PC Build/Setup help.

Hey guys. I know this is early, but im just getting the gist of things at the minute. In september im going to be getting ~ $2800 through uni (if im allowed back). I was thinking of building a computer from scratch out of ~$800 of it and i was wondering on idea's and gear to use.

It would mainly be a gaming computer but sometimes id use the university's desktop anywhere to do my work on.

If needed id be happy to use bits of my PC that a guy built saying it was a gaming pc when he had no idea what he was doing (Has an intergrated GFX card with the motherboard).

The specs of my pc atm are

Time of this report: 6/8/2011, 23:22:08
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.100216-1514)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: M61SME-S2
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.6GHz
Memory: 1984MB RAM (2x 1GB DDR2 i think)
Page File: 1130MB used, 2746MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

GFX

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 6150SE
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 960 (32 bit) (60Hz)

I would like it to run WoW, RS obiously, Preferably 4-6 bots overnight, and Some certain steam games such as CS:S, MW:2, MW:3 as it will be coming out just after my pc is built.

 

ASRock M3A770DE Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T six-core CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180
Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102913
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697
Thermaltake 750W MODULAR (nice to have) PSU, 80+ Bronze Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153136
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K58W Computer case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112238
LG CD/DVD Combo Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136238

Grand Total: $804.76 (Including shipping, NewEgg doesn't tax)

If you intend to overclock you should get an aftermarket CPU cooler, they're not really that expensive (you can get a really nice one for ~$50). But even at stock speeds this system should play WoW/RS/CS:S/MW2/MW3 at max settings. I don't know if you needed a monitor or not, so I didn't include one. All the main components are there, you might want to invest in other small accents like cathodes/extra cables etc but if you're just looking to build a PC with no extra frilly stuff, this is pretty much the best bang for your buck.

edit: updated, RAM sold out literally right as I posted this so my grand total was without including the price of RAM. Had to downgrade the GPU but it should still play max settings on the games you listed with very decent frame rates at generous resolutions, and if needed you can always add in a second 6870 later on when you can afford it in Crossfire to boost your performance.

 

no problem m8, thanks for the ideas, ive still got a little while to go before i get the cash. Just getting ideas. The dick who built my comp was my ex-step-dads bro inlaw, and he has no ideas how to build a comp. This pc wont even run CoD2 on low specs without lagging on solo play . With wow i had to have it lowest spec's and it still lagged like hell.

Ive got a decent 22inch monitor, but hopefuly if i can sort it out, i might be getting a 32" HD TV wall mounted, but im not sure if ill have it as a monitor or just TV.

 

Yeah your current specs are similar to the system I had in like 2006 lol.. but if you ever need advice I'm here just shoot me a PM and if you need help actually building it I can help as well. Good luck!

 

I have a question, is this PC from HP/Compaq ? cuz I came across one with the exact same specs earlier on today in Futureshop.

 

Pretty good build, I'd go with this IMO.

 

Why only spend 800? You should throw down like $1600+ and build a beast. I'd make suggestions, but I don't like building pc's with under 1k budget.

 

This^

Yeah tbh I'm building a computer in a month or two with only slightly higher of a budget (~$1150) and it'll probably run laps around that system I built you. Not saying the one I put together would be bad by any means, but for just a little more you get a lot more performance

The choice is up to you though.

 

If this is a gaming rig, get what shockwave showed you, but change the cpu to
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
and gpu to
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127562
$804 before rebates, $760ish after rebates, and it's a complete beast.

 

To be honest, it's down to your gaming preferences.

My PC was custom built by myself so that I could reach a constant 250FPS while playing ProMod on COD4 where as if I had been aiming for a PC designed to play WoW or SC, I would have chosen different specs.

Do you know what kind of games you are looking to play?

 

the main problem i have is im only getting £1700 from my student loan (my job contract isnt being renewed so im going to be looking for a job soon.

That equates to ~$2800 USD.

$800 will be for my PC, $820 will be for car insurance, ~$470 will be for my lil sis's birthday (i pay for it all). $300 will be for my travel to and from uni for the full term (Sep-Dec) and then id still like a lil bit cash left over to spend on random junk. If i find a part time job in the mean time, i will hopefuly save up and get a comp built for between $1500-$2000. I wont need a case as ill be using my old one, and ill probs keep my DVD drive so that will be more money being able to get spent on the new build up.

 

What case do you have ? If it's as sub-par as the rest of the system, you seriously should consider buying a new one, for airflow/cable management purposes :/

 

This, it's recommended you get a new case. Dvd drive is fine if it's a SATA one.

 

stats for the base and pic (my case is red), doesnt show it but the left side is see-through as well as having enough vents.

External Drive Bays: 4 x 5.25" and 2 x 3.5"
Internal Drive Bays: 5x 3.5" H.D.D.
Fan Set: Front 8 cm x2 , Rear 8 cm x2
ATX Form Factor 12" x 9.6 " or smaller
USB2.0x2, Audio, light up headlights .
381(H) X210(W) X 490(D)mm
PCI Slot x 7
P4-450W

 

Looks like some shit case honestly. I'd buy a new one.
If your optical drive is SATA, then you can re-use that.

 

Judging by that case, I'd say you'd be better off picking up a more standard gaming case. You can get a decent one from CoolerMaster for around £59.

 

Looks small as shit, I would advise getting a better case like the one I linked you to. Even if it has a vent on the side, it doesn't appear to have any case fans other than maybe the rear exhaust, which won't be enough. A case matters a lot more than you might think. Good airflow is absolutely key in a stable system. Cable management never hurts either, it reduces air friction and makes everything neat and clear, allowing air to pass unobstructed (I swear to you it's not ALL about aesthetics, just partially)

 

He's right.
Cable management is a huge part of airflow, that's why modular PSU's are such a good buy.