12 replies to this topic

[XxInColdBloodxX]

Ok, my computers about 5 years old and can only run CSS with 5fps on low settings.
So i figured it was time to upgrade, i figured who would be the best people to ask for free?
I dont know much about what parts to get and what works with what, so im hoping you guys can help me.
I want to spend no more than 800$
I do prefer Nvida over ATi but i'll roll with whatever better(judging by the forums Nvidias winning)
So yeah find me a good build guys :P

[Chris82]

First thing you want to get is a nice processor, a Core2 that will run Source (and TF2) nicely will run for ~$200. Then get a motherboard that has the same socket-type. (probably LGA775)

Then get an 8800, CPU cooler, etc...will post more later...just Google "How to build a PC" b/c there's a really good guide on what you'll need and how to do it.

[Novahawk]

Well i could look some stuff up. Is $800 hwo much you're willing to spend, or would you prefer to spend less. Just give the exact budget and i'll look some stuff up.

Edit: Also, are you going to salvage any parts from your old pc, such as a cd drive?

Edited by Novahawk, 05 March 2008 - 05:12 PM.

[Novahawk]

Here's what i got for $810 (although after $130 in Rebates, I don't know if you can do that):
Case: (depends on you though, i just picked one that looked cool for $60)
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811156093

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813188017

Graphics Card:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130318

PSU:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139005

CPU:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115017

RAM:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145034

HDD:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148144

DVD Burner:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827151153

I just realized, I didn't take shipping into account though :\

[wondergod]

Novahawk's list is really good. However if you don't plan on going SLI you could also look at this motherboard(link below). It is known for being a really good over clocker and just a stable good board all around. Also if you don't plan on SLI you should be able to get a 500-550 watt PSU. Personally I'd spend the extra money now to get SLI capable parts because a year down the road 8800gt's will be cheaper and it will provide a good boost adding the second card.


Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128059

[ShLoNkY]

Mobo $59 A/R http://www.newegg.co.....k=abit+ip35-e

8800GTs - $225 A/R

E3130 3ghz Xeon Dual core (same thing as the C2D E8400) $212 http://www.buy.com/r...p?sku=206778623

Thats about $500

+100 for 4gb of GOOD 800 mhz mem (fuck 2gb imo)

You are up to $600

+75 for good psu


If you are thinking about building like now I'd snap up that mobo and gpu as that is going to be hard to beat in the next few months imo

[monster]

First thing you want to get is a nice processor, a Core2 that will run Source (and TF2) nicely will run for ~$200. Then get a motherboard that has the same socket-type. (probably LGA775)

Then get an 8800, CPU cooler, etc...will post more later...just Google "How to build a PC" b/c there's a really good guide on what you'll need and how to do it.

WHAT



THE



f*ck?


Chris! You finally sh*t out the fanboy that was stuck up your ass! I really expected you to post about an amd / ati combo. I'll admit, I was a bit ashamed to buy the 8800, but the benches don't lie.



I'm with Chris on this one. Best bang for your buck out there is a core2 and and 8800gt. You can't go wrong for the price / performance ratio.

[DarkShadow]

4gb? unless he's going to role out vista (which I highly doubt), then he'll be fine with 2gb, not to mention XP will not detect more then 3...

as for the motherboard nova linked, it fails epicly. Asus FTW, but the one Shlonky linked isn't bad either.

for graphics, check out the 3870, for 200 that card is pretty sexy, and its on-par with the 8800, but that will come down to a matter of pref, Personally I find that the ATI drivers rape the fuck out of nVidia's.

Harddrive wise, I think WD > Seagate.

[Scroll_Lock88]

Next person that links someone to one of those fugly cases with the f*cked up case bezels covered in cheap gawdy plastic needs to die in a fire.


That is all

[ShLoNkY]

Don't forget to check out the Hard drive benchmark charts on Toms Hardware when you are looking into getting an HDD.

HDD speed is very important and theres a bunch of fast drives out there that have a ton of space too.




Reason that I suggested 4gb is that Vista is a necessary evil in the near future. In a year or two, I bet most of us will be running it wether we want to admit it now or not. Memory is so damn cheap nowadays I'd rather snap up the extra 2 gigs and not have to worry about trying to find a discontinued product.

Running a few different types of memory is only asking for trouble.

I'm putting 8gb in my next rig and am going to disable page fileing..........

[DarkShadow]

not really man, you can keep thinking that all you like, but Nobody is seriously going to use Vista over XP unless their forced to with hardware only supporting it, and that only happens when you buy a prebuilt computer with the bullshit drivers and non-standard motherboards.

Linux looks better everyday.

[XxInColdBloodxX]

yeah im pretty much going to stay with XP unless absolutely forced to change over to vista. Than most likely im going to duel boot Vista/Linux.
Thanks guys, much thanks, i would be lost without you. I think i have a set-up unless people suggest more, just seeing how long it will be before i can afford it, i think i should have about 400 in the bank ATM, shouldent take more than... 5 weeks?

[Scroll_Lock88]

yeah im pretty much going to stay with XP unless absolutely forced to change over to vista. Than most likely im going to duel boot Vista/Linux.
Thanks guys, much thanks, i would be lost without you. I think i have a set-up unless people suggest more, just seeing how long it will be before i can afford it, i think i should have about 400 in the bank ATM, shouldent take more than... 5 weeks?

Here's the real question, do you want something of a nice upgrade without spending a whole lot?