Help choosing parts

I've had my Dell Dimension 8250 for 6 or 7 years now and I'm ready to upgrade to a new computer. I was going to buy one but decided to try building one instead. This will be my first computer build, I've installed a video card and some ram my current computer, but that's about the extent of my knowledge. Can you help me choose parts?

I use my PC mostly for gaming and entertainment. I play FPS's and MMO's. I'm looking to spend between $900-$1200, maybe a little more if it's worth it.

Thanks in advance

 

Hi Dutch981! So, you decided to build your own this time? Good move Out of the parts you're going to buy, do yourself a favor and do NOT skimp on the PSU! To my way of thinking, that is probably THE most important part you'll buy. If you need some suggestions on PSUs I'll gladly post some for you after I pick-up my son from school.

 

Yea, I'll take any suggestions. I really don't know where to start. In general I would prefer quality parts over faster speeds or more features, but I don't know what brands are good or what to look for...

 

have you started looking at any parts in general?

newegg.com and tigerdirect.com are good places to start.

I like newegg a bit more though.

 

I've looked through CPUs on Newegg. But that's where I got stuck. I know I want a quad core processor, but I don't know which one to choose. Looking through AMD

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 140W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ965FBGIBOX - Retail

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail

Seem like good choices.

Intel seems to be considerably higher in price with a lower processor speed.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor


Is there a reason for this? I get the feeling that I'm looking at this the wrong way.

 

Oh the on going battle between Intel and AMD. IMHO I think intel is more used in businesses or applications that do a lot of number crunching like Boinc. I can see where you kinda get stuck cpu wise. Intel's is about $75 or so more than AMD's but, has twice as much as a cache and runs cooler. You'll hear different opinions back and fourth with who's better. AMD usually runs a bit better for games so a lot of gamers use AMD. if you have the extra cash to throw away I say go intel. but. unless your running some real high end stuff I dont see what the benefit would be other than the obvious. I use AMD myself. Have you looked at any other parts yet? That extra $75 could add up quickly when coming to a good graphics card and power supply. what os were you looking at using?

 

Sorry it took so long to get back to you:-o Here's a few that would do you nicely. You'll notice that most all of them are Antec. There are other good brands also, like OCZ, Corsair, Thermaltake, etc. It's just that I have never used anything but Antec and have NEVER had a bit of problem out of any of them. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Hope this helps! Good luck with your new build and if you have any problems, we're open 24\7!!!

 

Intel $1000 Build

Case: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Motherboard:GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - $115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...BYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041

Ram: Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS24G8500ELKN - $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220334

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

Video Card:EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - $57
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

DVD Burner: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 LightScribe Support - $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon - $110
http://www.newegg.com/Produc/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677


Total Price: $1027

 

Great shopping there Dacads!

 

Wow, that is great!!! Dacads, Stubby and jguy6 you guys are awesome!:-D:-D

 

Ordered the parts and successfully built my first PC last week :-D :-D It was a hell of a feeling pressing the power button and seeing everything work for the first time. The only problem I see is the computer detects a floppy disk A: drive even though I don't have one. Is there a way to get rid of that?