Thread: Building a new computer (x2)    

So my brother got a job and wants me to build him a computer. Main game he'll play is WoW, but he'll also do things like play Call of Duty 4 and other FPS-like games.

I'll also be getting a new computer in around a month, I play FFXI and turn-based strategy games like Civilization IV and Heroes of Might and Magic.

I normally use pricewatch.com to buy stuff from, but I haven't built a computer in 5 years so no idea what is best to use (AMD vs Intel, nVIDIA vs ATI, etc.) price range somewhere in the $600-900 range ideally, any tips would be nice.

Originally Posted by Shuemue

I'm sure you'll get more detailed replies with links to US sites like newegg, but basically you'll be looking at Intel Core 2 Duo stuff, and if that $600-900 is per machine, you'll find something reasonably spiffy. Won't be top end of course, but it'll comfortably fit your needs on decent settings.

Yeah, it's per machine. Currently my brother is running WoW on like 256MB of RAM and it's horrifying to look at. I promised him a good computer with his money. $600-900 per machine, no problems going at $900 either, just around there cause my mother doesn't want me spending too much of his money even if it's for him, lol.

So Intel has the better CPU now? I know back when I built my current computer AMD was the better gaming processor, just had a heating problem. I have like a 2600+ AMD processor in this computer, lol.

you may want to wait til jan, proc prices are going to drop.

I can put some together for you through newegg that will do what you want and be under 900, hell maybe even less

just one question: will you be requiring an OS?

I can get an OS my own way, though if someone is able to supply me with a fresh pirated OS that'd be nice. I have a Windows SP2 cd around that I can use (though might get the WGA stuff right away).

Yeah I was thinking prices might drop, my brother doesn't get paid until next friday so it will be Jan. before we do so. Just trying to get an idea of what are good deals since my father is also looking into upgrading his computer.

Heres a quick build, you can probably shop around for a slightly lower price if you want. The case is pretty much up to you, I just threw a $40 one that I know works and looks decent. Cases range from shitty ($12) to very nice ($200+). I finally bought myself the latter after going through shitty cases. The nicer the case, the longer it's going to last, and the easier it is too work in. Also, while steel is cheaper, it's not light, and if un-painted, it will rust.

Anyways, here is the build you should get:

Case, - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119077

PSU & RAM, it's a combo deal, and I can't link the deal itself, so you have to select it by going to either link. - $200
750w PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817182069
4GB RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231122

CPU, E2180 - $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819116052

Motherboard, DFI Blood Iron, P35 chipset (able to do 500+ FSB) - $108
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813136038

HD2900PRO, 256bit bus model - $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814102717

Hard Drive, fastest WD, 500GB - $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136073

Optical Drive, - $31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827151153

All that together should be $729 in your cart, plus about $30-35 in shipping.

Any questions?

My top question would be of that setup, which piece would be the one that caps out the computer speed? Mostly just for reference if I want to downgrade or upgrade a few pieces (depending on deals I find) and don't want to downgrade somewhere that'd make an upgrade in another slot pointless.

But thanks for all the neat links, even if I don't go with it I'll get a good idea of a build when I finally make it, which will be in about a week now.

That build is pretty well rounded. The E2180 is a bit slow at 2.0GHz (I run my C2Q at 3.3GHz 24/7). But, figure the E2180 to be roughly twice as fast as a P4 clock for clock, so a C2D at 2.0GHz would be as fast as a 4.0GHz P4.

The only upgrade I see would be about $175 more, and that would be to get a quad core (Q6600) over the E2180.

Originally Posted by levish

I'd go with a Silverstone PSU over a rosewill especially for that much money
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817163108
"only" 650w but made with tier1 components iirc

I believe the 169$ range for video cards will get you a ATI 3850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814103049

Also 2GB of ram should be plenty,

setup a dual boot XP/Vista if you have to have vista or just XP

I typically do:
50GB partition XP Install
50GB partition Vista Install
400GB Data Partition - Installing FFXI / WoW on here

Tier 1, oh my. I'm not really a fan of Johnyguru and he kinda pisses me off.

He also rated the Rosewills high, so don't dis them so fast. I picked it mainly for the combo deal with the RAM.

Speaking of which, I think 4GB should be the base amount, especially when it's in two good sticks for $100.

You could go with the HD3850, but the HD2900PRO is going to beat it hands down. The HD3850 only has a die shrink on it's side. The HD2900 will still probably overclock better since it's got a much better heatsink, and doesn't have the 860mhz core bug.

Keep debating things, gets me more info, lol.

But just wanted to ask about cooling. My brother (WoW computer) will be needing at least some extra cooling stuff. His computer is upstairs and it can get pretty hot in the summer. What should I be looking at for that? Also, my computer is in my basement and it's pretty much ALWAYS cool down here, to be safe I probably still want a bit for my computer though, so what should I look for with that?

Originally Posted by Eaglestrike

Keep debating things, gets me more info, lol.

But just wanted to ask about cooling. My brother (WoW computer) will be needing at least some extra cooling stuff. His computer is upstairs and it can get pretty hot in the summer. What should I be looking at for that? Also, my computer is in my basement and it's pretty much ALWAYS cool down here, to be safe I probably still want a bit for my computer though, so what should I look for with that?

It depends on what you get really, some processors/GPUs (the two things most susceptible to heat) natively run hot or cool by default. Typically the more high-end you go, the more cooling you need. For processors, I'd recommend ditching the stock heatsink and getting a 3rd party one from newegg or elsewhere. Personally I like Zalman heatsink/fans. For GPUs, I find you don't really NEED extra cooling unless you plan on overclocking the card. If you do overclock it, just get a temperature monitor program like Speedfan to make sure it doesn't run too hot. If it does and you still want to overclock, get additional case fans as needed.

I doubt I'll be getting Vista on either computer. Think I should only get 2GB of RAM for my brother? I'll probably get 4GB for myself anyway, also a bigger HD. My brother is running like a 40GB HD and after a year or so still has 20GB free, he really doesn't do much other than WoW.

Zalman Heatsink/fans are something I'll make sure to look for and get.

I'd only overclock my own computer, my brother won't be at all. I know a bit about computers and I'm setup in my cool basement so it's a lot safer for me to do so.

Is there much point to using Vista?

Originally Posted by Eaglestrike

Is there much point to using Vista?

At this time, not really. It's minimal perks are greatly outweighed with its problems right now. I've installed it and been using it for awhile, and although I'm not tempted to go back to XP it certainly isn't worth spending money on. As more games start to fully utilize DX10 and Microsoft gets the remaining issues worked out, it might be worth it. It's really not as bad as people would have you believe, it's come a very long way since initial release already and eventually should be a decent OS. But right now, not worth spending the cash on.