a boxed.
Motherboard: Gigabyte is my favorite brand. They come with tons of goodies like cables and RAID feature, Duel Bios. Other good brands are Shuttle and ABIT.
RAM: Like I said get a sales person to pick the type for you. You want at least 512MB. Kingston is one good buy, cheaper and well made. Like with the Processor, you want it sealed from the manufacture, not tray. It happened to me twice, I bought tray RAM cause of the price and I got it home and it didn't work.
Power supply. Most computer cases will come will come with a nice power supply. the standard is ATX, 350watts will do just fine. You can opt for a 400watt supply but 350watts is good.
Processor: When buying a process or my rule is that you always get a Boxed Processor. They are a little more $ (like $10-$30) more but they come with a CPU Fan that is meant to be sold with the Processor. Plus they are sealed by the manufacture. Tray processors are cheap in price, but you have to buy an aftermarket CPU fan. So for the effort, buy a boxed.
Motherboard: Gigabyte is my favorite brand. They come with tons of goodies like cables and RAID feature, Duel Bios. Other good brands are Shuttle and ABIT.
RAM: Like I said get a sales person to pick the type for you. You want at least 512MB. Kingston is one good buy, cheaper and well made. Like with the Processor, you want it sealed from the manufacture, not tray. It happened to me twice, I bought tray RAM cause of the price and I got it home and it didn't work.
01-24-2004
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When you buy the computer, it is a good idea to buy the Motherboard, Processor and RAM at the same time. That way you can make sure that you got compatible parts. Don't buy online either, Fry's and PCclub have just as good prices plus if something goes wrong, there in town to get replacements.
Hope this helps.
When you buy the computer, it is a good idea to buy the Motherboard, Processor and RAM at the same time. That way you can make sure that you got compatible parts. Don't buy online either, Fry's and PCclub have just as good prices plus if something goes wrong, there in town to get replacements.
Hope this helps.
01-24-2004
#10
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Rep Power: 0 Yep that's all. Plus you need an operating system like Windows XP Professional. Lemme see what I can find at www.outpost.com <--Fry's online store.
01-24-2004
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Rep Power: 0 All availible at Fry's: This motherboard and Processor is a nice combo, It does not have HT(hyperthreading) technology though, but with the HyperX RAM it should run sweet.
Enermax CS-1251-B Black ATX Case with 350W Power Supply
Mid Tower ATX Case :
Outpost #: 3868697 $89.99
Intel® Pentium 4 3GHz (800FSB) Boxed CPU W/ Abit VI7 Motherboard
Motherboard & CPU Combo:
Outpost #: 3928568 $349.00
Kingston 512MB PC3200 400MHz 2-32x64 HyperX DDR Memory 184Pin - Lifetime Warranty
Double Data Rate Kingston HyperX Memory:
Outpost #: 3746166 $134.99
ATI 128MB AGP Video Card with RADEON 9600 XT 3D Chip
ATI Technologies (Video Cards):
For your PC
Outpost #: 3840127 $199.99
Enermax CS-1251-B Black ATX Case with 350W Power Supply
Mid Tower ATX Case :
Outpost #: 3868697 $89.99
Intel® Pentium 4 3GHz (800FSB) Boxed CPU W/ Abit VI7 Motherboard
Motherboard & CPU Combo:
Outpost #: 3928568 $349.00
Kingston 512MB PC3200 400MHz 2-32x64 HyperX DDR Memory 184Pin - Lifetime Warranty
Double Data Rate Kingston HyperX Memory:
Outpost #: 3746166 $134.99
ATI 128MB AGP Video Card with RADEON 9600 XT 3D Chip
ATI Technologies (Video Cards):
For your PC
Outpost #: 3840127 $199.99
01-25-2004
#17
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Rep Power: 0 dude if you have the time and a credit card buy all your stuff online!!! you'll blow fat cash at fry's on the real. check out pricewatch.com for the parts, and if you want to know whats hot and whats not check out tomshardwarereview.com if you want someone to put it all togeather for you hit me up in in san jose. peace
01-25-2004
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Rep Power: 0 I dunno, I have had nothing but the worst luck with buying parts online. Sure you will save some cash but I personally don't think that it is worth it.
Thats just me though.
And, no the list I gave you with the prices is not all you need.
Case
Motherboard
Processor
RAM
Harddrive
Video Card
Floppy Drive (optional)
DVD-Rom drive and CD-RW drive
Keyboard
Mouse
Mouse Pad
Computer speakers
Monitor
Some of these things you probably already have, I just would not recommend using the same floppy drive or CDrom drives.
Thats just me though.
And, no the list I gave you with the prices is not all you need.
Case
Motherboard
Processor
RAM
Harddrive
Video Card
Floppy Drive (optional)
DVD-Rom drive and CD-RW drive
Keyboard
Mouse
Mouse Pad
Computer speakers
Monitor
Some of these things you probably already have, I just would not recommend using the same floppy drive or CDrom drives.
Last edited by maxsin; 01-25-2004 at 01:31 AM.
01-25-2004
#19
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My first job was assembling computers in Fremont... fun.
Honestly its a big hassle for a guy that doesn't have the time, but if it's your hobby then it can be fun to "rice out" your computer system.
I am personally the type of guy to go on ebay and get a cheap system that meets my needs, make sure it's available for pickup in the area. In this way I got a tidy 2.0 ghz system for $400 more than a year ago. However as a general rule I avoid ebay computers and the "powerseller" idiots.
Call me cheap, but my time is worth more money than my money...!
Honestly its a big hassle for a guy that doesn't have the time, but if it's your hobby then it can be fun to "rice out" your computer system.
I am personally the type of guy to go on ebay and get a cheap system that meets my needs, make sure it's available for pickup in the area. In this way I got a tidy 2.0 ghz system for $400 more than a year ago. However as a general rule I avoid ebay computers and the "powerseller" idiots.
Call me cheap, but my time is worth more money than my money...!
01-25-2004
#20
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Rep Power: 309 By the time you buy all thats stuff at fry's you might as well buy a computer that has a brand name attached and everything included for around $500.
01-25-2004
#21
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Rep Power: 309 I was looking at trying to put together my own putter, but its starts adding up. adding a part here and there.
01-25-2004
#23
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Rep Power: 0 I used to work at a computer retailer. We used to sell high end systems such as Sony, Alienware. Brandname doesn't mean all that much when buying a computer, unless you buy Alienware. OMG those things are nice, but way too expensive. Throughout my computer hobby and career, a custom built computer with the right parts will out perform any brandname computer, even sony, dell and will be cheaper in the end. Except Alienware, but $3200 for a computer...?
As far as my "riced out" computer. Hey, at least I didn't but any decals on it, ..... yet. All the mods cost around $40.00, way cheaper than modding a car.
As far as my "riced out" computer. Hey, at least I didn't but any decals on it, ..... yet. All the mods cost around $40.00, way cheaper than modding a car.
01-25-2004
#25
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Rep Power: 0 ^I wouldnt mind gettin a discoutn on a 9600 if thats okay...
But yeah, stick with Maxsin's advice, ive done the same things he has done when building my old computers. The only problems i ran into were buying parts from Fry's with return labels on them, some of the time they are not what the customer was lookin for, and sometime the customer broke them and took em back for a full refund or exchange... so dont buy any package with a return sticker... also i wasnt able to get sound on one of my computers because i was missing a file form a burned Win 98 cd
But yeah, stick with Maxsin's advice, ive done the same things he has done when building my old computers. The only problems i ran into were buying parts from Fry's with return labels on them, some of the time they are not what the customer was lookin for, and sometime the customer broke them and took em back for a full refund or exchange... so dont buy any package with a return sticker... also i wasnt able to get sound on one of my computers because i was missing a file form a burned Win 98 cd
01-26-2004
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01-26-2004
#29
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Rep Power: 466 Like ChicoHonda said in his first post of the three-in-a-row he posted, it's easier and quicker to just buy a straight computer rather than building your own. My buddy went and paid $3000 to build his top-of-the-line system... double dvd burners, flattened monitor, TV hookups, fastest processor and a gig of ram. Now, 2 years later, he has a 1.7 ghz computer with a lot of nice extras but it's still far slower than anything considered "nice" nowdays... I wanted to smack him.
