Building your own tower.

[SevSaint]

I have been doing some research and am getting kinda lost on where to start. Over the next few months i want to start buying parts each week, which will make my budget around 700 usd. I have moderate computer knowledge on computers. I installed new psu and gpu on my current system but am wanting a good rig that is future prof for the next 5 years or more.

Can anyone point me to a tutorial and suggest any shopping sights please.

 

[bigmck]

There is no such thing as "Future Proof". There are new advances and no matter how good your rig is, it will be outdated one day. I would suggest not buy your parts each week. Get all of your money and buy them at one time. Remember with electronics, the prices get cheaper, not more expensive. == When you get the money for the rig, there are sites that tell you what motherboards go with what CPU, etc so that you don't get messed up. Here is an example.
http://www.directron.com/h87mpluscsm.html
There are others, but just happen to know of this one. Newegg.com is one of the cheaper ones.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Other shopping sites would be tigerdirect.com and amazon.com. B and H Photo is worth a look for some items. Sign up for email promotions, which have sale items nearly every day.

Another reason not to buy parts bit by bit over several months: If you have a bad part, you won't know it until you actually try to assemble the PC. By that time, you might have lost the return privileges with the vendor and instead might have to go through a formal RMA process with the manufacturer of the part, which can be frustrating. Often, return privileges are limited to 30 days. So, don't buy a part in August from someone like Newegg and think you can return it to Newegg in November if it's defective.

There are a lot of building tutorials around. I'd look on Youtube or on the Newegg site.

This guy has dozens of build videos that are well done and thorough:

http://www.youtube.com/user/CareyHolzman/videos?shelf_id=0&view=0&sort=dd

Yeah, take "future proof" out of your vocabulary.

 

[SevSaint]

do i have to buy windows 7 os to install.. or can i use a code off my old tower?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

do i have to buy windows 7 os to install.. or can i use a code off my old tower?

That depends.

If you have a prebuilt PC from a builder such as Dell or HP or Acer, you likely have to buy again. That would be an "OEM" license that is tied to the original PC--or at least to the original motherboard.

If you have a home-built PC that uses a so-called "retail" version of Windows, you don't have to buy again.

Your system specs say you have an HP. If that's the Windows license you have now, it's probably OEM and you have to re-buy.

 

[SevSaint]

Okay.. So can someone explain to me a few things please..

1. Sockets for matching motherboard to cpu. If i want a certain CPU what sockets or specs should i look at that it works with. I am understanding something about Intel and AMD and that effecting what case and but does that effect what motherboard. Is it even possible to build a decent rig for 700. I just upgraded to a 7850 amd radeon and redid my power supply to 650w. And from that i learned PCI slots and needing power. I just dont understand the correlation between case, motherboard, CPU.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

While a agree with some points made above I also disagree with eliminating the term "future proofing". The components you want to purchase all at once would be the mobo, cpu, gpu and ram. The rest is the future proof part and can be purchased piece meal. I would order a nice roomy and well designed quality case, as well please install a powerful gold rated semi or full modular PSU with reserve power in the 700-1000 watt range on sale if you can. Order a good DVD or Blu-Ray optical drive if you'll be using one and as well think out if you want a quality air or water based CPU cooler. Other items you can be saving up for are cable kits, silent fans, hard drives, ssd's and lighting if you plan to get a case with a side window as you'll want to show off your hard work and quality components. The OS and monitor, keyboard and mouse all can be purchased ahead of time.....giving you the chance to recover and save for the final push of the mobo, cpu, gpu and ram. If you buy quality then your case and psu will survive several mobo, cpu, ram and gpu upgrades.......this is how the term future proofing can be used and heck related to the mobo you can upgrade the CPU, GPU and Ram as well so a wise choice there allows the mobo to act a the stable base for future upgrades and expansions. How on earth with all that can we stop speaking to the power of future proofing unless you're just made of money?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

SevSaint,
You look to the CPU you want to use then select the mobo which will except that cpu or range of cpu's. To explain the whole process would take considerable time. As I mentioned above start with the case, psu, fans, cooler, cables, optical's, hard and ssd drive.....etc. Use the time to educate your self on cpu brands, mobo brands and such. You want to maximize your budget so shopping for sales will be critical. The key is asking people with the experience and knowledge you lack right now. But let me tell you this......you are starting on a project that will become infectious and as well as you try to plan out this first build you'll be back in the case later to clean it up, add items and or start dreaming of build number two. I envy you....and remember we're here to help !

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Okay.. So can someone explain to me a few things please..

1. Sockets for matching motherboard to cpu. If i want a certain CPU what sockets or specs should i look at that it works with. I am understanding something about Intel and AMD and that effecting what case and but does that effect what motherboard. Is it even possible to build a decent rig for 700. I just upgraded to a 7850 amd radeon and redid my power supply to 650w. And from that i learned PCI slots and needing power. I just dont understand the correlation between case, motherboard, CPU.

AMD and Intel PCs both use standard ATX mid-tower cases.

Think of the CPU and motherboard as a combination in which each must fit the other, like a hand in a glove.

For instance, if you choose a motherboard that has an "1150 socket", you must use an Intel 1150 socket CPU that will fit into that motherboard socket---like a hand fits into a glove. Or if you choose an Intel 1155 socket CPU, it will fit ONLY into a socket 1155 motherboard.

You'll see the socket mentioned in the descriptions for both CPU and motherboard. Both must be 1155 or 1150 or 2011 or whatever you like, but they must match.

The latest Intel CPUs are socket 1150 and 2011. The 2011 CPUs are more expensive. Most would tell you to look at the 1150s. Most likely in the "i5" series, considering your budget.

You can build a pretty strong PC for 700 if you need only these parts:

case, CPU, motherboard, RAM, operating system.

Your current GPU and power supply would presumably be carried over from your current machine.

You might even be able to re-use your HP case.

 

[SevSaint]

Interesting.
How can i tell if i can use my current case. I have a 650w supply i just bought and my AMD 7850 Radeon is just been upgraded and runs most games. Its just my cpu that is causing issues, mainly in Planetside 2.

 

[bigmck]

Interesting.
How can i tell if i can use my current case. I have a 650w supply i just bought and my AMD 7850 Radeon is just been upgraded and runs most games. Its just my cpu that is causing issues, mainly in Planetside 2.

Cases are pretty cheap, under $100. Since you are building your first one, get a nice case to go with it. If you decide to keep the HP case, post here the model of your current PC and we can tell what size motherboard is in it.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I see the NZXT 410 on sale for around 79.00. I built a rig in this case and its outstanding. You can then reuse your PSU and GPU. Look to Corsair, CoolerMaster, Antec, Thermaltake as well.

 

[SevSaint]

Model: HPE-400z
MOBO: Foxconn H-RS780-uATX

is see my motherboard says ATX and so im guessing its an ATX case..
aprox 16-18 inches long
8 inches across
14 or so high

 

[ignatzatsonic]

That's a 2010 era PC with a micro ATX motherboard.

I looked at HP spec page for it and could not find case dimensions, but looking at pics of it I'd guess it is also a micro ATX case that probably would NOT accommodate a full size ATX motherboard.

That small u signifies micro ATX.

Just as well you get a new ATX case. Older OEM cases can have non-standard connectors that can cause surprises when working on them. So I'd plan on 50 to 80 for a decent new case.

NZXT makes some good inexpensive cases. Look at the Antec 300 models, usually around 50 or 55.

Here's a list of mid tower ATX cases under 75 bucks from decent brands. I'd try to avoid any that have fans smaller than 120 mm if noise is a concern to you.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1 4026 600006302 600029808&IsNodeId=1&name=No

 

[bigmck]

I also have a NZXT mid-tower case and I do like it. I got one with a clear side panel. I have lit up the inside and it makes for a nice view. You might consider that.

 

[SevSaint]

So with my 600w power supply and my 7850 radeon what kinda motherboard should i get..
since im taking those out of my current rig and installing in new..also what kinda companies give the best customer service.. i heard that can matter as much as anything


200 for cpu
150 mobo
100 case
100 os

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Have you ever overclocked a CPU?

Do you have any intentions of doing that?

What is the primary purpose of this PC?

Do you need hard drives? You should have an SSD for all but very cheap builds.

How much total storage space do you need?

 

[bigmck]

You will need to decide on the case first so the motherboard will fit. The link given in message 14 are mid-towers. That is a good size. They will accept a ATX motherboard which is what I would suggest. It gives you a lot of room for expansion. They are not that much more expensive that smaller motherboards. Then when you get the motherboard you can find a CPU that fits that motherboard. Those three things are the ones that need to all fit together.

 

[SevSaint]

NZXT Source 220 Mid Tower Chassis with 3x120mm White LED fans, Window, and USB 3.0 - Newegg.com

i just bought this.. i like the led fans

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Overclocking or not??

Do you need hard drives?

You ought to get an SSD of maybe 120 GB size for Windows and all applications and then put everything else on a regular hard drive.

SSD price maybe 80. Samsung 840 EVO or Crucial MX 100.

You'll need RAM. Probably 8 GB of DDR3, 1600 speed; 1.5 volt; around 80 bucks; two 4 GB sticks.

You probably did good on the case. Good brand, you like the looks, cheap; more money to spend elsewhere.