Hello,

I have always wanted to build my own PC, and I think I am going to try now. I have found the website pcmech.com, and it tells me how to build one, now all I need to figure out is what parts to buy, and where to buy them at?

I am trying to do this on a low cost budget and get the most bang for the buck. I would also like to know if I can build a better PC than one that I could buy from Dell for the same or lower price. Is this possible?

Can someone please look at my list below, and suggest what to buy:

• Case: Nothing to fancy. I like the aluminum/high tech look. I would like it to stay cool, have lots of bays to be able to upgrade, have a few fans and have a good power supply.

• Motherboard: Fast, support most of the latest P4 or AMD processors. Have a fast FSB (800). Many built in ports (the basic ones). No built in video or sound. Support a large amount of RAM.

• Processor: Anything 2.0GHz and faster, no Celerons. I have heard the P4 2.4Ghz are the cheapest and way to go.

• Video Card: I don’t do any hardcore gaming, but I would like to have a decent video card. I would also like a video out feature so I can hook it up to my TV.

• Soundcard. I would like something that sounds really good. I will be hooking this pc up to my home entertainment system via RCA stereo jack cables. I will need a card that has RCA jacks.

• RAM: I want good RAM. I think the best is DDR right? RAM is always upgradeable, so I will only need 64MB to start.

• Hard drive: 40-120GB 7200RPM 8MB cache HD.

• Floppy: Standard floppy

• CD Burner Drive: I want a cheap fast CD burner. I would also like a DVD player as well, but not necessary.

That’s all I want. Am I missing anything? Please suggest a brand, model, and the cheapest place to buy each of these parts. Also, I probably prefer a motherboard/processor combo as this will be my first time to build a pc.

Thanks, Kyle

Motherboard: Asus P4p800, 4 DDR memory slots (it means you can upgrade too about 4000+ DDR), 800 Mhz

CPU: Intel Celeron 2,4 Ghz (p4 is more expensive but more cache)

Memory Module: A normal 512 DDR mem module

Storage: Western Digital 7200 rpm 80 gigs

Video Card: XFX Geforce Fx5200, 128 DDR

Case: AOpen HQ08 Fulltower 8x3,5 inch units, 5x5,25 units

If i would buy it at a shop where i live it would cost about $625

I have the ASUS P4P800 as well, but I just read that it won't be compatible with the new cores of Intel P4!!!

You mean Hyper Threading technolegie? The asus P4P800 is compatible with HT.

No, I meant this article:
http://www.neowin.net/comments.php?id=12563&category=main

crappid....welll then u have too options...wait until a new cpu is released...Or just use Pentium 4 or celeron. (you dony see programmes that would need more then 2 ghz so...).

I use a P4 3GHz with that board. The machine flies. I am just pissed because ASUS advertises it as Prescott compatible.

I'd honestly say, go with an amd processor the ghz to ghz as in if you bought a 2.0 ghz p4 and a 2.0ghz amd your definatly going to get a faster processor with amd (just how it works)

Do not go with any geforce fx unless its the 5900 (others are horrible) I'd either go with a radeon 9500 (for your use) or just a geforce 4 ti 4200 or something...

As for buying go and check out anandtech and their forums or arstechinca, you will get some good deals there (if you need help just ask me) you could go to pricewatch.com it will show the lowest prices of the component that you want on the net, newegg.com usually has good prices too.