Looking into building my first computer

[Hockeysk8ter]

Hi my name is robert and im very new with building my own computer... my price range for now is around 600 dollars i need some information on the parts i need and maybe some tips on how i can save some money anything that could help please i need it.

 

[TheStu]

Well, what are you planning on doing with the machine?

 

[Hockeysk8ter]

definately a desktop but im not sure sure on the products.. i want it to be a gaming computer also

 

[imported_Uber]

a gaming computer for $600? Can you do that these days?

 

[Hockeysk8ter]

well i only have around 600 im looking to get started.... i just need some help finding out what i need i want to build it from the ground up

 

[TheStu]

What games do you play? Do you have anything to bring to the table? Do you already have speakers, monitor, keyboard, mouse, optical drives? What about a hard drive?

If you said no to all those, then $600 is a little infeasible i think.

 

[Hockeysk8ter]

well i was thinking about using some parts from my computer i have now... would that help at all? i have the mouse keyboard and speakers

 

[TheStu]

Those would work, but do you have a monitor? Those are not cheap (when viewed in association with a $600 budget)

Also, what games would you be playing on this?

 

[Hockeysk8ter]

yes i do have a monitor... i was thinking gears pc... dark messiah... etc nothing to extreme

 

[imported_Uber]

well, when I built my computer, I already had a keyboard, and that's it.
I ended up spending about $1000. That left me temporarily using onboard video, and with all my sound coming from a pair of headphones which I already had. (I also had only 1GB of RAM, and was using the beta type thing of Vista. Man that sucked)
I have since bought a video card and speakers, but seriously, you might want to nab another $200 at least before you do this. And even then, be very unpicky about things like your mouse and keyboard.

 

[Hockeysk8ter]

alright thanks.. also i already have a graphics card..

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Hockeysk8ter
alright thanks.. also i already have a graphics card..

What is the graphics card?

 

[Hockeysk8ter]

a GeForce 8600 gt

 

[TheStu]

Ok, well that is a pretty good starting point.

So, that plus a low Core 2 Duo, maybe a Pentium D for now, plus 2GB RAM. You want to make it cheap for now, but upgradeable, so don't skimp on the PSU, and get a decent Mobo. I have heard good things about teh Abit p95-pro (I think that is what it is called) but it might be out of your price range.

 

[Hockeysk8ter]

ok cool that should help alot what else would i need to have a functioning computer?

 

[mageslayer]

Originally posted by: Uber
well, when I built my computer, I already had a keyboard, and that's it.
I ended up spending about $1000. That left me temporarily using onboard video, and with all my sound coming from a pair of headphones which I already had. (I also had only 1GB of RAM, and was using the beta type thing of Vista. Man that sucked)
I have since bought a video card and speakers, but seriously, you might want to nab another $200 at least before you do this. And even then, be very unpicky about things like your mouse and keyboard.

When did you build your computer? 2005?
A $600 gaming computer is completely possible today.

 

[mageslayer]

$600 dollars eh
how about this:

cooler master centurion

antec earthwatts 430 watt

gigabyte p35 mobo

corsair xms 2gb ddr2 800

E2180 2.0Ghz

as 5

Arctic Cooler Freezer 7

WD 500gb HD

Vista 64-bit


Total: $575.92+Shipping+tax-$69 MIR= $556.84

Your shipping and tax may vary from mine. $556.84 is the final price that came up in my cart. BTW I live in NJ.

This price includes the OS that many do not include when specing out a system. Vista will run smoothly on this system.

This build should be amazing for your needs. The parts are top-notch. Overclock that processor to 3.xx Ghz, add in the 8600 gt and you will be golden.

For everyone who thinks a $600 GAMING computer is impossible, you stand corrected.

Hope my parts fit your needs. Good luck with your build! :thumbsup:

 

[mageslayer]

Forgot Optical Drives

Liteon DVD Burner

Final cost will still be under $600

 

[imported_Uber]

Well, That's pretty cool. Guess I ripped myself off then.

 

[mageslayer]

sorry to hear that you got ripped off.

exactly what did you buy, and when did you buy it?

 

[krnmastersgt]

Well you didn't rip yourself off if you bought the parts a few years ago, the price in products has dropped phenomenally in the recent months, also with technology, when something new and better comes out, all the previous items are marked down severely in price so if anything you bought was considered new at the time, then yeah you're gonna end up paying a lot.

 

[imported_Uber]

it was only a little over a year ago.
I got:
X-Qpack
SFF Mobo
Core 2 Duo 6400
1gig RAM with heat spreader
Acer 19" widescreen LCD monitor
250 gig hard drive
Logitech MX-518 gaming mouse
higher output PSU (forget the exacts, and I'm too lazy to go look it up)

then, a bit later, I bought a Foxconn NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS and quickly installed it.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Taking some of mageslayer's suggestions and replacing them with a few better deals I found, I was able to do this:

Antec Sonata III & 500w EA Power Suply - $50 (1/19 only though, but before it was running for ~$75 shipped so still the best deal)

2GB OCZ DDR2 - $24.99

Maxtor 500GB Serial ATA/300 16MB Buffer HDD - $89.99

gigabyte p35 mobo - $99.99

E2180 2.0Ghz - $88.99

Vista 64-bit - $94.99

Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 - $21.99

+ his 8600gt should make a fine system.

That's about $470 after rebates + any shipping. Hell, I'd jump on this system if I had any $

Good Luck with your purchase OP

 

[mageslayer]

Your suggestions are great. I speced out a system from one place just to show those who discouraged op from building a system for $600.

I wish I had a system like this, when the c2d came out, I paid 1.7k on a system with e6400, 2 gb ram, 250 gb hd, eVGA 7950gt ko, 22'' westy, and creative inspire t3100

 

[Hockeysk8ter]

thanks man i appreaciate all your help!!!