[Sasquatch]

I'm friends with RedSniper, which explains how I know you guys.  Anyway, I want to play good games, but I have a Mac.  I want to fix this problem by building my own computer, and RedSniper says you know your shtuff.  I don't have a lot of money and I'm not a super hardcore gamer, so I need to know what to buy and how to do it and stuff. 

[jr2]

Hrm... what's your price range?  And are you just building a computer, do you need a monitor, how about speakers?  That will affect the amount of money you spend on the actual computer itself.

[Sasquatch]

Well, I just need the box with all the goodies inside.  No monitors or speakers or anything.  Also, I have the resources to make a casemod of my own.  My price range is around $750.  I am basically starting from scratch here.

[jr2]

*waits for computer nerds to arrive*

Well, it's been awhile since I built my two computers, so I'm a little out of touch with the latest stuff.  I'm guessing they'll have you shoot for 1 or 2 gigs of dual channel RAM, a dual core processor, prolly... IDK depends on prices.  I'm waiting for a few of the folks who've just finished building computers here to give you some advice.  If not, I'll look it up for you later. 

Oh, BTW, you can check out the IRC server (top of page); they might be able to help quicker.  There's a few of us on there.  IF you don't know about IRC, google up

open source IRC client

[Tyrian]

I haven't kept up on the latest stuff either, I usually just fix what people throw at me.  The best place to start is www.newegg.com.

Definitely go for a Core 2 Duo processor, just make sure it doesn't have a Merom core; those ones are for laptops.  The current quad cores are very overrated.  One thing not to forget is the heat sink and thermal compound.  I prefer Arctic Silver 5 for the compound...Heat sinks I'm not sure about.

For a motherboard, go for ASUS.  They are absolutely rock solid.  It should also come with am Ethernet connection for any networking / high speed internet connection you might get / have. 

In terms of RAM, 2GB of dual channel DDR2 would be the best.  OCZ and Corsair both make high quality modules last time I checked.  In general, the higher the number after the "PC" is better. 

For a hard disk, I like Western Digital, but that's mostly a matter of preference.  Anything with 7200 RPM and 160GB+ should be good for what you want to do.  SATA connections are faster than IDE ones, also.

The GPU's are the one thing I haven't kept up with...

That should be everything...But I'm posting on an empty stomach.  More might come to me later.  Hope this helps.

[redsniper]

Welcome to the HLPBB! Exits are to the sides and rear. Flamethrowers are under the seats but we're out of napalm, so you'll have to club people with them. Carl the Shivan hasn't been sighted in a long time so he probably won't be a problem. Probably. In case of a real emergency, plasma rifles are located in the lockers up front, which can only be opened by an Admin, [V]-God, or hyperintelligent shade of the color blue. In the event of a water landing, you can and will be used as a flotation device. Don't attempt to enter the control room as it is guarded by subspatial claymore mines. Thank you and enjoy your stay.

... and that's the Welcome Speech™.


Say hi to Sasquatch guys. He's a good buddy of mine, not a n00b. He doesn't know much about FS although I'm trying to get him into it. He does know a bit about HLP though from hearing me talk about it for years. He knows about an0n by reputation and April Fools '05, for example. So, try not to scare him off too soon.


In b4 don't use welcome speech.

[jr2]

I'd use BFG for my GFX card... they produce factory overclocked nVidia-based cards that have a lifetime warranty (I had one go on me, called them up, mailed them the old card, and they had a new one to me within a week!).  www.bfgtech.com  You can buy them from newegg.com, TigerDirect.com, zipzoomfly.com, and others (including Wal-Mart, sometimes!).

[CP5670]

Most of these items are easy choices for your price range:

Processor: Core 2 E6320 retail, $165 on Newegg
Motherboard: Abit IP35-E, $120 on Newegg
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 2GB 800mhz, $80 AR on Newegg (the rebate is about to expire but another one often comes up in its place; if not, get the Super Talent 2GB pack for $100 instead)
Video card: Sapphire X1950XT 256MB, $180 AR on Newegg
Hard drive: Western Digital WD2500KS, $65 on Newegg
Power supply: Enhance ENP-5150GH, $70 on ewiz
Case: Enermax Phoenix, $75 on Newegg

That comes out to just over $750. You actually got slightly unlucky, as both the memory and video card have gone up in price over the last two weeks, but they're still the top choices for such a system.

[Sasquatch]

Right on guys, thanks a lot. This info will definitely come in handy.