My current computer is starting to show it's age so I think it's time to upgrade. I've always bought computers, I've never built one myself, is it difficult? I'd also like part recommendations, preferably a list of every piece I'll need and the price, Newegg links would probably be ideal. My budget is MAX $700, and I'd like it to run games at max or there about for at least quite some time.

It's simple, if you can use a screwdriver and finish that little kids toy where you put the blocks through the right shaped hole youre good to go.

So the big question is what you got now? Are we talking Dell/HP or did you buy a dedicated gaming computer?

What, if anything, can you or do you expect to salvage from your old rig? Is the monitor still good enough? Keyboard, mouse, speakers... Even the DVD drive or case could be feasible to swap out. The more stuff you're able to recycle from an old rig, the more you can focus on the innards to get the best performance for your buck, especially with the limited budget.

The mouse, keyboard, speakers and monitor can be used. The computer I'm using now isn't exactly a dedicated gaming computer I didn't have gaming in mind when I bought it 2 years ago, it was supposed to be for work but now I use my laptop for work. As my computer is right now it runs games like Fallout 3 and Mafia II at the medium to low range so using anything from it wouldn't be worth while.

what about OS? if you'll need an OS (presumably win 7) i'd have to figure ~$100 into the price, which leaves $600 max for your hardware. also, what about the case? you can save $30-50 if you can use the one you've got already.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074 $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138308 $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401 $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311 $47
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=spinpoint%20f3 $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182132 $80

That comes to $637 without an OS, that will push it up another $100 roughly. If you need a new case I would recommed the CM Storm Scout.

I'm imagining that the case you currently have probably isn't that large, making it a rather bad choice to use if you ever feel like upgrading in the future. As for things that could be salvaged, the PSU is possible, but since this is a pre-built the PSU probably won't be that good. The Disc Drive could be easily saved though. I bought one and saved my old one so I could have two.

This is a pretty good build, but does not include Case and OS if needed. If $700 is max then some things need to be sacrificed unfortunately.

Back down on RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427

Back down on GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121446

Back down on power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

The savings will give room for

OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
CASE: http://www.amazon.com/GAMMA-Classic-Interior-Chassis-Black/dp/B002UDK9U6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319936198&sr=8-1...or...http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Tower-Case-RC-912-KKN1/dp/B003ZM7YTA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319936185&sr=8-1

I could go up to $1300, what would you recommend then?

CASE: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216
CPU+MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.763035
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130593
DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Would I have to buy the thermal paste and proper screws separately?

Thermal paste will already be applied to the heatsink (if using stock). And the screws will come with the case. (And some will come with the PSU as well)

If you decide to buy an aftermarket heatsink then you will need to purchase thermalpaste. (I stick to Arctic Silver 5 or NT-H1)

Which tutorials would you best recommend for somebody who hasn't done this before?

There are in-depth videos in the first post of this thread:
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1247846-the-community-tech-thread-no-109/

Would it be recommended to put everything together outside of the case or inside?

Depends on the case fallout.. which is why I'm endorsing Tig's choices..



espessially the coolmaster.., :yes:

..cuz it's wot I got B)


you really want to have enough room to get your hands in, and properly place the gubbins..

good luck, for tutorials I checked out a million youtube vids

then I called a mate over :hehe:

I'll definitely be using the Cooler Master then. Does Newegg ship to Canada?

Edit: Never mind, found Newegg.ca.