trying to build a computer

[Ltfalcon9700]

i am new to this web site and to computers. i want to build myself a computer and am not shure were to start. i have a good idea on what my video card (radeon 9700 pro) is going to be but thats abouit all. i want to build it mainly for gaming but other stuff to. 3d modeling music videos ect... and is under at least $800. if some one could tell me what type of mother board memory ect... to get that would be great!!!

[fiji]

well i would reccomend waiting till mid-september

see when amd/intel releases the new processors prices will probably drop


but i would also reccomend my system

abit nf7-s
512mb ddr400 (you might want to get faster ram nowadays, i got this a few months ago when it was more expesnvie)
amd 2500 barton
80gb WD 7200rpm 8mb cache special edition (good deal on this hdd)
vid card: whatever
no need for sound card with nf7-s
no need for NIC
cd/floppy etc

also for cooling i got

6*80mm fans
1*slk-800u


oh and i almost forgot!


PSU/CASE

this is arguably one of the most important parts of your computer

because they will probably outlast the other components, and your other components depend on them 100%

sparkle/fortron/antec
are considered to be good PSU's

as for case, i cant say much here, but just get a quality case-- you dont want a flimsy one /cheap one
remember you get what you pay for (most of the time anyway :P )

[Ltfalcon9700]

i also would like to no about overclocking. would it be any use over clocking a radeom 9700 pro? if so, how would i do it

[Shadow ÒÓ]

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!

carry on. =)

[Surreal]

amd is the best to overclock if you have good cooling. the video cards are overclocked by software. there are many programs all about the net.

[Deathknight]

Originally posted by Ltfalcon9700
i also would like to no about overclocking. would it be any use over clocking a radeom 9700 pro? if so, how would i do it

Its definatly worth it. You can OC a 9700 pro pretty good. Look into a program called powerstrip, it will allow you to set the core and memory speeds for your 9700 (along with a ton of other options).

[Ltfalcon9700]

lol thx

[Fallen Phoenix]

Do you need a monitor too? Make sure you look at everything as a whole or you may have to skimp at the end and get something that will be sub-par compared to everything else. The 2500+ Barton is a great looking CPU, I'm probably getting one in a month or so and moving my 1700+ (about a week old now) to another case for a folding rig. The upgrade bug bit me! Someone get the RAID *hyukhyuk*;)

[Ltfalcon9700]

to tell ya the truth, i realy did forget about a moniter but i have conections and can get one farly easy

[Ltfalcon9700]

y does it say i need at least 100 threads to look at cooling and some others??

[Fallen Phoenix]

I thought cooling was open to all registered members? The classifieds are restricted to 100 posts and up to make sure most people in there are established members and people are less likely to get the shaft. The general section is restricted to 997 posts and up to help keep down the BS. Good idea if you ask me after looking at some other boards:eek:

[cherryp00t]

cooling should be opened to you.. though classifieds are not

[PCluva]

Originally posted by fiji
oh and i almost forgot!


PSU/CASE

this is arguably one of the most important parts of your computer

because they will probably outlast the other components, and your other components depend on them 100%

sparkle/fortron/antec
are considered to be good PSU's



And almost always the most overlooked... fiji is 100% right, get the best you can afford!!

I would suggest checking out the Soltek SL-75FRN2 AMD (Socket A) Nforce2 Ultra 400 mainboard, like the one in my sig. cheap and a very good overclocker. but if money is no issue then "Abit nf7-s" would be a fine choice, however any board with an Nforce2 chipset are the best overclockers, as they will easly do 200+ FSB without any probs!

Also get the best RAM you can afford, its very important when overclocking to have good memory!

Ohh! by the way, welcome to a totally addictive hobbie:D and the Forums;)

[Jarlax]

If you are on a tight budget then take a look at the AMD side of things. They are cheaper processors in price and overclock very well. If your budget will allow, then look at the Intel side also. Intel will get you a little bit more performance but it will cost a little more money.

Best thing I can tell you to do is to put a list together of all the parts you will need and then read through the forums and start putting together a list of the products people are getting good results with and then make an individual decision about each piece. here is a basic list of parts to get you started that I use:
1 Case
2 Power Supply
3 CPU
4 Motherboard
5 Memory
6 Hard Drive
7 Floppy Cable
8 1.44 Floppy Drive
9 CD Rom
10 IDE Cable
11 Video Card
12 Keyboard
13 Mouse
14 Operating System
15 CPU Cooler
16 Sound Card

*Optional Items to consider*
1 Northbridge cooler
2 Cable Ties
3 DVD drive
4 Monitor
5 Thermal Grease
6 Speakers

Note that this list can and will change according to what you already have and or need. What I did is start a spreadsheet with the following columns Part, Description, cost, shipping, order number, and "Bought from". I would research CPU for example and I went through Intels and AMDs and put a list of the different ones I thought would fit my budget. Then when I decided on which one I was going to get I would order it and complete the row so it looked like this

CPU Intel | 2.4c 800FSB | 170.00 | 0.00 | xpcsdsere | Newegg.com

THis allowed me to keep a running total of what I have spend and I could fill in different scenarios to see how the rig would price out.

Just an idea...