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asterrocI need to buy a PC. I attempted this last summer w/ help from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kelsin, but I never got off my @$$ to actually buy it. I thought Newegg.com sold whole computers, but apparently they don't. I do not need a monitor or other peripherials, just everything that goes in the case. So what do I need to get, and do you have recommendations for which one? I will be installing Win XP on it (possibly Vista), MS Office, Firefox, and assorted games. I want to be able to play Starcraft 2 when it comes out.
I feel like these are the parts I need for a computer.
* Case
* Motherboard (is the processor typically integral to this?)
* DVD R/W
* Hard Drive (100+ GB)
* Video Card
* Sound Card
* RAM (1+ GB)
* USB slots (2 minimum, 6 ideal - are these usually integral to the motherboard?)
* Wireless card (Bluetooth not required)
* Power supply
* Fan
What parts am I missing, and what do you recommend for each? I'm counting on YOU,sirroxton, and maybe kelsin since I'm thinking of converting the old box to linux. ^_^ I'm hoping to order this next week, in the same order as a conure-cam.
kelsin, but I never got off my @$$ to actually buy it. I thought Newegg.com sold whole computers, but apparently they don't. I do not need a monitor or other peripherials, just everything that goes in the case. So what do I need to get, and do you have recommendations for which one? I will be installing Win XP on it (possibly Vista), MS Office, Firefox, and assorted games. I want to be able to play Starcraft 2 when it comes out. I feel like these are the parts I need for a computer.
* Case
* Motherboard (is the processor typically integral to this?)
* DVD R/W
* Hard Drive (100+ GB)
* Video Card
* Sound Card
* RAM (1+ GB)
* USB slots (2 minimum, 6 ideal - are these usually integral to the motherboard?)
* Wireless card (Bluetooth not required)
* Power supply
* Fan
What parts am I missing, and what do you recommend for each? I'm counting on YOU,
sirroxton, and maybe kelsin since I'm thinking of converting the old box to linux. ^_^ I'm hoping to order this next week, in the same order as a conure-cam.
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no subject
Date: 2008-06-05 03:01 pm (UTC)you know, if you have enough space you could just dual-boot Windows on your Mac.
no subject
Date: 2008-06-05 03:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-05 09:10 pm (UTC)The stupid thing is a memory hog.
I actually don't buy memory at Newegg- I've been referred to zipzoomfly.com and I can usually score a good deal between them and buy.com .
For the case, I'd wait on choosing that until you know what Motherboard you will be having- typically most cases will fit almost *all* motherboards, but you might find some that don't. When you do find a case, depending on accessories, I would definately make sure you have enough airflow through the case. Some lower end models may not have enough ventilation in them to keep things from overheating.
As far as processor- motherboard combos, newegg does put some together, but usually its lower end models. (I may be wrong as I haven't looked recently).
Memory kinds will also depend on the motherboard.
Video cards are great- newegg is again where I got mine. I bought a pair of 8800gt's with 512mb to put in SLI (linked) mode, they run as one, and it cost about 1/2 of what one would retail.
***Depending on the motherboard will depend on the video card choice for linking, some support ATI brand video cards, some support geforce videocards** This is totally optional, but a good idea especially for graphic/processor intensive games.
USB is part of the motherboard, but its also part of the case you're buying usually. There are headers on the motherboard, what you can hook your additional usb ports to. Whichever motherboard you get make sure you have adequate headers on it for what you want to run. It is fairly easy to run out of things.
My motherboard has onboard sound- 5.1channel, which does fairly nicely. Sound card at that point is optional, to me.
(my motherboard- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130048 )
I don't know if you have microcenter near you, but they have OEM harddrives for sale now - sometimes they have comparable deals to what is on newegg for regular boxed/retail harddrives.
As far as power supplies go, I'm with Cosair all the way. You pay a bit more upfront for them, but they are solid. I've trouble with dead powersupplies from antec who strangely enough is willing to ship out replacement parts for a computer case without checking warranty information, but won't take a dead WITHIN WARRANTY power supply back because I wasn't the original purchaser (It was a b-day gift). They also won't take it back if you don't have a reciept- even if the manfacturer date is stamped on the thing.
Corsair power supply : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002
I home built my last one, and its been running fine for the last year. My dad's that I built- his got a stupid virus. BUT, thats not my fault. my fiancee has built his and upgraded fans and coolers, and everything.
I can't find my pics of my desktop on my laptop- chances on their on it- but if you want pictures I can probably get you some. Just be warned, my case is a 44lb beast(antec P180B)- only chosen for cooling capability, not it's massive size.