Building a PC for the first time

[Stevedizzle]

Sorry for newb up this section of the forums, but I am going to ask you guys what exactly I'll need to do my first PC build. What parts do I need in order? I know the CPU and Motherboard are first..I already was looking them up at newegg.com and made sure they are compatible together. But what do I need to get from here? I am looking to build a gaming PC. Here is the CPU and Motherboard I was looking at: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX & MSI 890FXA-GD70 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard .

Is this a decent combo? I am not looking to spend too much money, maybe 1000-1200 at max if possible. I am just buying these pieces whenever i have the funds available..my laptop is dying and is poor on performance so I am looking to build instead of buying a pre-built PC.

I'm not too savvy on PC building so I apologize for my lack of knowledge/terminology on this matter, lol. I am trying to learn.

 

[Shirai]

Combo's fine.

Although one word of advise:
If you as you say aren't familiar with building your own computers, go to a store that builds them for you.
They should know which components work well with each other and should be able to advise you which components to pick for a decent working machine that does what you want it to do.
1000~1200 bucks should build you quite a decent machine.

I have my own store here for that, Mycom.
They know exactly what works well, and won't rip me off.
I usually buy my stuff there, sure I pay a little more then I would over the internet, but I get face to face advise, and can return it when something's wrong.

I'm not familiar with any stores in the US, but I'm sure there must be something similar over there.

 

[Stevedizzle]

After doing some researching and web surfing on newegg.com, I came up with this (Didn't shrink down image bc of my frustration with mspaint, lol):

Spoiler:

Not sure if you guys would know what all of this is just based on the description, so I'll add the links in -

Spoiler:

CPU

Motherboard

Memory

DVD&CD Burner/Reader

Blu-Ray Reader

Hard Drive

Power Supply

Video Card

Sound Card (I'm aware there is sound on mobo, just looking for enhanced quality)

Computer Case

Computer Monitor

Will this suffice or do I have some incompatible items on my wish list? I went a little over on my budget on this but I am willing to spend a little more than I was going to, since I am going to be buying a couple pieces a paycheck. Also, what do you think of this build if I decide to buy FFXIV in a couple of months?

Btw, thanks for your help Shirai you got me started in the right direction

 

[Shirai]

Looks solid, a few things though.

If you're going for the Plextor, drop te Lite-on.
Doesn't say on Newegg but the Plextor also writes CD and DVD, having a seperate DVD burner along with that is overkill.

As for the sound card; on-board works fine.
Seriously you don't need that, that card is overkill for what you want to use the computer!

Don't spend money you don't have to spend.
The money you save on both items can be used to get a better screen and a nice set of speakers.

 

[CidBahamut]

Remember to pick up a cable for that harddrive. I ordered a similar one about a month ago and totally didn't realize I was only getting the drive with no SATA cable.

As Shirai said, a local store is pretty damn useful for PC-building projects. If you're anywhere near a Microcenter I strongly encourage you to go there and pick people's brains. Those guys know their stuff pretty well and they've got a wonderful stock of computer parts. It goes without saying, but steer clear of Best Buy.

 

[Shirai]

No worries Cid,

Cabling usually comes with the mainboard.
None the less, it is a good advise in case you want to expand in the future.

 

[Stevedizzle]

Awesome. Thanks for the help, We really don't have a lot around me that could really help me out without those commission people trying to drive me to buy something I dont need. I will drop the Liteon and sound card - thanks for the advice Shirai.

Now onto my question, will this system run FFXIV you think? I am trying to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. My laptop is dying lol

 

[Shirai]

Now onto my question, will this system run FFXIV you think? I am trying to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. My laptop is dying lol

Without question, any new PC system bought today should be able to run FFXIV.
Above configuration is no exception looking at the components.

I like Mycom in my country because those people do not work on commision basis but do what they are supposed to do.
Sell good working computers to the people that aren't as knowledgable.
Sell working components to people like me, who like to build their own things.
And most important; to be of service if shit doesn't work.
If shit aint working and I can't solve it myself I can always step into the store without having to call a helpdesk @15c/min only to have to wait over 30 minutes before I speak to someone that considers and treats me like an ignorant dumbass.

 

[Stevedizzle]

Awesome. Thanks for the help guys. I will let you know the results when I actually get the whole system at my house.

 

[Shirai]

One more thing.
Make sure you have a 64bit copy of windows to go with that.

 

[Stevedizzle]

I got that covered already

 

[Shady]

One more thing.
Make sure you have a 64bit copy of windows to go with that.

Xp 64 isn't compatible with Itunes.. >.>

 

[CidBahamut]

Xp 64 isn't compatible with Itunes.. >.>

1. Virtual Machines are an amazing workaround for compatibility issues.
2. iTunes not being important at all
3. XP getting phased out and hard to find.

I think it'll work out. Just a hunch.

 

[Shirai]

Xp 64 isn't compatible with Itunes.. >.>

Windows 7, get with the times!

 

[Shady]

Eep! change is scary

 

[Shirai]

Ya know, I bashed MS a lot in the past for their OS'.
Been a system builder for a job myself for 7 years, that's 5 years ago though, but the basics stay the same.
Most of the systems came with MS software, some with Linux, those were the fun projects back then.

But I have to admit, and I don't even hate to do so, they did Win7 right.
Letting the grand public beta test it, instead of a select few and such, in result when W7 was out everything worked, all drivers were done and stuff.
They done this so right that I went and bought a legal version of it on release day!

 

[Tim Wakefield]

Remember to pick up a cable for that harddrive. I ordered a similar one about a month ago and totally didn't realize I was only getting the drive with no SATA cable.

This is why I'm glad I've been building for a while. This happens to me alot, but luckily I have a tub full of jumbled cables and crap like that haha.

1. Virtual Machines are an amazing workaround for compatibility issues.
2. iTunes not being important at all
3. XP getting phased out and hard to find.

I actually read that they're going to continue support for XP through 2020 now. Tons of businesses still use it and it's really hard to force something onto groups that have stable, working systems.

Edit: Found article. Guess 2020 was a lie, but they're saying "Through the duration of Windows 7", which might not be all that long with the Windows 8 leaks that have already come out.
http://www.techspot.com/news/39619-windows-xp-downgrade-rights-extended-until-2020-[updated].html

Still, Windows 7 is way too awesome to not use for a standard home PC user.

But I have to admit, and I don't even hate to do so, they did Win7 right.
Letting the grand public beta test it, instead of a select few and such, in result when W7 was out everything worked, all drivers were done and stuff.
They done this so right that I went and bought a legal version of it on release day!

God, yes. Emphasis on the drivers especially. It's so nice to be able to format a computer or do a fresh install and not have to search for 20 motherfuckin' driver disks. Seriously. I used the RC for about 4-5 Months before the official release, and upgraded (or downgraded, technically) to 7 Professional when it was released. I have had nearly zero problems of any kind since then, though even after all this time, I still find myself finding new things in the OS on a regular basis. Crazy.

 

[Strid]

You're about to spend a lot of unnecessary money, in my opinion, if you are indeed not looking to spend much money. Here's a list of things I'd swap out.

--You own a PS3 so you don't need the Blu-ray reader, go with the LiteOn drive. (Save: $94.00)

--A $200 mobo is absolutely unnecessary. The only difference that mobo will make, compared to the ones in the $50-100 range, is if you were to take it out and abuse it for fun from time to time, it would last you longer. (Save: $100 AT LEAST, possibly more) Go with the AM3 socket for sure and 4 memory slots with 240 pins, but definitely skip military grade parts, those are for PC's that are goin' to experience, well, a beating.

--As previously pointed out, that sound card is ridiculous. Drop it, period. On board sound has gotten really, really good in the last 5 years (perfect 5.1 surround). There are really only two reasons to by a dedicated sound card, 1: you have an extremely expensive surround sound system (we're talkin' pro quality $5k range and the quality would be trivial) and 2: you have an ancient PC on its last leg giving you sound errors and you're tryin' to hold out on upgrading completely. (Save: $209.99)

--DO NOT but that graphics card. Read on down.

Total Saving: $403.99 AT LEAST and that is without calculating any shipping.

You could also go with a less flashy case and save about $30-40 and get a lower wattage PSU, you wont need that unless you're runnin' two GPUs, could save a grip (I don't spend over $50-60 on a PSU, ever and they always last as long as I need them to).

I would also consider this. Since you're gettin' an AMD processor I would go with an ATI GPU. Hell, honestly I'd go with ATI anyway, they have provided me with a better overall experience for the past seven years. As is, you're about to pay a lot more for less. That GT2xx is not even current generation. I'd look at the ATI Radeon HD 5770 and go up from there (leaving out the xx50 models because anything ending in 50 is a budget model). If you can't go with ATI then at least look at the stats of one of the Radeon HD's 5770 and up and compare it to the Nvidia GT 4xx series. Steer clear of the GTX 460 though, it is budget and suppose to appeal to those who prefer the lower cost ATI cards, but it fails at doin' a proper job compared. Here is what you're lookin' for here: (Direct X11, GDDR5 !!!!! Not GDDR3, 1GB memory, and at least 850 MHz core clock speed).

A beast machine built custom should be in the $600-800 price range, not $1000+ unless you're dealing with the top of the top graphics cards and two of them at that.