Building a Gaming Computer - Help?

Blade · 02-01-2005, 05:58 PM

Hi all,

I have recently been given the go ahead to purchase the parts to build a new computer which will primarily be used for gaming. I would like to build something that will be useful for a number of years (my current computer was outdated within two years for running new games), and I would like to spend around $1000...

Does anyone have any advice for what components I should look at purchasing, or can you point me to a good article? Most of the articles I have found are outdated already...

Thanks!

PilotMan · 02-01-2005, 06:31 PM

I would say to do a search on the internet of different companies. Get to know what components go into their high-, mid-, and lower end systems. This should give you an idea of some of the components as well as the $$ involved in getting yourself set up.

If gaming is what you are going for, the video card is going to be critical. I have seen a lesser system with a kick ass video card outplay a better system with a low end card. Spend you extra money there it will be worth your while.

Draft Dodger · 02-01-2005, 06:50 PM

I spents some time doing research for mine - just reading various reviews online

Ars Technica (http://arstechnica.com/index.ars) is good, and, if I remember, had a few good BYO articles. Ars also has a great forum which has a lot of geeks talking about this kind of thing (they are not very noob friendly though - it's a better resource for lurking/reading than asking questions)
AnandTech (http://www.anandtech.com/default.aspx) is one I liked a lot - their reviews can get very technical, but you can still get the general jib
a lot of people like Tom's Hardware (http://www.tomshardware.com/) but I find it hard to discern the difference between articles and ads.

the magazine Maximum PC had several very helpful reviews when I was building (they had a great look at motherboards when I was building mine).

oh, and my tip: don't skimp on the case

fflix · 02-01-2005, 07:10 PM

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/...le.php/3462291

Here is a link to a site that has two gaming pc building guides, high-end and value, that are updated fairly frequently. The value version uses a cap of $1000. Hope this helps.

Draft Dodger · 02-01-2005, 07:13 PM

I knew I was forgetting a good one - Sharky's another good one.

jeff061 · 02-01-2005, 07:13 PM

I would say, off the top of my head. An motherboard with an AMD 939 Chipset(recently NForce chipsets have treated me well), at least an athlon64 3000 for the CPU, Geforce 6600GT for Video, 512MB Ram MINIMUM(preferably 1GB). As for hard drive, pick your poison, they are all relativley cheap these days. For sound, you can buy a cheap audigy card, but the onboard sound for whatever motherboard you get will probably be good enough.

Buy from http://www.newegg.com. You should be able to do a quick search on any of the above words and find out a lot more. Only thing to watch for is the video. They come in AGP and PCI Express format. I would recommend PCI Express, mostly for future expandability. But you NEED to make sure your motherboard supports it.

MizzouRah · 02-01-2005, 07:21 PM

I'll pump newegg.com. I go for the 5 star rated items and some help from a good friend of mine who's a pc gaming fiend.

My advice, and I'm no expert here. Get a motherboard that supports a 64bit Athlon processor, which should also have PCI express for video and SATA harddrive connections. I just purchased a CPU AMD 64 |3000+ ATHLON processor and screams.

Todd

timmynausea · 02-01-2005, 07:30 PM

I use sharky also.

Blade · 02-02-2005, 12:21 PM

Thanks for the help!

Tougher question...does anyone know of some good retailers in Canada where I can buy parts? Or at least someone who ships to Canada? I was looking at the Aspire X-Dreamer II case, but Newegg doesn't ship to Canada, and I cannot find it listed in any local stores...

02-01-2005, 06:31 PM	#2
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	I would say to do a search on the internet of different companies. Get to know what components go into their high-, mid-, and lower end systems. This should give you an idea of some of the components as well as the $$ involved in getting yourself set up. If gaming is what you are going for, the video card is going to be critical. I have seen a lesser system with a kick ass video card outplay a better system with a low end card. Spend you extra money there it will be worth your while. __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops.

02-01-2005, 06:50 PM	#3
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	I spents some time doing research for mine - just reading various reviews online Ars Technica (http://arstechnica.com/index.ars) is good, and, if I remember, had a few good BYO articles. Ars also has a great forum which has a lot of geeks talking about this kind of thing (they are not very noob friendly though - it's a better resource for lurking/reading than asking questions) AnandTech (http://www.anandtech.com/default.aspx) is one I liked a lot - their reviews can get very technical, but you can still get the general jib a lot of people like Tom's Hardware (http://www.tomshardware.com/) but I find it hard to discern the difference between articles and ads. the magazine Maximum PC had several very helpful reviews when I was building (they had a great look at motherboards when I was building mine). oh, and my tip: don't skimp on the case __________________ Mile High Hockey

02-01-2005, 07:13 PM	#5
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	I knew I was forgetting a good one - Sharky's another good one. __________________ Mile High Hockey

02-01-2005, 07:13 PM	#6
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	I would say, off the top of my head. An motherboard with an AMD 939 Chipset(recently NForce chipsets have treated me well), at least an athlon64 3000 for the CPU, Geforce 6600GT for Video, 512MB Ram MINIMUM(preferably 1GB). As for hard drive, pick your poison, they are all relativley cheap these days. For sound, you can buy a cheap audigy card, but the onboard sound for whatever motherboard you get will probably be good enough. Buy from http://www.newegg.com. You should be able to do a quick search on any of the above words and find out a lot more. Only thing to watch for is the video. They come in AGP and PCI Express format. I would recommend PCI Express, mostly for future expandability. But you NEED to make sure your motherboard supports it. __________________ Last edited by jeff061 : 02-01-2005 at 07:19 PM.

02-02-2005, 12:21 PM	#9
Blade College Prospect Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	Thanks for the help! Tougher question...does anyone know of some good retailers in Canada where I can buy parts? Or at least someone who ships to Canada? I was looking at the Aspire X-Dreamer II case, but Newegg doesn't ship to Canada, and I cannot find it listed in any local stores... __________________ Just trying to get by unnoticed... Loyal fan of the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Eagles.

02-01-2005, 07:10 PM	#4
fflix Mascot Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA	http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/...le.php/3462291 Here is a link to a site that has two gaming pc building guides, high-end and value, that are updated fairly frequently. The value version uses a cap of $1000. Hope this helps.

02-01-2005, 07:21 PM	#7
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Troy, Mo	I'll pump newegg.com. I go for the 5 star rated items and some help from a good friend of mine who's a pc gaming fiend. My advice, and I'm no expert here. Get a motherboard that supports a 64bit Athlon processor, which should also have PCI express for video and SATA harddrive connections. I just purchased a CPU AMD 64 \|3000+ ATHLON processor and screams. Todd

02-01-2005, 07:30 PM	#8
timmynausea College Starter Join Date: Dec 2002	I use sharky also.

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