What do I need to build a budgeted computer?

[complover]

thank you soooooo much. this shows me that building a computer, when broken down, is simpler than it might seem I have bookmarked this page and will use it when building my computer for sure!

 

[Speedwagon]

How is that new computer build coming?

 

[complover]

Good, I'm almost ready to buy the supplies. I also have another computer w/ 2.6 ghz processer but only 256 mb ram (an older one) so I want to upgrade that ram (have that process figured out) and may , out of curiosity try linux on my new computer - is that a good idea? Also, Why do people add 2 harddrives to their computers??? Can you run different operating systems on each? One last q: are there any hd's sold w/ os already installed??

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Yes, you can run different OSes on each HDD, but the main reason people add them is to keep the OS and games on one (usually very fast, but small) drive so that they load quick, and keep their other stuff like music and movies on a larger (and relatively slower) drive.

And no, you cannot get new HDDs with an OS pre-installed.

 

[complover]

can 2 hd's be controlled by one os?? and, just out of curiosity, if you replace a hd and you only had one in the computer, then would you need to load an os again? finally, can an os travel computer to computer via a harddrive or does it stay with a computer.

 

[kimsland]

can 2 hd's be controlled by one os??
Yes by a Boot Manager that allows choice to run one OS or the other (at Windows startup)

and, just out of curiosity, if you replace a hd and you only had one in the computer, then would you need to load an os again?
If the Boot Manager existed on the HardDrive that you removed, then you would need to repair this.

finally, can an os travel computer to computer via a harddrive or does it stay with a computer.
There are 2 issues on this one: Device Drivers and Windows OEM legality
Sadly if you Move a HardDrive running Windows to another computer, in most cases it will require a Repair install, just to start Windows. This is because of two different chipsets (let alone all the different Hardwares, ie Sound; Video devices etc)
Also, if Windows COA (Certificate of Authentication CD Key was made for that computer only (ie like a Dell computer with a COA Label attached) Then you cannot move the OS to another computer legally (as it was only intended for that computer)

 

[complover]

So, thank you guys so much for all of the help, and sorry for the delay on my response. I decided, after my friend recently spent some eight hundred dollars to build a computer and promptly fried it within a week, that what I am going to do is build a cheapo computer, about 200$, so that I don't do anything wrong before building my main computer (and I will hopefully have more than five hundred dollars by the spring, which is when i plan to build it, if all goes well with this test build.) Could you please check this list of supplies and see if they will work together? Thank you so much.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103211 ( may decide to get the 2.7 version, the one I was looking at earlier)
Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134192
DVD/CD drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136149
Hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136149
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811162042
This is what I really need help with. I need case/power supply for $50 or under, but want a sturdy, reliable, and hopefully good looking one.
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138111
This is another thing I need help with. When it comes to mobo's, I have no idea whats good and whats bad. again, need it under the fifty dollar mark.
Video card (if extra money, won't really need it, this will be my second computer in a few months,but i still want the experience)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127294

that should be it.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Video cards are very easy to install, you just need to push it into the slot, attach the power connector(s) if necessary and then it's just a matter of screwing it to the case. No need to buy one just for "experience", especially since the motherboard you've chosen comes with onboard video. As for a case, I'd recommend this as a decent case + PSU combo. The other parts are fine.

Just make sure you ground yourself by touching the case before you handle each of the parts (i.e. ground yourself after installing each part successfully), and make sure you're not doing the assembly on a carpet.

 

[complover]

Rage, you are my hero.
A couple last minute q's. First, what type of cable do I need to get to attach my hard drive to my motherboard? Do I need one of these for the CD drive also??? Lastly, I've been wanting to try linux for a while, and think that I will run this computer with Ubuntu (at least for starters) Are there any downsides to this. And, if I install windows on my primary computer when I make it, can vista only be downloaded on one computer??? Thank you guys so much for your help.

Oh, and I switched over to the case you showed me, Rage, thanks for that, too.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

All the cables you need will come with the motherboard. Also, Ubuntu is a great choice for an OS but you may find it hard to run some apps.

As for another OS, how many computers you can install it on depends on the license type. OEM operating systems can only be used on one computer at a time and if you change your motherboard or your system, you need to get a new license. Also, if you decide to re-install the system on a separate HDD, you need to remove it from the HDD it was previously on. So basically an OEM operating system is "married" to your hardware. This problem does not exist with a retail OS, but the latter cost significantly more than their OEM counterparts.