Building a computer

Dr.Satan · 03-02-2010, 08:08 AM

I have a friend who is looking to build a computer, but isn't really sure what he needs. And I don't really know enough to give him much. So I figured you guys would be the best to go to.

He knows he wants to be able to make music. Like run some decent music programs like fruity loops and acid pro.

And he's looking at a buget of around like 4/500 or so. What's the best computer he can get for that? And where is the best place to buy/build it at? This is just for the tower too b/c, he's got a good monitor and shit, so he doesn't really need anything but the tower.

Bridget · 03-02-2010, 09:22 AM

http://www.newegg.com

**Bully** · 03-02-2010, 10:14 AM

Although it's a UK based company OCUK give some good examples of what parts work together, http://www.overclockers.co.uk/produc...d=43&catid=339

SomeOldGuy · 03-02-2010, 03:54 PM

Here are a few options:

http://www.pc-music.com/content/buil...ndows-7-part-2

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/...le.php/3785166

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/fea...awesome_pc_647

Gwarsbane · 03-02-2010, 04:17 PM

Someone just asked about doing this on the MekTek forums, though they were going for a gaming rig.

http://www.mektek.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=151475

The computer that was suggested was not a powerhouse but for what your friend wants to do with it, it should do fine. And depending on what software and hardware your friend has already things could be tweaked more.

I would personally suggest a bigger case and a larger power supply then a 380watt. If he doesn't need an OS then that money could go towards the power supply and case. I would suggest no less then a 600watt power supply just for future upgrade ability of other hardware.

And of course its a DDR2 motherboard so he would have to get DDR2 ram not DDR3 that was suggested at first.

There are 2 decent online stores that you can look at, both have build options.

http://www.newegg.com like what was suggested
http://www.ncixus.com

Again what was suggest is not a powerhouse but it should be fine for what your friend wants to do with it.

wakka · 03-02-2010, 04:30 PM

don't buy AMD right now.

quad core pentium thx (especially for music rendering)

Sidd · 03-02-2010, 08:19 PM

Does he need a discrete graphics card or is an IGP good enough?

If IGP is fine then he can afford a much faster quad core cpu, something in the region of an AMD Phenom II X4 940 or Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300.

2 * 2Gb of ram is worthwhile but may be out of budget.

Gwarsbane · 03-02-2010, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakka

don't buy AMD right now.

quad core pentium thx (especially for music rendering)

I just posted what was suggested. 500 bucks is not a whole lot to build a decent computer with, though its enough to build a decent starter machine.

The programs he mentioned aren't powerhouses. I use video rendering software which is going to push much harder and my AMD X2 4800 does just fine (take a while for 1920x1200 HD).

An Intel quad core is going to be more expensive, which means hes going to have to get a smaller CPU.

I don't know if those programs need or use more then one core, but many programs don't need or use more then 1 or 2 cores right now. I don't even think these kinds of programs would work even the AMD CPU that was suggested or even work my CPU.

Gwarsbane · 03-02-2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidd

Does he need a discrete graphics card or is an IGP good enough?

If IGP is fine then he can afford a much faster quad core cpu, something in the region of an AMD Phenom II X4 940 or Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300.

2 * 2Gb of ram is worthwhile but may be out of budget.

ya just noticed that about the motherboard its got integrated video. There is a little more money saved or as you suggest put towards a better cpu.

Mooga · 03-03-2010, 03:39 AM

$400 or $500 was fine about 6 months ago, but ever since ram shot back up to over $100 for 4gb, it's just not posible. You used to be able to get 4gb for like $60 on newegg... man I wish I bought more ram now!

Gwarsbane · 03-03-2010, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooga

$400 or $500 was fine about 6 months ago, but ever since ram shot back up to over $100 for 4gb, it's just not posible. You used to be able to get 4gb for like $60 on newegg... man I wish I bought more ram now!

Its possible, but as i said its not going to be a power house. As long as he has the monitor already, and if he doesn't need a strong video card, and if he has the OS already, then getting an ok base setup is pretty easy for 500. From there you could always upgrade it in the future when you have a few bucks.

Dr.Satan · 03-03-2010, 08:27 AM

thanks guys...I'll have to talk to him a bit more and he's on vacation right now. But honestly I don't think he needs anything really over the top. He's just fed up with his old crap system and wants to get something decent. But we also have a friend who does some shit with music and this guy wants to get involved with it and help out.

Icculus · 03-03-2010, 01:14 PM

Tiger Direct has this good deal on a bare bones system. Should be more than sufficient for what he wants to do. It doesn't come with a monitor or anything but at $299.99 it gives him a little room to shop for the accessories if needed.

-Icculus

**mervaka** · 03-03-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bully

Although it's a UK based company OCUK give some good examples of what parts work together, http://www.overclockers.co.uk/produc...d=43&catid=339

quite ironically, i bought from them a while back, and was refused a return on the grounds of incompatibility because i had opened the box..

a few months later i had stoke on trent trading standards ringing me up. seems they got busted!

**Bully** · 03-03-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mervaka

quite ironically, i bought from them a while back, and was refused a return on the grounds of incompatibility because i had opened the box..

a few months later i had stoke on trent trading standards ringing me up. seems they got busted!

Last time i buy from OCUK then.

EquilibriuM · 03-13-2010, 03:37 AM

Your friend is so getting a DELL!

Dr.Satan · 03-17-2010, 10:49 AM

right, so this guy is saying that what he really wants is:

decent ram (I'm thinking like 4gig's)
a good sound card (something you can really jam on)
and then pretty much just a barebones system from there that he can run shit on. Probably needs a decent processor, but nothing super great...like he doesn't need to be able to run games on it or anything. Honestly all he runs now is windows media player and like ares so that he can get some songs

Definitely needs to be able to run those programs I mentioned above and maybe something better (tho he doesn't know what they are, I'm sure we can find something better then what he says he needs), and something he can produce some decent songs on. He's got some friends that throw down on some shit and he wants to help them produce their songs and stuff.

Icculus · 03-17-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Satan

right, so this guy is saying that what he really wants is:

decent ram (I'm thinking like 4gig's)
a good sound card (something you can really jam on)
and then pretty much just a barebones system from there that he can run shit on. Probably needs a decent processor, but nothing super great...like he doesn't need to be able to run games on it or anything. Honestly all he runs now is windows media player and like ares so that he can get some songs

Definitely needs to be able to run those programs I mentioned above and maybe something better (tho he doesn't know what they are, I'm sure we can find something better then what he says he needs), and something he can produce some decent songs on. He's got some friends that throw down on some shit and he wants to help them produce their songs and stuff.

Here's a decent 4GB system for $329.99 after rebates. He can buy a nice sound card and still stick close to his budget.

-Icculus

**mervaka** · 03-27-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Satan

a good sound card (something you can really jam on)

what does he mean by "something you can really jam on"

Gwarsbane · 03-27-2010, 03:19 PM

no idea cause if its a 30 dollar sound card or a 150 dollar sound card the sound quality is going to be about the same.

It all depends on the speakers you get. I have a built in sound card and I would put it up against any plug in sound card of any cost as long as they used the same speakers. I don't have top of the line but the Logitech Z5300e speakers are damn good. 280watt RMS sounds really good to me.

There is only one set that I know of that I want more (not because I know others suck but because its the only other good speaker set I have heard) is the Logitech Z5500 which have 500 Watt RMS, and a better control setup (its got a wireless remote).

03-02-2010, 08:08 AM	#1
Dr.Satan Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greeley, CO Class/Position: Med / Solly Gametype: PAYLOAD Affiliations: DET- Posts Rated Helpful 19 Times	Building a computer I have a friend who is looking to build a computer, but isn't really sure what he needs. And I don't really know enough to give him much. So I figured you guys would be the best to go to. He knows he wants to be able to make music. Like run some decent music programs like fruity loops and acid pro. And he's looking at a buget of around like 4/500 or so. What's the best computer he can get for that? And where is the best place to buy/build it at? This is just for the tower too b/c, he's got a good monitor and shit, so he doesn't really need anything but the tower. __________________ FF Community Map Pack(s): 1 / 2 (Released) conc_school \| hellion_classic \| ksour_PAYLOAD \| mulch_faf (Beta) alchimy_b1 (Lua) base_payload_2015 (Models) props_trainyard Support FF:

03-02-2010, 10:14 AM	#3
Bully Beta Tester Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Yorkshire, England Class/Position: Spectating Gametype: British Bulldogs Affiliations: ®™ ^ Posts Rated Helpful 67 Times	Although it's a UK based company OCUK give some good examples of what parts work together, http://www.overclockers.co.uk/produc...d=43&catid=339 __________________ ®™ Support FF:

03-02-2010, 03:54 PM	#4
SomeOldGuy older than dirt Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: just east of the jug handle Posts Rated Helpful 9 Times	Here are a few options: http://www.pc-music.com/content/buil...ndows-7-part-2 http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/...le.php/3785166 http://www.maximumpc.com/article/fea...awesome_pc_647 Last edited by SomeOldGuy; 03-02-2010 at 03:54 PM.

03-03-2010, 03:39 AM	#10
Mooga Colorless FTW D&A Member Beta Tester Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: A Small Box Affiliations: SRCDS.com Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	$400 or $500 was fine about 6 months ago, but ever since ram shot back up to over $100 for 4gb, it's just not posible. You used to be able to get 4gb for like $60 on newegg... man I wish I bought more ram now! __________________ ~ Mooga ...w00t? SRCDS.com \| Twitter

03-03-2010, 08:27 AM	#12
Dr.Satan Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greeley, CO Class/Position: Med / Solly Gametype: PAYLOAD Affiliations: DET- Posts Rated Helpful 19 Times	thanks guys...I'll have to talk to him a bit more and he's on vacation right now. But honestly I don't think he needs anything really over the top. He's just fed up with his old crap system and wants to get something decent. But we also have a friend who does some shit with music and this guy wants to get involved with it and help out. __________________ FF Community Map Pack(s): 1 / 2 (Released) conc_school \| hellion_classic \| ksour_PAYLOAD \| mulch_faf (Beta) alchimy_b1 (Lua) base_payload_2015 (Models) props_trainyard Support FF:

03-02-2010, 09:22 AM	#2
Bridget Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Class/Position: Soldier Gametype: AVD Affiliations: TALOS Posts Rated Helpful 5 Times	http://www.newegg.com

03-02-2010, 04:17 PM	#5
Gwarsbane Slayer of humans D&A Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mostly on earth though in some alt dimensions Class/Position: I'm an Offensive Defensive person Gametype: Fortress Forever Affiliations: I'm a merc, only thing that talks is money Posts Rated Helpful 3 Times	Someone just asked about doing this on the MekTek forums, though they were going for a gaming rig. http://www.mektek.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=151475 The computer that was suggested was not a powerhouse but for what your friend wants to do with it, it should do fine. And depending on what software and hardware your friend has already things could be tweaked more. I would personally suggest a bigger case and a larger power supply then a 380watt. If he doesn't need an OS then that money could go towards the power supply and case. I would suggest no less then a 600watt power supply just for future upgrade ability of other hardware. And of course its a DDR2 motherboard so he would have to get DDR2 ram not DDR3 that was suggested at first. There are 2 decent online stores that you can look at, both have build options. http://www.newegg.com like what was suggested http://www.ncixus.com Again what was suggest is not a powerhouse but it should be fine for what your friend wants to do with it.

03-02-2010, 04:30 PM	#6
wakka Join Date: Aug 2009 Class/Position: top Gametype: pwning caroline in bed Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	don't buy AMD right now. quad core pentium thx (especially for music rendering)

03-02-2010, 08:19 PM	#7
Sidd Lua Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	Does he need a discrete graphics card or is an IGP good enough? If IGP is fine then he can afford a much faster quad core cpu, something in the region of an AMD Phenom II X4 940 or Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300. 2 * 2Gb of ram is worthwhile but may be out of budget.

03-03-2010, 01:14 PM	#13
Icculus D&A Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Tiger Direct has this good deal on a bare bones system. Should be more than sufficient for what he wants to do. It doesn't come with a monitor or anything but at $299.99 it gives him a little room to shop for the accessories if needed. -Icculus

03-13-2010, 03:37 AM	#16
EquilibriuM G9- D&A Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Class/Position: D Solly,Engy Gametype: ALL Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Your friend is so getting a DELL! __________________

03-17-2010, 10:49 AM	#17
Dr.Satan Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Greeley, CO Class/Position: Med / Solly Gametype: PAYLOAD Affiliations: DET- Posts Rated Helpful 19 Times	right, so this guy is saying that what he really wants is: decent ram (I'm thinking like 4gig's) a good sound card (something you can really jam on) and then pretty much just a barebones system from there that he can run shit on. Probably needs a decent processor, but nothing super great...like he doesn't need to be able to run games on it or anything. Honestly all he runs now is windows media player and like ares so that he can get some songs Definitely needs to be able to run those programs I mentioned above and maybe something better (tho he doesn't know what they are, I'm sure we can find something better then what he says he needs), and something he can produce some decent songs on. He's got some friends that throw down on some shit and he wants to help them produce their songs and stuff. __________________ FF Community Map Pack(s): 1 / 2 (Released) conc_school \| hellion_classic \| ksour_PAYLOAD \| mulch_faf (Beta) alchimy_b1 (Lua) base_payload_2015 (Models) props_trainyard Support FF:

03-27-2010, 03:19 PM	#20
Gwarsbane Slayer of humans D&A Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mostly on earth though in some alt dimensions Class/Position: I'm an Offensive Defensive person Gametype: Fortress Forever Affiliations: I'm a merc, only thing that talks is money Posts Rated Helpful 3 Times	no idea cause if its a 30 dollar sound card or a 150 dollar sound card the sound quality is going to be about the same. It all depends on the speakers you get. I have a built in sound card and I would put it up against any plug in sound card of any cost as long as they used the same speakers. I don't have top of the line but the Logitech Z5300e speakers are damn good. 280watt RMS sounds really good to me. There is only one set that I know of that I want more (not because I know others suck but because its the only other good speaker set I have heard) is the Logitech Z5500 which have 500 Watt RMS, and a better control setup (its got a wireless remote).

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