looking to build a new PC

[Dragynphyre]

I can't remember the site (Tom's something?) that had reviews and explanations of all the hardware you could get?

I'm determined to build a PC absolutely from scratch this time (Back In Black)
Delissandra Splitshadow - Marauder of the Circle of Unseen Hands
Grandmaster Poisoner (250), Master Potter (191), Grandmaster Lush (200)

[EZ_vinyanil]

heres some useful resources mysuperpc mspc assembly guide Edited by: vinyanil at: 11/18/03 1:07 pm

[EZ_Dulben apBliadd]

I think your refering to Tom's Hardware Guide.

Link should get you there.

Good luck! Gravedigger? When you dig my grave, could you make it shallow so that I can feel the rain?
~ Dave Matthews ~

[Dragynphyre]

Found Tom's Hardware site (duh!) - and it has pretty much too much info hehe... I'll be reading this for a while.

Basically, my intent is to build a replacement computer for my mom (hers literally blew up - the powersupply went POP! *sizzle*, taking most everything else with it) - but, like the Six Million Dollar Man, it will be faster, stronger....

I have to come up with a budget so that my brother who's financing the project can give me the cash so that I can order the parts (I have credit cards, he doesn't - but he just came into quite a bit of cash).

The main functions of this PC are most likely going to be:
copying analog VHS tapes & burning to DVD
genealogy research and archiving
word processing and other clerical applications
gaming

So I figure that the sound card & video card have to at least be able to support these functions Edited by: Dragynphyre at: 11/18/03 1:59 pm

[Llabak Tharr]

I started with the Sharkey Extreme guides, picking things from their value and mid range computers, based on how important I thought something was. After that, I posted my list here, and people critiqued it.

I ended up with a 2.8c P4 with 512RAM, an ATI9600 Pro, and various other sundry items for right about 1k, since I didn't need to buy a monitor, printer, keyboard, etc.

The building was a snap. Took me no more than 4 hours, and it worked the first time I turned it on. Then I just spent a couple weeks installing WinXP and all its updates

Edit: EZcodes r EZ Edited by: Llabak Tharr at: 11/18/03 2:08 pm

[EZ_minoltasrt101b]

Start here.

[EZ_Ragwheed]

Quote:copying analog VHS tapes & burning to DVD

Think lots of RAM, 512 megs to start, 1 Gig wouldn't hurt. Whatever speed the motherboard can handle.
Crucial lover that I am, 512 MB of PC3200 is $93 at Newegg.

Hard drive will be 120 gig no less, SATA connection is a plus. (video takes up a LOT of drive space). A 120 Gig Maxtor is $121 at Newegg. Or go all out with a 250 Gig Maxtor for $250, a buck a gig. Both drives are SATA with an nice 8 MB cache.

CPU, well a P4 2.6C retail is $175 at Newegg. A P4 2.8Cis $214


Motherboard - Well I'm an ASUS fan, the ASUS P4P800S sounds good to me at $86.99. It's got the new Springdale chipset, it can take PC3200 RAM (DDR400) and it's got SATA interface if you were so inclined. (SATA = new hotness and not a lot more than IDE)

Case, if nothing fancy is needed it's all about the Antec SX630II. It is a *dream* to work with this case. Drive rail system for easy optical drive installation. the drive cage for your floppy and hard drive is easily removed. Thumbscrews to open the panel (nice touch!) comes with a 300W PSU. This is the case I use when I build a rig. Damn good price at $65 from Newegg.

DVD burner. I dunno, maybe a Sony DRU510A for $172.50 from Newegg.

Round it off with a nice ATi Rageon 9600 Pro All-In-Wonder for $219 at...you guessed it, Newegg.

So we're looking at $1199.49 For all the expensive options I listed, 2 sticks of RAM, and an $6 Samsung floppy drive. No need for a monitor, keyboard or mouse since you are just replacing the tower.

How's that? Should have VHS to DVD copying and gaming covered quite nicely.

[Dragynphyre]

I like that set up, I'm a bit of an ASUS fan myself, for both MB's and video cards - I've always been about Creative Labs for soundcards.

There's a computer show coming up weekend after Thanksgiving, gonna see if I can't talk them into selling me some of the stuff I need stuff cheap, cheap, cheap!

And Mino - HA HA! That article had me

[Dragynphyre]

Most of what I wound up with was in the guide given here - I got the full package for $955 at the computer show recently.

RAM: 512 megs
Hard drive: 120 gig SATA
CPU: P4 2.6
Motherboard: - ASUS P4P800S
Case: www.abestpc.com/cs-770dl.htm
DVD burner: not sure - one of these most likely
Video card: MSI GEForce FX 5200