What makes a good DO IT YOURSELF Gamers PUTER?

[Mahomet The Templar]

Let's share our thoughts and experiences on DIY computer building. We want to hear of what YOU think makes the cat's meow Gamer BOX.

-Mahomet

[Jesse]

I'm going to generalize here but when it comes time for me to upgrade or buy a new PC I usually look at some of the better pre built systems (Alienware, IbuyPower, etc) and just get those components. Many computer wholesaler magazines have some good deals in which you can end up with a $3500 system for close to only $2000, just takes some patience for the right deals to come along.

For parts I've had good success with ATI cards and Athalon processors. I always try and load up on the fastest RAM I can afford. 1.5 or 2GB of RAM is pretty nice to have nowadays. I always run dual hard drives at 7200 or better speed. Cooling systems are nice if you can swing the cost.
My mainboard always has plenty of slots 5-7 PCI's for upgrades. If sounds is a biggy for you like it is to me (big music fan) Soundblaster cards are the only way to go. I prefer to run a DVD drive seperate from my CDRW because I do a lot of burning and ripping and want an optimal speed drive and not a so-so combo. Optical drives are of course the standard these days.

I've built 8 PC's (2 of my own) in my life, so while by no means an expert, I know how it is done.

[Raven]

I have built several computers, not Game spec boxes - but very high performance machines none the less- If you can find it on alien, voodoo, or IbuyPower(not too bad $$$ if u cant build it) - it can be built for half their sale price if not less.

I will work up a package with a pricing breakdown comparable to what Alienware Area51 (top end) is and put it in here.......... just to give you an idea of what you can save


[1] Area-51® 5500 desktop

Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Chassis: Alienware® Full-Tower Case - Space Black
Power Supply: Alienware® 460 Watt Max Power Supply
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology Extreme Edition 3.73GHz 1066MHz FSB 2MB Cache
Motherboard: Alienware® PCI Express Motherboard with Intel® 925XE Chipset 1066/800MHz FSB
Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz - 4 x 1024MB
Graphics Processor: NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6800 Ultra PCI Express 512MB DDR3 w/Dual Digital and TV Out
System Drive: Extreme Performance - Serial ATA RAID 0 - 500GB (250GB x 2) Serial ATA 7,200 RPM w/16MB Cache
Optical Drive One: NEC® ND-3520 16x Dual Layer DVD±R/W Drive
Optical Drive Two: Lite-On 52x32x52x CD-RW Drive
Floppy Drive: 3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive - Black
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® 4 Pro High Definition 7.1 Surround Sound with Dual Firewire (IEEE® 1394)
Network Connection: Integrated High Performance Gigabit Ethernet

Total Price through Alienware - 4650.$$

Build it yourself - Approx 2700$$ (processor & MoBo were the main cost - found at wholesale for 1100$ at comp.show ive seen similair in the 700's)

based on just what i found online - computer show could do it even less - granted it wouldnt have the cool alienware case - but is that worth 1900$$

BTW- Most major metro areas have monthly-bimonthly computer trade/swapp shows where you can get all of the components at LOW LOW cost, So check the Local paper to find one.

[Mercenary]

I just got mine and its pretty buff. (too lay-z to look up the specs :P )

[Madfish]

For me its a balance between what software is actually using the hardware. I think buying the newest and greatest is a waste of money since most software rarely takes full advantage of the hardwares features when the hardware is released.

I troll newegg and price watch you can normally always find a good deal on something once a week there. I would also suggest getting a big case with lots of cooling that way you can make it easy to tweak/overclock you system (only if you know exactly what you are doing).

I read an article on a guy that overclocked his cpu a full 2x speed using liquid nitrogen. Im not suggesting that this is practicle, but it illustrates just how far you can push the hardware you can get nowdays.

Also keeping on top of your latest drivers releases helps a lot too.

[Natasha]

When I build a PC, the first things I look for are motherboard and power supply. If you're buying a motherboard or power supply, it is also best to do an online background check. Mostly it is just to see the kind of issues people are having with the item.

I always like to go with a high-end Intel CPU. The next thing I would probably look into was a new Nvidia GPU. Check out the latest GeForce models and see if I can't get my hands on a cheap one.

Also, no matter how great a computer you make, you want to have a decent cooling system. I don't go to extremes, but I like to make sure my computer has decent circulation. I think the computer I have now has like 10 LED fans. :roll:

Usually go with an NEC monitor, Logitech mouse, Labtec speakers. I like having a generic Microsoft internet keyboard. Nothing special, but it's what I'm used to. WinXP Pro is a must. Get a decent gig or more of RAM. See what Creative has for new sound cards. Most other stuff I am willing to buy as generic stock.
________
Lamborghini Estoque (http://www.lamborghini-tech.com/wiki/Lamborghini_Estoque)

[Kevo]

I have a custom built AMD 64 computer that simply rocks. Here are my specs:

3200+ Clawhammer CPU with 1MB cache(FSB @ 2.36mhz)
2 X 512MB PC3500 DDR 433 RAM
MSI K8N Neo Platinum Motherboard
Nvidia 6800 vanilla GPU (oced 355/850 unlocked pipelines to total 16)
Tagan 380 PSU with 22 amps on the +12 volt rail
Terminator case with 3 blue LED case fans and a pci slot fan
etc.....

It can take pretty much anything a game dishes out at this time.
I built it around 14 months ago, and it still does the job very well.

My Aquamark 3 score is 63,718. Not bad for a computer that cost around a grand.

[ShadowGryphon]

I have built several computers, not Game spec boxes - but very high performance machines none the less- If you can find it on alien, voodoo, or IbuyPower(not too bad $$$ if u cant build it) - it can be built for half their sale price if not less.

I will work up a package with a pricing breakdown comparable to what Alienware Area51 (top end) is and put it in here.......... just to give you an idea of what you can save


[1] Area-51® 5500 desktop

Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Chassis: Alienware® Full-Tower Case - Space Black
Power Supply: Alienware® 460 Watt Max Power Supply
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology Extreme Edition 3.73GHz 1066MHz FSB 2MB Cache
Motherboard: Alienware® PCI Express Motherboard with Intel® 925XE Chipset 1066/800MHz FSB
Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz - 4 x 1024MB
Graphics Processor: NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6800 Ultra PCI Express 512MB DDR3 w/Dual Digital and TV Out
System Drive: Extreme Performance - Serial ATA RAID 0 - 500GB (250GB x 2) Serial ATA 7,200 RPM w/16MB Cache
Optical Drive One: NEC® ND-3520 16x Dual Layer DVD±R/W Drive
Optical Drive Two: Lite-On 52x32x52x CD-RW Drive
Floppy Drive: 3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive - Black
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® 4 Pro High Definition 7.1 Surround Sound with Dual Firewire (IEEE® 1394)
Network Connection: Integrated High Performance Gigabit Ethernet

Total Price through Alienware - 4650.$$

Build it yourself - Approx 2700$$ (processor & MoBo were the main cost - found at wholesale for 1100$ at comp.show ive seen similair in the 700's)

based on just what i found online - computer show could do it even less - granted it wouldnt have the cool alienware case - but is that worth 1900$$

BTW- Most major metro areas have monthly-bimonthly computer trade/swapp shows where you can get all of the components at LOW LOW cost, So check the Local paper to find one.



WHAT?!! I built my system and it only cost me $989. that includes case , mobo (asus) proc (intel p4 2.8 gig.) 120 gig HD , Nvidia 5700 le , and Windoze XP and all the little parts everyone takes forgranted (like the power supply) . granted I hunted my nads off to find killer deals, but if I can do it so can you .......... here's a hint www.newegg.com and www.tigerdirect.com

[oblivious]

alright so im lookin to buy a new comp.. strictly for gaming and posting on forums.. what would be the best to buy with a price range not going over 2 grands?

[ShadowGryphon]

If your credit is good and you wouldn't have a problem with a monthly payment .... check www.alienware.com , otherwise look into builind your own box as it's really the least expensive way to go and it's really not that hard to do (hint check out www.tigerdirect.com for barebones kits)

[oblivious]

i checked the site there and picked a comp that looked pretty good(and sweet 8) ) for my 2 grand price range

here are its specs, i'm not good with comps soo.. you guys tell me if its good

Processors
AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-55 Processor with HyperTransport Technology
2.6GHz, 2000MHz FSB, 1MB full-speed level 2 Cache

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Processor with HyperTransport and Dual Core Technology
Up to 2.4GHz, 2000MHz FSB, 2 x 1MB full-speed level 2 Cache

Operating Systems
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition

Chipset
NVIDIA nForce4 SLI / MCP04 chipset

Memory
Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz
Four DDR DIMM sockets
Up to 2GB of system memory

Graphics
Single PCI Express x16 high-performance graphics
Up to 512MB GDDR3 dedicated video memory
DVI, VGA, and S-Video outputs with dual-display support
Dual DVI and S-Video outputs with dual-display support*
Full DirectX® 9.0 and OpenGL® 2.0 graphics compatibility
NVIDIA SLI-Ready*

Dual NVIDIA PCI Express x16 high-performance graphics
Up to 2 x 512MB GDDR3 dedicated video memory*
DVI, VGA, and S-Video outputs with dual-display support
Dual DVI and S-Video outputs with dual-display support*
Full DirectX® 9.0 and OpenGL® 2.0 graphics compatibility
NVIDIA SLI-Enabled*

* Dependent upon video configuration
Drive Bays
Externally accessible:
Four 5.25" for DVD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD/CD-RW, or DVD±RW drives
Two 3.5" for floppy drive, 10-in-1 digital media reader / writer, or front accessible 1394

Internally accessible:
Four 3.5" bays for hard drives

I/O Ports
Externally accessible:
Serial:
Parallel:
Video:


Keyboard:
Mouse:
IEEE 1394:
USB:

Audio:


Ethernet:

One 9-pin serial port
One 25-pin parallel port
One 15-pin VGA port / one 24-pin DVI port
Two 24-pin DVI ports*
Four 24-pin DVI ports*
One 6-pin mini-DIN port**
One 6-pin mini-DIN port**
One IEEE 1394a port – 1 back
Eight USB 2.0 ports - 4 front / 4 back
Five 1/8" analog jacks / one optical output / one coaxial output Supports 8-channel (7.1) 24-bit high-definition audio
Three 1/8" analog jacks / one 1/8" digital jack (optional)**
Supports 8-channel (7.1) 24-bit high-definition audio
Two Gigabit Ethernet


* Dependent upon video configuration
** Dependent upon system configuration
*** Compatible with USB devices using adapter

Internally accessible:
Serial ATA:

Primary IDE Channel:
Secondary IDE Channel:
Floppy:
Six Serial ATA-300 ports
RAID0 and RAID1 (optional)
One 40-pin connector
One 40-pin connector
One 13-pin connector


Slots
2 PCIe x16 slots for graphics
2 PCIe x1 slots
3 PCI slots

Chassis


AlienIce high-performance air intakes illuminated in choice of colors
Locking front and side panels secure and conceal front I/O ports and drive bays
510*-watt power supply with Active PFC
High-efficiency, low-noise 120mm and 80mm fans - two additional 80mm fans provided by power supply
Up to six USB 2.0 ports (4 front / 2 back)*
Four 5.25" external bays
Two 3.5" external bays
Four 3.5" internal bays

*650-watt maximum output
**Dependent upon system configuration

Power
Output Wattage: 510 Watts
Input Voltage: 100 - 240V at 50 - 60Hz
Heat Dissipation: 841 BTU per hour (monitor not included)
Backup Battery: 3.0V coin cell

[ShadowGryphon]

ok.......... the question is ....... which proc are you going with ( 2 are listed) and if you're going PCI Express......... you're better off getting 2 cards with the SLI bridge (you'll have screaming graphics) and again ...... which card do you want ( 2 diff. cards are listed).
Other than that ......... looks like you chose a killer box

[Dirty]

Here's what I just got done building 5 weeks ago .....I am in LOVE with my new machine, and it didn't break the bank. Priced on Dell/Alienware at over $3000 dollars.

ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ ClawHammer/Hammer 1GHz FSB 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor

Kingston ValueRAM 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200)

Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 73GB 10000RPM SATA150
- this is the drive I do games and programs on

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JD 250GB 7200RPM SATA150
- This is my dump drive for movies/music etc.

GIGABYTE Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card

GIGABYTE Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card

- yup i'm running Dual Video cards. SLI screams guys.

LITE-ON Black IDE CD/DVD burner Combo Drive

Antec TRUE550 ATX 550W Power Supply

Never underestimate the power of your friendly neighborhood power supply. I've been extremely happy with my dual video cards (have had only slight issues with some games, in which case i disable one of them and everything is fine. The SATA drives are great (NO MORE JUMPERS!!!EVER!!!!)


Walkout pricetag with case and shipping $1504

newegg.com is where I bought the vast majority of parts.

[oblivious]

:arrow: :?: :?: :? ok.......... the question is ....... which proc are you going with ( 2 are listed) and if you're going PCI Express......... you're better off getting 2 cards with the SLI bridge (you'll have screaming graphics) and again ...... which card do you want ( 2 diff. cards are listed).
Other than that ......... looks like you chose a killer box

ya... again comps aren't my thing.. which is why i came here( im just 14)

as for the processor and card... i don't know :(
you tell me which one i should choose :D

all that computer talk tells me nothin :shock:

[ShadowGryphon]

NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE Box Lord Gonad, SLI RULES!
Oblivious, I recommend this proc: AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-55 Processor with HyperTransport Technology
2.6GHz, 2000MHz FSB, 1MB full-speed level 2 Cache
and this graphics card setup: Dual NVIDIA PCI Express x16 high-performance graphics
Up to 2 x 512MB GDDR3 dedicated video memory*
DVI, VGA, and S-Video outputs with dual-display support
Dual DVI and S-Video outputs with dual-display support*
Full DirectX® 9.0 and OpenGL® 2.0 graphics compatibility
NVIDIA SLI-Enabled*
you'll be kicking ass with the best of them then

[oblivious]

omg man thank you all.. dunno how helpful this has been.. without you guys i'd be buying a comp built by a chimp :P

[ShadowGryphon]

Damn ..... it's probably a good thing you said that .........
I AM A CHIMP!MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

[oblivious]

:shock: were all dead :cry:

[ShadowGryphon]

LMAO!!!!!!!!! :twisted:

[oblivious]

lol :P

[theuildedfacedmonk]

Im sending this message on my own custom built compiuter and if i might add on a realy tight budget yer still manage to get a bit over budger prefornce but only a bit.

Something ive had sleepless nights over, So thats not being blamed on the SUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ceolstan]

I built my current machine a little over a year ago. I wanted a computer that was a significantly better machine than the 3-year-old Dell Optiplex I'd been using. Price was a factor.

The details of the experience have been recorded here (http://www.theamazonbasin.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3224), where I initially ask about upgrading, and here (http://www.theamazonbasin.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4007), where I give my first-time builder experiences. It's been over a year, and I'm still happy. My 512K machine now has 1 gig of RAM. I've added a heatsink to the southbridge, and I'm considering a new keyboard, perhaps a zboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823161013) or a saitek (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823175103). I'm intrigued by the zboard. Currently, I find that the wasd movement in conjunction with the shift key for push-to-talk (chosen because I can easily reach the key while gaming) can result in soreness over extended periods. I'd prefer a more natural movement, and the zboard's versatility in configuration makes it attractive. I've read amazing things about the saitek.

For people interested in building a high-end system, it's worth looking at the proposed systems at sites like arstechnica.com (Buyer's Guide (http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/system-guide-200504.ars)), anandtech.com (mid- to high-priced systems (http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=2426)), [H]ard|OCP 9 ($1500 System Guide (http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=Nzg1)).

Of course, the real decision is whether to build or buy. There are a lot of decent systems for under $1500 that will be good for gaming, and you won't have to send your family off for the day so they don't hear you swear when you assemble the computer. On the other hand, for $1500 you can build a computer that's uniquely yours and offers a more versatile upgrade path. :)

Win-win. :D

--ceolstan~AB

Edit: close tags

[Valtars]

what a lot of people don;t know is You can build a pretty good gaming machine On the cheap If ya use places like tigerdirect and compgeeks to get refurbished parts Like hd and cd drives and stuff saving you money to spend on better mobo and other essentials like a nice vid card.... When shopping for a MOBO for a gaming comp 8x AGP pretty much required... And look for a good cooling system... Liquid cooling seems a bit dangerous to me... SO I usually buy a decent sized heatsynch and Hook the biggest meatiest fan I can find on it to pull the heat out and disperse it out of the comp... Also Never forget the value of a really rockin case... Cause lan parties are much more fun when you can blame losing on being distracted by the blinking led's in your case... I suck at FPS games what can I say...

[ShadowGryphon]

Valtar, If you'll read my EARLIER posts you'll notice I mention both tiger direct AND newegg.com AND I mentioned how much I built my system for by going to tiger direct.

[Valtars]

I read it I just felt it beared repeating.. Since a lot of people never consider refurbished parts...

[ShadowGryphon]

actually ...... all my parts were new heh

[GenRabbit]

Here's what I just got done building 5 weeks ago .....I am in LOVE with my new machine, and it didn't break the bank. Priced on Dell/Alienware at over $3000 dollars.

ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ ClawHammer/Hammer 1GHz FSB 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor

Kingston ValueRAM 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200)

Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 73GB 10000RPM SATA150
- this is the drive I do games and programs on

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JD 250GB 7200RPM SATA150
- This is my dump drive for movies/music etc.

GIGABYTE Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card

GIGABYTE Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Video Card

- yup i'm running Dual Video cards. SLI screams guys.

LITE-ON Black IDE CD/DVD burner Combo Drive

Antec TRUE550 ATX 550W Power Supply

Never underestimate the power of your friendly neighborhood power supply. I've been extremely happy with my dual video cards (have had only slight issues with some games, in which case i disable one of them and everything is fine. The SATA drives are great (NO MORE JUMPERS!!!EVER!!!!)


Walkout pricetag with case and shipping $1504

newegg.com is where I bought the vast majority of parts.

Great setup. But why choose fastest HDD, FAST CPU, FAST graphic card and then add some slow ram? :roll: