Computers TBG got me thinking--Help Me Build a Desktop

**doomy3** · 08:58 PM

Well, TBG got me thinking with his thread, and so I want to build a desktop. I have never done this before and have always just bought a computer in a B&M store. I don't play any games, so it doesn't need to be able to do that. Here is what I need it for:

-Browsing the internet--want it to be fast

-Basic document applications like Microsoft Office, etc.

-Photoshop photo editing

-POSSIBLY some video editing

-Needs to work on a dual monitor setup

-Needs to work with the following parts, which I have already bought:

LITE-ON Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 CD/DVD Burners (RW Drives)

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

I also already have Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit that I will be installing.

I do have a Microcenter close, so I would be able to buy there if it makes sense, or Newegg or any other retailer. Would like to keep the amount around $400 if possible since I already have the Hard Drive and DVD Burner.

Thanks for any help or suggestions on a build!

**dirk digler** · 08-11-2010, 08:53 PM

what is your budget?

**doomy3** · 08-11-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

what is your budget?

Oh yea, I guess that's important.

I would say around $400 or close to that since I already have the hard drive and DVD burner.

**dirk digler** · 08-11-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doomy3

Oh yea, I guess that's important.

I would say around $400 or close to that since I already have the hard drive and DVD burner.

I don't know if that is possible especially if you don't have the monitors.

**dirk digler** · 08-11-2010, 09:24 PM

Here is a very general breakdown of what think it would cost:

CPU\Motherboard - $120 minimum (this would be a fairly low end CPU)
Memory - For 4GB you are probably looking at around $100
Case - $50-100
Video Card - $100
Sound Card - (won't need if motherboard has integrated sound)
Monitors - $100 a piece

**doomy3** · 08-11-2010, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I don't know if that is possible especially if you don't have the monitors.

Sorry, should have mentioned that too.

I have 2 20" LCD monitors already.

Just need the CPU built.

And I could go a bit above $400. Just trying to keep it in that neighborhood since I have already bought the monitors, hard drive and DVD burner.

**The Bad Guy** · 08-11-2010, 08:55 PM

I'll tell you what, I learned a shitload building this. Good luck. The guys on here are ****ing great.

**doomy3** · 08-11-2010, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I'll tell you what, I learned a shitload building this. Good luck. The guys on here are ****ing great.

Looking forward to it. I would guess, just based on your other thread, that I am about the same level as far as understanding computers. I can get around them pretty well, but have never built anything before.

MadMax · 08-11-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I'll tell you what, I learned a shitload building this. Good luck. The guys on here are ****ing great.

I agree and the input is very helpful

**dirk digler** · 08-12-2010, 09:55 AM

Here is what I come up with

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor + MSI 785GTM-E45 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G Motherboard + Kingston 4GB RAM = 376.97

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...#aShoppingCart

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case = $60.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119137

SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card = $55.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102829

Total = $491.99

Pants · 08-12-2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Here is what I come up with

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor + MSI 785GTM-E45 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G Motherboard + Kingston 4GB RAM = 376.97

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...#aShoppingCart

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case = $60.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119137

SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card = $55.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102829

Total = $491.99

Needs a PSU still.

**dirk digler** · 08-12-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metrolike

Needs a PSU still.

That would help

**dirk digler** · 08-12-2010, 09:58 AM

Here are the specs for the motherboard it has enough SATA ports for your burner and hard drive

Model
Brand	MSI
Model	785GTM-E45
Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type	AM3/AM2+/AM2
CPU Type	Phenom II / Phenom / Athlon II / Athlon64 /Sempron
FSB	2600MHz Hyper Transport (5200 MT/s)
Chipsets
North Bridge	AMD 785G
South Bridge	AMD SB710
Memory
Number of Memory Slots	2×240pin
Memory Standard	DDR2 1066/800/667
Maximum Memory Supported	8GB
Channel Supported	Dual Channel
Expansion Slots
PCI Express 2.0 x16	1
PCI Express x1	1
PCI Slots	2
Storage Devices
PATA	1 x ATA133 2 Dev. Max
SATA 3Gb/s	6
SATA RAID	0/1/0+1/JBOD
Onboard Video
Onboard Video Chipset	ATI Radeon HD 4200
Onboard Audio
Audio Channels	8 Channels
Onboard LAN
LAN Chipset	Realtek 8111C
Max LAN Speed	10/100/1000Mbps
Rear Panel Ports
PS/2	2
Video Ports	D-Sub + DVI
HDMI	1 x HDMI
USB 1.1/2.0	4 x USB 2.0
Audio Ports	6 Ports
Onboard USB
Onboard USB	8 x USB 2.0
Physical Spec
Form Factor	Micro ATX
Dimensions	9.6" x 9"
Power Pin	24 Pin
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts	1 year limited
Labor	1 year limited

Stewie · 08-12-2010, 10:36 AM

About two years ago I did something similar to what you're wanting to do. I spec'd out what I needed and ended up going the bare-bones route. I had new-ish parts I wanted to keep from my old system. It saved some time since the power supply, MB, memory and HD were already installed and tested. I bought mine from TigerDirect and saved some money going that route rather than starting over (and got exactly what I wanted). Just my 2 cents. Oh, and after I received my system I got offers from TigerDirect for some ridiculously cheap memory. It was high quality 1GB sticks for $9.99 w/free shipping.

**dirk digler** · 08-12-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doomy3

Thanks for the build idea Dirk.

Anyone else care to weigh in?

No problem. You can go to mwave, tigerdirect or newegg and look at their motherboard\cpu\memory bundles or any of their bare-bone kits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewie

About two years ago I did something similar to what you're wanting to do. I spec'd out what I needed and ended up going the bare-bones route. I had new-ish parts I wanted to keep from my old system. It saved some time since the power supply, MB, memory and HD were already installed and tested. I bought mine from TigerDirect and saved some money going that route rather than starting over (and got exactly what I wanted). Just my 2 cents. Oh, and after I received my system I got offers from TigerDirect for some ridiculously cheap memory. It was high quality 1GB sticks for $9.99 w/free shipping.

Yep I usually like going the combo route or the bare-bone kits because they are tested out before you buy them and that way you get all the right parts.

08-11-2010, 08:45 PM	Topic Starter
doomy3 Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $5453539	TBG got me thinking--Help Me Build a Desktop Well, TBG got me thinking with his thread, and so I want to build a desktop. I have never done this before and have always just bought a computer in a B&M store. I don't play any games, so it doesn't need to be able to do that. Here is what I need it for: -Browsing the internet--want it to be fast -Basic document applications like Microsoft Office, etc. -Photoshop photo editing -POSSIBLY some video editing -Needs to work on a dual monitor setup -Needs to work with the following parts, which I have already bought: LITE-ON Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 CD/DVD Burners (RW Drives) SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive I also already have Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit that I will be installing. I do have a Microcenter close, so I would be able to buy there if it makes sense, or Newegg or any other retailer. Would like to keep the amount around $400 if possible since I already have the Hard Drive and DVD Burner. Thanks for any help or suggestions on a build! Last edited by doomy3; 08-11-2010 at 08:58 PM..
Posts: 12,854

08-11-2010, 08:53 PM	#2
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $3364644	what is your budget?
Posts: 66,241

08-11-2010, 09:24 PM	#5
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $3364644	Here is a very general breakdown of what think it would cost: CPU\Motherboard - $120 minimum (this would be a fairly low end CPU) Memory - For 4GB you are probably looking at around $100 Case - $50-100 Video Card - $100 Sound Card - (won't need if motherboard has integrated sound) Monitors - $100 a piece
Posts: 66,241

08-11-2010, 08:55 PM	#7
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9373645	I'll tell you what, I learned a shitload building this. Good luck. The guys on here are ****ing great. __________________
Posts: 23,212

08-12-2010, 09:55 AM	#10
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $3364644	Here is what I come up with AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor + MSI 785GTM-E45 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G Motherboard + Kingston 4GB RAM = 376.97 http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...#aShoppingCart COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case = $60.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119137 SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card = $55.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102829 Total = $491.99
Posts: 66,241

08-12-2010, 10:36 AM	#14
Stewie MVP Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West of the Equator Casino cash: $2029901	About two years ago I did something similar to what you're wanting to do. I spec'd out what I needed and ended up going the bare-bones route. I had new-ish parts I wanted to keep from my old system. It saved some time since the power supply, MB, memory and HD were already installed and tested. I bought mine from TigerDirect and saved some money going that route rather than starting over (and got exactly what I wanted). Just my 2 cents. Oh, and after I received my system I got offers from TigerDirect for some ridiculously cheap memory. It was high quality 1GB sticks for $9.99 w/free shipping.
Posts: 13,590

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