Computer 2b built -- your recommendations pls

[Happy1]

Hello every1:

My present computer is Dell Dimension 4300, it's presently 8 years old & is SLOW, but working faithfully, repairs on it have been minor.  My system is Windows XP - SP2, am using Firefox 3.05.
My spouse & I are on the computer approx.5-8hrs a day total!   I used to deal in trading stocks thereby
I need a good graphics cards plus playing games on & off the internet.

A colleague of mine suggested I have my computer repair man build me one instead of purchasing a new 1, however, as I know absolutely nothing about the workings of a computer, I turn to Aces High
for assistance/recommendations.

I'd like a fast computer, loaded with the latest technology, yet with room to expand or upgrade in the near future within financial reason.   My question is if you were to to build a computer for yourself from scratch, what would you include?   

Regards,
Happy1

[BaldEagl]

What's your budget?

Low end not very great = under $500.
Low end passable for AH = $700-800
Good for most applications and gaming = $1200-1500
Knock-out uber machine = $1800+ (no limit).

This won't include keyboard, mouse, speakers/headset, mic or monitor.

[Fulmar]

idk wth ur $$$ is

[OOZ662]

You could build my computer that runs AH at nearly full settings and 1024 preloaded textures for around $500 today, if that. I built it five years ago, I think. AH is not a very laborious program.

But that all depends on how good you are at keeping it sleek and performance wary.

DxDiag for specs.

[Denholm]

Try on this estimate for size:

Computer Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-KKN1-GP
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119152
$69.99

PSU: PC Power & Cooling S61EPS
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005
$104.99 (Before rebate(s))

Motherboard: Foxconn X38A
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186134&Tpk=foxconn%20X38A
$159.99

Processor (CPU): Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
$164.99

Memory (RAM): OCZ Reaper HPC
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289
$66.99 (Before Rebate(s))

Video Card Option 1: EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339
$159.99 (Before Rebate(s))

Video Card Option 2: EVGA 896-P3-1265-AR
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130398
$279.99

Sound Card: Creative Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
URL: http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-Blaster-Audigy-Internal/dp/B0000CG4DI
$51.99

Hard Drive: Western Digital Cavier Black WD5001AALS
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320
$69.99

CD/DVD burner & reader: SAMSUNG Black
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171
$25.99

Subtotal (Video card option 1): $874.91 (Before Rebates)
Subtotal (Video card option 2): $994.91 (Before Rebates)


This estimate does NOT include a Monitor, Operating System (Windows XP, etc...), Mouse, Keyboard, or Speakers. However to answer your question about what you need to put together a working computer. You require:

A Computer Case
A Power Supply Unit (PSU) (If the computer case doesn't come with one)
A Motherboard
A Processor
Some RAM (Memory)
A video card (If motherboard doesn't come with onboard video)
A sound card (If Motherboard doesn't come with onboard sound)
A hard drive
A CD-ROM/DVD drive (To install the Operating System)

All of these items are included in my estimate above.

[drdeathx]

Baldeagle is kinda off tune. $800 gets you pretty decent gaming rig. Denholm is right on track. Most gamers are using E8400 wolfdale for gaming easily overclocked 3.6 G or more. They benchmark nicely. High 5 to DENHOLM for the nice project!



$1000-1200 will getcha a real kicker. These guys make recommendations for high end expensive systems that the normal person would never buy.

Stick with the Demholmster  on this one!

 

[Denholm]

Something I forgot to change in the estimate. The sound card I mentioned is available used for $40.00. Therefore your subtotal would be:

Subtotal 1 (Video card option 1): $862.92 (Before Rebates)
Subtotal 2 (Video card option 2): $982.92 (Before Rebates)

[Happy1]

Thanks every1 for all of your valuable information, I'll have to think about my choices, finances & the type system to select.   Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Happy1 

[BaldEagl]

Thanks every1 for all of your valuable information, I'll have to think about my choices, finances & the type system to select.   Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Happy1 

Once you've set a buget come back and we can help you get the most for your $.

[MOSQ]

Check out Extreme Tech's Build It section for ideas on what you get for the budget. As your looking notice the dates on each build as whatever $$$ they quote will be less for the same parts if it's been a few months.
http://www.extremetech.com/category2/0,2843,644478,00.asp

[TilDeath]

Check out Extreme Tech's Build It section for ideas on what you get for the budget. As your looking notice the dates on each build as whatever $$$ they quote will be less for the same parts if it's been a few months.
http://www.extremetech.com/category2/0,2843,644478,00.asp

LOL at their pricing... Their "Killer Rig Pricing" @ $6294.00  I can build for 3834.00 my cost for parts.  I even improved a few of the parts to better parts like the Tagan PSU from an 1100 watt to Tagans 1300 watt, the 2 x eVGA GeForce 9800 GX2 SSC to 2 x GTX 280's. So if your looking at a system from these folks, prepair to pay HUGE DOLLARS ($2460.00 in this case) for them to build it.  I built a H20 system almost same specs with the 2 280's water cooled, CPU water cooled, North and South Bridge water cooled, voltage regulators water cooled, everything but the memory and hard disks and an NZXT Khaos Case for $4850.00.

[MOSQ]

LOL at their pricing... Their "Killer Rig Pricing" @ $6294.00  I can build for 3834.00 my cost for parts.  I even improved a few of the parts to better parts like the Tagan PSU from an 1100 watt to Tagans 1300 watt, the 2 x eVGA GeForce 9800 GX2 SSC to 2 x GTX 280's. So if your looking at a system from these folks, prepair to pay HUGE DOLLARS ($2460.00 in this case) for them to build it.  I built a H20 system almost same specs with the 2 280's water cooled, CPU water cooled, North and South Bridge water cooled, voltage regulators water cooled, everything but the memory and hard disks and an NZXT Khaos Case for $4850.00.

Maybe you try reading the articles instead of flipping to the price list. Read first, comment later.

[TilDeath]

Maybe you try reading the articles instead of flipping to the price list. Read first, comment later.

I did, and I compared Apples to Apples on their killer rig, they showed alternatives agreed.  I commented and posted about only one of their configurations.

[drdeathx]

Check out Extreme Tech's Build It section for ideas on what you get for the budget. As your looking notice the dates on each build as whatever $$$ they quote will be less for the same parts if it's been a few months.
http://www.extremetech.com/category2/0,2843,644478,00.asp

For $794 their gaming rig isn't to  badly priced but if you put the right psu and harddrive you would  be over $900. Denholm came in much and Tildeath would be less too. 430W PSU too low and 160G hardrive?