Help with building my own PC?

This will be my first time building my own PC, so I'm looking for some suggestions on what I should get. Here's some info on what I'm gonna be using it for: I'm gonna be doing alot of video editing, and multitasking, so I assume I'll need a good amount of RAM and a nice processor. I'll be burning alot of disks too. I won't be doing ANY gaming at all, so the graphics card doesn't have to be top of the line, but it would be nice if it's HD and has an HDMI input on it.

I have no idea what I'm getting myself into, so can you recommend me some components? I'm on a $1000 budget, and don't need a monitor, so please strictly suggest computer parts. :)

Thanks alot!

If you can wait you should REALLY REALLY wait until Jan-Feb when the new Nelham CPU's come out they are 20%faster and use less voltage so they run cooler. In case you can't wait I'll put together a recommendation in a bit :) Do you have a case picked out?

Maybe something like:

Cart Item List:
Qty.Product DescriptionSavingsTotal Price1http://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductIm...231-166-05.jpg
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231166
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
$74.99
$69.991http://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductIm...139-002-18.jpg
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817139002
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$40.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$189.99
$149.991http://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductIm...129-021-18.jpg
Antec Nine Hundred Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
Item #:N82E16811129021
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
$139.99
$109.991http://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductIm...136-284-01.jpg
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Item #:N82E16822136284
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$139.991http://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductIm...131-348-03.jpg
ASUS P5N7A-VM Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813131348
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$119.991http://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductIm...151-171-02.jpg
SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F
Item #:N82E16827151171
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy


http://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductIm...115-131-02.jpg
Intel Core2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor
Item #: N82E16819115131
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

$269.99

Grand Total:$884.93



Now you can play around with the Mobo and Case for price and aesthetics. I do recommend that you get some decent on board Video with HDMI to simplify things a bit. Are you planning to overclock this rig at all?

I'd look for a good , psu and case first . Those you'll keep everything else you swap out . Lots of good deals out there too , do you really want to do it yourself ?

LOL software farmer

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Detale

LOL software farmer

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Whats so funny ? Id like to think I'm talking from experience, a case or psu I never change , a mobo, vid card , or cpu sure .

I think its just cheaper to buy a good system from a white box store than fucking around building yourself . Jmho tho .


My case is an Antec 900 and one of the best purchases I did . My mistake its hidden in my desk . :lol:

^^^^ Thanks alot for those recommendations! Unfortunately I can't wait until Jan/Feb. I don't have a case, or anything else for that matter :lol:. I've never messed around with overclocking, but if there's a real benefit to it, I'll definitely try it out.

And to peat moss, I do wanna do it myself, as I've heard that I can get a better system for cheaper than if I were to get a system from, say, Dell, and with my limited budget, I'm tryin to get the most bang for my buck :D. I've also always wanted to build my own computer, and while I have the money, I figure now's the best time to do it. :)

I'll look around for some different mobos, cases, and PSUs. In the meantime, keep the suggestions comin!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by peat moss

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Detale

LOL software farmer

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Whats so funny ? Id like to think I'm talking from experience, a case or psu I never change , a mobo, vid card , or cpu sure .

I think its just cheaper to buy a good system from a white box store than fucking around building yourself . Jmho tho .


My case is an Antec 900 and one of the best purchases I did . My mistake its hidden in my desk . :lol:

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Dude I wasn't making a crack at you. I just saw under your avatar "software farmer" and thought it was funny man.Thats all:ermm:

I completely agree about the Case and PSU but I do disagree about building your own, its fun, not to mention saves some $$ too. You not only learn about all the parts and where they go but there's a sense of pride(I feel) when you finish. Now that I think about it it's kind of like.....
Dr Frankenstein http://www.smileysigncreator.com/smi...-smiley-02.gif Great case the 900 I own one too :)

I certainty could 'nt argue with Details hardware recommendations , but call BullShit on " I won't be doing ANY gaming at all, so the graphics card doesn't have to be top of the line"

How can you test said system with out playing a great game ? I'm not a gamer but great way to stress your setup . What ever you do give some thought on what O/S you would like to run on it . Vista , Linux, XP ? 32bit or 64 ?

Its all fun tho and would recommend at least a mid range video card as you'll be disappointed if you don't .

I guess you're right about testing it out with a game; I've never thought about that. For the OS, I'd like to be running XP 64bit.

I agree a great way to test a rig is play a game but there are many many other ways to test it out. OCCT is one of my favorite, Clocker recommended, tests. Also 3d mark has a barrage of game inspired tests to use without getting the actual game. Even Winrar has a benchmark test with it.

Also if you're running 64 you could also get another 4gigs of ram if you wanted to :)

If I could change anything from Detale's post maybe a card reader and dual layer dvd burner ? I regret not buying the dual but their cheap and the card reader is very useful .

^ Yeah I took note of the DVD burner... I burn a lot of Xbox 360 games so a DL burner is a must. :)

I think this burner is dual layer, no? A card reader is something I did away with long ago. In my humble experience it never is as useful as you think it will be. What I did was get an external USB reader so I can plug it in when I need it and I still have access to my USB port if I need that too :) they are cheap as hell (-$10)any from this page are fine I'm sure. I own this one ATM and it's orsum ;)

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggIma...223-088-05.jpg
Rosewill RSD-CR106 BLUE USB 2.0 Card Reade

Works when I need it- goes away when I don't

^ Yeah, it is. Dunno how both of us missed that. :lol:

And about the card reader, I agree, they aren't really that useful. I don't take pics all that much, which is really the only use I can see for it.

I just ordered almost the same config for a friend I am doing a build for next week I'll let you know what I think when I get it up and running ;)
Different case and different CPU though

Q6600 and This cheapo case here:
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggIma...147-099-14.jpg

For $50 I figure I'll try it out right?

I'd stay away from the large " round " power push button , they last about 6 months . Fixed 5 for friends in the last year using a rubber band , I kid you not .

:pinch::pinch::pinch:- ordered already damnit!! Hey could you draw up a scematic and get it ready for when this one breaks? Na I'll just get a new one from PPC's

This is the case I chose for my next customer build.
I've used several variants of the Centurian series for people who don't want to spend big on the case and have been happy, this is the first time trying this version.
Cooling should be good what with the included 3 x 120mm fans (provision for a fourth) and mesh covers...I'll see in a few weeks.

CoolerMaster and Silverstone are my two favorite casemakers.

noice man, keep us updated on the case it's something I'll surely keep in mind for next time.

Ya nice case lots of vents , fans and good price . Money saved for a good PSU . I have a Cooler Master like this one .


http://www.alinx.ca/itemdetail.asp?ItemID=10741

I still like the Corsair PSUs, mainly because of the nice modular cables and AFAIK, they are the only folks who rate their supplies at actual operating temp instead of in the cold.
When they say it's a 620w unit, it really is.

After your initial recommendation and reading on JG forums about them I was sold and never looked back :)

Now that those new Core i7 processors are out, would you recommend one of those, or should I still go for the Q9400?

I'd say the primary factor to answer that question would be money.
There is no doubt the new platform outperforms the old, it's just a question of whether or not you can afford it.

^ I'd assume that I'd have to buy a different, more expensive mobo to go with it as well, correct? If that's the case, I'll stick with the Q9400. :D

Oh yeah.
So far, motherboards for i7 chips seem to fall in the $300 + range.

Q9400 it is then. Thanks for all the help guys. I'll probably order all of the stuff sometime this weekend.

BTW, anyone know where I can buy a copy of Windows XP Pro x64? I'm not really into Vista, and I can't seem to find anywhere to get XP Pro x64, except for eBay.

Uhhh dude this is FILE SHARING Talk you know. If you really need a a roadmap on how to get one Pm me ;)

^ :lol:

I know I can easily obtain it by our means, but I figure if I'm gonna be buildin a brand new PC, why not get a legit copy? Maybe I'm just not thinkin like the pirate that I am. :lol: I also don't wanna have to deal with all the WGA stuff either.

Newegg still sells it...$140.

^ Yeah, but it's OEM, which, from my understanding, is supposed to be for resellers. Would I still be able to use it?

Also, would a 64bit Vista be a better choice? I know it's newer and all that jazz, but Vista just hasn't really grown on me yet.

OEM is fine.
Anyone can use it and by building your own PC, you essentially become a "system builder".

64 bit Vista works fine for me.
So does 64 bit Pro.

Ah, I see. I guess I'll go with the XP, and if I don't like it, I'll download Vista. :lol:

Why "wouldn't you like it"?
Presumably you are familiar with XP and 64 bit is no different than 32 bit.

Dunno, maybe the 64bit version has some bugs that would get on my nerves.. Like you said though, it should be fine.

Only problem with XP64 bit for me was finding a driver for my old printer and a few programs I like ,did n't seem to work as well . Gamers would tell you to check the online forums before installing if playing Final Fantasy VII for example .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nickthestick91

^ :lol:

I know I can easily obtain it by our means, but I figure if I'm gonna be buildin a brand new PC, why not get a legit copy? Maybe I'm just not thinkin like the pirate that I am. :lol: I also don't wanna have to deal with all the WGA stuff either.

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Dude WGA crack??? C'mon now, thing of the past really. if that is really a hassle for you just get one of the Black, Indego, or PotentialXP versions. PotentialXP is supposed to release a new version in the next coming days :) They are unattended so no need to do anything other than install and tweak to your needs. They are even comin out with a Black 64 bit soon I hear ;)

Sorry i just can't see giving m$ any more of my money than I absolutely have to

Actually there's a Black Vista 32 that's floating around but have not tired myself . I'm up to Black XP 27 Ultimate right now but that's kind of a hobby .


Best time to try an O/S is on a new install or system you just built . Why not Umbuntu 8 ? They fixed the wireless problem and why be a sheep and listen to forum posters when you can see for yourself ?


If new to filesharing check out H33T , most O/S are there for the taking . Best part is you don't need an invite its public .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by peat moss

Only problem with XP64 bit for me was finding a driver for my old printer and a few programs I like

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I would say that's not an OS problem, it's a peripheral problem.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clocker

Quote:

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Originally Posted by peat moss

Only problem with XP64 bit for me was finding a driver for my old printer and a few programs I like

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I would say that's not an OS problem, it's a peripheral problem.

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Hey Bill, is that you? I thought you retired?