• BUILD IT YOURSELF • Low Strife's recommended PC parts lists/all budgets (8/22/08)

low strife · 09:35 PM

Due to the increasing amount of threads on people wanting to get ideas\help on what computer to get, or what parts to get a detailed thread on what to buy, an why, is in order. I shall lay this out, building each computer from parts that you could get from any site, but I will refer to Newegg.com for each. You can get them from any site that you choose, but make sure that its the same exact model.

However you might be thinking, "How the hell do I put one together?"

I no longer have the time\want\need to update this thread as regularly as I used to. I will now just update it once a month (generally at the start or sometime around there). If you do so feel that you don't want to wait, you can post a thread in the Tech Support section to get final help from other members (and most likely me too). I simply don't want to spend 2 hours every week updating this thread with the latest & greatest.

Assembling a Computer: How-To

http://tools.corsair.com/systembuild...id=78237&sid=1

OR

http://techreport.com/articles.x/13671/1

OR

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/build-a-computer.htm

*History of updates to all builds*

12/31/07: Updated Extreme build Video card, motherboard.

1/09/08: Added this post to www.highimpacthalo.org.
1/15/08: Price and availability check on all builds.
1/19/08: Added a 5th build due to non-gaming related needs.
1/23/08: Changed video card on cheapest build; 8600 is a little much.
1/28/08: Doubled RAM on Extreme build.
2/03/08: Price and availability check on all builds.
2/05/08: Added Reid18's HD capturing build.
2/05/08: Changed the layout of the post, along with a few errors in grammar and spelling.
2/08/08: Price check on two builds.
2/12/08: Changed video card on Performance gaming build.
2/24/08: Price checks on all builds.
3/23/08: Updated every build, added CPU cooling towers to all builds.
4/14/08: Price and part checks to all builds.
6/19/08: I finally get around to updating this thread. Enjoy.
6/25/08: Fixed a few things on the HD build.
7/08/08: Updated a few links, minor update.
8/03/08: Updated every build, price and part check. Changed the names of the builds.
8/22/08: Price check, and changed a few things.
8/26/08: Changed RAM on extreme build to DDR2.

The Computers

Cheap, non gaming. $610 at time of posting.

Cheap gaming build. $797 at time of posting.

Above average, non gaming. $813 at time of posting.

Above average, complete gaming. $1179 at time of posting.

HD capturing setup. $1,675 at time of posting.

Best desktop computer money can buy. $7,113 at time of posting.

Note: These are simply guideline builds. I dont have the time to make 500 different builds that can be customized for everyone. If you have a specific budget, or specific needs, please feel free to contact me. AIM = lower strife

The Links

Cheap, non gaming. $490 at time of posting. *Updated on 8/22/08*
CPU
CPU Cooling Tower
RAM
Mainboard
Hard Drive
Case
Power Supply
DVD Drive

Cheap gaming build. $774 at time of posting. *Updated on 8/22/08*
CPU
CPU Cooling Tower
RAM
Mainboard
Hard Drive
Video Card
Case
Power Supply
DVD Drive

Above average, non-gaming. $779 at time of posting. *Updated on 8/22/08*
(Note: Requires 64-bit operating system to read all 4GB of RAM)
CPU
CPU Cooling Tower
RAM
Mainboard
Hard Drive
Video Card
Case
Power Supply
DVD Drive

Above average, complete gaming. $949 at time of posting.*Updated on 8/22/08*
(Note: Requires 64-bit operating system to read all 4GB of RAM)

CPU
CPU Cooling Tower
Fan for Cooling Tower Medium [] Fan for Cooling Tower High (loud!)
RAM
Mainboard
Hard Drive
Video Card
Case
Power Supply
DVD Drive

HD capturing setup and gaming build. $1,272 at time of posting. *Updated on 8/22/08*
(Note: Requires 64-bit operating system to read all 8GB of RAM)
CPU
CPU Cooling Tower
Fan for Cooling Tower Medium [] Fan for Cooling Tower High (loud!)
2x RAM
Mainboard
2x Hard Drive
Video Card
Case
Power Supply
DVD Drive

Best desktop computer money can buy. $5,557 at time of posting. *Updated on 8/26/08*
(Note: Requires 64-bit operating system to read all 8GB of RAM)
CPU
CPU Cooling Tower
2x RAM
Mainboard
2x Hard Drive(Operating system & programs)
2x Hard Drive(All data)
2x Video Card
Case
2x Blu-Ray Drive
2x Monitor
Sound Card

Diablo · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2007

But one your buy all these parts how do you put them together? Any good link that you have on how to assemble the computer.

Ryu Hitokiri · #3 (**permalink**) 12-02-2007

It's really easy. Check Howstuffworks.com and Nvidia's site on how to build a computer.

inkfx · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diablo

But one your buy all these parts how do you put them together? Any good link that you have on how to assemble the computer.

A manual will come with your motherboard describing the installation process. There is only one way and one place everything will fit.

AvaPro · #5 (**permalink**) 12-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by inkfx

A manual will come with your motherboard describing the installation process. There is only one way and one place everything will fit.

With that and the power of Google at hand, you are unstoppable.

InkFX for Admin.

A\/aPro

inkfx · #6 (**permalink**) 12-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvaPro

With that and the power of Google at hand, you are unstoppable.

InkFX for Admin.

A\/aPro

Thank you for your support, it's much appreciated. Perhaps one day we will all be blessed with my admin power.

low strife · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by inkfx

Thank you for your support, it's much appreciated. Perhaps one day we will all be blessed with my admin power.

If only for a short time before Z breaks out of his house and hunts you down.

inkfx · #8 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by low strife

If only for a short time before Z breaks out of his house and hunts you down.

Better yet, he could just save his energy and give me a red name.

kegonomics · #9 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

Great suggestions for multiple variations of a computer. Although you can get something similar to the "Completely OMGOMGOMG Crysis @ 30FPS maxed!" for more than half of that price. For example, the processor can be a 2.4 GHz Quad-Core processor and only be 1/4 of the price for the processor you suggested. And then, if you get an ASUS motherboard aswell, they have a program to download that safely and securely allows you to overclock your processor without going too far (thus achieving close to 2.9 GHz). And unless you are rendering Shreck 4 on this computer, there really is no need to get that Processor at 3.0GHz.

And going SLi for graphics is a great idea....If you are willing to dish out the extra dough for the second graphics card (which is less then what you save getting a 2.4 GHz Processor lol). [SLi is when you have two graphics cards rendering on one screen (or more) but for example, we'll say one. One graphics card renders the top half of the screen and the second renders the bottom half, thus limiting the strain on the processors in both graphics cards and your Motherboard's Processor]

P.S. Here is the computer Specs that I just ordered... Currently in Transit

Motherboard - $200
CPU - $280
GFX 1 - $490
GFX 2 - $490
Storage*^ - $310
Memory [x3] - $222 ($74.00 x 3)
Power - $300
Case* - $30

Total: $2322 - HALF THE PRICE!!

*I didn't buy these, I got better deals on Black Friday.
^RAID as Striping.

I ended up paying $1614.95 alltogether after shipping and tax (includes black friday deals and 1x 22" Acer p221w LCD Monitor)

inkfx · #10 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by kegonomics

Great suggestions for multiple variations of a computer. Although you can get something similar to the "Completely OMGOMGOMG Crysis @ 30FPS maxed!" for more than half of that price. For example, the processor can be a 2.4 GHz Quad-Core processor and only be 1/4 of the price for the processor you suggested. And then, if you get an ASUS motherboard aswell, they have a program to download that safely and securely allows you to overclock your processor without going too far (thus achieving close to 2.9 GHz). And unless you are rendering Shreck 4 on this computer, there really is no need to get that Processor at 3.0GHz.

And going SLi for graphics is a great idea....If you are willing to dish out the extra dough for the second graphics card (which is less then what you save getting a 2.4 GHz Processor lol). [SLi is when you have two graphics cards rendering on one screen (or more) but for example, we'll say one. One graphics card renders the top half of the screen and the second renders the bottom half, thus limiting the strain on the processors in both graphics cards and your Motherboard's Processor]

P.S. Here is the computer Specs that I just ordered... Currently in Transit

Motherboard - $200
CPU - $280
GFX 1 - $490
GFX 2 - $490
Storage*^ - $310
Memory [x3] - $222 ($74.00 x 3)
Power - $300
Case* - $30

Total: $2322 - HALF THE PRICE!!

*I didn't buy these, I got better deals on Black Friday.
^RAID as Striping.

I ended up paying $1614.95 alltogether after shipping and tax (includes black friday deals and 1x 22" Acer p221w LCD Monitor)

You are mistaken about the extreme build. That is a Yorkfield processor with the 45nm die shrink. It's a much better, more efficient CPU and I guarantee it out-clocks and out-performs the Kentsfield. Also, seeing as it's no budget type of build spending that kind of cash doesn't matter to you anyway.

I would still replace the Raptors with SSD.