Building a Computer

[HULKSMASH]

Here's the story. My father is a very frugal person, and he doesn't like to "waste" money on computers. For this reason, we had a computer that's about ten years old. It has recently broken (finally), and my dad has agreed to get a new computer, and in his endless quest to save money agrees with me that we should build a computer. I need help finding appropriate components to build said computer, I don't know what would be a good deal and that sort of thing. I don't know how much money he'll agree to spend on this computer, but it can't be too expensive. Probably $700 or so. Ideally, I'd want it to be able to run things like Skyrim reasonably well, although I don't know if that's feasible within that price.

 

[The Cow Dude]

Eh, my compy costed 750 when I bought it and it tends to run things like a wet dream. It could have been cheaper if I actually built it myself, but buying a huge 400 dollar video card later on for 250 kinda cancelled that out.

 

[Splintert]

Look on websites like Newegg and pick out parts that you think are good enough.

Then start over from scratch and do it again with all the knowledge you gained about specifications, compatibility, and looking cool.

 

[Kevlar]

You can also check out various computer sites (OCN for example) that have a B/S/T section. You can get a lot of decent parts for cheap if you buy them used since everyone is always after the next best thing.

 

[Sushiman70]

Try using PCpartpicker and use this as a guide.

 

[Chivalry101]

After extensive research and watching Newegg's How To Build Your Own Computer series I went with a mix of the builds used in those videos. I will be waiting until Christmas so that the price goes down considerably. I felt like splurging on the graphics card.

Edit: There those should show up.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127582
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128488
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

 

[Jock]

Um we can't see your shopping cart. 

 

[bgfan]

I'd suggest going for a Full Tower, and an AM3+ Motherboard. Then you can get your hands on one of my favourite CPUs (great value for what it offers):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103996

Also, another model of the card I use (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681410290 that seems to be slightly better

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353

Those are my recommendations, at least.

 

[Kevlar]

Lol at the AMD recommendation. Not sure why anyone would choose to get one now unless it was somehow at a better price point.

 

[bgfan]

AMD isn't bad at all. Of course you're too much of a pretentious jackass to realize this.

 

[Kevlar]

No, but it is only good (right now) at the bottom end of the spectrum. Intel leads the way in everything higher. So unless the OP is building a system for less than $600 or something I would suggest intel.

 

[bgfan]

The 6850 is a kick ass card for the price.

 

[Splintert]

I think he's talking processors.

I don't know why but I'm compelled to use AMD in a system I (still) want to build. It just seems far more cost-effective since only one game maxes out my low-end laptop i7.

 

[Chivalry101]

I think an Intel processor but and AMD graphics card is a wise choice as AMD graphics cards are cheaper than NVIDIA. That is, if you want to cut a few dollars off of your overall price.

 

[Splintert]

That would be true but the GTX 670 is just so powerful for it's price that I would not dare consider going for something else. In order to match it you'd have to go for a 7970, which is more power hungry, loud and costs more.

If not the 670, definitely one of the mid-tier AMD 7xxx series cards would be a good choice.

 

[Chivalry101]

Would a 570 be worth buying? I like its price range, but i dont know if it has the power needed for newer games.

 

[Splintert]

Yes, it is plenty powerful enough. But I'd go for the newest generation just to take advantage of its power efficiency. The 670 shows only 500 watts as the power requirement, versus 550 watts for the 570. And the 670 is effectively equal to the 680 in gaming power (perhaps with overclocking).

 

[Chivalry101]

Yes, but it is also $200 more than a 570.

 

[Kevlar]

If you have enough wattage you could get two 570's used for the price of a new 670. I buy most of my computer parts used now since there isn't much of a point in buying it new and most parts don't really degrade enough by the time I do upgrade anyway.

Just picked up a 2500k that was only used for 4 months for $150 and a new motherboard to go with it for $150.

 

[Chivalry101]

Too bad Newegg doesn't have used parts.