Hello,

This is my first time attempting to build a new computer. I love computers and gaming but have always had a very old model. I decided to make my own computer because most people recommend it as a learning experience and to save money. I dont have much money so i will probably be saving for a while before i actually buy all the parts.
I googled how to build your own computer and found a blog on the How-To Geek :: Computer Help from your Friendly How-To Geek. I tried to use this format to pick the right pieces, but once again i have no idea about most things based on computer hardware. So if you can help at all please do. I will be willing to change anything in this list. Before you look at it please be aware that i didn't chose a case (with a power supply), hard drive, Cd/DVD drive. Please also be aware that i am on a very limited money frame but want a computer with good graphics that can run Games, Have vista and can be upgraded in the future. I also already have a keyboard, monitor, and speakers. If you can recommend any of those items or a replacement to any other items please do.


Computer


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135085 $69.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150340 $89.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220334 $43.99



Please help me...
Thank you.

Unfortunately your links don't work but using the link to the geek is a good place to start. Building a New Computer - Part 1: Choosing Hardware :: the How-To Geek

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EVGA 650i mobo with Intel e8400 Core 2 Duo
4 gigs OCZ 800 ddr2 ram and 160 gig sata hard drive
EVGA GTS 250 SC - Windows 7
See my test at http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?conid=23014579

i just built my first computer yesterday and i'm using it as we speak ;-) i was forced into it b/c my [2006] computer crashed and wouldn't boot up. it's considered obsolete and would've cost more to repair/troubleshoot than to replace. so all considered, i had to buy another one [quickly].

anyway, desktops are extremely easy to build and upgrade nowadays. there is absolutely no reason to be intimidated by a build. if you have the time and the money, you can [and probably should] build your own.

i bought a " barebones " kit from tigerdirect which is now compusa. you can buy online or in store. i bought it in store b/c i couldn't afford to wait on shipping. anyway, the manufacturer is shuttle. it's an AMD kit, however, Intel kits are available as well. i went with the AMD kit b/c an AMD build is less expensive. speaking of which, the total cost was $272.17 USD [tax included]. here are the parts i used:

Shuttle SN68SG2, part# S451-3131
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400 CPU, part# CP2-AM2-4400
Centon 2048MB PC 6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory, part# C10-5046

hope this helps | good luck

What PSU are you using?

a 250 watt power supply is included and pre-installed. i mean, as far as the actual computer is concerned, it comes with a mobo, a power supply fan and a rear case fan. it also comes with floppy and optical drive ribbon cables. i can't recall, but i think the power supply is pre-connected into the mobo. shoot, you even get a small tube of thermal paste for the CPU. you really don't have to assemble or worry much b/c it's all in the kit. also, the computer comes with a very nice step by step manual. it has giant colorful pictures of each step [ with shuttle, even a caveman could do it ] ;-)

anyway, the only thing i had to connect or place was my DVD ROM, the CPU and the RAM. as mentioned, it has a fan for the power supply and a case fan as well, so you don't have to worry about those. the CPU uses cooling pipes for the heatsink, so a [noisy] fan is not needed or supplied. again, as far as the actual computer build is concerned, the only parts you'll have to supply and place are the CPU, the hard drive and a stick or two of 2GB RAM [two slots... minimum of 2 GB's each for a max total of 4GB's]

it's a very silent, smart, small and sexy computer ;-) it's well built too... great quality.

one note: i did have to use the DVD ROM audio cable from my old computer to hook up the sound for my DVD ROM. at the time of build, i really wasn't sure if i needed to hook the DVD ROM audio cable up, but i would assume so, as it was hooked up and connected to the mobo of my old computer. i plugged it into the aux connector on the shuttle mobo. the sound works, to include the DVD ROM ;-) again, the instructions are great, but they fail to mention how to hook up the DVD ROM audio cable, so i thought i should share that.

one note: i did have to use the DVD ROM audio cable from my old computer to hook up the sound for my DVD ROM. at the time of build, i really wasn't sure if i needed to hook the DVD ROM audio cable up, but i would assume so, as it was hooked up and connected to the mobo of my old computer. i plugged it into the aux connector on the shuttle mobo. the sound works, to include the DVD ROM ;-) again, the instructions are great, but they fail to mention how to hook up the DVD ROM audio cable, so i thought i should share that.

Not necessary. In older computers it was done that way. The chord is not required on todays computers. Undo the end on the mobo and give it a try.

__________________
EVGA 650i mobo with Intel e8400 Core 2 Duo
4 gigs OCZ 800 ddr2 ram and 160 gig sata hard drive
EVGA GTS 250 SC - Windows 7
See my test at http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?conid=23014579

hey mel8again, thanks so much for clearing that up i'll go in and remove the DVD ROM audio cord today. would you happen to know what plugs into the aux plug on the mobo? i mean, i'm sorta' curious to know what it's used for?

also, summerman, i failed to recall that you stated that you're into computer gaming. as mentioned earlier, my build came out of nowhere, so my parts selections were driven by a very limited budget. however, for your needs, you probably should get a [gamer] CPU and PCI express x16 graphics card. also, if a more powerful power supply is needed, they have you covered there as well... if you go to their website and link to accessories, they offer a 450 watt power supply.

Congratulations on your first build. I don't know what the aux on the mobo is. Mine does not appear to have one. Maybe it could be used to run a fan. See if it is mentioned in your manual. What is the make and model of your mobo.

__________________
EVGA 650i mobo with Intel e8400 Core 2 Duo
4 gigs OCZ 800 ddr2 ram and 160 gig sata hard drive
EVGA GTS 250 SC - Windows 7
See my test at http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?conid=23014579

Hey the information given by you is very helpful .I will suery go to this site howtogeek.

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I love google

I'm doing my first build too. Thanks for the thread.

to mel8again: i don't know the make or model # of my mobo. the shuttle that i have is a SN68SG2 model. i think shuttle makes their own boards... then again, who knows.

oh well... again, so far so good. still enjoying it. however, i should add that, the downside is that power supply is only 250 watts. they offer an ugrade, but it's only 300 watts. i think the battery has a 80 plus efficiency rating, so it's 33% more efficient than normal. so with that in mind, a 250 watt is more like 333 watts and a 300 watt is more like 400 watts. so, as it stands, with the stock 250 watt [actual 333 watt] battery, my video card options are extremely limited b/c i want a card with at least 512 mb's. i found one that fits the specs, but reviewers suggests it's loud. i'm going to try it though... i mean, i can't help but to notice that my [YOUTUBE] graphics are blurry, so i've got to upgrade. hopefully, the "off board" graphics card will clear things up. if not, i'll just have to tough it out until i can build one of their performance kits.

so, if you can afford it, take a look at their performance line first... they come with 400-450 [80 plus efficiency] watt options.

Ok I found your model Shuttle Global - Home. You can get a lot of info besides specifications (manual downloads, etc). You can also add a pci express video card. Shuttle Global - Home

__________________
EVGA 650i mobo with Intel e8400 Core 2 Duo
4 gigs OCZ 800 ddr2 ram and 160 gig sata hard drive
EVGA GTS 250 SC - Windows 7
See my test at http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?conid=23014579

wow... thanks "mel"... i couldn't find those links to save my life the other day. i really appreciate you diggin' through the crates to find that. according to shuttle, i have a ton of video card options. however, the challenge remains to ID the fastest card that will run off of 250 to 300 watts.

also, looking at the mobo reference, i couldn't help but to notice that the AM2 socket is reverse compatible... so, i could've used my single core 3200 chip from my old 939 socket computer. that would've bought me some time to shop for a better chip. then again, i don't really know if my 3200 is working or reliable/stable. i mean, it use to heat up rapidly during video streams. then again, it could've been the mobo. a black screen started all this, as my computer wouldn't post, beep or boot up. the case fan and the cpu fan worked and all but two of the lights on the board would light up, but no dice, otherwise. i think it was the chipset lights that would not light. so, my best guess is that the mobo was fried. so when i think about it, for the moment, the 4400 is buying me time and a piece of mind. it works flawlessly. i can run or stream video in multiple windows now... i couldn't even think about doing that before.

i see you're running a evga 8800 gts video card... how many PSU watts does it require and how many are you running?

oh well... again, thanks for the reference. i'm going to use it to try and find the most card i can get that will run off of a 250-300 watt PSU.

If I were you, I get rid of the Power Supply and get yourself a good psu. Corsair, Antec, PC Power & Cooling are good brands to start with.

I have a 550 watt power supply and it runs everything I have with room to spare. You can calculate what your requirements are by going to eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Lite v2.5. Put in whatever info you know including a video card and see what it comes up with.

__________________
EVGA 650i mobo with Intel e8400 Core 2 Duo
4 gigs OCZ 800 ddr2 ram and 160 gig sata hard drive
EVGA GTS 250 SC - Windows 7
See my test at http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?conid=23014579