Help Surlethe build a rig!

[Surlethe]

So, my dad has this decade-old Vaio tower that he's letting me have, on the condition that I leave the hard drive with him because it's got sensitive stuff still on it. I'm planning on rebuilding the interior of the computer completely, so I took it apart today just to get an idea of what's inside (as well as to get the hard drive out). I'd like some advice regarding the hardware to purchase because I've got about as much grasp of computer hardware as a poly sci major has of advanced maths.

I'm thinking that I'll need to buy things along these lines:

• Motherboard and processor;
• Ethernet card (perhaps I can use the old ones?);
• USB ports;
• Cooling;
• RAM;
• Hard drive;
• Graphics and audio cards;
• Monitor;
• Keyboard, speakers.

Ideally, these should strike a balance between high-performance and low-cost because I'm a college student, and while I do make some money to burn, I don't want this to run above $1000 or so. Am I off-base in my list of things to buy? Where should I start looking for components? Which brands should I buy?

[Uraniun235]

Frankly, I think you'd be better off just buying everything new. A decade-old case doesn't inspire me with confidence in its internal arrangement, and the power supply would be woefully inadequate to modern needs. Everything else inside the case would likely have to be replaced as well, since again, it's ten years old. If you're really determined to keep some of the old stuff, or if your dad's upgraded it since he first got it, you can post what you find, but I'd bet you'll wind up replacing most everything.

We also have a sticky for just this sort of topic.

[Beowulf]

*points at the Rate My Rig thread*

Really, you're looking at buying everything, except keyboard and speakers, new (if even the keyboard can be kept).

MB should include Ethernet and audio, so no worries there. Ditto USB. The cooler that comes with the Proc should work just fine. Unless you want quiet or overclocking, or both.

For your budget, I'd recommend taking a look at arstechnica's Budget and Hot-rod configs, and upgrading selectively the budget box based off what you can afford.

What's the priority of this box. Are you going to be a gamer? Just typing and surfing?

On a similar note, buying this cheap of a box may indicate that you really should just buy one from a big box vendor, like Dell.

[Uraniun235]

I dunno about "this cheap"; you can piece out a good rig for $1000. It wouldn't be the best, but it'll be good enough to play well with most any game currently out.

[DarkSilver]

I wouldn't say 1000$, between 500 and 800 really....

My desktop which was built only a few months ago only cost about....500 I want to say? That's new case, proc, power supply, etc.

If he looks for it, good prices can be found on NewEgg for most of the parts he'll need.

[Surlethe]

Ack, that's what I get for assuming things about the stickies. Sorry about that.

Frankly, I think you'd be better off just buying everything new. A decade-old case doesn't inspire me with confidence in its internal arrangement, and the power supply would be woefully inadequate to modern needs. Everything else inside the case would likely have to be replaced as well, since again, it's ten years old. If you're really determined to keep some of the old stuff, or if your dad's upgraded it since he first got it, you can post what you find, but I'd bet you'll wind up replacing most everything.

Yes, replacing most everything is the plan. I'm doing this chiefly for the experience of building a computer and learning about hardware. I also hear building the computer piece-by-piece is cheaper than buying from a vendor.

[Beowulf]

Building piece by piece may be more, or less, expensive than buying from a vendor. Depends on the total cost of the system. Cheap systems are cheaper from vendors. Expensive ones are cheaper built yourself. If he wasn't in need of new peripherals as well, for $1000 he can build a decent computer. But a new monitor will cost at least $200.

What is the projected purpose of this machine? It'll help determine what sort of parts to put in. Also, are you interested in overclocking? It can give a 67% increase in CPU performance for not much extra at the moment, easily. On the other hand, it's warranty voiding and may destroy your machine.

[Surlethe]

What is the projected purpose of this machine? It'll help determine what sort of parts to put in.

Gaming, chiefly, with mild programming. Generally RTSs -- not the really intensive RPGs.

Also, are you interested in overclocking? It can give a 67% increase in CPU performance for not much extra at the moment, easily. On the other hand, it's warranty voiding and may destroy your machine.

I'm interested in an e-wang extension sort of way -- kind of like, "hey, check this out! I ran a 2.4 GHz processor at 3.8 GHz!" -- but at the same time I don't foresee it being necessary.

By the way, those Arstechnica articles seem very helpful. Thanks.

[Beowulf]

So, last gen top of the line GPU sounds about right then. Mid range current gen cards cost about the same, and don't do quite as well.

Went to Newegg:

Sony NEC Optiarc 18X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model AD-7170S-0B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827152079
$32.99

IN WIN IW-Z589T.J350BFU2AD Black Best Performed SECC Japanese Steel metal ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811108025
-$5.00 Instant
$54.99
$49.99

SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD403LJ 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822152085
$84.99

ViewSonic Value Series VA1903wb Black 19" 5ms (typ) Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Item #: N82E16824116074
-$10.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$209.99
$199.99

BFG Tech BFGR7950256GTOCE GeForce 7950GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814143090
$40.00 Mail-in Rebate
$179.99

mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820146118
$90.99

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128059
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$94.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Allendale 2.2GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E4500 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115031
$145.99

Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116202
$111.99

Should be able to run the FSB anywhere from 266MHz to 400MHz, with little problem, depending on the actual CPU freq. Processor can be changed to lower or higher specs as you wish. Total is around $1000, but note that this doesn't include keyboard or mouse. There are rebates though.

Overclocking will probably help with compile times. I've got mine running at 3.0GHz, for almost the past year, with no problem. It's a very similar core to what you'd get, so you should be able to get similar numbers easily. Your core revision will be newer though, and probably therefore clock faster.

I like viewsonic monitors, though I've currently got a Dell as my main screen. It cost almost as much as your entire system will though.