Building a new PC

[Taera]

Decided to give up on the Dell I was working on and take the money and put it tword a whole new pc for FFXI play maybe with the potential to upgrade. I've neevr built a PC before so this is all new to me. I think I have a general idea of how to do it but not sure. A friend suggested I skip the process altogether and buy this saying it'd be perfect for what I am looking for. Gonna set this to be the max price for what i'm spending ($750.00) but hope to find something just as good for less.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.573823

Thanks for any help.

[vagus]

How tech savy are you? If you're not very tech savy I would save the frustration and just purchase a pre-built system from newegg. There is a risk of messing up the processor or frying something with static electricity.

[Shojin]

That the thing he linked you too? Because that looks like it's just a combo bundle, it doesn't come pre-built. It's also pretty overkill if you're just planning on playing just FFXI.

[Isiolia]

It's also not that hard to build something. Yes, you could potentially damage something...but chances are if you take your time and ask for help/do research if you aren't sure on something, then it's relatively unlikely.

The system you linked to isn't bad per se, but AMD is probably releasing an all new platform in just a few months. As mentioned though, it'd depend on what your goals are. Integrated graphics these days are sufficient for FFXI, so you could cut a good chunk off the initial cost by just using those (or a cheaper card). If you want a decent gaming box all around, however, then you'd want to work a good card in.

[Taera]

I just want something that can play ffxi at mx or close with the potential to upgrade if i decide to play something else. Like just get top end stuff for xi now, but i can always say pop out the video card for a better one and be good to go on a game that requires better hardware.

[Kerberoz]

You don't need to be tech-savvy to put together a PC. You only need to be able to follow extremely simple directions and have an ounce of common sense. People compare it to Lego, but that's dumb, because you can actually put Lego parts in the wrong place and they'll fit. Not true with computers.

[Taera]

I have faith I can put it together and get it going. I just dont know a lot when it comes to compatabilities and drivers, and very technical stuff like that. Usually I ask questions and try different things til something works or i give up.

[Taera]

I've decided to go with the rig listed in my OP. Question though: does it have everything with it i need to get it up and running or do I need to order cables or anything else?

[Isiolia]

Should have everything you need. Usually you wind up with the various cables, screws, and so on between whats included between mobo, case, etc.

Of course, there's no Windows license in that bundle, or kb/mouse, and so on.

[Kerberoz]

Only thing I see missing is this, assuming the mobo is retail box. Too lazy to check the case and see if it has optional fans not included.

[Isiolia]

Well, as it's a boxed CPU, the included heatsink/fan should just have a thermal pad on it, meaning thermal paste wouldn't be strictly necessary (though likely optimal).

[Slott]

You can also get custom built / premade gaming comps from ibuypower. They seem to have pretty good prices and it's a lot better than shopping dell for a gaming comp, since the parts they use are for gaming.

[Taera]

So I went and checked out that Ibuypower site from the last post and here's the rig I just bought:

Item Unit Price Quantity Subtotal Price
Gamer Mage D245 $525.00 1 $525.00

1 x Case Enermax Hoplite Gaming Case - Black
0 x Case Lighting None
0 x iBUYPOWER Labs - Noise Reduction None
0 x iBUYPOWER Labs - Internal Expansion None
1 x Processor [= Quad Core =] AMD Phenom™ II X4 840 Quad-Core CPU
1 x Processor Cooling Liquid CPU Cooling System [AMD] - [Free Upgrade] Standard 120mm Fan
1 x Memory 4 GB [2 GB X2] DDR3-1600 Memory Module - Corsair or Major Brand
1 x Video Card ATI Radeon HD 5450 - 1GB
1 x Video Card Brand Major Brand Powered by ATI or NVIDIA
1 x Motherboard ASUS M4A87T -- AMD 870
1 x Motherboard USB / SATA Interface [Free] Internal USB 3.0 PCI-E 2.0 x1 Expansion Card
1 x Power Supply 450 Watt -- Standard
1 x Primary Hard Drive 500 GB HARD DRIVE -- 16M Cache, 7200 RPM, 3.0Gb/s - Single Drive
0 x Data Hard Drive None
1 x Optical Drive 24X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive - Black
0 x 2nd Optical Drive None
0 x Flash Media Reader / Writer None
0 x Meter Display None
0 x USB Expansion None
1 x Sound Card 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard
1 x Network Card Onboard LAN Network (Gb or 10/100)
1 x Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium + Office Starter 2010 (Includes basic versions of Word and Excel) - 64-Bit
0 x Monitor None
0 x 2nd Monitor None
0 x Speaker System None
0 x Headset None
0 x Video Camera None
1 x Warranty Standard Warranty Service - Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support
1 x Rush Service Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) - No Rush Service, Estimate Ship Out in 5~10 Business Days
Subtotal : $525.00
Tax : $0.00
Ground Shipping : $65.00

Total : $590.00

[Shojin]

Looks okay for just FFXI. When you want to upgrade to play more intensive games you're going to need to grab a new graphics card and probably new power supply.

[Isiolia]

Not sure how they can get away with labeling something with a 5450 in it a gaming machine...but it should run FFXI like a champ. PSU is a little light if/when you upgrade the card though.

[Taera]

That was my main concern but as long as I can play XI at Max or close then I am satisfied for now. I'm sure I will upgrade later.