Thread: HELP building a computer

I am 14 years old and I have just started building my first computer (ordering parts and researching)and i wondered if anyone could possibly give me some information on waht i could change. It is a gaming computer i am trying to build. Please also tell me if some parts dont come with screws and if they are not compatible.I took out a graphics card as i dont know how big it needs to be. right now it cost around 600 pounds, i am willing to go to 650 or maybe 700. Thank you for your help

This is what i have now:

CPU:Intel Pentium 4 945 Dual Core "LGA775 Presler" 3.4GHz
Motherboard:Asus P5B Deluxe (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Case:Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gaming case
Hard Drive:Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 160GB ST3160815A ATA-100 8MB Cache
RAM:OcUK Value 1GB (2x512MB) PC3200 184pin DDR Memory Dual Channel Kit
OS:Windows XP

Hi,

Well your CPU and Ram seem fine as does your motherboard, as always there are ways to improve things in the ever changing world of PC parts, according to the motherboard spec for the model you mentioned your board will support ATI Crossfire Technology which may be worth looking into

ATI CrossFire Technology
ATI's CrossFire boosts image quality along with rendering speed, eliminating the need to crank down screen resolutions to get the high image quality you want. CrossFire ignites with the higher antialiasing, anisotropic filtering, shading, and texture settings you desire. Adjust your display configurations, experiment with your advanced 3D settings, and check the effect with a real-time 3D-rendered preview within ATI's Catalyst™ Control Center to rule your CrossFire system.

also check out these articles
http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6153327/index.html
and
http://tomshardware.co.uk/2007/01/05..._the_money_uk/

I hope this info helps, any questions please ask.

Thanks

yes i have a question. When i looked at the cards there where 2 types: AGP and PCI-E, what is the difference, and which will work with my pc? and please could someone find me a card with 128-256MB at a price of around 30-40. thanks.

I have also decided to change my CPU as it was too expensive. I now want the Intel Pentium 4 820 Dual Core "LGA775 Smithfield" 2.8GHz (800FSB). Would this still be campatible?.

Originally Posted by Italian Stallion

yes i have a question. When i looked at the cards there where 2 types: AGP and PCI-E, what is the difference, and which will work with my pc? and please could someone find me a card with 128-256MB at a price of around 30-40. thanks.

Basically PCI-E is the latest technology used for graphics cards its gives better performance and replaces the old AGP technology, according to the spec of the motherboard you mentioned yours supports the latest PCI-E.

Just to clarify are you after a decent graphics card for gaming at £30-£40 or just a general graphics card, I think you would struggle to get a decent one for that price..

What was the graphics card you took out of your pc?

The one i was going to have was the BFG 3DFuzion GeForce 7300 LE Turbo Cache 256MB DDR TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) but that was very cheap so i decided to get one for around 60 and chose the Sapphire X1600 Pro 256MB DDR2 AVIVO TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express).

And to answer your questin- i would like to get a gaming graphics card.

Thank you for the help

Originally Posted by Italian Stallion

The one i was going to have was the BFG 3DFuzion GeForce 7300 LE Turbo Cache 256MB DDR TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) but that was very cheap so i decided to get one for around 60 and chose the Sapphire X1600 Pro 256MB DDR2 AVIVO TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express).

Hi,

You will get an "ok" gaming performance with those cards but not great, the Sapphire seems to perform better, take a look at the "GeForce 7300 GT" rather then the "LE", its a little more expensive though around £80-90 I think.

(if you google those cards you will see some reviews and gaming tests, they are well worth reading before you buy)

wow thank you. that gt card is amazing. it ran BF2 without a hitch (read a review)!!! i found one for 55.

Originally Posted by Italian Stallion

wow thank you. that gt card is amazing. it ran BF2 without a hitch (read a review)!!! i found one for 55.

Glad to help! Sounds like you got a good deal for £55.
If you need anymore advice in the future then please come back

price name
CPU 65.04 Intel Pentium D 820 2.8Ghz Skt 775 Fsb 800 2 x 1Mb Cache

Mother board 113.33 Asus P5B Deluxe 965 Socket 775 Motherboard Core 2 Duo Core 2 Extreme PCI-E x16 ATX

OS Windows XP

Case 70.49 Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gaming case

Hard drive 39.94 Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 160GB ST3160815A ATA-100 8MB Cache - OEM

Drive 21.56 Pioneer DVR-111BK 16x16 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter - (Black) OEM

RAM 61.09 OcUK Value 1GB (2x512MB) PC3200 184pin DDR Memory Dual Channel Kit

Videocard 57.56 BFG GeForce 7300 GT OC 256MB DDR2 HDTV/DVI (PCI-Express)

PSU 32.89 Tagan TG330-U01 330W ATX Silent PSU

Monitor 131.39 OcUK Value Hanns-G HC194D 19" LCD Monitor - Silver/Black

keyboard+mouse 28.19 Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 Black - Retail (BV3-00007)

total 621.48

That is everyhing i have picked for my computer. If there is anything more please tell me, i think every thing is ok, i am getting my OS system from a friend, will this still work. Thank you for all your help.

Hi,

The one thing I have spotted that you will need to check out is the RAM, according to my info on that motherboard you need 240-Pin DDR2 and not 184 Pin as you have listed. You will need to check that before you buy as 184 Pin wont fit in a 240-Pin slot.

Other then that I think that motherboard will support the new Dual Core 2 Proccessors as well but it depends on your budget of course!