Computer Build Ideas

[EZz-joel]

I am going try & build/put together a computer..
Want it to be able to play any/all including RnR 18WoS with map & other mods,without any problems.
I will have about 5-7 Hundred $$$ to use.I
I would like to hear from some of you computer whiz on what/how I can change &/or stay with what I have....
I have been searching the web & it just gives me headache.
Trying to figure out what I need.I am not a Computer Guy.Learning as I go..
So if some of ya'll will help with suggestion it will be greatly appreciated....
****** Things I will have to buy ******
Full Tower Case Thanking of going with a Barebone PC & add to it.
****** Hard Drive Thanking
1 Internal Hard Drive for Online
1 External Hard Drive for 18WoS ONLY
BTW:Does a Hard Drive like SATA & IDE type have to have a certain type of Motherboard..
.Like will either type of Hard Drive work in any type of MotherBoard..
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I would like to Upgrade CPU,Video Card,& anything else that can be Upgraded on the CHEAP..
I put links in to the parts so they can be seen....so as ya'll be able to see a image of what I have...
****** Computer Parts I Have Now ******
****** Power Supply about 3 months old Model 30 ATX-12V 500w
****** Motherboard about 3 months old
ALIVE6100 VSTA (V1.0) NVIDIA Single-Chip with Socket 754
Image of Motherboard
****** CPU
Processor AMD Athlon™ Model 3200+ OPN Tray:ADA3200AI04BX Core Speed (MHz) 2200
Would very much like a Quad-Core at the least a Dual-core....
****** Video Card DDR-2
NVIDIA® GeForce® 7300 graphics processing units (GPUs)
****** RAM Images of RAM sticks I have 1GB now
STT D333 512MB/32x8 CL2.5 Memory


If at all possible keep it real..like no Dream Machine.Gotta keep it with-in 5-7 hundred $$$$


EZz-joel
Senior TruckPol Driver[/i] [/color]
****
The easiest game any Child can play is Grandparents

[cvp71]

Well I'd suggest ordering parts from newegg.com as they have very good deals and I've been ordering from them for years and never had a single problem. Their shipping is also very good.

Basically all new motherboards are designed for SATA2 hard drives, which is the type of hard drive you want to get. I'm not very familiar with a 754 socket, but I believe that socket is incapable of taking a true dual and def Quad core CPU. My AMD Phenom X4 is actually backwards compatible with an AM2+ socket which was cool, but I still had to buy a new motherboard to get the correct RAM. Most newer CPU's (especially Quad-cores) require the correct speed memory, so if you want to upgrade anything more than the GPU and HDD you will need a new motherboard. If you're willing to spend around 500-700 I'd honestly build a computer from scratch, and maybe just keep the one your using now as a backup or give it to another family member or something. For around 600 you could build a very good computer.

If you want to go Intel I'd recommend the i- series although most of them are rediculously over priced
AMD Quad-cores are excellent for gaming and are right up there with Intels and the best part they are a fraction of the cost. My new quad-core only cost 170$ off newegg and mixed with 4GB RAM and an ageing 9800GTX+ I can max out all games including GTA4 and get very acceptable frame rates.
For GPU, I've always been an Nvidia man. I've heard some people complain they have had problems pairing AMD CPU's with Nvidia GPU's (My friends comp wouldn't run properly with this setup) But I personally have been pairing the 2 for years now and have had excellent performance, so I'd say you should be fine doing that if you want. I mean hey, if you're willing to spend a few hundred you might as well get the best you can get if you can find the deals, because it will LAST you. Computer hardware goes obsolete every 5 friggin mins

Also be sure when building a computer to wear an anti-static bracelet or something and do research so you know what you're doing. Damaged PC parts are not going to work well lol. You might also want to familiarize yourself with finding your way around a BIOS and CMOS because you may need to do some configuring with your new comp.

God I'm bored.

[mattp89]

maximum pc did an article on how to build a nice $650 pc. Here is the link, it's defiantly worth checking out

www.maximumpc.com/article/features/how_build_awesome_pc_647

[cvp71]

Pretty good article. It's such robbery when people spend thousands on computers that suck. I always encourage people to build their own and save tons of cash. Building a PC isn't nearly as hard as it might look.

Rofl I just noticed in that article the HP had an FPS of 1 in Crysis. I'm surprised the computer even let them install it.

[mattp89]

With the way current technology is changing, you would be way better off building your own. For example, on my last build ( which I am using now) I bought everything for a core2 quad setup, and to my dismay, the x58 chipset and i7 processors came out 3 months later . Needless to say I was mad, but what could I do? I already spent the money and this setup still kicks butt ;D