I forgot how time consuming it is to build a new computer

[moparacer]

Heh I just "refurbed" a AMD Athlon XP 2000+ rig I built for a friend at least 10 years or so ago.

At the time, it was top of the line. 512 mb DDR PC 2100 memory, EPOX 8kHA+ mobo, 40 gig HD, GF3 Ti500 video card.

Actually to be honest to surf the web, look at porn, and check his email its all he has ever needed.

Was pretty cool to take a walk down memory lane on an old machine I have to admit.

 

[SKORPI0]

here's hoping my q6600 + 8800 ultra lasts a couple more years

That's my current configuration with 8GB DDR2 PC8500, which I built 3 1/2 years ago. I would love to have a Intel i7 system, but what I have does the job well.

Took my time to put it together in about 45 minutes.^_^

 

[dquan97]

In the last couple of weeks, I built an i5 and i7 desktops for $600 and $700 respectively (both with ssd hd).

 

[sjwaste]

Luckily, hardware has sort of plateaued in the way of what you actually need to get. Low and mid range video cards play games now. For regular home use, there's almost no justification to go beyond the lower end of the CPU spectrum. And memory is pretty cheap.

I'm on a Pentium Dual Core E2200 @ 3.2 GHz, 6GB of DDR2-800, and an ATI 5770. I bought the video card last year to replace a 7900GT. Other than that, I've been on this system for a while and have absolutely no plan to upgrade unless a decent quad core just falls into my lap. I don't need it or anything.

If nothing else, take the opportunity to buy a new HD and SSD. Get a smaller SSD for boot/apps, and the HD for storage. If your system is from 2004, drives have come a LONG way.

 

[dighn]

ditto. I used to enjoy the process but now I can't be bothered. my current main machine is a laptop and it'll probably be the same for my next one. I'll only build a machine if I have some special requirements.

 

[BoomerD]

I think I have you beat. My computer initially put together in 2004. Haven't put any upgrades into it since 2006

That's about where I'm at. This thing was put together in 2003, upgraded motherboard and video card in 2006 when the AGP port fried and killed my 6800GT card...but, rather than start from scratch again, I just upgraded the motherboard and video card, so I could use the same socket 478 CPU and RAM...I wish I had a do-over for that decision...

I figure that a good ASUS motherboard, processor, RAM, and video card are gonna set me back close to $1000...maybe more, depending on whether I'm willing to compromise or not.
Since I'm not working...it's gonna have to wait.

 

[sandorski]

Takes about a month to get back into the swing. I started paying more attention approx 6 months before I built my current rig. Part of that was a delay on purchasing because the X6's were only a month away.

 

[Nebor]

I feel the same way. My system is feeling a little aged with it's E4400 @ 3ghz and 4gb of memory and GTX295. The processor is really dragging it down. I've been really considering getting this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.548077

But I wonder if I wouldn't be better off with an i7 instead of an i5, even though I have no idea what the difference between them is.

 

[Mo0o]

Not sure if anybody cares but this is what I put together after a day of digging around and asking people for advice:


AMD Phenom II X4 955BE
ASUS M4A89GTD PRO
-$252.98 (combo)
Gigabyte GTX460 1GB 256bit
-$189.99
Cooler Master Silent Pro 600W
GSkill 4 GB 2x2GB DDR3-1600
-$129.98
Antec Three Hundred Mid Tower
-$59.95
Samsung Spinpoint F4 320GB
-42.99
Scythe Mugen rev. B CPU Cooler
-39.99
Edimax 32bit PCI Wireless adapter b/g/n
-26.99
Arctic Silver 5
-9.99
---------------------------
Total: $752.86

 

[Mo0o]

I feel the same way. My system is feeling a little aged with it's E4400 @ 3ghz and 4gb of memory and GTX295. The processor is really dragging it down. I've been really considering getting this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.548077

But I wonder if I wouldn't be better off with an i7 instead of an i5, even though I have no idea what the difference between them is.

A lot of people have been saying the Phenom X4 955BE has the best value at that price point (the i5 is at that level). It also has cheaper motherboards.

 

[Mo0o]

Luckily, hardware has sort of plateaued in the way of what you actually need to get. Low and mid range video cards play games now. For regular home use, there's almost no justification to go beyond the lower end of the CPU spectrum. And memory is pretty cheap.

I'm on a Pentium Dual Core E2200 @ 3.2 GHz, 6GB of DDR2-800, and an ATI 5770. I bought the video card last year to replace a 7900GT. Other than that, I've been on this system for a while and have absolutely no plan to upgrade unless a decent quad core just falls into my lap. I don't need it or anything.

If nothing else, take the opportunity to buy a new HD and SSD. Get a smaller SSD for boot/apps, and the HD for storage. If your system is from 2004, drives have come a LONG way.

Yeah I'm keeping an eye out on the 64GB SSDs and waiting for the newer models to come down in price or maybe show up on a black friday deal

 

[Nebor]

A lot of people have been saying the Phenom X4 955BE has the best value at that price point (the i5 is at that level). It also has cheaper motherboards.

Not concerned about value. I'm an intel\nvidia hardliner. Aren't i5s and i7s both quad core though?

 

[Balt]

Honestly for me picking the parts is almost as much fun as having the completed system. I love scouring for reviews and benchmarks and obsessing over that stuff.

Unfortunately I only get to do it about once every 5 years.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

I have a picture guide somewhere that shows a breakdown of the latest hardware and divides it up into several tiers of price.

I'll post it as soon as I find it.

 

[Net]

AMD Phenom II X4 955BE
ASUS M4A89GTD PRO
-$252.98 (combo)
Gigabyte GTX460 1GB 256bit
-$189.99
Cooler Master Silent Pro 600W
GSkill 4 GB 2x2GB DDR3-1600
-$129.98
Antec Three Hundred Mid Tower
-$59.95
Samsung Spinpoint F4 320GB
-42.99
Scythe Mugen rev. B CPU Cooler
-39.99
Edimax 32bit PCI Wireless adapter b/g/n
-26.99
Arctic Silver 5
-9.99
---------------------------
Total: $752.86

fill out the questionaire in general hardware: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121
if you haven't already and add the above specs you mentioned.

then research what people suggest. that will save you a lot of time.

 

[Powermoloch]

ah the good times I remember my first right, i built it around 500$ budget

sempron paris 1.8 ghz to 2.1 ghz OC (it was fun !)
2 x 512 mg sticks of ram
gigabyt 6600 agp
80 gb HDD
CD-RW
cheapo rosewill case w/ questionable power supply.

then...the upgrades start tricklin' in costing me extra 600 dollars or so. It was a great macine, played the games that was out at the time, especially oblivion and FEAR @ 1280x1024. Blazing speed. Now it's dead..collecting dust for 5 years.

Fast foward..I splurged on getting a new pre-build PC (it'll cost the same if I built it myself according to newegg) And I'm overall satisfied. Then...I bought 2 x 6850 GPUs. LAWLS I better stop buying stuff.

 

[shortylickens]

Takes me about 20 minutes for the hardware if I have everything right there. And anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes for the OS install depending on what it is.

 

[Juddog]

My latest watercooled build took the time consuming quotient to the next level, but the payoff was well worth it.

 

[HydroSqueegee]

im to the point now where im just upgrading little bits at a time. A motherboard here, some ram there... things are being repurposed for other uses. Now i just need to get around to hooking up the last old PC i have and turning it into a file server. I built it for my wifes friend 7 years ago when she went off to college. I helped her build a new rig last year, but the old PC still works and i told her to give it to me as payment.

 

[Uppsala9496]

Why bother applying new paste? The system either works or it doesn't...amirite?

Installed BOINC on the machine to make sure it could handle a full load to get ready for the F@H holiday race. Temps went to 74*C or something insane under full load (quickly shut down).
Cleaned the machine up, applied new thermal paste, and full load is in the mid 50'sC.
So the new paste was needed.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishLists.aspx

gives you a little idea from people that have nothing better to do than to virtually build computers

Lol just pulled up a random one had 6 video cards listed. Not all advice is good advice hahaha

 

[JEDI]

Couple years ago:
Athlon X2 6000 (3ghz), mobo + 2gigs ram = $150 newegg combo special
Radeon 2600 Pro $25 @best buy

waiting for Diablo III, then will upgrade at least the video card.
Maybe Cpu/mobo too???

or if Elemental is finally playable, i might upgrade for that game.

 

[Homerboy]

Couple years ago:
Athlon X2 6000, mobo + 2gigs ram = $150 newegg combo special
Radeon 2600 Pro $25 @best buy

waiting for Diablo III, then will upgrade at least the video card.
Maybe Cpu/mobo too???

or if Elemental is finally playable, i might upgrade for that game.

LOL being that DIII is still a year+ out, yeah you'll have to upgrade everything.

As to the OP, just go post in General Hardware as others have suggested. You will be swarmed with answers in mins and all will be good answers.

 

[uclaLabrat]

Yeah, when making a top end system, it really sucks catching up. On the plus side they've made motherboards idiot proof these days- everything's color coded

I'm colorblind...it's a little more entertaining for me

 

[rudder]

Havent paid any attention to new hardware in more than 6 years. I'm now totally out of the loop on what's good. Trying to figure all this stuff out is really time consuming, especially when on a budget.

spend 4 minutes typing up a post in the general hardware section. Tell what you want to accomplish and a budget. People there will go to newegg for you and configure your system and email you a copy of the shopping cart. 4 minutes and you are done!