ACS or anyone else who likes building computers

[Phatferd]

I am going to build my own computer. I know a lot more than the average person, not quite as much as experts, but I know enough to build one (plus I'll have the help of a friend who built his last 2).

I am looking for a computer that will last 4 years (i know a long time) and play good games (not the best out there, but a majority at a good level) and be ready for the 64 bit jump that is coming up. I also want to make it into a semi home theater system. I will eventuall get a nice monitor/lcd tv and use it to record my tv and watch HD tv. I have downloaded Sin City in HD off bittorrent and it was awesome. I never knew all computer monitors were HD monitors.

My friend said I could build a nice computer for $400 and change without the video card. I think I am going to go without the awesome vid card at first and wait for xmas to come around and get one then from the parents.

Can you guys help me build a computer (linking me to good deals on motherboards, hard drives, etc....)

[suppasonic]

A few things.

You wont get an awesome computer for 400. It can be pretty good, above average, but it wont be awesome. If you are waiting on your video card, you are waiting on your games and TV as well.

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819112203
A really cheap chip with 64-bit support, will run a little hot and will have some performance problems, but you expected that with a 400 dollar computer, right?
$67

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145526
A gig of dual channel memory from one of the top manufacturers.
$78

MoBo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813121230
$105

Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822148013
Only 40 GB, but fast, cheap, and quiet
$50

About $300 so far. That leaves $100 for a case, sound/video card, CD Drive, and an upgrade heatsink/fan if you want.

[Phatferd]

Thanks, but let me explain something.

I don't expect a great computer, but I do expect a good one. I know it can be done because my buddy just did it and I know its a solid computer because he plays Battlefield 2 on almost full settings.

I plan on using some of my current things to cut costs (IE, my 160 GB HD, DVD Burner).

Sound card is not a major concern with me right now, I will just use the one that comes on the MoBo. The only reason I would be waiting on a video card is purely price. I know I will be waiting on the other stuff, but I can afford a better card at xmas (when my parents give me more money that I would have to spend on one now).

I in no way am getting a Celeron.

My local Fries (electronics store) is selling a combo of the Pentium D 930 with an ECM P4M800 PRO for $160. I don't want the MoBo though because it doesn't have a PCI-E card.

I see it like this:
MoBo and Processor $175
Tower $40
RAM $70 (could be cheaper, but I want to throw a gig on top of my 512)
Power Supply $20-40 (this is one thing I have no idea what I need)

Thats really all I need that I can think of and thats about $320...

Anything else is optional because I have it, I'd only get something as an upgrade.

In the brief research I have done I feel like I can get a better MoBo and CPU for the same price you have them at.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157081
Supprts Athlon 64 and FX, has up to 4GB expansion and has PCI-E and AGP. All for $70

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103533
Athlon 64 3500. For $110.

I would rather have these 2 than the 2 you suggeted, I think.

Am I that far off or overlooking something?[/url]

[Coppermine]

I really have to recommend going for one of the new dual core processors if you seriously want your PC to last 4 years. The extra expense is worth it, even with how much older chips have dropped.

Also, look into a SATA harddrive and make sure your monitor has DVI support.

[acsguitar]

1. Get an AMD not a pentium. Way bette for gaming/heat consumption pretty much the same for encoding.

2. Never get a celeron

3. Your computer isn't going to last 4 years. Sorry no way.

4. I would buy a 3500+ for like 107 bucks and upgrade each year. I have some used gear I am trying to get rid of. Sell the processor on ebay each year to cover the upgrade cost. Get a Dual Core when they are cheaper.

4. Get a good power supply.

5. If you wanna play BF2 you will need at least a 6800 GT but I'd recommend a 7800 GT.

6. Buy cheap yet good ram. Don't buy into the hype with ram timmings etc. Thats for junkies who like to test their computer more then use it.

7. Use Newegg. Newegg is god.

So anyways estimating:

3500+ : 110$ ~
7800 GT: 250# ~
1 Gig of ram: $100 ~
Case: 20 $
Power Supply: 60$
320 Gig Hard drive: $100
DVD Burner: $30
Motherboard: $70

Thats just a guess use newegg to figure it out.

But thats only 740 including video card and would be a pretty decent system.

Make sure to get a MOBO that can handle and upgrade to a Dual Core. And can take 4 sticks of ram.

[Phatferd]

I found the MoBo and Processor I was looking at on tigerdirect.com for a bundle deal. I think it's an awesome deal, but would like your advice ACS (or anyone else who cares).

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1965135&Sku=MBM-A8V-3500

[Dan Lambskin]

3. Your computer isn't going to last 4 years. Sorry no way.

i've had mine at least 5, but recently upgraded the HD and power supply. i dont play any games though, just use the internet and watch porn and make pie charts on it. it's and HP Pavilion, i think the 7000 series...i hate it

[acsguitar]

Its a good deal BUT!!!!

1. It only has two RAM slots. I'd rather have 4
2. It only takes AGP cards. All the new cards are PCI-EX.

You don't want that board.

[Phatferd]

Its a good deal BUT!!!!

1. It only has two RAM slots. I'd rather have 4
2. It only takes AGP cards. All the new cards are PCI-EX.

You don't want that board.

It does havd 4 RAM slots, but I totally did overlook the the PCI-E (which is a must). I kinda also want firewire also.

[acsguitar]

BTW I have a mobo, 1 gig of Ram, and a 3500+ with power supply and case. Its sitting in my closet. I could probably sell it to you pretty darn cheap.