Computer Build

WRXTuan · 11-30-2008, 07:32 PM

So after my experience of Black Friday, Black Saturday and Black Sunday (seems like a lot of companies are still in the red) I have noticed it is time to start planning for a computer build to replace my current desktop.

I am not building this for the sake of building, I am building this to play left4dead in the near future and eventually play StarCraft 2 (decently). I have no budget set for this build, and I am not trying to build this computer in a week, so I am going to take my sweet time (...months?). I'll probably buy parts one at a time and build it with special care (or laziness).

I just wanted to open up this thread to see what I need to look into and what I should avoid as I haven't build a computer in about 3 years. There is nothing wrong with my setup (P4 w/hyper threading, 256MB vid card, 1.5GB ram) but these are the minimum settings for left4dead and besides I guess it will be a hobby to look for 'deals' on stuff to spend my spare time on. I will try to update this thread as time will allow me.

**ormand** · 12-01-2008, 06:59 PM

What's your budget? That will pretty much determine what you build. Builds for a good-very good gaming PC range from $1-2k...the best advice I can give you is to wait until you need the PC and then build it. Things are changing so quickly now (including prices!) that there is no point in building until you are ready to game.

From what I see online, here are the requirements for Left For Dead:

OS: Windows Vista, Vista 64, XP,
CPU: 3.0GHz P4, Dual Core 2.0 or AMD64X2 (or higher)
RAM: 1 GB for XP / 2 GB for Vista
Disc Drive: DVD-ROM Drive
Hard Drive: At least 7.5 GB of free space
Video: DirectX 9 compatible video card (Video card must be 128 MB or more and should be a DirectX 9 compatible with support for pixel shader 2.0)
Sound: DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card

WRXTuan · 12-03-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ormand

What's your budget? That will pretty much determine what you build. Builds for a good-very good gaming PC range from $1-2k...the best advice I can give you is to wait until you need the PC and then build it. Things are changing so quickly now (including prices!) that there is no point in building until you are ready to game.

From what I see online, here are the requirements for Left For Dead:

OS: Windows Vista, Vista 64, XP,
CPU: 3.0GHz P4, Dual Core 2.0 or AMD64X2 (or higher)
RAM: 1 GB for XP / 2 GB for Vista
Disc Drive: DVD-ROM Drive
Hard Drive: At least 7.5 GB of free space
Video: DirectX 9 compatible video card (Video card must be 128 MB or more and should be a DirectX 9 compatible with support for pixel shader 2.0)
Sound: DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card

Not going to be a spender this time around. I have resigned to the fact that I won't make the fasARest computer in ze World, but I want something that would last a couple of years. My current setup is the minimum requirement for Left4dead so I'm not too worried about that, I'm looking forward to the future game, yes as in one as in starcraft 2.

WRXTuan · 12-05-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRXTuan

Not going to be a spender this time around. I have resigned to the fact that I won't make the fasARest computer in ze World, but I want something that would last a couple of years. My current setup is the minimum requirement for Left4dead so I'm not too worried about that, I'm looking forward to the future game, yes as in one as in starcraft 2.

Never mind on the computer, that hobby has been delayed for lack of funds. Just bought myself a Samsung LN52A650, now how to get digital cable channels...

**Kinny** · 12-10-2008, 03:37 PM

Wait til the prices of the new i7 come down a bit. Read about the new processor. It has potentials.

WRXTuan · 02-06-2010, 12:59 PM

Actually, now I am in the market for a Hard Drive and DDR3 memory to finish a budget build.

WRXTuan · 02-15-2010, 10:19 PM

Actually, I'm ready to build this weekend. Will have specs later.

**ormand** · 02-15-2010, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRXTuan

Actually, I'm ready to build this weekend. Will have specs later.

Let us know how it turns out Curious what you bought and what the specs are

WRXTuan · 02-22-2010, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ormand

Let us know how it turns out Curious what you bought and what the specs are

Will do, it's very budget as I had to reuse some parts from my previous computer. However, it wasn't as urgent until last week when I was accepted to do beta testing for Starcraft 2.

WRXTuan · 03-05-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRXTuan

Will do, it's very budget as I had to reuse some parts from my previous computer. However, it wasn't as urgent until last week when I was accepted to do beta testing for Starcraft 2.

So my actual build:

Case/PSU: Antec 900 Gaming case, Antec Basiq (500 watts)
Motherboard: Gigabyte MA785GMT-UD2H
Processor: AMD PHENOM II X4 965 Processor (3.42 GHz)
System Memory: Patriot DDR3 16GB (4x4GB Modules)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GEFORCE 8800 GTX
Primary HD: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 32MB Cache 7200RPM
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

Stuff that I took from my old computer:
NEC DVD-RW Drive
Seagate 500GB PATA HD Drive

I spent a total of 525 bucks with the costliest item being $125 from my student discount for Win7 Ultimate.

**ormand** · 03-05-2010, 08:58 PM

^Nice build..that's actually pretty cheap!

WRXTuan · 03-15-2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ormand

^Nice build..that's actually pretty cheap!

Indeed I am loving it, it is hooked up to my Samsung LN52A650 and I swear I will never leave home again, except for the necessities.

11-30-2008, 07:32 PM	#1
WRXTuan m0derat0r - College Corner Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 518 Rep Power: 4	Computer Build So after my experience of Black Friday, Black Saturday and Black Sunday (seems like a lot of companies are still in the red) I have noticed it is time to start planning for a computer build to replace my current desktop. I am not building this for the sake of building, I am building this to play left4dead in the near future and eventually play StarCraft 2 (decently). I have no budget set for this build, and I am not trying to build this computer in a week, so I am going to take my sweet time (...months?). I'll probably buy parts one at a time and build it with special care (or laziness). I just wanted to open up this thread to see what I need to look into and what I should avoid as I haven't build a computer in about 3 years. There is nothing wrong with my setup (P4 w/hyper threading, 256MB vid card, 1.5GB ram) but these are the minimum settings for left4dead and besides I guess it will be a hobby to look for 'deals' on stuff to spend my spare time on. I will try to update this thread as time will allow me.

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12-01-2008, 06:59 PM	#2
ormand Administrat0r Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 3,058 Rep Power: 10	What's your budget? That will pretty much determine what you build. Builds for a good-very good gaming PC range from $1-2k...the best advice I can give you is to wait until you need the PC and then build it. Things are changing so quickly now (including prices!) that there is no point in building until you are ready to game. From what I see online, here are the requirements for Left For Dead: OS: Windows Vista, Vista 64, XP, CPU: 3.0GHz P4, Dual Core 2.0 or AMD64X2 (or higher) RAM: 1 GB for XP / 2 GB for Vista Disc Drive: DVD-ROM Drive Hard Drive: At least 7.5 GB of free space Video: DirectX 9 compatible video card (Video card must be 128 MB or more and should be a DirectX 9 compatible with support for pixel shader 2.0) Sound: DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card

12-10-2008, 03:37 PM	#5
Kinny SUPER m0derat0r Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,601 Rep Power: 6	Wait til the prices of the new i7 come down a bit. Read about the new processor. It has potentials.

02-06-2010, 12:59 PM	#6
WRXTuan m0derat0r - College Corner Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 518 Rep Power: 4	Actually, now I am in the market for a Hard Drive and DDR3 memory to finish a budget build.

02-15-2010, 10:19 PM	#7
WRXTuan m0derat0r - College Corner Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 518 Rep Power: 4	Actually, I'm ready to build this weekend. Will have specs later.

03-05-2010, 08:58 PM	#11
ormand Administrat0r Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 3,058 Rep Power: 10	^Nice build..that's actually pretty cheap!