Building my first PC.

TheMilkyPirate

Hello all,

My 8 year old dell has finally come to the end of it's life. It takes 45 minutes from turning it on to actually being able to use it and i think it only has about 400mb ram!:eek:

So, I've decided to build my own, I'm no geek but i know all the parts and have a bit of computer knowledge. I do all my gaming on the ps3 so it won't be used for that. Mostly multimedia: Music, films whatever and the internet. So it doesn't have to be top spec but i'd like a solid fast pc with a bit of future proofing at the same time. I don't know much about processors and motherboards but i know i'd like at least 3gig of ram and 500gig hard drive would be fine i'd imagine.

If anyone could maybe make me a list of components that they think would be good for me it would be brilliant. Or am i asking too much. I need everything really including a new monitor.

Also what's the story with an OS, How much would it be for windows 7?

Thanks everyone.

marco_polo

What sort of Budget are we looking at? For what you need I would nearly suggest going down the dell route again because at say 500 euro and under as you won't really save any money going down the self build road, especially if an OS is needed (An OS will probably be in the region of 90 euro or thereabouts ).

But if have a little more to spend or want to build something for the experience of it then we will certainly oblige.

TheMilkyPirate

marco_polo wrote: »

What sort of Budget are we looking at?

Sorry i left out the most important part: Approx €500 - 600

But as you said it's more for the experience really and i'm sure i'd be able stretch a little further if needs be

marco_polo

baraca wrote: »

Sorry i left out the most important part: Approx €500 - 600

But as you said it's more for the experience really and i'm sure i'd be able stretch a little further if needs be

Bit late now will post something up tommorrow. (Although there will probably be at least 10 replies by the time I get home from work:))

TheMilkyPirate

marco_polo wrote: »

Bit late now will post something up tommorrow. (Although there will probably be at least 10 replies by the time I get home from work:))

Thanks, i wasn't expecting a reply tonight so it's grand

marco_polo

I have some good starter reading actually, the Komplett build a PC for under 500 euro competition, some gems in there.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055766301

Mister Man

baraca wrote: »

Hello all,

My 8 year old dell has finally come to the end of it's life. It takes 45 minutes from turning it on to actually being able to use it and i think it only has about 400mb ram!:eek:

So, I've decided to build my own, I'm no geek but i know all the parts and have a bit of computer knowledge. I do all my gaming on the ps3 so it won't be used for that. Mostly multimedia: Music, films whatever and the internet. So it doesn't have to be top spec but i'd like a solid fast pc with a bit of future proofing at the same time. I don't know much about processors and motherboards but i know i'd like at least 3gig of ram and 500gig hard drive would be fine i'd imagine.

If anyone could maybe make me a list of components that they think would be good for me it would be brilliant. Or am i asking too much. I need everything really including a new monitor.

Also what's the story with an OS, How much would it be for windows 7?

Thanks everyone.

We will need to know what kinda budget to work off

Windows 7 Goes for 90-260 depending on which version your going for

What size screen are you looking to get? a small 15-17 inch normal screen, or a wide 22inch-24?

Do you like AMD more then Intel (thats prob a studip question seen as you have a 8year old machine)

Would you like to be able to play games on it if you wanted to?

You would be as well off going with 4GB of ram, Don't think theres many 3GB sets going. if your on a budget AMD are normaly the way to go..And seen as you dont want to game i would think AMD is the best choice, no point in overkilling for normal use

*Edit im waaaaayyyyy behind here lol when i was writing this there was only one post lol

TheMilkyPirate

Mister Man wrote: »

We will need to know what kinda budget to work off

Windows 7 Goes for 90-260 depending on which version your going for

What size screen are you looking to get? a small 15-17 inch normal screen, or a wide 22inch-24?

Do you like AMD more then Intel (thats prob a studip question seen as you have a 8year old machine)

Would you like to be able to play games on it if you wanted to?

You would be as well off going with 4GB of ram, Don't think theres many 3GB sets going. if your on a budget AMD are normaly the way to go..And seen as you dont want to game i would think AMD is the best choice, no point in overkilling for normal use

*Edit im waaaaayyyyy behind here lol when i was writing this there was only one post lol

Around €500-600. I'll be getting a wide 22inch monitor eventually but not right now as the one i have will do until i have a bit more money at my disposal.

Yeah i haven't really got a clue which i prefer between the AMD and intel hopefully someone can help me there.!

The gaming isn't really an issue as i've never really used a pc for gaming except for black and white, And things like sim city when i was a kid.

EDIT: Thanks for that marco will have a read now.

Mister Man

Right ill make a quick list up now for ya

Mister Man

There's what i came up with..I believe it's everything you asked for

Just a little over your budget with shipping Incl (Shipping is 12.50 with komplett.ie)

TheMilkyPirate

Brilliant mister men thanks very much, You even squeezed a monitor in there

Will have a proper look through it later and hopefully i might start a build thread when i have everything.

Mister Man

baraca wrote: »

Brilliant mister men thanks very much, You even squeezed a monitor in there

Will have a proper look through it later and hopefully i might start a build thread when i have everything.

No problems man, im sure someone will do one better then me tomorrow a lol

Jock Strap

Mister Man wrote: »

There's what i came up with..I believe it's everything you asked for

Just a little over your budget with shipping Incl (Shipping is 12.50 with komplett.ie)

I was scratching my head there for a min thinking how the hell that came to 600, only just seen the monitor there! OP, do you need a new mouse and KB. Check out dell.ie(don't shoot me) as the do have a wide selection and free shipping at the mo which is why I'm recommending them. Better value to be had from them than the likes of PC World etc.
Also, Mister Man put together a good build but you can do better if you shop around. Komett's prices for RAM is quite high. Look at hardwareversand.de and you could get a build with maybe a lil more umph than komplett(despite 30euro flat delivery). You can downgrade to Corsair 400w PSU.

Mister Man

Jock Strap wrote: »

I was scratching my head there for a min thinking how the hell that came to 600, only just seen the monitor there! OP, do you need a new mouse and KB. Check out dell.ie(don't shoot me) as the do have a wide selection and free shipping at the mo which is why I'm recommending them. Better value to be had from them than the likes of PC World etc.
Also, Mister Man put together a good build but you can do better if you shop around. Komett's prices for RAM is quite high. Look at hardwareversand.de and you could get a build with maybe a lil more umph than komplett(despite 30euro flat delivery). You can downgrade to Corsair 400w PSU.

Actully yeah, i never though about the Dell screen thats dirty cheap!!! +1

also he is right, if you shop around you will get a good deal better, the AMD athlon II X3 435 on hardwareversand.de is only 62.00

Saying that i believe somethings are cheaper on Komplett
I also found a site (Well i found it ages ago) that sell GPU's with free shipping (I think) http://www.play.com i don't know if there cheap, but its free shipping anyway lol

Solitaire

Play don't ship PC stuff free outside the UK

Random build for €530 inc shipping. But no keyboard

Jock Strap

Solitaire wrote: »

Play don't ship PC stuff free outside the UK

Random build for €530 inc shipping. But no keyboard

OP, have you considered using a linux distribution?

TheMilkyPirate

Jock Strap wrote: »

OP, have you considered using a linux distribution?

You mean as in using linux as my OS?

Jock Strap

baraca wrote: »

You mean as in using linux as my OS?

Yep.

Mister Man

I've 20 Linux 9.10 CD's lol it's a good idea if you don't want to throw money away on Windows 7. It's much nicer to look at aswel, there's some nice graphic settings for Linux. (water effect, cube desktop etc)

marco_polo

Nothing to add really, either of those two builds are a fine starting point.

TheMilkyPirate

Jock Strap wrote: »

Yep.

My brother uses it and i didn't really like it i think it's just because i'm so used to windows! So i think i'll stick with it.

Thanks for the builds you put up it's all i needed really just a general guideline. All the parts are compatible obviously yeah?

EDIT: Can you play the ps3 on a HD monitor? Because i was going to buy a new TV but if i can just use the monitor i won't bother

marco_polo

baraca wrote: »

EDIT: Can you play the ps3 on a HD monitor? Because i was going to buy a new TV but if i can just use the monitor i won't bother

If it has a HDMI connection then no problem.

TheMilkyPirate

marco_polo wrote: »

If it has a HDMI connection then no problem.

Great that will save me a few hundred euro

Quick question about the graphics card on the first build the sapphire radeon HD 4650, I was looking at the system requirements and it says Windows xp or vista but doesn't mention windows 7, will it still work with windows 7?

marco_polo

baraca wrote: »

Great that will save me a few hundred euro

Quick question about the graphics card on the first build the sapphire radeon HD 4650, I was looking at the system requirements and it says Windows xp or vista but doesn't mention windows 7, will it still work with windows 7?

If it is not mentioned it is probable that there are no drivers for Windows 7 on the disc that comes with the card, however these can be easily downloaded from ati.amd.com. When getting a new card it is always best to download the latest drivers anyway.

TheMilkyPirate

marco_polo wrote: »

If it is not mentioned it is probable that there are no drivers for Windows 7 on the disc that comes with the card, however these can be easily downloaded from ati.amd.com. When getting a new card it is always best to download the latest drivers anyway.

Great thanks if i've any more questions i'll pop back in