building a home computer... - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

Scapegoat · 04-28-2008, 10:06 AM

I need help making a shopping list. I don't know PC hardware very well... I know the basic components required, I don't know whats good.

I'm going to budget myself $1000 to build the PC, that price does not include anything that gets attached to the PC case (mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc.)

I have a few requirements and a little descrip on what I want to use it for, nothing major.

500gb hard drive
video card must support dual monitors (two 19" widescreens baby)

This isn't supposed to be a major gaming rig. I need a really nice work computer that I can use for every day use. I'll be running tomcat and apache servers (doing that now).

I'm going to run Vista on it, and I'm going to be connecting it to my 360. As far as sound... My current PC has options coming out the ass. I want to be able to run RCA cables to my receiver so I can play music on surround sound through the comp. (ok, vista is a possibility. I may continue running XP...)

I only really need one disk drive that is capable of burning and reading cd/dvd and all the -r's and whatever that get thrown onto them...

I'd like to have a SD card slot, current PC has one and I love having it. But thats not such a big deal.

The 1k budget does not include the extra monitor OR the operating system.

I need a shopping list that includes everything from the case to the fans to the wires to the power supply. everything I need to build a working PC box that I can plug in, toss in a Vista install cd and get going.

I'm also going to purchase everything from newegg.com to save money on parts so I can get better stuff.

Thanks a ton for the help! I've been wanting a new computer, and I've been wanting to build it myself so I can get a better PC for the price.

~Brian~ · 04-28-2008, 10:36 AM

If you need help putting it all together, I'll be happy to lend a hand.

Just let me know when your planning on doing this.

Scapegoat · 04-28-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowboy459

If you need help putting it all together, I'll be happy to lend a hand.

Just let me know when your planning on doing this.

I've always been under the impression that actually putting the components together was easy... its just picking them out thats not. Too many options and I don't know where to begin.

Z3R0 · 04-28-2008, 10:41 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288 500Gb HDD 99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130337 239.99 8800GTS OC'd....Sick deal on a video card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188024 cons:issues with sata optical drives(unless you have a black market edition of winxp with different sata drivers...)pros: upgradability. 259.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017 quad-core powa 219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024 129.95 or did you want your case to look like a transformer?
Just some suggestions.

cburwell · 04-28-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z3R0

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130337 239.99 8800GTS OC'd....Sick deal on a video card

That is overkill for a non-gaming rig (IMO). He should be able to snag a $140 PNY card (which is probably still overkill for his setup

).

Even this will do it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150230

cburwell · 04-28-2008, 10:45 AM

Motherboard: I have had good luck with ASUS. My current computer has a DFI, but that is geared more toward gamers. I would suggest you look for a motherboard with a built in sound card that has digital coax or optical audio out. This will get better sound from your computer to your receiver then the RCA connections would.

Processor: I have not not been folowing the processor wars as close as I used to, but it seems that Intel's quad-core offerings are doing better then those from AMD.

Memory: 2GB+. Memory is pretty cheap now, so there is no excuse to have less then 2GB.

Video card: Probably a lower end Nvidia gaming card. Make sure it has two DVI ports and not one DVI and one VGA. You should be able to get one for $150 probably less.

Hard drive: What every is on sale. I have the 500GB WD drives in my file server, and they are great so far!

PSU: I stick with enermax because that is what I have used. There are a few different bands out there that are good as well.

Case: If you want some thing classy and nice, check out Lan-Li.

If you're not over clocking you should not need any extra fans or anything. The stock CUP heatsink and fan will do it's job, as will the case fans. I know Lan-Li gives you a few different fans for plenty of circulation.

Choosing the exact hardware you will use is up to you. Most of this stuff is my opinion, as other people will suggest different things.

Z3R0 · 04-28-2008, 10:53 AM

The ONE asus motherboard I had was defective with voltage issues. I think the model was P5k-ap or something like that... It killed my good 8600gts video card. I failed to realize its voltage issues because it actually booted a couple times then it just died like the useless peice of junk it was.\

Quote:

Originally Posted by cburwell

That is overkill for a non-gaming rig (IMO). He should be able to snag a $140 PNY card (which is probably still overkill for his setup

).

Even this will do it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150230

Yeah, I think i just picked it because I want it...

...Everytime you sneeze a WD dies.

cburwell · 04-28-2008, 11:12 AM

I could have suggested a hitachi deskstar!

My theory with hard drive manufacturers is this: I have no problem with them until one fails and causes me to loose any amount of data. I had a Seagate years ago that did this, so I was salty towards them for a while (even though it was my fault for not backing it up). Hopefully I will not run into that situation with my WDs in a RAID 5 array.

Bizee · 04-28-2008, 12:13 PM

IMO run the wd raptor drives (10,000 rm etc) for your os. the extra money is makes a WORLD of difference compared to other drives.

spend the extra money and get corsair ram and a good asus board (make very stable setups)

you can put together a nice machine with good components under 1000 bucks...

you dont need to go insane on the video card 8800gts etc etc.. just make sure its hd capable for possible future use etc..

again i cannot stress how much a fast hard drives makes a difference

Scapegoat · 04-28-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizee

IMO run the wd raptor drives (10,000 rm etc) for your os. the extra money is makes a WORLD of difference compared to other drives.

spend the extra money and get corsair ram and a good asus board (make very stable setups)

you can put together a nice machine with good components under 1000 bucks...

you dont need to go insane on the video card 8800gts etc etc.. just make sure its hd capable for possible future use etc..

again i cannot stress how much a fast hard drives makes a difference

links?

naDintheHat · 04-28-2008, 02:00 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021 - Case with Blue Fans.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16817182030- PSU 550W Blue fans.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128087 - Decent sound built in, currently using that for mine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882196031 - To retain your RCA connections with your own RCA cable or
this cable http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882123073

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118003 - Cheap dvd burner

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136178 - 500 Gigs

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166 - 2X2GB Memory DDR2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161098 - GFX card 512mb PCI-e

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115027 - Quad Core LGA775

Cost Rundown:
Case - 139.99-20(instant) =119.99
PSU - 74.99-15(instant) =59.99
HD(500gig) =89.99
2X2GB Mem 184.99-35(instant) =149.99
Motherboard 179.99-10(instant) =169.99
GFX Card 69.99 - 20(mail-in) =69.99
Processor =279.99
DVD Burner =21.99
RCA to 3.5mm (both above) =3.99
------------------------------------------
Total Before Shipping = 965.91
+ Shipping to 19401 + 46.82
------------------------------------------
Grand Total = 1012.73
- Mail In Rebate - 20.00
------------------------------------------
$ 992.73

Yes it is my last day at work for the semester and i am BORED.

Scapegoat · 04-28-2008, 02:30 PM

^^ awesome job...

looking into the parts now.

I've got some time before I'm going to purchase. Need to pay off the last bit of my debt and get myself an apartment, then its on like donkey kong

Spocknasty · 04-28-2008, 04:08 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037
Quad core is not needed for what you are doing. 6 MB cache, new 45mm chip technology, and if you ever wanted you could overclock it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102720
Good enough considering you aren't gaming, but you can if you want. Fanless, quiet.

The rest is what-ev!

Bizee · 04-28-2008, 04:18 PM

fwiw, with all the hd tv's and everyone hooking them up to their computers etc i would steer towards a quad core if you can cut it in the budget. REASON being is, the more uncompressed these hd files that are flooding the net right now the more processor you need to run them.. dual core just barely plays them well..

i always try to look a little down the road when i do machines for people on what they wanna do.

you mentioned the xbox being connected. there is alot of homebrew software to let you stream these hd files over to it etc. take all of that into consideration when cutting corners.

the 500gb is of course nice but get a fast (raptor) primary drive and use the 500gig as storage and etc. the faster access time etc the o/s drive has the better and faster everything is going to run... also don't cheap out and buy like kingston memory really pick up the good corsair and a high rated asus motherboard. if it wasn't for people's computers that i fix id forget what a blue screen looked like and wouldn't remember how to hard boot a machine..

dont pick up a slower processor to overclock it unless you pick up a good overclocking board etc which sounds like something your trying to avoid with this setup anyway... with overclocking your just asking for a unstable system, heat issues and at the very least the life of the hardware shortened...

Scapegoat · 04-28-2008, 04:24 PM

all good things to consider!

What would be a good HD to run the OS off of?

I'd be interested in picking up either 2 500gb hds or a 1tb hd...

I've got an awesome TV and an awesome 7.1 surround sound receiver I'd like to make use of... so playing those HD movies through the comp is definitely a possibility.

and yeah, Im looking to still being able to tear things up with this PC in 5 years

Bizee · 04-28-2008, 04:31 PM

ill admit quad core is a tad excessive but why start behind when all apps and etc are moving foward.. the best hd for the o/s rated everywhere is the raptor one. downfall is your gonna pay 2x as much for half the space

crazyukrainian · 12-04-2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRXed

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037
Quad core is not needed for what you are doing. 6 MB cache, new 45mm chip technology, and if you ever wanted you could overclock it.

+1 on this processor; its what i use right now and i love it

Scapegoat · 04-28-2008, 04:34 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136054 would be fine to run Vista off of then? or this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136033

Then get a 500gb to house all the program files and what nots

Bizee · 04-28-2008, 04:43 PM

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/h...ttern,674.html

here is a good chart to look at

Scapegoat · 04-28-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizee

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/h...ttern,674.html

here is a good chart to look at

so that raptor pretty much blows the doors off of the others

04-28-2008, 10:06 AM	#1
Scapegoat TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: stop looking at my gold Member #1208 iTrader: (1)	building a home computer... I need help making a shopping list. I don't know PC hardware very well... I know the basic components required, I don't know whats good. I'm going to budget myself $1000 to build the PC, that price does not include anything that gets attached to the PC case (mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc.) I have a few requirements and a little descrip on what I want to use it for, nothing major. 500gb hard drive video card must support dual monitors (two 19" widescreens baby) This isn't supposed to be a major gaming rig. I need a really nice work computer that I can use for every day use. I'll be running tomcat and apache servers (doing that now). I'm going to run Vista on it, and I'm going to be connecting it to my 360. As far as sound... My current PC has options coming out the ass. I want to be able to run RCA cables to my receiver so I can play music on surround sound through the comp. (ok, vista is a possibility. I may continue running XP...) I only really need one disk drive that is capable of burning and reading cd/dvd and all the -r's and whatever that get thrown onto them... I'd like to have a SD card slot, current PC has one and I love having it. But thats not such a big deal. The 1k budget does not include the extra monitor OR the operating system. I need a shopping list that includes everything from the case to the fans to the wires to the power supply. everything I need to build a working PC box that I can plug in, toss in a Vista install cd and get going. I'm also going to purchase everything from newegg.com to save money on parts so I can get better stuff. Thanks a ton for the help! I've been wanting a new computer, and I've been wanting to build it myself so I can get a better PC for the price. Last edited by Scapegoat; 04-28-2008 at 10:23 AM.

04-28-2008, 10:45 AM	#6
cburwell Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Apr 2005 Member #303 iTrader: (0)	Motherboard: I have had good luck with ASUS. My current computer has a DFI, but that is geared more toward gamers. I would suggest you look for a motherboard with a built in sound card that has digital coax or optical audio out. This will get better sound from your computer to your receiver then the RCA connections would. Processor: I have not not been folowing the processor wars as close as I used to, but it seems that Intel's quad-core offerings are doing better then those from AMD. Memory: 2GB+. Memory is pretty cheap now, so there is no excuse to have less then 2GB. Video card: Probably a lower end Nvidia gaming card. Make sure it has two DVI ports and not one DVI and one VGA. You should be able to get one for $150 probably less. Hard drive: What every is on sale. I have the 500GB WD drives in my file server, and they are great so far! PSU: I stick with enermax because that is what I have used. There are a few different bands out there that are good as well. Case: If you want some thing classy and nice, check out Lan-Li. If you're not over clocking you should not need any extra fans or anything. The stock CUP heatsink and fan will do it's job, as will the case fans. I know Lan-Li gives you a few different fans for plenty of circulation. Choosing the exact hardware you will use is up to you. Most of this stuff is my opinion, as other people will suggest different things. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. "The Corvette took nearly 25 years to sell 500,000 units; the Z does it in fewer than 10."

04-28-2008, 11:12 AM	#8
cburwell Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Apr 2005 Member #303 iTrader: (0)	I could have suggested a hitachi deskstar! My theory with hard drive manufacturers is this: I have no problem with them until one fails and causes me to loose any amount of data. I had a Seagate years ago that did this, so I was salty towards them for a while (even though it was my fault for not backing it up). Hopefully I will not run into that situation with my WDs in a RAID 5 array. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. "The Corvette took nearly 25 years to sell 500,000 units; the Z does it in fewer than 10."

04-28-2008, 12:13 PM	#9
Bizee Tri-State Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philly Member #210 iTrader: (0)	IMO run the wd raptor drives (10,000 rm etc) for your os. the extra money is makes a WORLD of difference compared to other drives. spend the extra money and get corsair ram and a good asus board (make very stable setups) you can put together a nice machine with good components under 1000 bucks... you dont need to go insane on the video card 8800gts etc etc.. just make sure its hd capable for possible future use etc.. again i cannot stress how much a fast hard drives makes a difference __________________ I love being blown :-) Last edited by Bizee; 04-28-2008 at 12:18 PM.

04-28-2008, 02:00 PM	#11
naDintheHat Tri-State Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Allentown, Pa Member #2360 My Ride: 94 GTI - Br0ke, 98 GTI - Stock.. iTrader: (0)	http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021 - Case with Blue Fans. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16817182030- PSU 550W Blue fans. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128087 - Decent sound built in, currently using that for mine. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882196031 - To retain your RCA connections with your own RCA cable or this cable http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882123073 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118003 - Cheap dvd burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136178 - 500 Gigs http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166 - 2X2GB Memory DDR2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161098 - GFX card 512mb PCI-e http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115027 - Quad Core LGA775 Cost Rundown: Case - 139.99-20(instant) =119.99 PSU - 74.99-15(instant) =59.99 HD(500gig) =89.99 2X2GB Mem 184.99-35(instant) =149.99 Motherboard 179.99-10(instant) =169.99 GFX Card 69.99 - 20(mail-in) =69.99 Processor =279.99 DVD Burner =21.99 RCA to 3.5mm (both above) =3.99 ------------------------------------------ Total Before Shipping = 965.91 + Shipping to 19401 + 46.82 ------------------------------------------ Grand Total = 1012.73 - Mail In Rebate - 20.00 ------------------------------------------ $ 992.73 Yes it is my last day at work for the semester and i am BORED. __________________ I drive a constantly broken, model confused vehicle. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

04-28-2008, 02:30 PM	#12
Scapegoat TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: stop looking at my gold Member #1208 iTrader: (1)	^^ awesome job... looking into the parts now. I've got some time before I'm going to purchase. Need to pay off the last bit of my debt and get myself an apartment, then its on like donkey kong

04-28-2008, 04:08 PM	#13
Spocknasty Meh Join Date: Oct 2005 Member #986 iTrader: (5)	http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037 Quad core is not needed for what you are doing. 6 MB cache, new 45mm chip technology, and if you ever wanted you could overclock it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102720 Good enough considering you aren't gaming, but you can if you want. Fanless, quiet. The rest is what-ev! __________________ formerly CRXed To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. I <3 JSC Speed and Liquid Powder Coats!

04-28-2008, 04:18 PM	#14
Bizee Tri-State Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philly Member #210 iTrader: (0)	fwiw, with all the hd tv's and everyone hooking them up to their computers etc i would steer towards a quad core if you can cut it in the budget. REASON being is, the more uncompressed these hd files that are flooding the net right now the more processor you need to run them.. dual core just barely plays them well.. i always try to look a little down the road when i do machines for people on what they wanna do. you mentioned the xbox being connected. there is alot of homebrew software to let you stream these hd files over to it etc. take all of that into consideration when cutting corners. the 500gb is of course nice but get a fast (raptor) primary drive and use the 500gig as storage and etc. the faster access time etc the o/s drive has the better and faster everything is going to run... also don't cheap out and buy like kingston memory really pick up the good corsair and a high rated asus motherboard. if it wasn't for people's computers that i fix id forget what a blue screen looked like and wouldn't remember how to hard boot a machine.. dont pick up a slower processor to overclock it unless you pick up a good overclocking board etc which sounds like something your trying to avoid with this setup anyway... with overclocking your just asking for a unstable system, heat issues and at the very least the life of the hardware shortened... __________________ I love being blown :-)

04-28-2008, 04:24 PM	#15
Scapegoat TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: stop looking at my gold Member #1208 iTrader: (1)	all good things to consider! What would be a good HD to run the OS off of? I'd be interested in picking up either 2 500gb hds or a 1tb hd... I've got an awesome TV and an awesome 7.1 surround sound receiver I'd like to make use of... so playing those HD movies through the comp is definitely a possibility. and yeah, Im looking to still being able to tear things up with this PC in 5 years

04-28-2008, 04:31 PM	#16
Bizee Tri-State Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philly Member #210 iTrader: (0)	ill admit quad core is a tad excessive but why start behind when all apps and etc are moving foward.. the best hd for the o/s rated everywhere is the raptor one. downfall is your gonna pay 2x as much for half the space __________________ I love being blown :-)

04-28-2008, 04:34 PM	#18
Scapegoat TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: stop looking at my gold Member #1208 iTrader: (1)	http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136054 would be fine to run Vista off of then? or this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136033 Then get a 500gb to house all the program files and what nots

04-28-2008, 04:43 PM	#19
Bizee Tri-State Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philly Member #210 iTrader: (0)	http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/h...ttern,674.html here is a good chart to look at __________________ I love being blown :-)

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