So, my computer is complete garbage. CD drive is half broken, the printer somehow uninstalled itself, and I can't re-install it because the CD drive doesn't work. I have no space, it's incredibly slow, and I can't run anything. My mom was thinking of getting a new computer, but it's gotta cheap. My parents are the cheapest people alive, so I need to present them with a computer that doesn't cost a lot. I honestly don't think they'll pay for anything higher than like $350 (and that's probably pushing it). Obviously, that budget won't allow me to get a nice computer, but I just need something better than the one I have. I'm getting a laptop in 2 years for college, so I won't need any high tech hardware for this new comp. I'm not specifically getting this computer for SC2, but just so that you guys understand what type of specs I want this computer to have, I'm going to say that I'd be perfectly happy with a new desktop that can run SC2 on like medium settings. I don't need an amazing graphics card; one with 1 gb of memory would probably be too expensive for my budget. I only need a couple hundred gbs of hd space (nothing extensive like 600 gbs). If you guys could give me a hobo build that's at least semi up-to-date, I'd be incredibly grateful.

Didn't really know what I was talking about...

Post has been edited 2 time(s), last time on Dec 27 2010, 9:14 pm by Apos. Reason: Removed bad post

lol.. playing a game on that would be like trying to cook a chicken with ice.

That build is outdated; the mobo doesn't exist anymore. And I find myself doubting the capability of built-in GPU's.

Figure out how much you want to spend and stick what's on the list in a cart from there you can find other stuff which is cheaper/nicer/faster with combos and stuff.

a 4670 or 5670 would perform very well for such a low budget system. You just really have to make sure you get EVERYTHING at a ridiculously low price. That means crazy bargain shopping. Another option is the i3, or wait for sandy bridge, which is coming out in january, and will perform much better than intel's current offerings (though probably not the 32 nm processors).

I don't know why Apos recommended a corsair memory kit with 4 gigs in it. You can get by with 2 just fine, and probably get something much more generic (and therefore cheaper) than corsair brand, and it'll work just fine.

I think you'll also want some sort of external graphics card if you really want to play any sort of games at all.

Apos if you ever post something that stupid in Tech again I will bludgeon you to death.

Got you covered.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136216
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136113
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131381
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815007
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.543767

Best I can really do for you, and that's already cutting corners in ways I usually wouldn't.

$367.66 based on my zipcode, might be less for you.

Wow, that turns out to be $334.91 for me. I don't really know much about computer hardware, nor do I really care; as long as it runs better than this junk, I'll be happy. Thanks, and I hope I can actually get this. ;o

Oh also, what types of monitors are compatible with this? I have this current one that I'm using, but I don't know if it's compatible. Or are monitors always compatible with any hardware? I'm so nooby. D:

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 27 2010, 8:09 pm by Dem0nS1ayer.

Your graphics card and your monitor need the same connector, otherwise you need a converter, but those are cheap and usually shipped with your graphics card.
There's D-Sub which is the old anlog 15 pin connector.
Then there's DVI which the digital equivalent and looks roughly the same but got a cross shaped part on the right side.
And there's HDMI which is a new digital connector which can also transfer audio. Mostly used for TVs, but also supported by virtually all newer flat screens. The connector looks roughly similar to a USB port.

Ex's recommended gfx comes with all 3 connectors, so whatever monitor you have, it will fit.


Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 28 2010, 12:16 am by NudeRaider.

Okay, that's cool. Also, please excuse my computer illiteracy, but what about like the OS and stuff? Do I just install that from a CD that I have for my current computer? Is the stuff ex listed really all I need?

If you have an OS it will work with all computers.
Ex listed everything that is needed in your computer. But you also need the periphals: A screen, a mouse, a keybord and power cords for the tower and monitor.

But you should already have all that.

It is usually advisable to upgrade your tower (case) when you are building a new computer from scratch. I'd also recommend putting in a couple extra fans for added efficiency - since it's never cool when your CPU overheats - melting your motherboard and effectively fucking your entire new system.

Also, I'd recommend setting up partitions on your hard-drive. If you go by the one that Ex suggested, it's 250 GB which is pretty fucking huge. I'd partition it up like this: 40GB, 60GB, 150GB. So you'd install your OS (Windows I presume) on the 40GB partition, you'd keep important files backed up and saved on the 60GB partition, and use the 150GB partition for everything else.

Edit: Alternatively buy a smaller hard drive ~80gb and then buy an external hard-drive to store music, films etc on...

The reason for this is, if you were to get trojan'd or virus-raped, 99% of cases will be solved by simply formatting the partition where Windows is installed - and you won't lose the other 210GB of data on your hard-drive. If that 1% of cases affects you - where your entire hard-drive (all three partitions) get fucked over - then you really shouldn't be on the internet.

Just google "Disk Partitioning"
or read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_partitioning

It's not generally advisable to buy a new tower. It's only advisable if you got a bad tower. Generally you buy a good case once and then never in your life again. Also slapping a bunch of extra fans onto your case doesn't necessarily improve airflow. You have to know what you're doing. We had a topic on this a while ago and suffice to say, it's a rather complex matter. Depends a lot on your case too.

Also making 3 partitions is pointless. The 3rd partition is just a complicated way of making an extra folder. Though having the system on an extra 30-40 GB partition is a good idea 'cause you can easily format it without having to worry about backups. (much).

Having a small extra hdd for storing backup data is an excellent idea, but entirely optional. First buy the computer as recommended and later when it's your birthday or you have saved some more money add a 2nd hdd to your computer.

Btw. fucking huge starts at 1TB+, not at 250GB.

And BTW. 250GB is not worth getting anymore. Almost every HDD starts at 500GB, not 250GB. Does anybody live in stone age?

The computer I currently have is a Dell Inspiron 2400. I really don't think it can be upgraded.

Its cheap, effective, and reliable. The kid has a budget of less than 350$, lets do what we can to keep it down. The less it costs the better chance he has of actually getting it.

So my dad's being lame and not trusting newegg. Does the stuff I buy come with a warranty. Also, it looks like he's willing to spend some more money because he said that he'll use the money that I have and then pay for the rest of it, so I guess I can increase my budget. He wants a monitor and his big excuse is that "for only $100 more, you can get a dell computer that comes with a flat-screen monitor." Are there any good monitors I can get?

Not trusting newegg? Newegg is the premier site for all things tech. Your dad is an idiot. You have whatever each manufac's warranty is, and Newegg accepts returns for 30 days I believe.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009212 Decent Acer for 130$.

How much do you want to raise your budget to?

Yeah, my dad is way too "safe" when it comes to ordering things. He said he'll consider buying a $580 HP desktop, which honestly makes no sense. But if that's what he's thinking of getting, then hell, show me something that's around that price.

EDIT: Actually, could you try for a little less than that? He's all worried about the warranty, and the main reason he wants to get one of these brand computers is because they come with a warranty. So if I show him the list of things to buy from newegg and then say that we can buy a warranty, maybe he'll listen then.