Building a computer for gaming/other entertainment.

[3074326]

I just got a raise and I've always wanted a really nice desktop. Building one is the way to go. Thing is, I know next to nothing about building computers. I'd prefer to stay under $700, which should be more than enough to build a very good PC, I think.

Any hardware recommendations for me? I know there are tons of sites on this topic, and I'm currently looking at them, I'd just prefer to make a thread so I can ask questions if needed. I'm mainly looking for a graphics card, hard drive, memory, motherboard, and sound card.

It would probably be important for me to tell you what I'd be doing on the computer.. I'll be playing games (online shooters, RPGs, etc. Not solitaire and minesweeper). I'll be recording and creating music, with multiple programs running at the same time. Usually a recording program, a loop program, sometimes a third program. I'm a Photoshop user. Then there's the common stuff like movies, music, internet browsing, etc.

[scooter1369]

Start with at least a 500GB hard drive. Maybe two. buy a TB external drive to store music, pictures an videos.

Processor speed should be a dual-core, at least 2.1Ghz, the faster the better.

If you plan on using Vista as a operating system and gaming, start with 3GB of RAM, or you could go with 4GB. I'm running 2GB and I run smooth playing NWN and such.

The kicker is your Video and sound cards.

My recommendation:

Micro Center - GeForce 9800 GTX 512MB GDDR3 PCIe 2.0 Graphics Card

As far as sound goes:

Micro Center - Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer

[jwinslow]

Dropping 100 on a soundcard is excessive, imo... for performance vs value. If you MUST have that one, wait for deals like this for $59. On slickdeals, you can find much beter deals like this: ( DEAD: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum eX - $29.99 (save $130 ). I grabbed an Audigy 2 for about $20 on one of their deals.

Micro Center - GeForce 9800 GTX 512MB GDDR3 PCIe 2.0 Graphics Card

Also overpriced, imo... or more accurately, not as great of a sale as this one, which is just as good, if not better. ATI was dominated by nvidia for years, but has taken the market by storm with this card.

HD 4850 (lots of varieties) goes for $140 or $150 after rebate, with new deals weekly. (link)

I waited on a deal for a complete computer, and got the following for $650 from HP:

Quad-core Q6600
3 GB PC2-6400
320 GB HD (would prefer bigger, but great deal overall)
Bluray Burner/Reader & CD/DVD lightscribe
256 mb NVidia 9300 HDMI
Vista 64
TV Tuner/PVR & front side video capture

Had i built it myself, I would have gone for a 750 GB HD (about $90) and 4850 graphic card (140).
The above rig would likely cost about 800 purchased individually.

It would probably be important for me to tell you what I'd be doing on the computer.. I'll be playing games (online shooters, RPGs, etc. Not solitaire and minesweeper). I'll be recording and creating music, with multiple programs running at the same time. Usually a recording program, a loop program, sometimes a third program. I'm a Photoshop user. Then there's the common stuff like movies, music, internet browsing, etc.

I think you'd benefit from going quad core. There are some pretty affordable options these days, like the Q6600.

[BrutusMaximus]

I would honestly stay away from getting a pre-built brand name such as HP, of course that's just my opinion.

I would go with a dual core AMD 6000+ (quad cores are great and all, but just not going to be needed for a while.

2 gig of ram minimum, but for the price, I would go 4 gig.

Hard drives, doesnt really matter, just depends on how much space you want. They are cheap now too.

Vid card, I personally have switched back to ATI, and have been very happy. Something like a 3850HD or even the 4000 series if you can find one cheap enough.

Sound cards are prety much not necessary now. If you get a good mobo, the onboard sound will be plenty sufficient.

Just go to newegg and get everything from there.

[jwinslow]

I would honestly stay away from getting a pre-built brand name such as HP, of course that's just my opinion.

I needed something with a quick fix/replacement policy for my work computer. I agree in general, mine just turned out to be much cheaper and simpler (quicker turnaround) than building myself (especially since I needed a new case, etc).

quad cores are great and all, but just not going to be needed for a while.

Even with his described workload?

Just go to newegg and get everything from there.

This was my policy for everything when I was more of an enthusiast in college. They take back basically everything, if it's within the return policy date (some are 30 days, some a year or two). They even took back a fried processor.

[BrutusMaximus]

Even with his described workload?

Yeah hell I have the 6000+ and I cant even begin to push it to its limits, or even half its limits. I can run crysis at full settings with zero slow down, and my vid card isnt even all that high end.

I'll be recording and creating music, with multiple programs running at the same time. Usually a recording program, a loop program, sometimes a third program.

Ok I missed this the first time. Yeah you would probably want something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102017