Hell on Earth Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Greetings! I am new here and with this custom building and basically computers. I am eager to build my own to defray costs and to be special . However, I am running into problems. I am finding great guides and builds and the whole nine yards. BUT. I don't know what I want or if I am spending too much or too little. This is what I use computers mainly for: -Gaming (I come from a not tech family. BOY, if I had the specs I would be playing those great graphic games and have a gillion fps) -Internet surfing (I want something to make this as fast as possible) -I am interested in possibly photoshopping for fun and eventually making home made videos of paintball down the road -word processing for homework -music -PLAYING DVDS IS A BIGGIE (I love movies tehehe) It has to be fast. Period. I like fast computers and NO LAGG. Can someone give me some tips of what to get or look for/get for my builds. I am interested in getting leopard on it BTW so it has to work for it. Budget: around $1000 US Dollars (I am 15 so that explains it?) I want to buy as much as possible from www.newegg.com because people have recommended it to me and I feel comfortable shopping from somewhere that I can trust. If someone can help me pick out a monitor that would be VERY helpful. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/150126-recommendations-for-my-first-desktop/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hell on Earth Posted January 30, 2009 Author Share Posted January 30, 2009 All tips are welcome Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/150126-recommendations-for-my-first-desktop/#findComment-1061910 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Dude, he wants to play games. Anyway, there are lots of guides around here on the Forum. Pick a quad core, 9800GT etc Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/150126-recommendations-for-my-first-desktop/#findComment-1062123 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hell on Earth Posted January 30, 2009 Author Share Posted January 30, 2009 Dude, he wants to play games. Anyway, there are lots of guides around here on the Forum. Pick a quad core, 9800GT etc http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115041 Will this fit into my budget or is this too much? I have not picked a monitor/keyboard/mouse yet so I am estimating 700 US dollars left. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/150126-recommendations-for-my-first-desktop/#findComment-1062920 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyAppleseed Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Dear HellonEarth, You and I are basically in the same boat - I am looking to build my next computer too. First, look at the various web-only retailers, like TigerDirect/CompUSA and Newegg.com, and compare specs and prices, as well as reading the user reviews. (I prefer Newegg.com, becuase they generally undersell everyone else I have seen, and they have an enormous selection.) Check out not only the regular items, but the Open Box items as well - I would stay away from refurbished components. If you want to game (as I do too), I would recommend a setup with at least an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU (a triple-core or quad-core CPU would give you even more processing power), 2 GB of RAM (3 GB or 4 GB recommended for a 32-bit OS, more for a 64-bit OS), and a 256 MB 256-bit graphics card (512 MB or better recommended). For many people, there is only one name when it comes to motherboards - ASUS. Sound cards are one of those must-have items for some people, but I have found that if the onboard audio is AC97 or better, you are generally OK. However, for sound cards, my preference is Creative Labs. Power supply selection can be crucial too - if you are considering a Crossfire or SLI graphics setup, remember that EACH CARD requires its own dedicated power supply connector - therefore, their power requirements must be factored into the wattage rating of the power supply. I have heard some folks swear by Rosewill power supplies. As far as cases go, you could go with a cheap case and max out the internal components, or you could spend a bit more for something with a little style. That's up to you. For what it is worth, here is what I am considering for myself, so far: Case: low to mid-range cost (any) Processor: AMD Phenom 8650 Toliman 2.3 Ghz 3 x 512 Kb L2 Cache 2 MB L3 Cache AM+ 95W Triple-Core Processor, or AMD Phenom Agena 9600 2.3 Ghz 4 x 512 Kb L2 Cache 2 MB L3 Cache AM+ 95W Quad-Core Processor Motherboard: ASUS - AM2 socket or better Memory: 4 GB - any brand Graphics Card: BFG preferred (because of limited lifetime warranty) or Sapphire - here are my picks: BFG Tech BFGE851024GTE GeForce 8500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card, or SAPPHIRE 100256L Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card, or SAPPHIRE 100249L Radeon HD 3850 1GB 256-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card, or SAPPHIRE 100254L Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card Power Supply: Rosewill preferred - variable depending on power requirements of components, especially if graphics setup is SLI or Crossfire Sound Card: Creative Labs preferred - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card, or Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - OEM, or Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE SB0570LPVP 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Low-Profile Sound Card That's what I have so far for my 'wish list'. I hope that this helps you, HellonEarth, and may we both be happy and successful in our builds! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/150126-recommendations-for-my-first-desktop/#findComment-1062941 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hell on Earth Posted January 30, 2009 Author Share Posted January 30, 2009 Dear HellonEarth, You and I are basically in the same boat - I am looking to build my next computer too. First, look at the various web-only retailers, like TigerDirect/CompUSA and Newegg.com, and compare specs and prices, as well as reading the user reviews. (I prefer Newegg.com, becuase they generally undersell everyone else I have seen, and they have an enormous selection.) Check out not only the regular items, but the Open Box items as well - I would stay away from refurbished components. If you want to game (as I do too), I would recommend a setup with at least an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU (a triple-core or quad-core CPU would give you even more processing power), 2 GB of RAM (3 GB or 4 GB recommended for a 32-bit OS, more for a 64-bit OS), and a 256 MB 256-bit graphics card (512 MB or better recommended). For many people, there is only one name when it comes to motherboards - ASUS. Sound cards are one of those must-have items for some people, but I have found that if the onboard audio is AC97 or better, you are generally OK. However, for sound cards, my preference is Creative Labs. Power supply selection can be crucial too - if you are considering a Crossfire or SLI graphics setup, remember that EACH CARD requires its own dedicated power supply connector - therefore, their power requirements must be factored into the wattage rating of the power supply. I have heard some folks swear by Rosewill power supplies. As far as cases go, you could go with a cheap case and max out the internal components, or you could spend a bit more for something with a little style. That's up to you. For what it is worth, here is what I am considering for myself, so far: Case: low to mid-range cost (any) Processor: AMD Phenom 8650 Toliman 2.3 Ghz 3 x 512 Kb L2 Cache 2 MB L3 Cache AM+ 95W Triple-Core Processor, or AMD Phenom Agena 9600 2.3 Ghz 4 x 512 Kb L2 Cache 2 MB L3 Cache AM+ 95W Quad-Core Processor Motherboard: ASUS - AM2 socket or better Memory: 4 GB - any brand Graphics Card: BFG preferred (because of limited lifetime warranty) or Sapphire - here are my picks: BFG Tech BFGE851024GTE GeForce 8500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card, or [/size] SAPPHIRE 100256L Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card, or SAPPHIRE 100249L Radeon HD 3850 1GB 256-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card, or SAPPHIRE 100254L Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card Power Supply: Rosewill preferred - variable depending on power requirements of components, especially if graphics setup is SLI or Crossfire Sound Card: Creative Labs preferred - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card, or Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - OEM, or Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE SB0570LPVP 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Low-Profile Sound Card That's what I have so far for my 'wish list'. I hope that this helps you, HellonEarth, and may we both be happy and successful in our builds! Woah! Thanks! Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115041 Option 2 Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115017 MotherBoard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813128358 Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130339 I have gathered this small list based on the irc channel and just by looking around. I am going to check out your list a bit more in depth and see if I can get a "prototype" for everyone to see. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/150126-recommendations-for-my-first-desktop/#findComment-1062984 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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