A Decent Computer for a Good Price

[KingCody]

My mobo ->http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131024
is compatible with my video card (GDDR3) ->
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130283
right?

yes

:wave:

 

[Tenko]

Well, I went to my local Best Buy and checked out their prices and stuff... The best deal they had would end up being about the same price as mine, but I wouldn't need to install anything... But it would be a Socket 939, not an AM2, so idk. Why are AM2's so much better? Are they the "future" machines? I'm just nervous about putting this beast together myself, because what if I can't do it, or I break something, or it doesn't work. I have no clue how to build it or even really where to start (Well kind of from King Cody's response). Is it basically just screwing things into your case, plugging things in, and eventually installing everything? I talked to a guy at Best Buy who was a computer specialist and he had built several computers and said it takes him 5 or 6 hours per computer and that he built his first computer like 3 years ago. I just don't wanna order everything then not be able to get it put together and set up. Also, if I do manage to get it all set up, I don't really know how to install everything. (Windows, Video Drivers, Wireless Network, etc.) Haha, any confidence boosting would be appreciated.

Also, for my outlet strip do I need a Battery Backup one because the guy at Best Buy said I should get one even though it was $40.

Oh, and one more question. How many computers have you guys built? (If too many to count, then just give a guess )

Lastly, whats a table test?

 

[Tenko]

Well, I talked to my mom's friend who knows quite a bit about computers and he is gonna help me build my computer. I haven't ordered yet but should be ordering soon. It should probably be up and running by this weekend.

Also, can anyone help me with the questions above?
Pretty please?

 

[KingCody]

if I do manage to get it all set up, I don't really know how to install everything. (Windows, Video Drivers, Wireless Network, etc.) Haha, any confidence boosting would be appreciated.

1. windowsXP is a pretty painless installation. it practically does it all by itself. you only need to answer a few simple questions like "what time zone are you in" or "what is your name". make sure your XP version is up to date (as much as possible at least), so that you don't have to download a million updates from microsoft afterwards.

2. video drivers... just pop in the CD that came with your video card and follow the prompts. or download the latest drivers from the video card maker's website

3. windowsXP service pack 2 will set up the wireless connection for you. if you want a local network to share files and printers then just use the network setup wizard in "my network places"

4. don't worry. you'll do fine

Also, for my outlet strip do I need a Battery Backup one because the guy at Best Buy said I should get one even though it was $40.

you don't need one, but it's never a bad idea to have one. what he is referring to is a UPS (interruptible power supply). it can keep your PC powered for a short period of time if the power goes out (so you can properly shut it down), but more importantly it helps to regulate the AC voltage going into your PSU.

How many computers have you guys built?

I have personally built around 10

Lastly, whats a table test?

this means connecting everything up on a... (yep, you guessed it...) a table .this is done to make sure everything works before you actually install it into the case. if something doesn't work right you can diagnose and fix it much easier outside of the case.

:wave:

 

[Tenko]

Haha, well thanks a lot for that. You are extremely helpful haha. You should be like the Techspot Ruler.
For a table test you just plug in the all the stuff and turn it on? How do you know if it works, does it like beep and make noises or what? Haha
Also, I'm getting XP Pro now because at Best Buy its only $10 more then Home and many people have said Pro is the better choice.

 

[KingCody]

For a table test you just plug in the all the stuff and turn it on? How do you know if it works, does it like beep and make noises or what?

with most mobos, if everything works then it should beep once and you'll get video. it should perform the standard POST then bring you to a startup screen asking you if you want to configure the BIOS or continue. watch the POST screen or enter the BIOS to see that it recognizes all of your connected hardware.

if all is good, then go ahead and install everything into the case, and install your OS

 

[Tenko]

Oh, so you just hook it up outside the case, and if it works then you install it in? I thought if you turn on your computer before everything is installed it is really bad because it heats up extremely fast or something?

 

[KingCody]

as long as the heatsink is properly installed then nothing should overheat. you're also not running it long enough to worry about it anyways.

and it is much easier to install the CPU, heatsink, and RAM sticks to the motherboard before you install it in the case.

 

[Tenko]

Well, I am EXTREMELY mad right now! My parents, which tend to be very strict sometimes, insist that I get a computer from Best Buy so I don't have to build it, because they don't think I can. Either that, or hire her friend to help for $150 which I can't afford. And to add to that, she said I can't spend any more money on my computer (She wants me to save for a car, fill my bank, and eventually save for college) so I cannot possibly hire that guy and she won't let me put it together myself.
I am just trying to vent my frustration I guess. It seems like I had the best dream computer ever but now it turns out I won't be able to get it. I have been looking at other options earlier mentioned and they don't look to match up to mine but my parents are being unreasonable...
Well, the computer that I would be getting other then my dream one, would almost cost the same amount, but wouldn't be AM2, it would be 939, but would already be put together (besides the fans, PSU, video card, and wireless network). I really want my computer but if I can't have it then I guess this will have to do..
1. PC (What does it mean by "game ports"?) - $700 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...oductCategoryId=cat01173&id=pcmprd59500050004
2. Router - $60 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat25300050001&id=1061127609500
3. Card - $50 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat25300050006&id=1099384455623
4. Outlet Strip - $41 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat08029&id=1122655672352
5. Anti-Virus - $50 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7334645&type=product&tab=4&id=1118845328621
6. 2x Fans - $10 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811998127
7. Video Card - $170 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130283
8. PSU - $70 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817103937
Total ~ $1250 w/ tax and shipping

Sadly, this is most likely what I will be limited to. Will it run a LOT worse then my dream PC or will it just run a little bit slower? Also, is there anything really bad (or good?) about this PC? Third, on the wireless card it says "System Requirements Intel® Pentium®-class PC " does that mean it will or won't work with the above pc? Fourth, on the Anti-Virus it says "
PC Processor Type Intel® Pentium® processor or equivalent " and once again, will the above PC work with it or not? Lastly, would it be very hard to set this up with the new parts, and how hard is it to set up a wireless network?
Well, thanks for the ten pages of help, and any help you give me after this (even though it seems like the other ten pages were wasted ),
Tenko

 

[agi_shi]

Really?

Well, I am EXTREMELY mad right now! My parents, which tend to be very strict sometimes, insist that I get a computer from Best Buy so I don't have to build it, because they don't think I can. Either that, or hire her friend to help for $150 which I can't afford. And to add to that, she said I can't spend any more money on my computer (She wants me to save for a car, fill my bank, and eventually save for college) so I cannot possibly hire that guy and she won't let me put it together myself.
I am just trying to vent my frustration I guess. It seems like I had the best dream computer ever but now it turns out I won't be able to get it. I have been looking at other options earlier mentioned and they don't look to match up to mine but my parents are being unreasonable...
Well, the computer that I would be getting other then my dream one, would almost cost the same amount, but wouldn't be AM2, it would be 939, but would already be put together (besides the fans, PSU, video card, and wireless network). I really want my computer but if I can't have it then I guess this will have to do..
1. PC (What does it mean by "game ports"?) - $700 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...oductCategoryId=cat01173&id=pcmprd59500050004
2. Router - $60 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat25300050001&id=1061127609500
3. Card - $50 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat25300050006&id=1099384455623
4. Outlet Strip - $41 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat08029&id=1122655672352
5. Anti-Virus - $50 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7334645&type=product&tab=4&id=1118845328621
6. 2x Fans - $10 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811998127
7. Video Card - $170 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130283
8. PSU - $70 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817103937
Total ~ $1250 w/ tax and shipping

Sadly, this is most likely what I will be limited to. Will it run a LOT worse then my dream PC or will it just run a little bit slower? Also, is there anything really bad (or good?) about this PC? Third, on the wireless card it says "System Requirements Intel® Pentium®-class PC " does that mean it will or won't work with the above pc? Fourth, on the Anti-Virus it says "
PC Processor Type Intel® Pentium® processor or equivalent " and once again, will the above PC work with it or not? Lastly, would it be very hard to set this up with the new parts, and how hard is it to set up a wireless network?
Well, thanks for the ten pages of help, and any help you give me after this (even though it seems like the other ten pages were wasted ),
Tenko

Are you sure you can't get by them with a little talk or something? This is how it went with me, and then they told me that it's just throwing 700$ to the wind...

But yesterday I proved them wrong. I put together the barebones of the pc (that is, everything but the harddrive, floppy drive and dvd/cd drive) and got my first live screen... Went into the CMOS and saw that everything was fine...

Plus, it doesn't take that much time... taking precautions all the time, it took me about 2 hours to put together the barebones (and install them in the case). You just have to becareful - I touched my pc (unpainted part) every time I was going to touch something, just in case (in addition to the anti-static strap).

But the point is, it was SO MUCH FUN!

Anyways, if they *really* won't let you do it, I guess you can go with that pc and change the graphics card like you will do.... Just make sure that it has a PCI-E x16 slot... Also, where will you place the fans? If it doesn't have room for them it's pointless...

It shouldn't run THAT much slower... Infact, it probably won't run slower at all.

 

[nickslick74]

That's a bummer to hear . I would ditch the McAfee crud and use the free AVG antivirus and the free ZoneALarm firewall. I would also guess that the computer will be slower than the one you were planning on building, but not much slower.
The reasons I think it will be a bit slower:
1. Unknown mobo.
2. DDR1 memory and probably a cheapo generic.
3. The hdd is probably not a SATA drive but an IDE drive.
But if this is what you are stuck with (I know how stubborn parents can be, since I am one!) it isn't the end of the world.

 

[Tenko]

Yeah, Agi, I know I could do it to with some time and precautions but my parents think i'm getting in over my head and they won't let me build it, no matter how much I beg them!
Well, I know it has a PCI-E slot so it should be fine, and, I don't really know if there is room for more fans or not haha, it would probably be good to check. Thats good that it will run nearly as fast as mine would've.
Also, Nick, that sounds like a good idea, to ditch McAfee for something free which is most likely better. I wasn't really sure about that but I just threw it in the mix.
Oh, and can anybody answer my questions about the wireless card and the setup?
Thanks a ton (once again),
Tenko

 

[nickslick74]

The wireless card will work fine.

 

[Tenko]

Ok, thanks. I was just a little nervous about it haha because it said Intel Pentium PC class but that one was AMD, but I guess it just meant Intel, or equivelent?
Well, I guess there is one good thing about this. I will get it quicker and it will be set up quicker. Thats about it though, I would way rather put it together myself, but I guess that just isn't happening.

 

[agi_shi]

Yes

Ok, thanks. I was just a little nervous about it haha because it said Intel Pentium PC class but that one was AMD, but I guess it just meant Intel, or equivelent?
Well, I guess there is one good thing about this. I will get it quicker and it will be set up quicker. Thats about it though, I would way rather put it together myself, but I guess that just isn't happening.

Yes, that is a good point. Installing windows is going to be a pain, since (1) it'll go slowly since I need to format & then install, and (2) I have never done it before so I might accidentally do something wrong... Though it probably won't be that hard...

 

[Tenko]

Yeah, i'm guessing it won't be that hard. You should be able to do it, and if not i'm sure King Cody, Nick, Rage, or somebody else can help
Well, now all that's left is to pick up the computer and order my parts and hope it works good.

 

[agi_shi]

Also.

Also, just so you know, when you getyour pc you'll probably have a lot of stuff installed (which, most of the time, is useless). You'll probably want to get rid of some of it.

 

[Tenko]

Yeah, I figured that haha. Also, I have a bunch of other things to move from this PC to the new one. I am also wondering if it will be hard to take out the PSU and replace it, and install the new video card? Do you think two extra fans will fit in there?
Thanks for the help

 

[sellmesanity]

Man Tenko I feel like going to your house and building that computer for you, it is too damn easy to build a computer. I used to be so scared to build one. Now I have built 6 of them and I am using one that I built right now, it screams. Windows is so expensive...hahaha. BTW a best buy computer would be actually more expensive than building one, I believe. Everything is easy to swap out you just have to be careful to not have static electricity on your fingers by grounding yourself (touching a piece of metal with both hands) and you have to be careful not to bump any components.

 

[Tenko]

Yeah, I know, but its just my dang parents I know I could do it and so does everyone else it would just take a little bit of time and precautions. Do you think the stock PSU that comes with the Gateway will be enough to power the 7600GT? My mom's friend (a computer specialist) said that I shouldn't even bother with a better PSU and that the stock one should be able to handle it. Also, I didn't notice the built in wireless part so I have no need for a wireless card which is another nice bonus.

 

[sellmesanity]

Depends on the Gateway model, but usually those computers do not come with the power supplies that can handle upgrades, because they want to have the "simple minded" consumer buy a whole new computer instead of upgrading theirs. I am leaning towards no, but for about 60 bucks you can get a great power supply. Let me get this straight though, you're actually going to get a prebuilt one? It's such a crime that you are doing that now because it is cheaper than ever to build a monster for under 800 bucks!

 

[Tenko]

I know, I know. Sadly, yes I have to buy a prebuilt one and yes, it will be worse then mine and probably more expensive This is what I'm stuck with though and my parents aren't gonna change their minds any time soon. I guess I'll just have to get that PSU above.
Thanks for the help Sellmesanity

 

[sellmesanity]

I know that this may be a bit persistant of me, but is there anyway you can trick your parents into thinking that you got a gateway, that you ordered online? Like...look for a gateway box and a gateway sticker and put it on the computer, and you can build the computer at a friends house...AHHH I want to talk to your parents right now! If you build your own computer it'll give you this feeling of fierce pride and joy, as opposed to looking at a branded plain old boring high priced pc...BLAH

Ok, I just have to accept that you aren't going to build one..oh well...

 

[Cyber]

I built my first pc when i was 15... and same thing happened with me.... my parents refused.... and then i came up with a reason that i am educating my self and that if i have fun doing this i might go towards computers in future and after a long talk they agreed... lol... well i did learn a lot and i did have fun... so just sit down with ur parents and tell them that this is a good opportunity for u to explore ideas for ur future planning... and believe me after u have built you first system u feel like the master of computers… lol... and another thing u can do is show them how serious you are about this so do some research on computer building and look at some guides and try to convince them that you really are serious.. anyways good luck

Cyber

 

[Tenko]

Jeez, I wish you guys could talk to my parents because they will not change their minds no matter what. They are like "I don't care if you're educating yourself!" and "You are too young to build a PC, you are only 14!" and "If you mess one thing up there goes your $1200 down the drain!" etc, etc.