BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

[goldgecko4]

So, with my return this year, I'm building myself a PC... well, I'm having someone else build it, I'm just buying the parts. I know the specs of the components I'm looking for, but I kinda would like a laundry list, for two reasons...

a) Exactly what do I need to build a PC tower? I just don't want to forget anything on my order. An itemized list would be nice.

b) Also, are there any brands or special deals that anyone can recommend, or specs that I should be looking at in order to have a 2008-caliber PC?

Thanks guys and girls! Let me know!

[Sabram]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

for vidoe cards, probably a high-end Nvidia, 512MB card to stay up in 2008 a bit, though you may need more.
2GB SD DDR2 Ram or better
Quad-core CPU, Intel preferred
a strong enough motherboard to support all that.
Windows Vista
Anything else im not quite sure, may want to be rather careful on power-supply checks

[Chad]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

I think this works.

[Valkysas]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

Ignore Vista if you can, go with XP. games perform better with XP than they do with Vista.

[The_Real_Crunk]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

Id say go for it and splurge on a GeForce 8800GT. They are pretty cheap for how damn good they are. But watch out on your mother board. Newer video cards and some other things are using PCI-Express 16x slots, and Id get no less than a 500w power supply if you get an 8800GT. If you are going all out grab one of those new quad core pentiums. Dual cores plenty good though.

[thetruecoolness]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

I would pay a lot of attention to the power supply, nothing can hurt a system more than having a crappy power supply.

http://shsc.info/PowerSupplyGuide/

Probably a bit out of date but still relevant. Basically I wouldn't spend any less than $50 on a power supply, cause you get what you pay for, and make sure you get Active PFC, and good efficiency, and make sure you have the AMPs to run all of your stuff.

As for a list

Case
Processor
Memory
Video Card
Mother Board
Hard Drive
Power Supply
Sound Card (optional, most are built in the MB though sound cards are better quality most of the time, and can free up CPU)
DVD burner (optional)
Floppy Drive (optional, never know when it might come in handy)
Keyboard/Mouse (if you don't have one)
Monitor (if you don't have one)
Speakers (if you don't have some)

As for deals, look around a newegg, and if that's not good enough try www.pricewatch.com

[Smurf Taco]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

Build your own computer thread

That's a very good resource for good prices on a number of configurations possible. It's updated at least weekly, too. It's not a guide, per se, but it shows you all the pieces you will need and where to get them. My best advice though is stick to newegg.com for everything. They have all the parts you could possibly want at (usually) the best prices, plus EXCELLENT customer service.

[goldgecko4]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

Is a dual-core or a quad-core really necessary? They're just SO expensive.

[JPS]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

Ignore Vista if you can, go with XP. games perform better with XP than they do with Vista.

I agree with ignoring Vista, right now it just has too many bugs.

Of course it doesn't help that Microsoft is shoving Vista down our throats with releasing less and less software thats compatible with prior OS's

Dual Core vs. Quad Core

[Valkysas]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

I'm running vista fine and actually like it quite a bit, but the performance difference with games is just too damn big. It doesnt come up much now, but it will in the future if they don't get things sorted out.

[The_Real_Crunk]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

Ive got a dual core in mine. Its a must. At least for me, as Im usually running multiple programs at once doing various things. A single core would have a tough time doing all the stuff ive got going.

[Sabram]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

For all those of you complaining about Vista causeing problems in games, it isnt Vista itself that's doing it. It's DirectX 10. DirectX 10 is the newest version on a new platform, and it isnt fully debugged yet, wait for DX10b or 10c, and most of the problems will disappear.

For Vista itself, the only real problem it has is the slow copy speed of large files.

[Chrono]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

I was about to build my own and figured out all the costs and benefits but laziness took over and I ordered a custom build.

What I went with:

Intel Quad Q6600
NVIDIA 512MB 8800GT
4GB RAM 800MHz
500 GB 7200 rpm Seagate HD
48X Combo and 16X DVD+/-RW
Hauppauge Digital TV Tuner

[goldgecko4]

Re: BYOC - Build Your Own Computer

Ooookay... this is getting a little too deep for me. I think I'm just going to get a decent computer pre-built online and grab all the other parts and pieces at a later date. Thanks guys!