Building my first computer!

[sentralorigin]

Since Linux forums is the only computer forum I hang out most at, I decided to post here for some assistance.

I will be building my very first computer from scratch buying all the parts from NewEgg. I have a general/basic idea of how to put the computer together, how everything works, etc. The only part I need help on is picking out the parts. I am wanting to build an AMD processor machine, so I figure I need to pick the right motherboard for the correct chipset. I will be using onboard video/sound. I am not sure yet which RAM is compatible with what, and what kind of fan to get for the CPU. Also I'm not sure which power supply to get. As for the hard drive, is an external casing necessary for it too? I will not be having a tower/PC case. Just the motherboard, HD, power supply, and CD-ROM drive all laid out on a shelf.

Other than those issues :-p I don't have any problem, or I shouldn't have any. My price range is $1-$500 for all the parts I mentioned above. Thank you!

[techieMoe]

Since Linux forums is the only computer forum I hang out most at, I decided to post here for some assistance.

I will be building my very first computer from scratch buying all the parts from NewEgg.

Congratulations. I've used Newegg since college and I've been very happy with their service and products. Good choice.

I am not sure yet which RAM is compatible with what, and what kind of fan to get for the CPU.

My advice is buy a retail CPU. These come with an official AMD-approved fan assembly in the box, so you don't have to worry about what fan to choose. The retail CPUs also have a 3 year (as opposed to 1 year) warranty.

As for RAM, just make sure you get the proper speed for your motherboard. The specs should say what speeds it supports. Brand names aren't as important with RAM as some other products. In my experience, it either it works or it doesn't, and if it doesn't you return it.

Also I'm not sure which power supply to get.

I can't sing the praises enough for Antec power supplies. I've owned several over the years and Antec is the only brand that I've had spontaneously start working again after I accidentally fried it. (My fault, not the power supply.) They're tough.

As for the hard drive, is an external casing necessary for it too? I will not be having a tower/PC case. Just the motherboard, HD, power supply, and CD-ROM drive all laid out on a shelf.

That's an extremely bad idea. Cases aren't just for show; they help your components get the proper air circulation and keep them from overheating. If you're going to be spending this much on all the components, there's no logical reason why you can't spend another $50-75 on a decent case with good ventilation. It's a lot cheaper than having to replace components when they overheat.

Other than those issues :-p I don't have any problem, or I shouldn't have any. My price range is $1-$500 for all the parts I mentioned above. Thank you!

You could easily make a reasonable computer (with a case) for around that price, however you're not going to get the latest and greatest hardware for it. You'll end up with a solid mid-range computer. If that's what you want, then you're all set.

[sentralorigin]

Wow, thanks for the quick response and great advice! This computer will be used for web browsing, maybe some music, and typing documents. Nothing more than that! (A home family shared computer). It won't be used as a server or anything, but it will of course have Gentoo linux running on it! I hop you understood it was $500 for EVERYTHING, not each part $500 separately

[techieMoe]

I hop you understood it was $500 for EVERYTHING, not each part $500 separately

Oh, I understand perfectly. It's still possible to make a very decent machine for that price.

[techieMoe]

Here's a shopping cart I came up with on Newegg just as a quickie. The total before shipping is $483.95. It includes the following:

Antec Case with 400W power supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129163

250GB Western Digital SATA harddrive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144417

AMD64 X2 3600 Dual-Core AM2 processor (retail with fan):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103046

MSI Socket AM2 motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130064

1GB Corsair DDR2 800 RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145153

EVGA 256MB Geforce FX5500 AGP video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130197

NEC 18X DVDRW/CDRW drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827152076

[sentralorigin]

Hey, just a question: Is the graphics card really necessary? Or does the motherboard not have onboard? Because this machine does not really need good graphics as it will not be viewing too many movies or videos. Or do you need the graphics card to actually speed up the machine?

[sentralorigin]

Also, what would happen if I added a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to a $400 budget? $300?

[techieMoe]

Hey, just a question: Is the graphics card really necessary? Or does the motherboard not have onboard? Because this machine does not really need good graphics as it will not be viewing too many movies or videos. Or do you need the graphics card to actually speed up the machine?

The motherboard I listed does not have onboard video. You're not going to save a significant amount of money by going with onboard, so it really isn't an issue as far as I'm concerned. If you really want to, you could get another video card for as cheap as $20, but I recommend the mid-range I suggested.

[techieMoe]

Also, what would happen if I added a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to a $400 budget? $300?

Do you not already have a monitor, keyboard or mouse? I assumed you were talking about an upgrade here, not a completely new system.

Even then, adding a decent 17-inch flat panel monitor, basic keyboard and mouse adds roughly $150 to your overall price (that's all the monitor; keyboards and mice are a dime a dozen these days). Here's the monitor I found:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824116010

[sentralorigin]

No, this is a completely new system. I guess I also need cables like IDE or SATA and stuff to attach all the stuff together to the motherboard...I also don't know which cables I need to buy.