Building a computer tower
 

What would you use to build it if you wanted to stay under $900 for just the tower and have it run as fast as possible (basicly a very solid gaming and video editing setup).

I'm curious to see what it would take to build a top notch tower.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

I used Newegg, and built mine for right around 680 I think. That included 1gb ram, AMD dual-core, 256mb video card, the case, 80gb and 250gb SataII hard drives. There's room for improvement still, like maybe another 1gb of RAM, but it sure does serve my purposes well. Just look on newegg and piece it all together.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

I have priced out a few good gaming computers on new egg, and around $1300 is what I came up with, using a $250 asus motherboard though.

~John

Re: Building a computer tower
 

Good topic, i am looking to do the same thing, but less video editing and more toward a tv tuner and DVD burner

Re: Building a computer tower
 

My tower was built using Newegg. I didn't build it, but the guy I bought it from did. He only had good things to say about the experience. I can't tell you much about what to get and put inside it, but I think Newegg would be the place to get it all.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

I built a solid computer last March for just over $600. The ATI X1000-series video cards just came out so I got an X850 for $150. Motherboard was about $60, hard drive (250gb SATA2) was $80, RAM (2x512mb PC3200 DDR) was about $100, case (small form factor all aluminum) was $80. Add in my 19" widescreen LCD for $200. I reused my DVD burner, but those can be had for about $30.

I think that's about it.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

Yea back when I used to be hardcore into Counter-Strike I had a buddies older brother build me one off Newegg, was the bomb and 1/5 the price compaired to an Alienware that had the same guts.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

I'l have to look around as there is misc shit I just don't understand with some of the terms and specs on the computer parts.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

Allan, we'll talk at bowling tomorrow.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

Could someone hook me up with a link to a decent barebone? I dont know what I'm looking for.. I want a gooooood gamer, cheap, AGP slot/s!

Re: Building a computer tower
 

Tiger Direct always has some pretty good deals on barebone systems. If you can swing it, I'd get something in the Intel Duo Core lineup.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...c.asp?CatId=31

When shopping for a video card, make sure it will be compatible with MS Vista (Aero). Most all video cards will work with vista but to get the full 3D effects of menuing and such with Aero, you need something good. Aero is a feature of Vista.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

Be careful with Tigerdirect, they have a pretty crappy reputation. Newegg is awesome. Also, you don't want an AGP slot, go with with PCI express x16. I would go with the Intel Core 2 Duo for a processor the E6400 is a good deal and very overclockable.

Here is a great resource with explainations and reviews
http://www.tomshardware.com/index.html

Re: Building a computer tower
 

I agree with a board that has PCI Express. The video cards are a little more $$, but it's better/newer technology. AGP & PCI vid card slots are old school.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

ATI X1950Pro Video card ($160 AR)
AMD Opteron 165 Overclockable ON AIR on stock HS/Fan to 2.7-3GHz ($150) Also has 1MB cache each core.
Any NF4 motherboard ($80)
Decent RAM for fast FSB speeds, like about 7GB/s RAM transfer rates ($140 or so)
2 250GB SATA 2.0 drives striped for fast access times ($140)
G5 Mouse ($45)
any Keyboard ($10-$30)
Decent PSU ($50)
Some random case ($40)
NEC DVD-R ($30)

$845-$865

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If you need a monitor go with a cheaper keyboard, drop one of the drives and get cheaper RAM (about $80 less) and buy the Sceptre 20.1" WSXGA+ LCD Monitor that's on sale right now.
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Have more money? Get an Intel chip (Intel is the fastest right now if you have the money to spend) and get a better video card 8800GTX sounds good right now :)

Oh and yeah... tigerdirect blows go with newegg.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

Newegg is the way to go I love that site. So far what said it seems people have put you in the right direction. John, like the setup so far but you dont need a 250 dollar motherboard. That is just crazy. And please reuse some of your stuff of that other tower. I bet you can get that price down too. hahaha call me bro

Re: Building a computer tower
 

The thing about the asus is the overclockability and other options. I use my computer from befor at work so the computer I priced out would be at home, and that is almost the "best" of everything, minus the 8800 series graphics card stuff, just some 7950's.

~John

Re: Building a computer tower
 

Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe? It's a good board I have one.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

Mine was and Abit motherboard.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

http://rog.asus.com/product_crosshair_main.html
I was looking the AMD route, just a little cheaper then Intel with good over clocking ability.

~John

Re: Building a computer tower
 

Uhhh, yeah. Maybe next week? LOL

Re: Building a computer tower
 

Abit is the way to go IMHO. The last time I upgraded my workstation was almost 4 years ago now. I put an Abit mobo w/ an athlon 2500+ (1.8 Ghz) in it and a $50 FX 5200 128Mb video card. I overclocked it to 2.3 Ghz and it has run flawlessly ever since. I think I put a 200Gb Seagate drive in it and that has been flawless as well.

I have a fileserver with an Abit mobo in it as well, it has 5x 200Gb drives in a raid setup that has worked flawlessly for about 2 years. Before that it had 3x 160Gb drives and an older Abit mobo w/ a celeron 300A running at 450Mhz...it ran for like 4 years like that :D

Re: Building a computer tower
 

There were more important things at hand!

Such as you looking for the purse that was supposed to come with your 14 pound ball.

Re: Building a computer tower
 

It's called accessorizing bitch! :spin:

Re: Building a computer tower
 

I've only seen 1 system rig up so here's another one for you.

NewEgg.com under $900

With a little overclocking knowledge and research... this should net you very close to 3.5Ghz.

This is based on no recycling of old parts. However, if you are going to use some old parts... you could possibly invest in a better graphics card X1950XT/XTX or 8800GTS/GTX:jackoff:

Good Luck!

heh, you'll need an optical drive!