A Decent Computer for a Good Price

[AMDIsTheBest010]

the unpainted metal part of the computers case, usually the back where all the ports are located.

 

[Tenko]

Doesnt the A/C have to be plugged in for it to be grounded though? (If i took a copper wire and attached it to the case and ran in into an outlet would that ground it?)

P.S. Final Grand Total ~ $1095

 

[Tenko]

Also, when I get all the parts, where do I start building?

 

[KingCody]

Doesnt the A/C have to be plugged in for it to be grounded though?

yes. just be sure to turn the PSU switch off.

for added "fool-proofing" you could plug it into a grounded 3-prong outlet strip and shut the outlet strip's switch off as well as the PSU switch. (even with the switches turned off, it still remains grounded).

If i took a copper wire and attached it to the case and ran in into an outlet would that ground it?

yes, that would work too.

but a safer method would be to cut a 3 prong power cable, leave the ground wire exposed (so you can clip the ground strap to it) and tape off the other two. then plug it in.

:wave:

 

[Tenko]

Well I don't think my outlets have an on/off switch and what do you mean by 3 prong power cable?

 

[KingCody]

I don't think my outlets have an on/off switch

not outlets... i said outlet strip, like this one

what do you mean by 3 prong power cable?

like your PSU's A/C power cord

:wave:

 

[Tenko]

Oh haha, ya thats my bad. I read through that too fast. We have one of those right now in our basement but this computer is hooked up to it. So basically I should buy another one of those and plug the PSU power cord into it and turn the outlet strip and the PSU off. Then, cut the PSU cord to expose the wire and clip the strap to the ground wire and tape off the other two? How much do those outlet strips cost? $20-40? Do I just set the PSU wherever I'm working at the moment to keep the strap clipped on? Also, when I get all the parts where do I start? (What do I do first?)

P.S. - Thanks a lot KingCody you're really helping me a lot, especially since I don't know much about computers.

 

[wolfram]

P.S. - Thanks a lot KingCody you're really helping me a lot, especially since I don't know much about computers.

Yeah, he's very helpful. He should be a TS Paladin

 

[tifc8lraz]

That's good enough. By 2 Mbps I didn't mean the speed of the downloads but rather the connection's speed. I've googled around about the MX4000 and don't seem to find ppl who say it can handle WoW. I think I might have finally found the card for u.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130008
This card is pretty cheap too(especially with the rebate, it becomes cheaper than the MX4000!) and if u read the reviews, they state that it runs WoW at 1024x768 without too many problems.

Whatever you do, do NOT get this card. It only has 64-Bit memory. I have it, and am not too happy. I will be if I find time to overclock it.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

He's getting a 7600GS. Read the rest of the posts before posting please.

 

[tifc8lraz]

He's getting a 7600GS. Read the rest of the posts before posting please.

Oh, sorry!

 

[Tenko]

Haha, its no problem man. I should be ordering on Friday so yeah. Anyways can anyone answer the questions I have above quick? Thanks

Oh, also, why are the computers at Best Buy and stuff so cheap for the specs?
Why shouldnt I just get a computer there with 2GB RAM and a 500GB Hard Drive etc. for $1200 without all the hassle?

 

[KingCody]

why are the computers at Best Buy and stuff so cheap for the specs?
Why shouldnt I just get a computer there with 2GB RAM and a 500GB Hard Drive etc. for $1200 without all the hassle?

you could...

but you get what you pay for. they are cheap for a reason.
cheers :wave:

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Yeah, sub-standard Chinese components are the ones that are there in most of them. It will not last even a year probably and if u break down the components' cost individually, u'll find out that it works out to be cheaper if u build one urself.

 

[Tenko]

Yeah, I'm stickin' to this one but I was just wondering because my friend is on a way bigger budget then me ($500) and was wondering why not to get them.

A couple more questions before I order .
1.To ground myself should I buy another outlet strip and plug the PSU power cord into it and turn the outlet strip and the PSU off. Then, cut the PSU cord to expose the wire and clip the strap to the ground wire and tape off the other two? Do I just set the PSU wherever I'm working at the moment to keep the strap clipped on?

2.Also, when I get all the parts, where do I start building? (What do I do first?)

 

[KingCody]

it isn't really necessary to goto all that trouble. i was just pointing out that to actually be grounded, it has to be attached to something that is physically in the ground.

the PC case itself is still a large metal object and can be used to discharge static from your body even know it's not grounded.


I personally just mount the PSU in the case first, turn the switch to "OFF" and plug it in, then clip the ground strap to an unpainted part of the case.

as for the order of install, the way I do it is:

1. mount PSU (as mentioned above for grounding reasons)
2. lay the mobo on a flat non-static surface and install the CPU/heatsink and RAM sticks into mobo (this is also a good time to table test before mounting in the case)
3. mount mobo
4. mount video card and any additional I/O cards
5. mount optical drives and HDDs
6. connect all power and data cables
7. connect all external wiring

once that is done, you should be able to fire it up and install your OS

:wave:

 

[Tenko]

Well i'm glad it isnt that much trouble haha because that would have been a pain. So instead I could just touch a fosset a couple times while mounting the PSU then plug the PSU into the outlet strip and turn it off, then clip the strap to an unpainted part of the case?
Also, for putting the computer together looks like im going to have to refer back to those guides haha, considering I don't know how to do most of that .
(Like table testing, and installing the RAM, heatsink, and CPU )
For the video cards dont you just plug those in? And mounting is just screwing it into the case right? Haha sorry for these dumb questions.

I think I'm going to be getting this case -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811147020
instead of this case now -> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811156018

 

[Tenko]

By the way, this will probably be the last thing you will need to reply to unless I have troubles with putting my computer together because I will probably be ordering tonight or tomorrow. So now you don't need to worry about my problems! haha...

 

[CrossFire851]

Also when you mount your motherboard, make sure to put the spacer pins in.

 

[Tenko]

Uhh, ok I'll try to remember that Well since I'm ordering pretty soon I made a wishlist on Newegg -> https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/MySavedWishDetail.asp?ID=3910263
Right now everything is ready except I'm debating between these mobos
->http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131024
->http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131013
Is it good enough for the extra $60?
Also, what is the most important factor in buying a good video card? Because I'm debating between these two but dont know if its worth the extra $25
->http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121007
->http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283
And should I get one or two fans?
Also, are there any other changes that you guys would make to the wishlist?
Can you guys please try and answer this as soon as possible, as I am hoping to order tonight... Thanks!

 

[wolfram]

Ok, out of those mobos, the second is better, because it has the new Nvidia chipset, and supports SLI.
Regarding the video cards, the 7600GT is the best choice. It should outperform the 7600GS.

Good luck!

PD: We can't access your wishlist, unless we have your email address and password

 

[Tenko]

Do you think those upgrades are worth the money? And what are the most important factors to look at when buying video cards? (Interface, Memory, Speed, etc.) Also, sorry about the bad link for the Wish List, I can't figure out how to make it public. I tried sharing it and it says its shared but it still doesn't work or show up on the public list. (Can anyone tell me how to make my list viewable to the public? )
Also, 4 of my items are out of stock right now, what should I do? (The Video Card Re-stock on 8/4, the RAM Re-stock on 8/1, the Monitor, and the Cd/DvD Drive)
By the way, thanks for the help everyone! (This really helps me a lot)

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

The most important thing for you to look for in a video card would be to get the best performance and features for ur price, plus it should also be future proof. The 7600GT is all that and more. Regarding the mobo, the SLI capable one is needed only if u want to get another 7600GT in the future and run both cards in SLI. Plus it's more on the newer side regarding the chipset. If u don't need SLI, u don't need to buy it.

 

[Tenko]

Well I don't think I will need SLI so I should just stick to the cheaper one? Would the other mobo offer anything worth the extra $60 besides the SLI? Ok, now I guess I just have to wait for my parts to get in stock, or should I just order now and when the other stuff gets in stock have it sent to my house?

 

[wolfram]

You don't need the more expensive mobo if don't want SLI, it would be useless and a waste of money.