i have a max budget of $1000 but would prefer to keep the price around $900. i'm starting completely from scratch. i don't even have a keyboard and mouse lol. being able to play games would be nice but it's definitely not the most important thing. i'm more interested in just having a PC that doesn't frustrate me by freezing every couple of minutes. i've had a bit of a look around sites like newegg but as this is my first time building a pc i'm not sure what to look for. what should i do to squeeze the most out of my budget? oh and i live in australia so could someone advise me on a good and credible place to order parts from. edit: my budget is in american dollars.
in my opinion, if you have a limited amount you are wanting to spend, you would be better off buying a system all ready put together. if you build it yourself, by the time you got all the hardware together, you need software to run it, and that is just more money. and buying everything a piece at a time usually cost more.
I'm not sure where's best to buy parts from in australia but I can give you an idea of what to buy: CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052 Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050 Hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073 Graphics card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161211 RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034 Case (example): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119077 Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001096 Inputs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126180
I added up everything listed and it totals 978.93 before shipping. Plus, the case listed does not include a power supply. In addition, you need an OS. So, things to think about before you make your own, or get one ready to go.
Yes well the OS is free. He could downgrade a few things to meet his budget. No matter what a custom build is always worth more for your money.
thanks for the replies guys. i definitely want to try building my own PC. it's a lot more interesting than just walking into a computer shop and handing over some cash. then there's all the things you learn while trying something new. i think the monitor might be overkill for what i'm looking for but other than that, the setup that sammorris suggested looks great. one of my friends said that i can have his old keyboard and mouse so that will cut a few dollars off the overall price. i think i should be able to get an adequate monitor for around $200. so, minus the keyboard and mouse, and with a slightly cheaper monitor the cost comes to $810.95 which leaves a little more room for the power supply and shipping. any recommendations on a psu? i've read that making the wrong decision here can be the death of your whole computer... thats not something i want to happen. i will easily be able to get an OS and most of the software i need for free so there's no problem there. i was even thinking about going with linux this time but i guess thats a little off topic.
any corsair psu unit; 520HX or 520VX. the HX costs more because it's a modular psu (only use the cables you need), but you can keep the inside of the case nice and tidy.
Or you could try a dual boot. Nice setup but the monitor is a bit over top for a budget build. I would suggest a wide screen 19" from same mfg or acer. Suggestions: Get Intel C2D, at least 2gb ram if running vista (1 for XP suggest strongly here), good price for 500 gb drive (I have it), Sapphire cards arent bad get at least gddr3 memory, stick with logitech on mouse and keyboard if possible. @sam Nice setup though!!! edit: 520 hx is nice psu I use it too!
I agree on the corsair power supplies, though the VX are only offered in 450W and 550W versions, not 520, before you wonder why you can't find one! lol I'd avoid using a) a 19" monitor and b) one by acer. Sorry to reject both suggestions, but the resolution of 20" monitors is far higher for not a huge cost difference, and the build quality of acer monitors has been a bit suck in my experience. Go with a proper make, LG, Samsung, Viewsonic or Dell.
i'll probably be getting most of my parts from local computer stores. hopefully if they don't have something in stock they'll be able to order it in for me. failing that, there's ebay or i'll try to find a reliable internet shop that delivers to australia. if i can't get something from any of the above, i guess i could make a trip to melbourne (big australian city for those that don't know). for a PSU i think i'll go with the corsair 550VX simply because it's cheaper. i don't mind that it has to be outside the case and i assume that it would make it easier to keep everything cool. i had a look at sapphire video cards and found this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102715 the specs look good for the price but a lot of the user reviews say that it gets far too hot. do you think that this one would be better or the one that sammorris suggested? do i need to get a sound card as well?
You just have to turn up the fan speed. I have the same card and it doesn't get that hot. The PSU doesn't have to be outside of the case. Who told you that?
I have an Acer 22in widescreen, haven't had any problems with quality. Infact I really like this monitor. If you are using your PC for regular use, I recommend this brand for their good prices.
good. i'll get that video card then. other than price, what's the difference between the C2D series and the Dual Core series? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115016 this one is $199.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052 this one that sammorris suggested is $88.99. i don't like spending more money but i don't think that the the CPU should be the cheapest part of my new computer. so, are the core 2 duos worth the extra cash? if so which model would you recommend that i get? as for monitors, i'll probably buy that last. my computer's performance is far more important to me than how big the screen is. i think i'll just pick one up for whatever is still left of my budget after i get everything else. thanks again for all the help you guys are giving me. i'd be completely lost without it! edit: do i need to get a UPS?
I only think sammorris suggested it because he was trying to fit your budget, and because the monitor he suggested was pricey, he had to budget down your CPU. Yes, the C2D is much better than the Pentium DC. --More FSB --More OF --More Cache --Conroe Core --Etc..
okay, i think i've got it sort of figured out but it's a bit over budget. the total cost is $1244.90AUD (not american) plus around $300 for a monitor and case. Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R (rev2.0) LGA775, P35, 1333FSB, 4x DDR2-1066, PCI-Ex16, 8x SATA-II, RAID, GigLAN, 8Chl, ATX http://www.techbuy.com.au/p/77428/MOTHERBOARD_INTEL_SOCKET_775_CORE_2/Gigabyte/GA-P35-DS3R-V2.asp $186.50 Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 (2.13GHz), LGA775, 4MB Cache, 1066Mhz FSB, ATX http://www.techbuy.com.au/p/71504/CPU_CORE_2_DUO_EXTREME/Intel/BX80557E6420.asp $283.35 RAM: Corsair 2048MB (2 x 1024MB) PC2-6400 800Mhz DDR2 RAM - 4-4-4-12 - TWIN2X2048-6400C4 http://www.techbuy.com.au/p/62593/MEMORY_DDR-2_RAM/Corsair/TWIN2X2048-6400C4.asp $120.85 Harddrive: Samsung 500GB 7200rpm Serial ATA-II-300 HDD w. 16MB Cache (HD501LJ) http://www.techbuy.com.au/p/67100/HDD_INTERNAL_SATA-II_DRIVES/Samsung/HD501LJ.asp $154.80 DVD drive: Pioneer DVR-212DBK 18x DVD+/-R/RW Dual Layer DVD Burner, SATA - OEM Black http://www.techbuy.com.au/p/69770/DVDROM_DVD_WRITERS/Pioneer/DVR-212BK.asp $47.30 Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 3850 - 512MB DDR3, 256-bit, 2x DVI, HDTV, HDCP, Heatsink - PCI-Ex16 v2.0 http://www.techbuy.com.au/p/78348/V...XPRESS_2.0_SERIES/Sapphire/11121-01-41R_L.asp $304.90 PSU: Corsair VX550W - 550W Power Supply, ATX12V 2.2, 120mm Fan, 6x SATA, 1x 6-pin PCI-Ex, 1x 6+2-pin PCI-Ex Connectors http://www.techbuy.com.au/p/77420/POWERSUPPLIES_ATX/Corsair/CMPSU-550VXAU.asp $147.20 what should i downgrade? the processor can probably be replaced with a cheaper C2D but other than that i'm not sure. i'll take this list to the computer shops and see if they can give me a better deal but i doubt it to be honest. i'd also like a recommendation on which case to get. the one that sammorris posted isn't available from techbuy. i'm not worried about how it looks. i just want something that will be easy to install everything in and that stays cool.
