Help with building a computer for a newb!!

[circky]

Hi, I've been reading through threads in this computers section and I noticed that people have been posting about help with computer set ups, and I thought I'd ask for some help myself... I'm a complete newb with computers, so it would be great if you guys could reply with as little jargon as possible so I can understand it lol.

I've been using my 4 year old laptop for my everyday computer use and I think it's time for an upgrade. I just need the tower itself.. I have a 23" monitor, speakers, and keyboard/mouse combo already.

What I plan on using the computer for:

- multi-tasking basic applications (ie: internet explorer, msn, microsoft word)
- some basic photo-editting
- I don't play games on my computer currently, but would like the computer to be able to handle starcraft 2 with decent performance
- I don't d/l often (I still have space in my 60GB harddrive)
- I would like my computer to be able to handle HD content to take advantage of my monitor I got recently
- I would like my computer to be as quiet as possible

I'd like to spend between 600-1000 after tax.

Thanks for the help!

[Hairball]

If you have no experience building a computer, perhaps it's better just to buy a fully assembled one, and then slowly learn the parts of it, and maybe next time you can do it yourself.

[terrybear]

I'd say a Phenom II X3 or X4 based build would be up your alley.

Are you looking for just a tower or a full system thought I didn't see you say ??

[circky]

I was thinking about just buying a pre-made system too, but I thought it'd be cheaper buying the parts seperately. I saw on some other thread of local RFDers who were helping others build systems as a hobby and thus, for free so I thought I'd go that route. My brother's also a computer geek but he's out of the country for the next month... but if there were to be any future problems with the computer I'd feel comfortable handling the situation with him around.

I edited my original post to state that I'm looking for a full desktop set up. thanks again.

[terrybear]

I was thinking about just buying a pre-made system too, but I thought it'd be cheaper buying the parts seperately. I saw on some other thread of local RFDers who were helping others build systems as a hobby and thus, for free so I thought I'd go that route. My brother's also a computer geek but he's out of the country for the next month... but if there were to be any future problems with the computer I'd feel comfortable handling the situation with him around.

I edited my original post to state that I'm looking for a full desktop set up. thanks again.

My sugestion would then to be probly order a custom configuration of parts thru ncix, pay the $50 assembly fee unless your interested in doing it yourself then put the $50 towards the shipping, by buying from them your not only being able to get the cheapest parts prices by price matching but also saving 10% tax.

If you'd like I could do a system for you before tax's based on there site ?? And how big of a LCD monitor would you like ?? need speakers ?? keyboard ??

[circky]

My sugestion would then to be probly order a custom configuration of parts thru ncix, pay the $50 assembly fee unless your interested in doing it yourself then put the $50 towards the shipping, by buying from them your not only being able to get the cheapest parts prices by price matching but also saving 10% tax.

If you'd like I could do a system for you before tax's based on there site ?? And how big of a LCD monitor would you like ?? need speakers ?? keyboard ??

Sorry, Now i get what you meant bull full system or not. I just need the parts for the tower itself. Currently, I'm just plugging all my external peripharals to my laptop (for some reason I thought you were referring to the case lol). I have a 23" lcd with keyboard/mouse combo and speakers already. Sorry for the confusion .

That woudl be great if you could make a system based on their site.

[Hairball]

Sorry, Now i get what you meant bull full system or not. I just need the parts for the tower itself. Currently, I'm just plugging all my external peripharals to my laptop (for some reason I thought you were referring to the case lol). I have a 23" lcd with keyboard/mouse combo and speakers already. Sorry for the confusion .

That woudl be great if you could make a system based on their site.

I'm not sure if NCIX does this, but most computer stores will be glad to only sell you the box with customized parts. In fact this is extremely common.

[Hairball]

Another good way is to buy a "barebone kit" from places like TigerDirect.

Usually it'll have the cpu, motherboard, and tower. You'll just need to buy your own video card, memory, and hard drive. As a lot of things are on board, there is actually very little you have to put together.

[terrybear]

Another good way is to buy a "barebone kit" from places like TigerDirect.

NO NO NO NO NO & for the umpteenth millionth time ..... NOOOOOOOOO

That would be the WORST thing this user could do !!! Peaple realy need to stop getting hard on's for TigerDirect & more so there "Bundle" or " Barebone " Kits. Ya know why there cheap ..... cause there crap & the ONLY way they can get rid of it is to sell it as a cheap bundle to some poor consumer whom doesn't know what he's in for when he gets it & tries to get it going & stuff.

[mulambo187]

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power

ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Pioneer CD/DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-118LBK LabelFlash Support - OEM


Picked these off newegg, this will make a good system, wait till starcraft 2 actually comes out to get the videocard... or get like a gtx 260 and you should have a great computer right there. also use ncix and pricematch these parts, in addition, optical drive is expensive, grab that from a local shop for around $35.

edit: 775 is where its at.

[enginear]

I would like my computer to be as quiet as possible

You'll paid a premium for silence, but here's my silent build

CPU heatsink - Scythe Orochi, 140mm fan attached to the top of an Antec 300
Remove the case fans, replace the top front one with a Scythe 500 RPM fan.
GPU heatsink - AC Accelerato II, another Scythe 500 RPM fan zip tied to the heatsink
PSU - Seasonic M12 II

It's almost inaudible except when I go to sleep at night and the house is silent. (For comparison, I can hear water flowing through pipes louder than I can hear my computer)

[terrybear]

edit: 775 is where its at.

775 is NOT where its at.

[mulambo187]

heh, well, at least the build i put up is better then the one in your sig dollar for dollar. especially if the op puts a 260 in there

[terrybear]

heh, well, at least the build i put up is better then the one in your sig dollar for dollar. especially if the op puts a 260 in there

*LMAOL* ohhhhhhhhhhhh u just made my day !!! Another " intel is the best " brainwashed user ... I hope you got your flame retardant cloths on cause I'm not the only one thats gonna find your coment hilarios

[terrybear]

OP, when the new ncix sale starts tonight I'll build a box based around some of the stuff thats there.

Ohhhhhh I forgot 1 important thing, do you need a store bought os as part of the build ??