first time building...

Hello.

I've been having issues with my computer over the past year or so (an HP notebook I got in 2005) and lately I've been having more problems, with fan noise and locking up and such. So I figure it's about time I got a new computer. This time I wanted to build the computer myself, since I've put things together from old computers before, but this'll be my first time picking out parts, which means I'm essentially completely lost.

I'm on a pretty tight budget too, which doesn't help, so I'd like to stay under $500 (US), but the cheaper the better. At the same time, I want something that will last a while, or be upgradable if I need to. I don't play many games, mostly guild wars, but I'd like to be able to play other games too, and use graphics programs like flash and photoshop.

So here's what I came up with, browsing on newegg:
CPU/MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.172805
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227362
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148261
PS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010
optical drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118023
case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147112
I'll probably need an operating system, so I was thinking of Windows XP unless someone has any compelling reasons for me to get Vista. (this adds another $90 TT_TT)
And I was thinking I'd need some thermal compound too, so is Arctic Silver 5 a good choice?
Oh, and I realize I'm missing a graphics card... but those are expensive, so I was hoping I could live with the onboard graphics for now, and upgrade to something better when I'm able to...

I have a feeling some of my choices are overkill and others are not enough... but yeah, if anyone has suggestions, or would like to point out what I'm doing wrong, I'd be greatful. Thanks.

Mobo -> 79$ This one has support for new AM2 processors.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157139
Phenom 2 x3 Processor. 45nm, so it should run cool, as well as be great for overclocking if you decide to. 119$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103648

The ram you picked seems fine.

Is a 250gig HD going to be fine for you? The average person does fine with it, but most people with nicer computers wind up filling that up pretty fast. Of course, adding another HD later is very simple.

Optical drive, case and PSU look fine too.

Plus, i dont know what all you have planned for this, but if you are feeling adventurous you can install a Linux OS like Ubuntu and run GW on Wine. Save a bunch of dollars, and from what i hear, its not all that bad. It would atleast hold you over till you put together enough for a microsoft OS. Keep in mind your PC will have 4 gig of ram, but you will only be able to use 3 unless you get a 64bit OS. The last gig wil just sit there looking pretty.

Arctic silver 5 is a great thermal paste. I totally recommend it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102822
advising this as a GPU

while guildwars will run on Wine and Cedega Crossover, the performance and stability still has some ways to go before you'll want to do it on a consistent bases. i gave ubuntu a whirl over christmas. on my 4850, guildwars ran at 2 fps. it runs at around 130 fps on windows.

so for the time being, stick with windows. if you are a university/college student, you can often get it for free, or for very little money.

Ok, that looks like a nice processor, and the board looks good too. Is ASRock a good company? I've heard good things about Asus, which is why I initially chose it.

As for the HD, I figure I can start small for now, since it's pretty easy to add more later.

Also, I've actually tried Ubuntu in the past. I actually really liked it for casual stuff, like web browsing, typing papers, and watching videos, but I could never really get GW to run acceptably on Wine. It might have just been the computer I was on though, but I think I'd still like to get a microsoft OS for gaming for now. Thanks for the suggestions!

Alright, I'll keep that in mind if I have some money left over. Thanks. (I'd really prefer not to just use onboard graphics, but for now it saves me a lot, and I can always add it later)

Yeah, when I tried it, it had poor graphics and fps, and the cursor was missing... and that was even after I messed with the settings. This new computer should be better, but I think I'd rather stick to windows (plus I use some adobe software for windows).

I am a university student though (thus the tight budget) so it would be cool if I could get this deal. Is there some website I could go to for info regarding this, or should I just ask at my school's bookstore? Thanks!

Student services should be able to help you out. Microsoft usually makes pretty good deals with students on their software. If you have a choice of OSs, i would say go vista 64 bit. Vista has better 64bit support then xp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz on my 4850, guildwars ran at 2 fps. it runs at around 130 fps on windows.

Your GPU was largely to blame for that. NVIDIA cards run GW in wine quite well, with a few graphical glitches here and there due to the lack of native DX. A 6150SE onboard chip can hit around 15 FPS average, for example, with dedicated cards of more recent series of course showing notable performance gains.

even then, the cards will be performing at about half of their capabilities. linux is not acceptable as a gaming platform, and unless microsoft and windows suddenly disappears, it will likely never be.

if you get that AsRock mobo the onboard graphics it has will be ok for GW (hd3200) that is one of the best integrated gpus ever created and you will be hard pressed to find better gaming performance without going to a dedicated card. With that said, you can get a 9600 now for about $60 after rebates... and that will play just about all but Crysis on mid to high settings with acceptable framerates.

I think I'm going to ask my friend about getting windows xp, because apparently he got a copy for free or something. I might also make a partition for windows 7 beta, because I've been curious about that. XP

So I think that mobo will need me to get a slightly larger case (it's ATX, vs micro ATX) and I decided to double the HD for $10 more, so as of now I think

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103648
MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157139
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227362 (unchanged)
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148395 500GB now
PS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010 (unchanged)
optical drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118023 (unchanged)
case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147075 unless someone has any better ideas for a $30 case.

so the total ends up being $429.94, plus a little for thermal compound. Not bad. (my original choices were $360.93, for comparison, but I think I like these more)

I won't be ordering anything for a few days, so I'm still up for suggestions. And again I'd like to thank everyone who helped.

build looks good

If you wanted you could get this GPU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130445

after rebate you would still make your budget and you would be able to play just about every current game but Crysis at mid to high settings with playable FPS.... just a thought.

I was actually thinking about getting that GPU, but I think I'm going to save up for a bit before I get a GPU. (And the rebate deal ends today.) I have finals this week, so I was planning on buying stuff later this week, so it won't arrive while I should be studying... I like to think I'd be able to resist the temptation, but I don't think I should test that.

Dont go with a MB with onboard gpu my advice HD4850, HD4870, 9800gtx or 260gtx

the guy's on a budget... get a 4670 or 4830 if you rly want a ded GPU (maybe the 9600, my pref is the 4830 b/c of great price/performance)

You sound exactly like me - whenever new computer parts show up at my door, I'm sweating until I can get my hands on them and start putting stuff together.... it's like an uncontrollable viral urge that I can't resist. hehe