So, I've decided to build my own computer. Right now, I have a dell laptop with vista that has caused me nothing but problems, so my main goal is to have a computer that 1) Runs XP 2) Will support any gaming or media I can throw at it 3) Will fit in my budget of about $1000 usd
This is my first time ever trying to build a computer, and I'm not the brightest crayon in the box when it comes to technology; though I know how to follow directions and use a screwdriver. Also, I've been learning a lot about computer components the last few days, but I'm sure there's some kind of serious error in the parts I've put together, so any input at all would be greatly appreciated.
Here's what I have so far:
cpu: $275 Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041
*product reviews say its beastly. I want something I can expect to perform for a few years.
mobo: $50 ECS G31T-M(1.0) LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135063
*none of the mobo's on newegg seemed to have "great" reviews. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something that works well and is compatible with everything else I have
ram: $23 Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134488
*recommended in another thread
case: $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119047
*looks cool?
psu: $90 CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
*recommended in another thread, good product reviews
hd: $80 Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283
*good product reviews, dependable (I had a major hd crash on my laptop and don't want to have this happen again)
dvd drive: $25 Pioneer Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129023
cooler: $32 ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
graphics: $180 XFX PVT88PYDF4 GeForce 8800 GT 512MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150252
Right now, I'm looking at about $800, but w/o keyboard, mouse, speakers, audio card (do I need this?), floppy (do I need this?), and monitor.
Monitor is a big priority, I watch a lot of movies and TV on my computer and want a decent size so I can watch from the couch. Not beastly big or anything, just not tiny either. I also want good resolution. For this reason, I also want decent performing speakers.
Please tell me what you think, as I said before, there's got to be some compatibility problems here I couldn't begin to fathom, especially with spacing, as I've maybe seen the inside of a computer twice.
This is my first time ever trying to build a computer, and I'm not the brightest crayon in the box when it comes to technology; though I know how to follow directions and use a screwdriver. Also, I've been learning a lot about computer components the last few days, but I'm sure there's some kind of serious error in the parts I've put together, so any input at all would be greatly appreciated.
Here's what I have so far:
cpu: $275 Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041
*product reviews say its beastly. I want something I can expect to perform for a few years.
mobo: $50 ECS G31T-M(1.0) LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135063
*none of the mobo's on newegg seemed to have "great" reviews. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something that works well and is compatible with everything else I have
ram: $23 Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134488
*recommended in another thread
case: $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119047
*looks cool?
psu: $90 CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
*recommended in another thread, good product reviews
hd: $80 Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283
*good product reviews, dependable (I had a major hd crash on my laptop and don't want to have this happen again)
dvd drive: $25 Pioneer Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129023
cooler: $32 ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
graphics: $180 XFX PVT88PYDF4 GeForce 8800 GT 512MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150252
Right now, I'm looking at about $800, but w/o keyboard, mouse, speakers, audio card (do I need this?), floppy (do I need this?), and monitor.
Monitor is a big priority, I watch a lot of movies and TV on my computer and want a decent size so I can watch from the couch. Not beastly big or anything, just not tiny either. I also want good resolution. For this reason, I also want decent performing speakers.
Please tell me what you think, as I said before, there's got to be some compatibility problems here I couldn't begin to fathom, especially with spacing, as I've maybe seen the inside of a computer twice.