Setting up a new computer - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Hercules · 09-06-2003, 02:13 PM

I read some of the stickies and posts on the first page, and did not see a site or something to help out in this particular situation. I should have done a search, but I'm feeling a bit too lazy and such right now. But anyways here goes:

Hey I'm looking to buy a new computer to play all these new games coming out soon.

Only problem is that I dont what site to go to, or what to get.
Got a comp recently from www.ncix.com but now it turned Canada only.

www.newegg.com doesnt really have a 'computer builder' so its hard to work it out for me.

Basically I need the fastest gaming comp (no monitor) for a $1000 budget.
If someone can hook me up with a site or specs or something that would be great.
Thanks.

Flippy · 09-06-2003, 02:18 PM

This is probably exactly what you're looking for. It's a site that monthly posts up computers on a high-end and low-end budget. Their low-end budget is $1000, so I think you're in luck. The prices are also based on typical online vendor prices (*minus shipping*).

SharkyExtreme's August Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide

Lasereth · 09-06-2003, 03:24 PM

If you don't know which pieces to buy from a website, I'd enlist the help of a computer dork friend if you're building an entirely custom-built PC. Small problems can arise that only people that have built a few PCs will know how to fix. $1,000 is a shitlode of money to spend on a new PC and you'll definitely get one hell of a gaming machine. I'd still go with NewEgg even though I've had multiple bad experiences with them. In the end, however, NewEgg simply can't be beat with customer service and shipping/RMA requests. That's why everyone suggests them.

Abit NF7-S Motherboard (onboard lan, audio) $110
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Barton @ 1.8 GHz with 333 MHz FSB $90
2x256 MB Corsair PC3200 RAM $100
Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro 256 MB $450
CD-RW 52x24x52 $30
Floppy $5
80 GB Western Digital Caviar Hard Drive 7200 RPM $70
Random Case $50
Enermax Power Supply 350w $60.00

That's about $965. Shipping would bring it right at $1,000. If I were in your position, this is literally the exact PC that I would buy. Keep in mind that it's only the computer, no keyboard/mouse/speakers.

PS: If you're gonna overclock, you'll need a better CPU fan than the one that comes with the Athlon XP. I suggest a Volcano 7+ or Volcano 9+. The one that comes with it will do fine if you don't want to overclock.

-Lasereth

Hercules · 09-06-2003, 04:38 PM

Holy crap thanks lasereth

Exactly what I was looking for. I owe you one man.

ANd Flippy thanks for that link also, it will be helpful for buying other things like monitors and such

tinfoil · 09-06-2003, 06:56 PM

Drop a bit more on the PSU and grab a 400 watt one instead. The more power the better.

And make sure that WD drive is the 8 meg version.

Lasereth · 09-06-2003, 07:46 PM

I mentioned the 350w because it's Enermax. Enermax as well as Sparkle are known as the best PSU manufacturers. I guarantee that an Enermax 350w is plenty for what he needs and is much more powerful than an off-brand 400 or even 450w. The only reason anyone would need more than 350w is if they have multiple hard drives or CD-RWs.

My brother has 4 hard drives and 6 fans in his PC, plus his burner and floppy. A 350w Sparkle wouldn't even do the trick; he had to get a 430w Enermax.

PS: I forgot to mention that, but tinfoil is right -- get the 8 MB cache hard drive.

-Lasereth

Hercules · 09-07-2003, 12:41 AM

Well I just recently got a 80 GB hard drive for $40, so I am set in that area.

What about simply getting another CD drive, just like 52x CD-ROM?
Would I need to get a more powerful power supply for this?

And I want to get 5.1 speakers, so should I get a different motherboard that doesnt have onboard audio or would it bypass it?

Lasereth · 09-07-2003, 03:36 AM

The onboard sound on the Abit NF7-S is known as "SoundStorm" and sounds VERY good. It's the equivalent of having a 5.1 Soundblaster Live! in your PC. You can simply plug 5.1 speakers onto the jacks on the motherboard. It even has fiber-optic and subwoofer jacks.

A 52x CD-ROM would be cool; I used to have two CD-ROMs. 350w will still do the trick, but only if it's high-quality like Enermax.

-Lasereth

tinfoil · 09-07-2003, 09:52 AM

True nuff, Lasereth. Ennermax is good stuff, though I have had quality issues with Sparkle.

Johnny Rotten · 09-07-2003, 12:50 PM

I'd get a Radeon 9600 Pro and put the difference towards a nice case (no offense meant to Lasereth). Here's what you can get with the $200 price difference:
http://www.thermaltake.com/products/xaser3/v2000a.htm

All aluminum, pull-out motherboard tray, front FireWire and USB, swing-out front bezel, removable drive bays, 7 ThermalTake 80mm silent fans, Adjustable fan speeds and temp readouts, and a completely tool-less design.

That's, of course, if you want to spend the whole difference on the case. I would actually just recommend a nice Lian Li or Cooler Master case, then buy and Antec or Enermax PSU separately.

Here's a good Cooler Master:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...tion=ATC%2D210

Lasereth · 09-07-2003, 01:25 PM

Well, he didn't ask for a flashy computer, he asked for a gaming computer. The difference between that 9600 and the 9800 Pro I mentioned is massive if compared to gaming results. I personally hate flashy cases (I have one right now and hate it; my new PC has a beige case with simply front USB) and think they are a waste. If he wants a flashy case and a severe decrease in performance, alright, but I still strongly recommend performance over the flashiness. Hell, you can still get a VERY nice flashy case if one so desired for $50.00 at www.directron.com .

-Lasereth

Hercules · 09-07-2003, 02:09 PM

I'd never sacrifice looks over performance.
Thanks for all your help though everyone

Johnny Rotten · 09-07-2003, 02:20 PM

Yes, I suppose they look nice, too. I hadn't thought about that. Just thought you'd want a case that wouldn't cut you, didn't require tools, provided easy installation and removal, plenty of space for fans and additional drives, light weight, good airflow, removable trays, easy access and whatnot

.

09-06-2003, 02:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hercules Insane Location: TX	Setting up a new computer I read some of the stickies and posts on the first page, and did not see a site or something to help out in this particular situation. I should have done a search, but I'm feeling a bit too lazy and such right now. But anyways here goes: Hey I'm looking to buy a new computer to play all these new games coming out soon. Only problem is that I dont what site to go to, or what to get. Got a comp recently from www.ncix.com but now it turned Canada only. www.newegg.com doesnt really have a 'computer builder' so its hard to work it out for me. Basically I need the fastest gaming comp (no monitor) for a $1000 budget. If someone can hook me up with a site or specs or something that would be great. Thanks.

09-06-2003, 03:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	If you don't know which pieces to buy from a website, I'd enlist the help of a computer dork friend if you're building an entirely custom-built PC. Small problems can arise that only people that have built a few PCs will know how to fix. $1,000 is a shitlode of money to spend on a new PC and you'll definitely get one hell of a gaming machine. I'd still go with NewEgg even though I've had multiple bad experiences with them. In the end, however, NewEgg simply can't be beat with customer service and shipping/RMA requests. That's why everyone suggests them. Abit NF7-S Motherboard (onboard lan, audio) $110 AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Barton @ 1.8 GHz with 333 MHz FSB $90 2x256 MB Corsair PC3200 RAM $100 Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro 256 MB $450 CD-RW 52x24x52 $30 Floppy $5 80 GB Western Digital Caviar Hard Drive 7200 RPM $70 Random Case $50 Enermax Power Supply 350w $60.00 That's about $965. Shipping would bring it right at $1,000. If I were in your position, this is literally the exact PC that I would buy. Keep in mind that it's only the computer, no keyboard/mouse/speakers. PS: If you're gonna overclock, you'll need a better CPU fan than the one that comes with the Athlon XP. I suggest a Volcano 7+ or Volcano 9+. The one that comes with it will do fine if you don't want to overclock. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

09-06-2003, 04:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Hercules Insane Location: TX	Holy crap thanks lasereth Exactly what I was looking for. I owe you one man. ANd Flippy thanks for that link also, it will be helpful for buying other things like monitors and such Last edited by Hercules; 09-06-2003 at 04:47 PM..

09-06-2003, 06:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
tinfoil Fucking Hostile Location: Springford, ON, Canada	Drop a bit more on the PSU and grab a 400 watt one instead. The more power the better. And make sure that WD drive is the 8 meg version. __________________ Get off your fuckin cross. We need the fuckin space to nail the next fool martyr.

09-06-2003, 07:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	I mentioned the 350w because it's Enermax. Enermax as well as Sparkle are known as the best PSU manufacturers. I guarantee that an Enermax 350w is plenty for what he needs and is much more powerful than an off-brand 400 or even 450w. The only reason anyone would need more than 350w is if they have multiple hard drives or CD-RWs. My brother has 4 hard drives and 6 fans in his PC, plus his burner and floppy. A 350w Sparkle wouldn't even do the trick; he had to get a 430w Enermax. PS: I forgot to mention that, but tinfoil is right -- get the 8 MB cache hard drive. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

09-06-2003, 02:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Flippy Banned Location: Greater Vancouver	This is probably exactly what you're looking for. It's a site that monthly posts up computers on a high-end and low-end budget. Their low-end budget is $1000, so I think you're in luck. The prices are also based on typical online vendor prices (minus shipping). SharkyExtreme's August Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide

09-07-2003, 12:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Hercules Insane Location: TX	Well I just recently got a 80 GB hard drive for $40, so I am set in that area. What about simply getting another CD drive, just like 52x CD-ROM? Would I need to get a more powerful power supply for this? And I want to get 5.1 speakers, so should I get a different motherboard that doesnt have onboard audio or would it bypass it?

09-07-2003, 03:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	The onboard sound on the Abit NF7-S is known as "SoundStorm" and sounds VERY good. It's the equivalent of having a 5.1 Soundblaster Live! in your PC. You can simply plug 5.1 speakers onto the jacks on the motherboard. It even has fiber-optic and subwoofer jacks. A 52x CD-ROM would be cool; I used to have two CD-ROMs. 350w will still do the trick, but only if it's high-quality like Enermax. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

09-07-2003, 09:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
tinfoil Fucking Hostile Location: Springford, ON, Canada	True nuff, Lasereth. Ennermax is good stuff, though I have had quality issues with Sparkle. __________________ Get off your fuckin cross. We need the fuckin space to nail the next fool martyr.

09-07-2003, 12:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
Johnny Rotten lost and found Location: Berkeley	I'd get a Radeon 9600 Pro and put the difference towards a nice case (no offense meant to Lasereth). Here's what you can get with the $200 price difference: http://www.thermaltake.com/products/xaser3/v2000a.htm All aluminum, pull-out motherboard tray, front FireWire and USB, swing-out front bezel, removable drive bays, 7 ThermalTake 80mm silent fans, Adjustable fan speeds and temp readouts, and a completely tool-less design. That's, of course, if you want to spend the whole difference on the case. I would actually just recommend a nice Lian Li or Cooler Master case, then buy and Antec or Enermax PSU separately. Here's a good Cooler Master: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...tion=ATC%2D210 __________________ "The idea that money doesn't buy you happiness is a lie put about by the rich, to stop the poor from killing them." -- Michael Caine

09-07-2003, 01:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Well, he didn't ask for a flashy computer, he asked for a gaming computer. The difference between that 9600 and the 9800 Pro I mentioned is massive if compared to gaming results. I personally hate flashy cases (I have one right now and hate it; my new PC has a beige case with simply front USB) and think they are a waste. If he wants a flashy case and a severe decrease in performance, alright, but I still strongly recommend performance over the flashiness. Hell, you can still get a VERY nice flashy case if one so desired for $50.00 at www.directron.com . -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

09-07-2003, 02:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
Hercules Insane Location: TX	I'd never sacrifice looks over performance. Thanks for all your help though everyone

09-07-2003, 02:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
Johnny Rotten lost and found Location: Berkeley	Yes, I suppose they look nice, too. I hadn't thought about that. Just thought you'd want a case that wouldn't cut you, didn't require tools, provided easy installation and removal, plenty of space for fans and additional drives, light weight, good airflow, removable trays, easy access and whatnot . __________________ "The idea that money doesn't buy you happiness is a lie put about by the rich, to stop the poor from killing them." -- Michael Caine