Build or Buy?

[Boots0032]

Well currently here are my computer specs:
768 pc 2700 ram
120 g hard drive
fx 5500 128mb
2.26 processor

I have been thinking about getting a new rig, but i dont have that much money to spend. i would like a computer that can run bf2 at high or nearly high settings and is possibly around or under 1 grand. I have heard people say that they have built their own computers that can run bf2 at high settings with no problems for around $800 at newegg.com.
Considering the fact that i have no experience in computer making, im not sure if this is the right choice. What are your thoughts and what video card/ram/proccesor would be ideal and fairly cheap to make a good, sturdy computer that will last me a good while.

[Hephaistion]

Build. That way you get exactly what you want and can upgrade later, if you buy a popular brand-name PC you are stuck with the MOBO and Power supply most of the time.

[Boots0032]

Is there any computer building guides anywhere? I think there might be one at tomshardware.com or something like that.

[ZiRo]

Heres a guide.

Put motherboard in case, attach plugs to sockets they will fit, turn computer on.

Its lego with wires - quoting someone else on the forum.

Its easy, just get the bitsand connect them,

[schneider707]

I'm currently building a computer right now and its my first time. It's pretty simple, just read the manuel and follow the steps. Since I'm not done I cant tell you how it went so I'm still nevous cause I really dont wanna have to deal with RMAing boards or cards back that were duds. Its not that its hard returning things, I just really want it to work the first time lol.

Well anyways its a toss-up. If you arent a hardcore gamer and you have a little extra money, then buy from someone like falcon-nw.com or ibuypower.com/cyberpowersystems.com But if you are planning to keep this computer and upgrade it every once in a while then I would suggest building it....its a fun project and it will hopefully result in an awesome computer.

[imported_CoWBoY]

Is there any computer building guides anywhere? I think there might be one at tomshardware.com or something like that.

http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/

Has some vids also to help. :) Just follow the mobo manual. It's always better to build your own anyhow, mainly because if something ever fails, you have a leg up on trouble shooting the problem.

There are advantages to buying, however those are more geared towards businesses than consumers. Hours spent on building several systems can be costly. Hours spent on building one is educational and practical. :)

[Sir. S.A.S]

building is fairly easy to do, and if you need help then enter into google what you need help on

e.g. How to install a processor?

or comeback to us on the forums and well be happy to help

Its lego with wires - quoting someone else on the forum.

nicely put!!!

[panic951]

All you basically got to do is follow the booklet that came with the motherboard, just do it patiently, getting everything right. Do not rush anything, if something wont go where its suppose to and its giving you a fight. Take it back out and check whats going wrong, computer parts dont go in with muscle. Make sure you ground your self out on the metal frame of the pc case.

[CXZAR]

Heres a guide.

Put motherboard in case, attach plugs to sockets they will fit, turn computer on.

Its lego with wires

LOL!!! i love that

[Boots0032]

Thanks guys i really appreciate the tips.
I am pretty nervous about building it. Looking at my computer i have now its like how am i going to make THIS. As of now im gathering all the components i need and i am going to order them from newegg.com. So far, its just this
Nvidia Geforce 6800 GT 256mb 16x PCI-e
Western digital 200 gb hard drive
2x512 mb corsair ram

Im not really sure about the processor yet and motherboards really confuse me right now. These specs could also change. I'm trying to find a rig that would all together cost around $800 and would run BF2 on high. If you guys could maybe brainstorm some specs of a computer that i could buy for around $800 that would be awesome.

[NoSoup4You]

Well get AMD, as Intel isn't that good for gaming (this coming from a guy who has 3 intel machines). Down the GB on your hard drive, unless you REALLY need that much, but most of the time 160 is plenty enough. 1GB of DDR400 is a must.

What do you all need? Proc, Mem, vid card, sound card? Try and swap out as many parts as you can to save money and put it towards getting higher end parts.

[Boots0032]

Alright, i have been looking around newegg.com and these forums for a while and this is what i have so far:

Graphics Card: Leadtek PX6800GT TDH Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Price: $299.99

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 160GB 3.5" IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
Price: $86.00

Sound Card: CREATIVE Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS 70SB035000000 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
Price: $81.00

RAM: CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit
CORSAIR XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual - Retail
Price: $132.20

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3500BPBOX - Retai
Price: $267.00

Im not really sure on what motherboard to get with this? Can someone please recommend a good motherboard to get with this setup and maybe make some suggestions to lower the price and still keep the performance

[Canadian Bacon]

the Asus A8N SLI is good if you are planning on running an SLI machine in the future. But this also means having a big power supply, I would say some where close to 500W to be on the sade side (never go cheap on the PSU).

If you are happy with one video card, look into the X800 series from ATI, they are excellent cards. I've owned 3 ATI cards and they work great. Also see if you can get 1 stick of 1gb memory instead of 2x512. having two modules is better, but reduces your upgradbility in terms of ram.

[22CW Cainius]

depends, if you buy you probably wont get a very good video card... or mother board... if you build you wont have a warrenty so if somthing dies you have to pay to replace it

[Got3n™]

I would go for the DFI nf4 board, they rock and are good for OC'ing either the ultra of the SLIdr