New PC - Not building it?

[Ishido]

Most threads about new PCs seem to be about building them, I'm wondering if I could find some help even if I am not as confident building one myself.

So, for some background, I've done things like switch graphics cards, install RAM and simple things like that. I've never built a PC though, or set one up etc. I'm not very confident doing it, and not even sure what the whole thing entails. Also no warranty or support might or might not be an issue.

I'm looking for a gaming machine, hopefully fairly high performance so it will last me for some time. Basically looking for something like the Laptop guide sticky, but for desktops. I'm wondering if sites like dell, alienware, or whatever are decent deals, what I should be looking for, anything like that. I bought from alienware once, about 4 years ago (that desktop is at home, works quite well, but I feel like it was very overpriced) but would like others' opinions on the matter.

I'm hoping for my budget to be around or less than $2000, less would be terrific, only going over if it would be a great increase in performance etc. This is including a monitor, hopefully a 20"-24" LCD. If anyone has suggestions for monitors, feel free to give your advice.

On the other hand, if you think building is a far superior option, and that almost anyone could do it, you could say that.

[Shuemue]

building is a far superior option, and almost anyone could do it

This.

Honestly, if you've changed a GPU and RAM before, you're halfway there already. I spent roughly $1k and it's a few screws, a bit of common sense and you're away.

[jurjur]

a bit of common sense

if you have that, you are set.

[jmc]

if you have that, you are set.

and know how to read.

[Blabj]

In the case of putting together a computer, reading the manuals sometimes does help.

Hardest and most nerve racking part of putting together any computer is definately the CPU, however even this installation process can be detailed in 1 side of A4 paper with diagrams so simple even someone whose never heard of a computer could follow.

[Shuemue]

If you can do Lego, you can build a PC.

[Ishido]

Alright, that seems like a pretty strong consensus. How about OS setup, and other software-style setup?

[Omniyoji]

If you can do Lego, you can build a PC.

This man speaks the motherfucken truth!

[Shuemue]

Assuming you buy good quality, branded hardware that's compatible, it'll be easy. The OS install basically walks you through it these days and you're never far away from an answer here.

For example, my build took far longer to plan than to actually carry out, and it worked out that I had absolutely zero errors during my install. Windows XP Pro up to SP3 without a hitch. I assume the same would apply to a Vista install as long as you pick hardware sensibly.

Protip: bug mootsfox to check your proposed build... he's a deviant but pretty helpful on the hardware front

[Reality]

In the case of putting together a computer, reading the manuals sometimes does help.

Hardest and most nerve racking part of putting together any computer is definately attaching the LED and Switch wires to the appropriate location on the motherboard, which is almost always near the bottom where your IDE/SATA/POWER cables are coming out of your harddrives, making it near impossible to do unless the drives are not installed yet

fixed ;/

[shinoniken]

It's easier now to do it yourself than it ever was. I was observing my buddy put his box together (his first time and he wanted me to make sure he didn't do anything stupid) and the power cable was actually labeled "THIS SIDE CONNECTS TO PSU' and "THIS SIDE CONNECTS TO MOTHERBOARD." Pretty idiot proof.

[Ishido]

Alright, rather than make a new thread for critique/suggestions on my build, I figured I would just post it here.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233003
ASUS P5Q Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P45 Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131297
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184
SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102770
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V NVIDIA SLI Ready ATI CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148136
Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model DVR-216DBK - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827129032
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488

I also saw this suggested somewhere but wasn't really sure if it was necessary.
ZALMAN ZM-2HC2 NP(Noise Prevention) Heatpipe HDD Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118215

Any feedback is appreciated.

Edit: Also any recommendations for security software?

[Epical]

Is there some reason you're going with Vista over XP?

Also, you can get the faster version of that hard drive for $10 more.

To balance out the $10 from the HDD, you can get this CPU cooler, which is cheaper and has very good reviews.

[Config]

Alright, rather than make a new thread for critique/suggestions on my build, I figured I would just post it here.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233003
ASUS P5Q Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P45 Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131297
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184
SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102770
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V NVIDIA SLI Ready ATI CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148136
Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model DVR-216DBK - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827129032
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488

I also saw this suggested somewhere but wasn't really sure if it was necessary.
ZALMAN ZM-2HC2 NP(Noise Prevention) Heatpipe HDD Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118215

Any feedback is appreciated.

Not bad at all, but my only question is why 64bit Vista? Also the Heatpipe HDD cooler is not necessary at all.

[Ishido]

I don't really have preferences as far as XP vs Vista, I was just thinking the for the future Vista seems like it will be more supported. If most people really think XP is better I would probably go for that.

Also thanks for the HDD and CPU cooler links.

[jurjur]

Your cooler is like pretty much the best you can get for air cooling at the moment but if you were to change it, the AC Freezer 7 is a very good choice.

Change the HDD to a WD 640GB for like $25 more and it's faster/quieter/bigger capacity.

[Amele]

Alright, that seems like a pretty strong consensus. How about OS setup, and other software-style setup?

unless you get into the deep end of compiling your own kernels in linux or something, every major off-the-shelf OS these days practically installs itself.


as for some of the other questions: ditch the heatpipe HDD cooler, totally not needed sink the cash you save from that in a faster or bigger HD. (I like Western Digital drives, but if you've got good experiences with Seagate there's nothing wrong with them.)

I prefer business and ultimate for vista, make sure you do get x64 if you do get vista.

if you go XP get, x32 SP3 and be aware you'll only see around 3.3-3.6 GB of ram with a 32 bit OS (xp64 isn't very stable... )


Since you're doing the install yourself, I'd recommend buying good quality thermal paste (Arctic Silver is good; get the smallest size tube) - scrape the paste off the underside of the CPU heatsink, and then apply a dot of the good thermal paste on top of the cpu after you mount it to the motherboard, use a razor blade or an old credit card / school ID to spread it around, you want like.. a film thin layer - if you end up with too much, just scrape or dry cloth wipe it off and try again, you get a ton in a tube of paste so you won't run out. once you have a thin layer on the cpu; then mount the heatsink on top of it.

good paste will improve the heatsink performance noticeably and most sinks come with cheap paste.

[Tymon]

edit: Actually, nevermind.

[mootsfox]

DFI LANPARTY DK P45-T2RS LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail (Save $40)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136050
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) - Retail (Save $11)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 - Retail (Save $35)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004

There, I saved you $60-80 dollars.

Stick with 64bit Vista, it's faster than XP.

Do you really want the 900 case? Everyone has it already, you'll look like a noob

And about thermal paste and afetrmarket cooling. If you aren't going to overclock more than about 20%, you don't need aftermarket cooling. The stock thermal paste is actually pretty good on Intel's now, and you can get away with using stock cooling. I did a 46% overclock with my Quad core on stock cooling. High-end, lapped aftermarket bought me another 150MHz.

[Epical]

Re: the Antec 900...

Looks like a newb in front of who? It's an awesome case. =P