Looking to build a computer

[Kajii]

This would be my first time building a computer and aside from graphics cards I am pretty clueless(even then I don't know much).

What I'm looking for is a site with a guide to choosing the best of today's hardware. It seems as though every site I google on building comps was written years ago and doesn't really give me the information I need.

I figure the first step to building a comp is choosing a motherboard and case... could be wrong, but seems right to choose these first. So if anyone could offer insight on choosing a good motherboard(preferably ones compatible with an i7) and advice on choosing a good case I'd really appreciate it.

I'm really just looking for advice on what makes each component good as I plan to make this a gaming machine completely/mostly built from deals I see on Slickdeals.

[Omniyoji]

Actually for me it's the CPU & the case. You can try learning on your own by simply visiting newegg.com and narrowing down motherboards on the left pane. When you run into something you don't understand compare/contrast w/ research online.

You're looking for a Intel i7 mobo go to newegg go to "Computer Hardware" > "Motherboards" on the left pane select Intel motherboards > "CPU socket type" (in this case you'll want LGA 1366) then go from there with price. Most mobo manufactures have a line of boards a basic model then the mid-level model then the higher end one (they'll vary with ports/slots/software/features etc). You could use the the amount of reviews/eggcount to determine how good/popluar an item is.

Then from there depending on the mobo/case you chose you'll have an idea of what GPU/PSU/# & type of HDDs/how many fans you need etc etc

Sometimes I wish instant teleportation was invented so I could help people in these type of situations very easily whenever I wanted... you BG scientists better get crackin'

[fishstix]

I see good guides on Toms hardware http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...d-Your-Own,16/ they're usually pretty updated and have different systems to look at like a $500 budget computer, or a $1000 gaming system. What I'd suggest is posting your estimated budget for the system. me or someone could put together a build for you, and then as you see deals, you can ask if it'd be worth getting. as you go along, hopefully you'll pick up on what's better than what.

[Kajii]

Budget is $1000, I already have a monitor so I won't be needing that. Something I guess I should mention is that I would like to go dual monitors so I guess I'd need an appropriate graphics card(cards?).



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[Jefe]

First you need to choose between AMD or Intel CPUs. After that you need to find your mobo. Things to keep in mind about the mobo: crossfire or sli compatibility (this means to add more graphic cards and hook them up together). Although some mobos offer a bunch of pci express 2.0 16x, when adding an additional card the performance then gets lowered to 16x and 8x, or 8x and 8x. If you want run the cards at their 'full' performance, you'd want 2 16x in your mobo. Once you figure out that, the next step is to get the PSU. But yeah, google reviews for the mobo that interests you.

[Kajii]

http://slickdeals.net/?pno=39343&lno=9&afsrc=1

Good deal, good equipment?

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[SaviorSelf]

Antec is a good brand, no doubt about that.

For starters though, I'll throw some things out there.

Case: Antex/Cooler Master are good brands with great cases to provide air flow/water cooling. Personally I'd recommend the Antec DF-85.

MOBO: EVGA, Asus, personal preference here. Needs to match your CPU though. Generally they're in the title and easy to see if they match, or you can browse on newegg by the socket. Intel has LGA1156 and LGA1366 sockets while AMD types have AM3, etc.

CPU: Intel or AMD, up to you. Intel i7 series has gotten great reviews and perform well. Just received a price cut on the 950, but you could get away with a 930 still. Both are good.

GPU: Currently, price/performance ration will lead you to a GTX 460 1GB edition. MSI Cyclone is a good one, MSI Hawk looks promising as well. Cards these days support 2 monitors by default. If you want more than 2 however, you'd generally need a second card.

RAM: Brands like Corsair are a given, 6GB will suffice if you get a triple channel motherboard. If you choose a LGA 1156, you'll be using double channel memory. i.e. 2 x 2GB, or 4 x 2GB.
Triple channel is in multiples of 3.

PSU: Don't skimp out here. Look for modular PSU's for less clutter. Modular means you plug in only the wires you need. Non modular would just have all the wires sitting out and taking up space, even if not being used. Corsair/Antec are good.

CPU Fan: Stock fan isn't always that great even if you're not overclocking. I'm using the Xigmateck Dark Knight cooler and haven't had any issues yet.

So let's build you something for $1000. If you have a microcenter near you, use it for the i7-930.

(Work in progress)

[Sithel]

I waited for the right deals here and there to piece mine together.

Purchased from Micro Center:
Corsair H50= $79
i7-930= $199
Antec Three Hundred Case= $40
WD Black 500gb- $64

Purchased at New Egg:

Memory Mushkin Enhanced Redline 6GB= $189 (Can save $40-50 going with cheaper memory)
Cosair 750 watt (non modular)= $100
EVGA GTx 470 1280mb= $270

Purchased at EVGA.com:
B-Stock's X58 SLI= $89 (No regrets so far on evga's B-stock stuff)

Grand total: $1030, reused my DVD drive.

I did a small OC of my CPU to 3.3ghz and for FF 14 benchmark reference
High: 4000
Low: 6000

Hope this helps

*Oh and here's a pic of my rig...
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...GreyGTO/i7.jpg