building a gaming rig...

[eggsa]

Can anyone help me? I'm thinking about building a new computer since it would be cheaper than buying any new ones. I will probably use newegg.com, but can anyone direct me to a site or list everything I'll need to get? I'm trying to keep it under $1000 (under $800 if possible). I can't seem to find any site, nor anyone, that will tell me what I'll need to buy. Thank you anyone who can help


Oh...I forgot to mention, I need power...Enough to run games such as Far Cry in farely high resolution, if not the highest it will go...

 

[jonathan03]

This can be kind of complicated lol. Do you have any parts at all? Like an old computer to take parts from? That can save you a lot. Monitors are like 100 for a decent one. Then there is the keyboard, mourse, etc. which all add up.

Here are the basic parts:

Motherboard
CPU
RAM
Hard Drive
Video Card
Sound Card
Case/Power Supply

I'd go with this:
AMD CPU ~ 2500+ or so
Abit NF7-S motherboard
PC2700 RAM 512 MB (from Newegg)
At least 40 gig hard drive (more would be good)
Video Card (use what is left - the radeon 9600XT is good)
Basic Soundblaster would be fine
Standard case (probably get this from a store since it is heavy)

If you can take any parts from an old computer, you would be able to get a better PC. Use that as a starting point. Lookup that stuff on newegg and ask any questions that you may have. Also, estimate about how much it will be. We can go from there. I will help you as needed.

 

[eggsa]

Alright, thanks. I've already got the keyboard, mouse, and all that (I'll need to get some new speakers and I'm thinking of getting a new monitor but first I just want to get the actual pc built). Not sure on everything in my computer but this is what I do know: AMD Athlon 800mhz, 32MB nVidia RIVA TNT2 M64 graphics card, 30GB hard drive, 12./40x DVD ROM Drive, Read and Write 8x/4x/32x IDE CDROM Drive, 3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive, 384 RAM, and I upgraded to Windows XP. That's about all I know...

 

[D4RK GR4YL3N]

for under $1000 you might not be able to run FarCry with all the eye candy, but itd look pretty good. dont skimp on the video card, i've found that a good video card can do more than a good processor

 

[eggsa]

Ok I found two CPUs (I think), which would be better and are they as good/better than the 2500+ you mentioned?

Intel Pentium 4/ 2.8E(or 3.2), GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology
or
AMD Athlon XP 2600+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor

I couldn't find the NF7-S on newegg (I'll look other places later) but i found this, would it work or does it suck?

ABIT "NF7-M" nForce2 IGP Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU

 

[jonathan03]

Here is the NF7-S on newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-166&depa=1

I'd go with the AMD. That is my preference (which may start an all out war). They are very close but I prefer AMD. AMD is cheaper in price than Pentium also. For whichever cpu you get, the ones that say retail box come with a decent heatsink and fan. If you get the OEM cpu, you will need to buy a heatsink and fan separate.

And if you do choose a Pentium, you will need a different motherboard. I'm not sure which Pentium boards are good, since I only deal with AMD.

If your going for gaming a good video card is good. When I said get a video card with what is left, I was considering that there would be a fair amount from your 1000 left. A video card is probably the most important. I'm not a expert on them but I hear the ATI 9600XT is good. Do a google search for video card benchmarks for the game that you will be playing. They rate the different cards. If its a new game they might not have any tests yet but its worth a try.

Also, be sure to add everything up to see how much is left. Excel works good for this.

 

[eggsa]

Righto! Thanks for the help.

 

[Apokalipse]

I'd get an Athlon 64 3000+/3200+ with a Gigabyte K8N Pro board
those Athlon 64's aren't much more cost - if there even are higher priced - compared to your average (new) pentium 4
plus the K8N Pro board is a descent but inexpensive board.

 

[BRoWZ]

If ur looking for a good vidio card try a fx 5700

 

[Kortex]

or i can sell you my 128mb Geforce 5200 for fair price.