Building my first computer: list of parts

[youngflyer12]

After a year, I am finally ready (if an interested buyer does buy my laptop) to buy the parts to my first computer. I posted a list of parts a year ago and after all that passed time a lot of things of change. Prices have gone down, AMD processor sockets have changed (changing my motherboard and ram), and new products have emerged. I am a busy student, athlete, and muscian. I don't have a vast amount of free time so I am far from a hardcore gamer. I do enjoy playing Command and Conquer at night or on the weekends though. I have never owned a computer that can actually play a fps. That's mostly what I am after. Something that I can actually play first person shooters without worrying about my computer crashing. So here is my current list of parts:

CPU

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+(65W) Windsor 2.0GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103733
I don't know if I need dual core or not. If I go single:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Orleans 2.0GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103637
here it is. It's half the price and maybe good enough?

Motherboard

DFI INFINITY NF ULTRAII-M2 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $93
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136015
I want something that can last a while and can be upgradeable later on. The important thing is the new AM2 socket. Bad reviews makes me question the product.

RAM

Kingston HyperX 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144176
This seems like some pretty good memory. I would like to take advantage of the DDR2 ability.

Video Card

eVGA 256-P2-N541-TX Geforce 7600GS 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card $106
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130020
Inexpensive, reliable, seems like a good choice.

Hard Drive

Maxtor MaxLine III 7V250F0 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144031
This hard drive has 16 MB cache and a 5 year warranty. However, the reviews aren't the greatest.

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250820AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148142
This hard drive has only 8 MB cache and no warranty. It does have better reviews though, recommended by Elbatrop1, and $5 less.

Optical Drive

LG Beige 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 5X DVD-RAM Read 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner $36
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827136064
I wanted an all in one and something cheap. I figured I can upgrade later if I need to.

Power Supply

OCZ PowerStream OCZ520ADJSLI ATX, BTX, EPS12V 520W Power Supply 100~120Vac / 200~240Vac 10/6a - Retail $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817711002
Elbatrop1 recommended the modstream, but I can't seem to find it on newegg.com anymore. I figured this may be the next best thing.

Case

ASPIRE X-CRUISER-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144151
I like this case...

NZXT NEMESIS ELITE BLK Black 1.0 mm ALUMINUM ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400 WATT PS2 ATX 12V Power Supply $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811146007
and this one too. However, it's $50 more so I'll probably go with the Aspire.

Monitor

CHIMEI 937A Silver-Black 19" 8ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 330 cd/m2 600:1 Built in Speakers 0.285mm Pixel Pitch $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824252002
For a 19" widescreen LCD, it seems like a bargain. Good reviews also reveals that it isn't cheap...

Mouse and Keyboard

Logitech Cordless Desktop EX110 967561-0403 Black 102 Normal Keys 12 Function Keys USB + PS/2 RF Wireless Standard Keyboard Mouse Included $27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823126174
Another item recommended by Elbatrop1. He said he like the quality of the item. I also like the price.

Operating System

Microsoft Windows XP Home Upgrade with SP2 - Retail $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837116194
Since this is an upgrade, does it mean that I can only use it on a computer with an older version of Windows?

Total+Dual core: $1116
Total+Single core:$1057

Well, what do you think? I have spent a lot of time researching, reading, and shopping and this is the best I have found so far. However, please give me any advice that you have. I am beginning to worry if maybe my thousand dollar computer costs too much for the amount of usage it will actually get. (Also, I wonder if I can get a better deal from Dell or HP.) If your referring an item please include a link if possible. I would like to get the price under a thousand plus tax and shipping, but that doesn't really seem possible. However, maybe someone can recommend some cheaper parts. I have also thought of buying a CRT from a friend and using it until I can buy the LCD. As always, thank you for your time.

youngflyer12

Edit:
After ten minutes on Dell, I can build this:
Dimension E521
PROCESSOR AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 3800+
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with re-installation CD
MEMORY 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs
HARD DRIVE 250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
OPTICAL DRIVE Dual Drives: 16X DVD ROM Drive and 48X CD-RW/DVD Combo
MONITOR 19 inch Ultrasharp™ 1907FP Digital Flat Panel
VIDEO CARD 256MB NVIDIA Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
SOUND Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
KEYBOARD & MOUSE Dell USB Keyboard and Dell 2-button Scroll Mouse
FLOPPY & MEDIA READER 13 in 1 Media Card Reader
MODEM 56K PCI Data Fax Modem

Total: $892.00
I know that my unbuilt computer is better, but is it worth it?

 

[andrewsvalesen]

No.
Just remember it's always cheaper to build your own computer.
Dell has to make money somehow..
I'm sure if you bought those parts they were selling, it would maybe be 400-600$


And you might not even need that Rig you were talking about.

You can find a computer for $400> that could play all games out right now on highest-medium quality. With room to spend.
If you're looking for a super computer (by my standards) check this...

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119068
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131045
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130065
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817139001
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115004R
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231081
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136014
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16823126178
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16826104178
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151118R
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829102188
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835186134
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16836121123

This comes with EVERYTHING you need to be at the top of the line.
It's kind of pricey $1480.97
and even with the high price, its WITHOUT the LCD.
Which is kind of bad..
But at the same time, it'll last you for what would seem like forever.


What I like doing sometimes, is buying an existing computer that sort of works. And just adding on whats already on it. It's cheaper that one because you buy it in bulk. And you can sell the parts that you get.

My Sig.

But If you're willing to spend 500< then my sig isn't for you.
It's for poor people who game alot at High Settings...Like me!

 

[andrewsvalesen]

I meant to say. You buy the parts. Because I noticed that you want to build your computer.

 

[Elbatrop1]

Just a couple things I would change:

LG Black GSA-H10N $30.99
The newer line from LG DVD burners...Might as well get the newer version for about the same price.

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $77.99
With this HDD, you get 16MB cache for a good price and reliability. This is one of the HDDs in my computer right now.

pqi POWER Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail $99.99
I know you are concerned about price, so this memory will shave off a couple bucks. It won't perform noticably different unless overclocking anyways.

You can also save a few dollars if you get a case without a PSU. I bought my case for $50CAD with a cheap PSU and put in an OCZ after.

Funny, I never noticed that the ModStreams were gone. The powerstream or the GameXtreme would be good too, just without the benefit of modular cables.

As for Windows: The upgrade version is if you had already purchased an older version of Windows. This upgrade is nearly the same as a regular disc. The only differernce is that during the install, it asks you to pop in your old Windows CD to make sure it is an upgrade.

The difference between Dell and self-built it knowing what goes into the computer. You don't know if parts are no-name crap or actually reliable stuff.

Also, manufacturers bid on 'slots' in Dells. They know that whatever Dell puts together is gonna sell a ton, so everyone tries to put their part in the computer. However, since Dell tries to keep their computers cheap, they put cheap parts in.

This is how Dells will often end up a bit cheaper for a comparable self-build. The Dell you built wasn't entirely close to your build though. You use a 7300 vid card instead of the 7600GS which is a rather big difference in gaming performance.

 

[ElBurro]

Also when you buy a prebuilt system from Dell or HP or whoever you get all the advertising they install on thier systems. Which personally I can't stand. Also you do not get the Windows CD instead they put the install image on another partition so 1. you lose space on your HD 2. You can never completely format your HD and start over.

 

[youngflyer12]

Okay, I want to build and you guys support building so much that I have looked and changed many things to try to get a buildable PC under budget. Here it is:

CPU

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+(65W) Windsor 2.0GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103733
I was able to get a dual core.

Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-M55plus-S3G Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 ATX AMD Motherboard $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128010
Pretty much the same except it has onboard video. This will save me a $110 from getting a video card. Will probably get a card around Christmas.

RAM

pqi POWER Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141225&Local=y
Cheap and reliable.

Hard Drive

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $78
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701

Optical Drive

LG Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache E-IDE/ATAPI Super-Multi DVD Burner $31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827136091&Local=y

Case

NZXT NEMESIS ELITE BLK Black 1.0 mm ALUMINUM ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400 WATT PS2 ATX 12V Power Supply $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811146007
A case that I like that comes with a 400 Watt PSU that should last me a little while...

Monitor

Acer AL1917WAbd Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824009100

Mouse & Keyboard

Logitech Cordless Desktop EX110 967561-0403 Black 102 Normal Keys 12 Function Keys USB + PS/2 RF Wireless Standard Keyboard Mouse Included $27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823126174

Operating System

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 w/SP2B $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116049
Not an upgrade and is $90 less than the XP Home Edition.

Total: $901

If I was to get a single core processor the price is an ideal $821. For me and my usage, is a dual core going to make that much of a difference? If worst comes to worst, I believe my dad has a CRT that I could use... Anyways what about the above setup? I made some sacrifices, but nothing that can't be upgraded in the future.

 

[Elbatrop1]

Looks good to me! I am a fan of Gigabyte mobos, but haven't much opportunity to read reviews for the AM2s. So make sure you do a bit of homework on them to make sure you are getting a reliable motherboard.

The onboard video should last you a while until you get a vid card.

Everything looks good as far as performance, value, and reliability goes