DrinkWater

I've decided to build my own computer over the next couple of months, so I've been asking around in a bunch of forums for advice or maybe links to some helpful articles. What would be really helpful is a guide that details how to avoid all the compatibility issues that come with piecing together your own computer. I need to know how to tell if a motherboard will fit in a certain case, how strong of a power supply I'll need, how to tell if a motherboard will support certain processors, that sort of thing.

Basically, I want a computer that can handle gaming and sound production (I'm a musician interested in experimenting with a computer-based recording system). I'm willing to spend a lot, collecting parts over an extended period of time as I am able to afford them. I wasn't exactly sure where to start, so I was looking at Motherboard/CPU combos first. Here's a Mobo I found that looks good for the price:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131011

Any feedback you guys could give me would be great.

beefers1

umm... I'm not a mod or anything, but shouldn't you answer some questions on one of the sticky posts?

forcifer

whats your price range? thats the true question that i care about :)

DrinkWater

I haven't thought too much about price, i guess i'm just looking at near-top-of-the-line parts to put together into a fast computer. I don't need the computer anytime soon, so I have no problem with taking the time to save up money to buy high-end parts if I really feel I need them. Basically, this thread is just fishing for any good noob guides out there for putting together a computer. I've already read through the guide about choosing a power supply, but I figure that's the last thing I'll worry about once I choose my mobo, processor, RAM, HDs, graphics card etc.

beefers1

well, the PSU IS a very important part of your PC, and nothing can run without it. So be sure to choose a decent one.

DrinkWater

I'm thinking of putting this processor ( http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819103194) on the motherboard I listed up above ( http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131011
) ...would that work okay?

beefers1

No problem. though the motherboard seems a bit highly-priced. see if you can find a decent-branded one around $120.

forcifer

this really pains me to say it..but...i dont think you should get AMD. intel has been ahead for several years now. phenom is doing ok in the low end quad market, but for dual core and at those prices your going to have to go intel. this is what i would get. basic, ~$1k build :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133040 case - really up to you. personal thing here, i like my cases aluminum and windows but thats often expensive so...whatever you want.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118004 dvd drive - basic, SATA, you dont need more...i think
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152107 - 250gb hard drive. if you need more, get more.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034 memory - $30 after rebate, free shipping, CAS4, cant ask for more. (rhymes also)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128059 - solid as a rock mobo.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703005 psu - super amazing quality. 680 max, best brand right now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703005 quad core ftw
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161224 video card - puts you a little over 1k, but this card will kick some serious butt. only card thats better is the 9800GX2, and its closer to $550. the 8800ULTRA gets close, but not for the price.

after $55 in MIR, its about $1100. thats insane...

DrinkWater

I like the pricier motherboard because it has the built-in wifi, saving me an extra pci slot for whatever I might need. Then again, I'm not really sure how well built-in wifi actually performs or anything...what do you guys think?

forcifer

umm i wouldnt get the pricier mobo just for that. asus does make great boards however. up to you just dont cut back somewhere else. at least i wouldnt...

DrinkWater

Update: I got my hands on an AMD Athlon 64 X2, same one as above only a lot cheaper because I bought it off a friend who decided he didn't want it (it hasn't been used), I gave him 50 bucks instead of 90 for it :). I really like Forcifer's build, would it work assuming I have a different mobo that fits the processor? I think I will end up going with a cheaper Mobo, any suggestions for a good solid one?

Also, that video card got mixed reviews and looks a little bit pricey...what do you guys think of this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130319

forcifer

ehh athlons...they have been falling behind. more games that are coming up require more.

the 8800GT cant touch the 3870x2. as for mobo, you are saving alot, look for asus 790FX.

beefers1

AMD Athlons can't compete with the core 2's, but I think they're competent enough to handle most gaming tasks pretty decently. AMD has been losing a lot of money on them, however.

Also: 8800GT's ARE slower, but considerably cheaper than the 3800 series. Now that the geforce 9's are out, they can be found at around $150-170 now.

DrinkWater

I just realized that the processor I bought doesn't come with a fan or heat sink. Do i need to get one?

beefers1

of course. $10-$15 will get you a decent one, unless you plan on overclocking

DrinkWater

Okay...I think i've made a list of everything I need except for the Case/PSU. I'd like to buy both of those together if possible.

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2
Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131011 - I don't mind going all out for the motherboard
Graphics Card - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814127333
Heatsink/Fan - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16835118004 - decided to pay a little more for a quieter one
RAM - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820231098 - 2GB
HD - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822144456 - 250GB
DVD Burner - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827129018

So there it all is. I'm pretty sure this stuff will all fit together, but this is my first time doing this so it would be great if someone would make sure I didn't mess up somewhere. Also, what kind of PSU do I need for all this?

beefers1

pretty good. now all you'll need is the PSU and case. In your case, a 600-700W should be fine.