56 replies to this topic

[Weiman]

What even more difficult is buying parts that are balanced out, and avoid 'bottlenecks' for a optimal price/performance ratio...knowing this requires you to keep up with hardware news a lot though

[teh_longinator]

And umm.... I opened up my brother's old computer (built in 2005...)

I have found:
a useless motherboard (won't fit my case)
a hard drive that is crap
a floppy disk (out-dated jank)
a CDRW driver (LMAO no games for me without a DVD ROM!)

(the fun stuff):
a 170W Power Supply Unit
an ATI Radeon 9250 PCI (128MB).... (did a google search for the "R9250 128MB PCI" printed on the label at back)
2 (TWO?) ProMOS 256MB DDR-400MHz-CL3 PC3200U RAM

Are either of those fun things valid in today's computers? Like, I mean to put in and upgrade at a later point...... I play Red Alert 3, and CounterStrike Source (on my laptop right now).... and is RAM "stackable"? Like, does the 2 x 256 equal to 512 MB of ram?

Also, there was an installation CD that came with my video card.... will I need it to install this, or is there a site to go to?

I ask because I am concerned, as this computer seems to be setting up to cost me around (estimated, of course) $1,000. lol... a lot of questions, I'm sorry, but I'm really intersted in doing this ( I already got a sweet XBlade case for $15 CAD) and I know you guys know your stuff

[raw_genesis]

that stuff is completely useless and you will not be able to use it in any recently made PC

Well not COMPLETELY useless... That PSU might be fun to throw at a road sign while driving realy fast, and Video card could make a nice frisbee, and the ram could made some cool keyrings.

[shunted]

and the ram could made some cool keyrings.

never thought of this but they WOULD make some epic keyrings

[juZz093]

pretty normal to be a bit edgy when considering your first build i mean jeez I still havn't done mine yet and ive been looking into parts researching and learning what i can for the past 1.5 years in my spare time, and have learnt an epic amount i can say the i am no expert sure i don't know things about bottle necks or the difference between unbuffered or buffered ram or what different MHz for different things could mean.

basic knowledge is things like cpu socket type, this wont fit in that or whatever.
sure at the moment i'm really making myself sound like ive learnt near buttfuck all i just cant really be bothered listing what ive learnt cuz honestly i don't really know what it was like for me before i bothered learning all the stuff


just keep looking learning reading watching.

if your buying your parts from a store or site simply ask them you know.. are all these parts good to go compatible or have i made one dumbass decision here or there, what little things could i change to make a significant improvement ?

and buy all your parts at once. make sure you have all the money you need and get it all at once it saves alot of hassles.

Research and knowledge are key

P.S hit me up with some questions and i may be able to help out.

-Juzz

[teh_longinator]

pretty normal to be a bit edgy when considering your first build i mean jeez I still havn't done mine yet and ive been looking into parts researching and learning what i can for the past 1.5 years in my spare time, and have learnt an epic amount i can say the i am no expert sure i don't know things about bottle necks or the difference between unbuffered or buffered ram or what different MHz for different things could mean.

basic knowledge is things like cpu socket type, this wont fit in that or whatever.
sure at the moment i'm really making myself sound like ive learnt near buttfuck all i just cant really be bothered listing what ive learnt cuz honestly i don't really know what it was like for me before i bothered learning all the stuff


just keep looking learning reading watching.

if your buying your parts from a store or site simply ask them you know.. are all these parts good to go compatible or have i made one dumbass decision here or there, what little things could i change to make a significant improvement ?

and buy all your parts at once. make sure you have all the money you need and get it all at once it saves alot of hassles.

Research and knowledge are key

P.S hit me up with some questions and i may be able to help out.

-Juzz

All at once? Is there any reason for doing this? I only ask because I was going to buy 1 or 2 parts per paycheck, and assemble the machine over the course of one or two months. Simply because my credit card only has a $1,000 limit, and I have no straight-up cash lol. But first things first is I need to know what fits in my XBlade case

[juZz093]

lol i dunno, might just be me being a bit OCD on the topic.

I just kinda went by what others had said to me and what I have previously read on these forums.
about buying everything all at the same time.
so don't worry about it i guess LOL

-Juzz

[teh_longinator]

In terms of processors.... what's more important? the 2.2-2.9GHz, or the 1800Mhz (3600MT/s)?

[Sir_Slik]

In terms of processors.... what's more important? the 2.2-2.9GHz, or the 1800Mhz (3600MT/s)?

Uh... neither

List the exact model and then someone could tell you. When asking for PC advice you need details, lots and lots of details.

[teh_longinator]

Uh... neither

List the exact model and then someone could tell you. When asking for PC advice you need details, lots and lots of details.

Well, I'm looking at processors on tigerdirect.ca, and those are the numbers that seem to be coming up. I've got it to three right now (trying to keep the processor to under $160.00 CAD)

$109.99 - AMD Phenom 9500 Processor, 2.2 ghz, 4 x 512kb cache, 1800mhz (3600mt/s), socket am2+, quad core, with fan
$101.99 - AMD Athlon X2 7850, 2.8 ghz, socket am2+, 2mb l3 cache, 3600mt/s
$148.00 - AMD Phenom 9550, quad-core, 2.2 ghz, 4mb cache, 1800 mhz (3600 mt/s), socket am2+

Might be cause I'm new to all this, but I was thinking of getting the $109.99 one.... 2 gigs od ram, fan, quad-core... I had heard that AMD was the best way to go in the way of processors. I'm just looking at motherboards now, wondering what people might think would work. I'm looking to spend no more than $140 on the mobo.

[Sir_Slik]

I've never been much of an intel person but at the moment they are the one pushing out better processors from what I understand, however that said they are more expensive.

Stay away from the 9500 as it has half the cache of the 9550 which will make a big big difference.

Also shop on newegg as well, 99% of the time they are the cheapest for the North American region. You might find the random odd sale here and there but they are the best bet.

[teh_longinator]

I ended up getting the parts..... I ended up with a AMD Phenom X3 8650.... it was the best they had that fit my budget lol. Besides, not looking for anything spectacular... just want to run some games lol.

But I forgot to get a Harddrive.... I think I might need that .... When I do manage to get one.... how do I go about installing everything into the computer. Is it "get everything installed physically, THEN worry about installing the operating system", or do I have to do all this crazy stuff half-way through?

[Weiman]

Anywho, I want to build my own PC over the summer

I ended up getting the parts..... I ended up with a AMD Phenom X3 8650....

But I forgot to get a Harddrive.... I think I might need that .... When I do manage to get one.... how do I go about installing everything into the computer. Is it "get everything installed physically, THEN worry about installing the operating system", or do I have to do all this crazy stuff half-way through?

What the fuck dude? How about asking and waiting for some critique.. look at you, you ended up with a previous-gen CPU and NO HARDDRIVE. That, and you don't even know if the parts you bought ever work together.

[teh_longinator]

What the fuck dude? How about asking and waiting for some critique.. look at you, you ended up with a previous-gen CPU and NO HARDDRIVE. That, and you don't even know if the parts you bought ever work together.

Except for me talking to the guys at tigerdirect about what parts I should pick up, and how to go about doing so. I know I went with a previous-gen... but just because PS3's out, doesn't mean that a PS2 is useless, y'know? I'm not trying to reprogam the government with this thing, just play some hardcore games. They assured me that they work together, and that yes, while being a tad outdated, they are not ancient. The new-gen stuff was WAY out of my budget.

[teh_longinator]

Now its just a matter of connecting everything together right (which I think I've already done 1/3 wrong.... the case didn't come with a manual, and the mobo manual seems to use different terms than whats shown on the pins)

But I'm having my buddy come down, and he's spent a ton of time working with computers, and on them as an it worker, so I should find out tomorrow if I'm going in the right direction. He offered to build it for me and have me watch and learn... but seriously, that's like having my other friend beat guitar hero for me.... its an accomplishment... people think it's mine, but it's not.... seems kinda noobish

And as for rushing.... I probably did, but I figured the guys at the store knew enough... and did you know that top-level parts need top-level prices. I'm a student... that doesn't really compute.

[juZz093]

What exactly IS your budget?
how much do you intend on spending on this pc?

We need this information

Also don't plan how much your going to spend on each individual part you need to know your budget
so as to spend more or less money where it is needed.
thus were I come back onto the "have all you money and get it at the same time topic"

Don't go jumping head first into the buying parts and brands "just cuz you heard they were the best"
that's why you need to invest a decent amount of time choose parts brands and models.

see i would've said to get the Intel E7400 CPU. 2.80Ghz, 1066Mhz FSB, 3MB L2 Cache dual core bout $150

-Juzz

[Weiman]

and did you know that top-level parts need top-level prices.

And di you know that top-level parts are something different from simply buying new stuff? CPU's, RAM and graphics cards are cheaper then ever, the mid-level models (which you just bought one of them) are introduced at competitive prices. Relying on a store's staff is almost always a bad idea, they're bound to fuck up in at least one way or another, and usually have more skills at sales then technical knowledge... Also, don't forget that in order to sell new parts you kinda have to get rid of old stock first..

I'm not trying to offend you or anything, it's just that you come here asking for adivce on how to build a PC, then rush in to buy parts when you said you'd delay that for a while. (though it is almost June..)

[teh_longinator]

And di you know that top-level parts are something different from simply buying new stuff? CPU's, RAM and graphics cards are cheaper then ever, the mid-level models (which you just bought one of them) are introduced at competitive prices. Relying on a store's staff is almost always a bad idea, they're bound to fuck up in at least one way or another, and usually have more skills at sales then technical knowledge... Also, don't forget that in order to sell new parts you kinda have to get rid of old stock first..

I'm not trying to offend you or anything, it's just that you come here asking for adivce on how to build a PC, then rush in to buy parts when you said you'd delay that for a while. (though it is almost June..)

That's true. But I purposely got mid-level models because the top-level were about $100.00 more, and I have a fear of online shopping (I got hit with fraud a while back).... Oh, except my PSU... my PSU I got because it was 500W (Decent for what I'm doing), but it was the only one that glowed like a mofo! But parts are replaceable, no? IF I encounter a game I like that I cannot play (not likely, since I like older games)... I'll just add more when I have the cash. But for now, my cashflow is as high as it's ever gonna be... and as such, I had to rush a bit to get the parts before poverty catches up.

[Weiman]

Uh. Yeah, sure I'm just saying that you could have bought better parts for the same money

[Sir_Slik]

1st mistake: Rushing into buying stuff

2nd mistake: Not looking at newegg

3rd mistake: Not listening to the PC guru's (aka weiman)

4th mistake: Asking store employees for advice on what to buy

5th mistake: Not reading the various guides posted in this thread

6th mistake: Not researching the hardware you bought (aka reviews)

Learn from them.