Building computer

[Warthog]

I've been thinking of building a computer as sort of a side hobby. I want one to supplement my soon to get computer in gaming. It doesn't have to be real good, just able to play the latest games for awhile. know I could go buy a new system for around $700-900 but I'm doing this for the experience.

Anyways, the question is: what do I need to get for an ok gaming computer? I want to some pretty good hardware, but it is alright if it is off-brand. I need some specifics here (cables, essential hardware).

Here are some things I could think of:

motherboard
hard drive (3gb or higher)
cpu (around 400mhz)
video card (4mb is ok)
monitor (15")
case
cd-rom
floppy
mouse

What else??

I've looked in some catalogs lying around and the price range seems to be around $800. Could you guys/gals possibly send me some links to where I can buy this stuff?

Thank you very much!

Warthog

[Maginno]

well, first or all, I would recommend more then 4mb of ram for the video card, you can get older 3dfx cards and NVidia TNT cards for fairly cheap and they can do most of todays games with respectable frame rates.

Possibly look into AMD for a processor, I have used a K6-2 and K6-3. Both excellent, although the K6-2 was a better overclocker. Also a 500mhz isn't much more. At least 64MB of RAM, it is getting cheap and might consider picking up 128MB.
Don't see a sound card on here. Can get a basic one for 20-30 bucks retail.

I buy all my parts from www.mwave.com (http://www.mwave.com) Multiwave Direct. Decent prices, but their customer and tech support are top notch in my book. Had a couple bad motherboards from ABIT and they sent out new ones the day I called and paid my shipping to return the bad ones.

[Underclocked]

For that much money, your sights might be set a little low. You should be able to do better than that or do it with a bit less money.

[chuckiechan]

Good machines require good priorities..!

I would recommend a k6-3 450 cpu from AMD,
and put it on a good board with 128 Mg ram.
Get a good 16Mg video card..(VooDoo3 3000 comes to mind)
Get a good CD-rom, since most games require in to be in while playing...

OK to be "thrifty" on the rest..
Good Luck...!!

[skywalker[TSG]]

u should be able to get this for 800$
celeron 466
mobo with build in sound
32mb TNT2 M64
64mb ram
13gb harddrive
15" or a used 17"
and all the other stuff u mentioned

[Warthog]

Thanks a lot guys! I'll look into your suggestions. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[hd581]

Also consider what OS you'll be running.

If you're going to run something exotic, better either shop from that OS's compatibility list, or stick with strictly mainstream components.

If you're going to run Windows 98, disregard everything I said after the word "Also".