So, I've actually been thinking about building my own computer for a couple years.
The biggest thing keeping me back is money.

Its seems to me people here know alot about this stuff, and can build these computers at far cheaper than I ever thought was possible.

So, I'd like some advice. Where can you get parts for these dirt cheap prices?
And also, some advice on what I need, and what sort of things I should look up.

And if anyone has spare parts they are willing to donate, I'd be incredibly grateful.
Even sell if its really cheap.

Thanks for all the help so far everyone!

Well, I get the last shipment of my PC parts today, so I might have a few spares. As a matter of fact, you might be able to build your entire PC from others spare parts. It would save you quite a bit.

As far as online stores go, Newegg is very good. I've never had an issue with them.

What is your budget?

So tiny of a budget I'm not likely going to be afford to purchase more than one part right now. )=
Like $200.

So, I'd like some advice. Where can you get parts for these dirt cheap prices?

newegg.com

www.amazon.com

www.zipzoomfly.com

www.tigerdirect.com

www.microcenter.com

And also, some advice on what I need, and what sort of things I should look up.

You'll need all the basics if you don't have them already like:

A case, Power supply, memory, CPU, video card, Hard Drive, monitor, keyboard, mouse.

A lot of the things I listed can be gotten very cheaply as long as you know where to look and do comparison shopping.

Let me take a look at home, to make sure I've got all the parts, but I've got an NZXT zero case just lying around. Pay for shipping and it's yours, but let me make sure I've got all the thumbscrews and fans first.

Originally Posted by sixer9682

newegg.com

www.amazon.com

www.zipzoomfly.com

www.tigerdirect.com

www.microcenter.com



You'll need all the basics if you don't have them already like:

A case, Power supply, memory, CPU, video card, Hard Drive, monitor, keyboard, mouse.

A lot of the things I listed can be gotten very cheaply as long as you know where to look and do comparison shopping.

Out of those, I got a Monitor, or I will my parents finish with the ancient computer they are using to search their floppy disks. Yes, I said floppy disks. Keyboard, got it, mouse, got that.

So, I would need-

Case
Power Supply
Memory
CPU
Video Card
Hard Drive

I'm not looking to overclock or anything, so I don't think I need a cooling unit, right?

I do know some of the sites you listed, Newegg in particular.
Looking at the list, I either will need to win the lottery or found another way to obtain the parts, cause at most I might be able to afford a case and something else.

Setting a budjet & making some compromise on some items; shoot for a good MB, GPU, & CPU. Having these parts can keep your computer good for 2-3years. The other items can be upgraded relatively cheap. I know some people around here that put 1,000's into their computers & might have some things laying around.

Hard Drive space is not an incredible priority.
230 GB, like what my laptop has, works fine.

Its true, if you know anyone who has spare parts, or if you have spare parts, that would be really great (=

Looking at games today, its seems minimum processing power needed is like 3 GB, not sure about Graphic Power.

Whats the specs so of you guys have?
We all know my terribad specs. lol

You're going to be amazed at what can happen with $500 and a bunch of hard work. Rig can be sweet(wont look pretty)

If I was majorly interested in looks....I wouldn't have gotten this laptop.
ROFL

Crap, I forgot. I've got an extra HD at home too, not large like 120gb, but it'll get you up and running for free. Let me check on that one too.

As it is, if I had two computers, I could leave the hard drive eating stuff to my 400 GB external drive.
The thing that really hurts me in space is music, and game recording, which right now I have 100 GB of footage. Had to move it to the external cause my laptop was nearly out of space. This computer would really be for gaming, not so much for word processing.

I've been converting since this morning, still not done lolz.

So if you have a spare, that would be really awesome Sixer (=

Looking at prices, it seems to me possibly the most expensive thing is going to be the video card?

Yeah, CPU and video card are usually the most expensive items.

You asked about specs-nothing too impressive but here's what I've got:
I-7 920 @4.0Ghz air cooled with Prolimatech Megahalems
6Gb DDR3 @1600mhz 7-7-7-20
Asus Rampage III Formula Motherboard
EVGA gtx 580
120gb G.Skill Phoenix Pro SSD
Acer 235HZ 120hz monitor
Cooler Master Haf 932 case.

Originally Posted by sixer9682

Yeah, CPU and video card are usually the most expensive items.

You asked about specs-nothing too impressive but here's what I've got:
I-7 920 @4.0Ghz air cooled with Prolimatech Megahalems
6Gb DDR3 @1600mhz 7-7-7-20
Asus Rampage III Formula Motherboard
EVGA gtx 580
120gb G.Skill Phoenix Pro SSD
Acer 235HZ 120hz monitor
Cooler Master Haf 932 case.

Better specs than mine of course, Just trying to see specs so I have something to base on.

Okay, is there such thing as a three core processor?