Buying computer/building computer

**noblemountain** · 2010-04-25 08:49

I am looking to spend 700-900 on a computer but have never built anything before. I am sure I could save some money on a build, but am quite intimidated by the thought of being responsible for it. I do have friends that could do it for me, but they live hours away and it would be a hassle...but doable.

I found this computer on Newegg (pretty much the only store I know that is reputable).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883227235

It seems to have everything, but again, I'm not 100% sure what I should be looking for either. This computer is going to be used for gaming mostly, (Dragon Age, Civ 4, Civ 5 soonish, maybe FFXI) Nothing seriously intense...I don't play FPS at all. Most games I will own on console, just certain things I want to do on PC. (Dragon Age's level editor specifically) Is there any way to build something better than what I'm looking at on newegg for the same price/cheaper? Thanks in advance guys...kinda stressing out over this for no reason.

**Celeras** · 2010-04-25 09:40

You will always be able to build it yourself for cheaper, always.

Do not buy what you linked. Its cheap and can get want you want done for sure.. but its nowhere near cheap enough for the budget/questionable hardware selection.

Here's an extremely cheap framework for you to build around:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3463938&SID=
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3463938&SID=
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-864-_-Product

Still need a case/power supply/memory/OS(?)/Monitor(?) etc, but the above pieces are one of the best budget startups you could have. It won't be the fastest rig, but it'll get what you want for well under $900 and be a good deal faster than what you linked.

**Olo401** · 2010-04-25 11:18

Overall it looks OK.. here's the specs that were listed and that I figured out:

CPU: Intel Core i5-650
Mobo: MSI H55M-P31
Cooling: Corsair H50 (not 100% sure)
Graphics: nVidia GTS 250 (brand unknown)
Memory: 4GB DDR3-1600 (looks like PNY)
HDD : Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB
PSU: Xion XON-700P12N
Case: NZXT Gamma

The thing that really worries me here is, as usual, the power supply.. Aside from it being a 4-rail unit, it's pretty low quality. There's a thorough review here and it's not pretty.

**Isiolia** · 2010-04-25 11:19

You will always be able to build it yourself for cheaper, always.

Eh, I think it depends on what the machine in question is. For a decent gaming machine? Almost certainly. For a $399 Dell special, you're not usually going to come in cheaper and still have a legit Windows license n' all that. (not with quality parts anyway)

I would second to not go with the linked system though. The AMD stuff linked would be good, if you prefer Intel an i5 750 based system would be only a little more expensive.

There's no reason to stress about building your own machine. If you've upgraded parts, reformatted machines, and so on before, then you're simply adding "put motherboard in case and plug things in" to that.

**noblemountain** · 2010-04-25 11:42

**shidobu** · 2010-04-25 11:57

doing any overclocking? or just gonna keep stock settings all around.

If u plan on OC'in get 1 more extra case fan. That should bring total up to 3? and get a cheap after market heatsink. Should be fine. Looks gewd remember pics when ur done!

edit. Looked at ur case. thats POS case if u ask me. Its cheap but theres no room spaces for extra fans except the front lower bay under the HD's. I would splurge for a better case/cooler looking one =3 if i were you

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119137
I have the CM 690 II Advance. this is the original with a nice price cut since theres a better version out. Check it out

**noblemountain** · 2010-04-25 12:04

Originally Posted by shidobu

doing any overclocking? or just gonna keep stock settings all around.

If u plan on OC'in get 1 more extra case fan. That should bring total up to 3? and get a cheap after market heatsink. Should be fine. Looks gewd remember pics when ur done!

edit. Looked at ur case. thats POS case if u ask me. Its cheap but theres no room spaces for extra fans except the front lower bay under the HD's. I would splurge for a better case/cooler looking one =3 if i where you

Probably going to stay clear of overclocking simply because I have no clue how to go about it and I don't wanna push things without knowing my shit. I really don't think I do anything worth overclocking either though. The case was one of my things I wasn't sure about. I'll keep looking and see if I can find something better.

This thing looks like a beast...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811517004

**Jurgen** · 2010-04-25 13:08

I'd go with the Phenom II 955 Black Edition. It'll save you $30 and you can put that to good use elsewhere like a better case, better PSU, or aftermarket CPU cooler.

**Olo401** · 2010-04-25 15:25

Actually.. if you wait maybe 2-3 days the new batch of Phenom IIs with turbo should be out. They're mostly hexa-cores but I know there's also one quad in there as well.

Also I realize you're trying to save money by getting a inexpensive power supply, but that's the one place where you simply can't go cheap. Get a Corsair unit.. 650W should be enough.

**Agito** · 2010-04-25 18:43

**Cjskater** · 2010-04-25 19:43

Samsung F3 1TB
G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1333
XFX HD5770 + XFX 650w PSU
Phenom II x4 955 + Biostar 790GX (SB750) + Modern Warfare 2 freebie
Windows 7 64bit Home Premium

Subtotal: $752.94

Add whatever case you want... whatever your preference is; Lian Li, Antec, Cooler Master, etc.

**noblemountain** · 2010-04-27 11:56

Saw this on deals.woot today and was curious if it was worth looking at. If I could just upgrade the graphics card and be better off money wise than spending 900+ on building one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3668349&SID=

**Celeras** · 2010-04-27 12:03

That build doesn't come with a graphics card, it's using integrated video.. which basically means built right into the motherboard(bad). No idea if you could even put a card on it, because the specs dont tell you anything about the motherboard. Probably for a good reason.

**sruon** · 2010-04-27 12:05

Expansion slots
Slot type Quantity
PCI One (One available)
PCI Express x16 One (One available)
PCI Express x1 Two (One available)
PCI Express x1 minicard socket One (One available)

But the PSU is a 300W, you'd definitly want to change that as well.

**noblemountain** · 2010-04-27 12:08

Originally Posted by Celeras

That build doesn't come with a graphics card, it's using integrated video.. which basically means built right into the motherboard(bad). No idea if you could even put a card on it, because the specs dont tell you anything about the motherboard. Probably for a good reason.

Didn't think about the motherboard. Thanks. Just saw a shit ton of RAM and a decent processor for cheap. lol

Seems like everything I build on Newegg puts me around 850ish, which isn't too bad, but because I live in TN I have to pay sales tax. Which is 90 bucks added on. That isn't a huge deal I know, but still sucks. I really wanted to stay 700-800 range. Is there anything I could save money on that wouldn't just kill my quality? For instance, I know the 955 is the best processor in my range, but could I drop down and still be ok or would that and the GPU be things I really shouldn't be frugal with? Sorry to keep bugging you guys, I just don't wanna fuck this up and be stuck with a 800 dollar paperweight.

**Celeras** · 2010-04-27 12:18

Missed what sruon said, just saw:

Motherboard
Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 9100

as the only entry for motherboard. Regardless, you dont wanna buy that.

Your best bet to save money is to just look at the combo deals man. Here's the combos for the processor I linked earlier:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Size=10&page=1

5850, 5770, couple decent towers/motherboards all available together for discounts. Hit up a couple combos and you could easily get under 800.

**levish** · 2010-04-27 13:02

Alternatively he could buy a 2nd hand computer and just get a graphics card.

For example i sold my 3.0ghz e8400 equipped c2d dell desktop with legitimate OS for around $250.00 and all it would need for his use, is a graphics card.

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