I really need a new computer

Hello, this is my first post so be gentle. I have been reading a lot the past few days about computers and have decided to build my own. I have no experience and about $600 to spend. I am replacing my old Dell (pentium2) computer because I can't do anything with it.
I have seen people help out with parts lists on this forum and that's what I think I need. I don't need a monitor,keyboard mouse or speakers.
Can some one point me in the right direction? Or should I keep reading for a while and decide for my self?
Any help is appreciated and thanks in advance.

You can build a decent unit with 600 clams !

To make really good suggestions we need to know what you intend to use the computer for.

A general purpose unit & a "gaming" computer would have different requirements.

What do you intend to do on this system?

If I assume that you will do whatever you could do on a P2 system today...spending $600 would be way too much, IMO.

Louis

Hey, i am a 'inexperianced' builderbut i can suggest some good parts.

First off you'll need a case.

a case is the most important part of the computer as it cools and maintains the computer from damage and dust.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDet...st=Combo.175356
That is alaso including you're PSU which is a bonus of $40 saving.

Total : 139.98

CPU / MOBO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDet...st=Combo.172824
$182.98

Total : 322.96

HDD :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822148261
49.99

Total : $372.95

GPU :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814150354
49.99

Total : $422.94

Heatsink / Cooler for CPU -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16835150087
8.99

Total : $ 431.93

CD Drive :
(((

CANNOT ADVISE FURTHER< WILL FINISH LATER

)))

Thanks for the replies! I like to surf the web, listen to music and store my photo's with my computer. I would play some games and watch video if my machine was able to. I am not looking to build a gaming rig though, just an up to date machine on a slim budget.

Oh if you're going to do that, my rig is pointless. the gpu is way over powered for your needs it more of a Crysis GPU / COD5

First, getting a case with a power supply is not a good idea. Often, the case is okay, but the power supply is garbage. You also don't need to buy a separate heatsink and fan since one comes with the CPU. Actually, the 9400 GT would choke on Crysis, it just isn't powerful enough for that game. A $600 computer is a good price for a general/light gaming PC, here's a suggested setup. Note, that since I didn't know what exactly you were going to be doing with the PC, I cannot suggest top-of-the-line high performance stuff.

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - I suggest this case if you're not going for a high performance PC. $49
Case 2: Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-US-BA-WOPSU Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - If you're going for a high-performance PC, or want to SLI or Crossfire, this case has the added depth and fans to make it work well. $75

Motherboard: ASRock A780GXE/128M AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G ATX AMD Motherboard - This is a stable AMD motherboard with plenty of features. $79

RAM: OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 - I suggest getting two of these RAM kits to max out your memory. If you want to save cash, you can limit yourself to just one. $87 ($43 x 2)

Power Supply: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W - This is a good PSU, it's quiet, well built, and will provide more than enough power for your PC. $70 (Before $20 mail-in rebate)

Graphics Card: SAPPHIRE 100265HDMI Radeon HD 4830 512MB - This is a solid, mid-range card that will easily handle most tasks and will run good with most games. If you're wanting a high performance card, the HD 4870 or the GTX 260 will be good, but expensive, choices. Note that this motherboard supports Crossfire with ATI cards only. $89 (Before $15 mail-in rebate)

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 Kuma 2.7GHz - This is a dual core CPU with a high clock speed. Essentially, this is AMD's Phenom quad core processor with two cores shut off. It's an excellent mix of value and power. $65

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB - Plenty of space. $70

Optical Drive: LITE-ON Optical Drive - This will read and burn most optical media. $23

Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit SP1 OEM - You need a 64-bit operating system to use 4GB or more of RAM. $99

Cost: $635 (Before rebates)

Edited by DJBPace07, 29 March 2009 - 04:40 PM.

Thanks DJBPaceO7 I will look into those parts sith the Sunbeam case.

Ifr it were me I'd go with a Intel Core2Duo instead of AMD .

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115206

[Comes with a heatsink & fan]

Motherboard,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115206

[I actually have 1 of the motherboards & it works very well]


There is nothing really wromg with AMD CPU's other then they can't compete with C2D's .

Actually the CPU didnt come with one. but i mean a extra 8.99 would be nice. it would provice better cooling than stock. >

Remember, this is a budget build. In order to avoid sacrificing on certain parts, I opted for AMD for budgetary reasons. Besides, it's not going to be a performance build so using more expensive parts might not be as beneficial. On some Black Edition processors, the heatsink is not included. On the Kuma, the one I selected, it is. If you want an even better CPU, you can go for the triple-core AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz or a quad core AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz. The Phenom II's are superior to the Athlon's and the regular Phenoms in terms of efficiency, heat, and power usage. But, few programs can take full advantage of more than two cores, so the only reason to get a quad is for futureproofing or if you're a high-end gamer. Reviews seem to indicate that AMD's Phenom II CPU's can hold their own against the mid-ranged Core 2 CPU's. You would need to run a BIOS update on the motherboard to get them to work (simple to do) and they blow away your $600 budget.

Edited by DJBPace07, 29 March 2009 - 06:13 PM.

I think I will stick to the budget. I can always upgrade if my needs change. Right?
Thanks a lot for all the responses.

Yes, the AM2+ socket, which the Kuma uses, is still current and all AM3 CPU's, which are AMD's future CPU's, are backwards compatible with AM2+ motherboards.

Well this is not as easy as I thought. I put the parts recommended by DJBPace07 together , turned it on and put the Vista disc in and nothing. I turned the machine off then back on and I can't get the disc drive to open again. Now what? I am getting a little discouraged, can someone help me?

Are you getting any information at all on the screen when you boot the PC? Remember, you may need to go into the BIOS and tell the computer to boot from the optical drive.