MapexDrummer
302341
7603
442
Parts
So, I just turned 15. I've been saving up a ton of money for a while now, working this summer and this is how it's been put to use.
Work Station
As you can see, I didn't think I would have to but i ended up using almost every square inch of our family dining room!
Finally constructed!
It took me a few days, with the help of some friends, but the beast was finally built! (Not to brag, but for a first build, that's some sexy cable management).
Here's the beast with the awesome looking side panel door
Here's the frontal view of the beast
And, viola! Here she is!
Surprisingly, the beauty powered up and actually worked with NO problem for the first startup. Now, you can't comprehend my excitement, this being my first build, and me actually knowing I did everything correctly!
Full View
Here's a full view of my first little setup. Now, I realize this'll most likely get lost in the deep depths of Imgur, especially because this is my first post. But, I wanted to share this with all of you Imgurians, because no one in my family shares my interest in PC gaming, or building (they're all console-using muggles), and I only have like 3 friends who share this interest, (the rest are also muggles) and I just wanted to share this with any of you who are interested or share my excitement and enjoy this topic as well! If you have any questions on Hardware, what games this can run, or anything at all, please comment! I'd love to see anything you'd have to say. Thank you, if you did, for reading this long, boring post!
EDIT: OH MY GOODNESS I cannot believe all the positive comments, messages and EVERYTHING! I expected this to just get troll comments and downvoted to oblivion. Thanks for the questions, comments, tips, and everything! :D
Here is a list of all the hardware, as well as prices:
-Motherboard- MSI A78M-E35 ~$65
-Processor- AMD A8 7600 roughly ~$85
-Power Supply- EVGA 500W 80PLUS ~$45
-RAM- Corsair Vengeance 8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ~$55
-HDD- Seagate 2TB Desktop HDD SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache ~$75
-Graphics Card- EVGA GeForce GT 740 Superclocked Single Slot 4GB DDR3 $100
-Monitor- (fantastic deal; exceeded my expectations for the price) Acer G236HL Bbd 23-Inch LED $110
-OS- Windows 8.1 $90
-Case- Apevia X-Sniper (Red, obviously) $60
-Keyboard/mouse bundle- CM Storm Devastator (fantastic) (red, obviously) $30
-Those sweet speakers- BassPulse (red) $60
-All other small necessities (WiFi Card (don't judge), mouse pad, Thermal Compound, optical drive, webcam, etc.), roughly $50
Total price= Approx. $765
I realize it's not the best hardware, but I'm 15, and it's all upgradable so I'm quite happy
FD EDIT: HOLY FRICKITY FRACK I never thought in a million years I'd ever get on the Front Page, I always thought it was impossible! (My brother did get on the Front Page once, though). This is amazing I didn't think anyone would care about this post but I got so many positive comments, messages, tips, and questions and I'm so happy, thank all of you! My mind is blown, I am in disbelief. Thank you guys so much. Good day, good day indeed.
hawbzandKalvin
Get a solid state drive next will be a night and day difference, also I have that keyboard and mouse good for the money but should upgrade
MemeGonzales1
+1 because I know the feeling of excitement when you get your first system working. Have fun with your new toy!
Derptard69
I'm going to start using the word muggle now.
IDidntKnowWhattoMakeMyUsernameSoIMadeThis
I'm so salty seeing your build while I'm sending my motherboard back for RMA
emmetkelly
You're 15 and have more money than I do. *tears*
OfficialCommentFromCorporate
Remember. No rent, no car payment...
emmetkelly
No never-ending school loan payment.
chaseDWT
Good job, man. Working to save up the money for your first build is definitely something you should be proud of.
andruha1123
one thing that will make it awesome is an SSD, even if a small one just for the OS.
TheRealMikeyRamone
Bro, bro, bro... SPECS?!?
spudn1k
Bottom of the post :)
TheRealMikeyRamone
Nice!! FP edit, I dig it. For an entry level machine, you got a pretty good set up!
GALOXITY
I worked my first job to build a better gaming PC also (I'm also 15) I've got most of my parts picked out but can we see a parts list?
Namoric
I made an account just so I could upvote this and comment on it. Great job, OP. I'm old, started with a C64. This is great.
MapexDrummer
Thank you so much :) means a lot. Especially the fact you made an account for this. I love this positive feedback :D
Volotu
You can tell this is your first computer build because the case is bright as hell. The second computer you build will just be a plain tower.
samthing
I hate how most good airflow cases come with led fans and styling from b-class scifi movie. Long live P182B.
samthing
Also damn the plastic HDD trays and expansion card locks. Screws all the way. Not gonna trust 1kg GPU on plastic clips.
HellomynameisSatan
Welcome.... To the master race. The race that doesn't care what colour you are, just who your mom is fucking.
Jokesterwild
looks like a computer good job.
KNaph
Congrats! I didn't sleep for days building and breaking it in gaming and benchmarking it. Have fun with it!
jayp15
Well done bro. You save your money better than I did at 15.
NexIuguolo
your blocking the top vents with your subwoofer
NexIuguolo
*you're
sarmik
not to mention fucking up any hdds while doing that.
onethreethreefour
+1 for "console-using muggles".
liquidsnakex
As a console-using muggle:
Saric92
I personally use a console because too poor to built any half decent gaming computer :(
onethreethreefour
I have nothing against console users, just had a laugh because the expression is funny. :)
z0de
I give it a week before you cover all the lights or unplug them.
AncientWeapons
I've had my Antec 900 lights on for a couple of years now, but blue is easier on my eyes then red.
MapexDrummer
You're right, it is quite obnoxiously bright, but I don't regret it.
ilavalamp
Ah yes the first build flooded with LED lights... The second will be dark as the night. Congrats on the build!
valandil213
Congrats! I recommend putting the subwoofer on the floor. The magnets that drive it could cause interference. Better safe than sorry.
samthing
Friend destroyed three external hard drives by keeping them on subwoofer.
Flubio
Viola
hatlessspider
TheSkipjack95
Do you know how a semitone is defined ? Two violas playing in unison
Kaitou
I dunno why people say that. It's just a larger violin.
Kaitou
-Doofenshmirtz. In case no one got the reference.
TheSSMorgan2015
No this is a computer
FuckThisThingInParticular
There's no need for more violins.
ih8uso
Next time, use a full modular power supply. It allows for better cable management. Otherwise, nice build and cabling. Grats on the PC.
samthing
I don't see why you would spend any extra on modular PSU in budget build. If it costs the same, then by all means go for it.
TomBombaChill
Are there any other reasons to use a full modular PSU? I am ignorant, just asking fro knowledge.
zofrex
Not really. They're more expensive for the spec. Totally worth it though.
liquidsnakex
Less cables can give better airflow, and modular PSUs tend to come with silver/gold ratings for better power efficiency than bronze-rated.
TomBombaChill
any sources that elaborate on the topic. Just that intel processors have a hard time with multi-threaded gaming.
TomBombaChill
Nice. While I have you hear, I keep reading about single-thread versus multi-threaded gaming. Could you enlighten me? I can't seem to find 1
liquidsnakex
DX12 could potentially help with this, bringing AMD on par with Intel, but no current game uses DX12, making Intel a better buy for now. (3)
liquidsnakex
An exception to this is at the lower end, where an AMD APU bitchslaps Intel's integrated GPUs and can crossfire with older AMD R7 GPUs. (4)
liquidsnakex
Sure, Intel has more income than AMD = better R&D = more efficient cores, leading AMD to compete with more cores, clock speed and price (1)
TomBombaChill
This is great info, thanks dude!
liquidsnakex
...but unfortunately for AMD, some CPU-heavy games are bottlenecked by single-thread perf, because multithreaded programming is hard... (2)
IlIIlllIIllllIIlllIlIl
well it´s not like non modular PSUs are never bronze+ rated, also they are a lot cheaper
liquidsnakex
Hence "tend to", but it's hard to clarify that in 140 characters. Mine also came with a 5 year warranty which I feel justifies the price.
IlIIlllIIllllIIlllIlIl
that´s true, but all comments seemed to praise modular PSU but forgot that for some people the price is the most important aspect
ih8uso
No reason other than cable management. Personally, I like to be able to remove the cables I'm not using.
voxolotl
Fun-fact: "Viola" translates to "rape" in French. The word you're looking for is "Voilà".
HighrockTendales
If I upload my rig I'm going to write viola, because it will viola every game out there.
skydivingbigfoot
He's 15. This setup probably viola-ed his available money. I'd say the word is fitting
jem282
I knew I never liked that instrument.
nommon
This one time, at band camp......
Bhrys
No it doesn't lol, as somebody from France the word is "Viole".
Maxinoume
It's in the past tense... "Il viola le chevreuil."
Cosmogonic
thou often use the past time?
voxolotl
Pauvre chevreuil.
paukkumaissi
oh shit, and it's a woman's name in finnish......
voxolotl
Whoopsie.
ainou
And a cream cheese brand.
GSAir
Raped*
HexGenderedPlasmaHorse
Triggered
voxolotl
If it was following a pronoun. "raped" alone would be "Violé(e)". c:
GSAir
Yes but "viola" is the past tense of "violer " for the pronoum "he" . In French call "passé simple". Source: I am French.
voxolotl
Yeah, I know, don't worry. :p I'm Belgian and French is my native language. I admit I got my fun-fact wrong. .u.'
Cosmogonic
VIOL! pas viola you stupide cretin doublé d'attardé qui veut frimer avec son éducation...
voxolotl
Euh, je pense pas que les insultes soient vraiment nécessaires. .-.
Cosmogonic
haha, mais c'est internet ici. pour frimer avec une langue, il faut la maitriser. viola=violette, rape=viol. le passé ça compte pas.
voxolotl
Bah euh, désolé mais "viola" reste le passé de "violer". J'admets mon erreur, même si le message reste clair.
Cosmogonic
clair, mais tiré par les cheveux.
GuacIs3xtra
+1. Protips: those cables under the HDD, get the unused ones tucked, dust magnets. Save up for more fans, cooler it stays longer it lasts.
ChristianBails
.
jediprincess
a unplug it and blow it out every couple of months...furry dust coats create unwanted heat and fry shit
Zerreth
Not with your mouth. A dust gun or air gun. Don't be a 90s kid.
Cosmogonic
+1ed for the fans. got to updoot the arctic F12's, which pull a lot for no buck.
sweetcoolbreezeoffreedom
Ill add get a liquid cooler, its cheap and works wonders. My processor has never been cooler.
Bloax
An AiO water cooler is a waste of effort on that CPU.
sweetcoolbreezeoffreedom
Not really, AMD shuts down cores if they get warm. Plus, my H60 came with AMD and Intel pointing brackets so he has room to upgrade.
Bloax
It's twice as expensive as a meme 212 EVO, performs barely better and is barely more silent while taking up a 120mm fan mounting location.
Bloax
And this is all implying you're going to have trouble cooling a 65W TDP CPU in the first place. Which you aren't unless you're OCing.
Cosmogonic
+1 A8's never heats enough to make a h80i worthy... that's already overkill on a boosted black edition FX series tbh.
Bloax
The only time you would consider switching the cooler on a CPU like that is if you're planning to overclock the shit out of it.
Cosmogonic
i boosted my 6350BE at 4.5Ghz peak, i could've kept the aircooled way, with cpu at 75°C on full load, decided recently to slow down. 1/2
helladopex
GOOD JOB! Just don't upgrade to Windows 10.
CantBrainTodayIHaveTheDumb
Actually Windows 10 was built specifically for PC.... Windows 8 was more for tablets.
helladopex
I read on another post that if you update hardware on your PC, you can deactivate Windows 10. I'm researching for that OP right now.
CantBrainTodayIHaveTheDumb
No I meant Windows 8 was shit on PC because it was designed almost like a smartphone but Windows 10 was designed to be PC friendly.
helladopex
I understand. I'm just suggesting he shouldn't update to Windows 10 just yet if he wants to update the hardware in the near future.
CantBrainTodayIHaveTheDumb
Ahhhhh
MapexDrummer
I agree. Windows 10 is a hoax
hippy80
Just a tip, but if that's a sub for your sound system, putting it on the floor will get you a lot better results
BroccoliBrob
especially for his neighbors
rocklobstr0
Yeah, that bothered me
Flaboogles
So.... what are the specs?
BohemianRhapDaddy
Just dust from the packaging, probably.
WarmongeringWatermelon
So many.
WulfShank
spectacular
CarlosBandana
Surely he's too young to have specs.
leavepauladeanalone
30 speeds
SkeletonGod
It looks cool, so it must run Minecraft pretty well!
geonerd
235 individual red LEDs
chrismofer
ah yes, the most important spec.
SpaceballsTheComment
about 7 RAMs and a 1.21 Gigawatts processor.
kebertxelaturdferguson
Needs more gigawatts....and blinker fluid.
wetfart92
about tree fiddy
JakeSuster
You're clearly the Loch Ness Monster
PizzaAmnesia
Probably like 3 whole specs I'd assume.
Annutty
3 specs? with no liquid cooling? 2 at most.
jmeyers1983
And two whole marijuanas.
PizzaAmnesia
That would be either some pretty relaxed or pretty paranoid computer.
Aimanfire
30 Speed
doubleormuffin
30. "30 what?" 30... spec.
Petey2522
30 speed
Frederf
So many.
comaWill
Do you see that case!? Minimum 5 specs, i wouldnt be surprised if there was 7, though
captainclutch
Gotta think about airflow though, sure you can pack 7 specs into that case, but you could fry an egg on the heatsink.
comaWill
Get out of here with that nancy boy shit! Im rocking ten specs while cooking a steak well done on my fuckin gpu cause i like my meat as
comaWill
Tough as my 360 no scope game. Get outta here! Get!
LadyTotesMcGoats
idk but looking at that graphics card prob not the best, hope he gets a better cooler for the cpu b.f it overheats with that default fan.
hugglesthemerciless
Been using a i5 3570 on Intel stock for years without problems. It's a piece of crap though
Abendschein
Stock heatsink is fine for what he's doing. Also, using a CPU without stock cooling voids the warranty. would've advise for a first build.
zoolian
Nah, no need at all for an aftermarket HSF unless he's going to over clock. Chances are high he'll want to upgrade before it dies anyway
MisterLemons
On top of it he's using a *dramatic turn* MICRO ATX...
aldriel
Yeah, I looked at that too, he has a full ATX body but a mATX mobo.
TheCanadianNerd
Stock heatsinks, amirite?
CoeusDarksoul
Like @fizyx said, unless he's OCing or his home is atrociously hot he'll be alright on stock for a while. Plus, plenty of chance to expand!
EverythingISeeIsAJojosReference
An A8 APU is still extremely limited.
fizyx
I know Intel used to have problems with the default cooler prior to the i7 but unless he's heavily overclocking, I don't think AMD has probs
Sam2540
AMD's are hot always have been.
Abendschein
No, AMD's have not always been hot. They have always had higher power consumption, but not always hot. Stock heatsinks are fine.
CHOOCHOOMOTHAFUCKER
Default cooler is more than enough for a and anything. Yeah they run hot, but they can stand high temps easy
ShiaLabeoufsButthole
My R9 280 runs at 43 at idle, and my FX-6300 hasn't gone over 50 at load, so no, not all AMD products will set your house on fire.
favoriteandforget
Crazy how nature do dat.
kanped
Yeah but they're fine running hot and unless you're running a really dumb cooling setup, it's not worth OCing them.
Abendschein
No, AMD's have not always been hot. They have always had higher power consumption, but not always hot. Stock heatsinks are fine.
TrashPandaMafia
15/m/usa
LooseCannonSpock
All of them.
eiceman
If this is in your room, you will never sleep. LEDs are the devil.
AncientWeapons
As someone who is laying in bed next to an Antec 900 (with blue LEDs) PCs power down and the lights go off with them ^^
liquidsnakex
Nice rig bro! Here's mine:![]()
saria131
Used to be mine.
Ruoska
Not sure whether to upvote because of lol or downvote because mac.
liquidsnakex
As someone with more technical knowledge than you'll ever have/need/want... you've been lied to by fanboys, there's nothing wrong with macs.
Yocheeseburgers
Got the same case
saria131
Used to be mine.
saria131
But then I upgraded to http://imgur.com/qVu2aHR
Klingon00
As someone who just built a Hackintosh, that would have been way easier.
Yocheeseburgers
Got the same case! Aren't I a special snowflake?
steddieeddie
Love the small battery in case of a power loss
TheOriginalYeti
This made me lol real hard!!!
TheCrowFather
I have that same exact case.
liquidsnakex
Nice innit! Didn't realise how good the airflow was until I got it; hole for upside-down PSU, two fans in front, one 140mm or two 120 on top
JohnBlevins
Looks nice on he outside, but it's got shit hardware inside.
Gyrollin
Just like Op's computer
JohnBlevins
Yes, but OP was building on a budget. Apple doesn't make budget products. (Relatively speaking)
liquidsnakex
ZANG! His one is no Skynet, but still better than what I had when I was 15... Integrated Intel GMA chipset, with 8MB of shared VRAM :(
liquidsnakex
Nah, it's a nearly 7 year old laptop, that still had better specs than average for Steam last time I checked. No need to be such a fanboy.
JohnBlevins
It's still a laptop though. And for the most part, I consider steams average PC spec to be shit hardware as well. A lot of people (1)
JohnBlevins
game on shit hardware. That doesn't make it any less shit.
ScienceDiscoverer
+1, and there is really few games on mac, not profitable for game creators to make/port them. Macs ideal for ppl who just wants to show off.
liquidsnakex
For all you know, it's the latest one with a Core i7 at 4GHz + Radeon R9 GPU. Regardless, some of us care more about games than graphics...
ScienceDiscoverer
Laptops can't handle games. The biggest problems - overheating. And bad gpu/cpu. And apple are worst, few games, and overpriced for "brand"
Verendi
Savage
liquidsnakex
Gotcha! The MBP is nice, but a 6y/o laptop doesn't cut it for newer games. New desktop is nearly finished now
TwoBeesOrNotTwoBees
Wow I'm sporting a chubby looking at that.
ThePsychicZombie
Oh thank you sweet baby jesus
potatoooooooos
How does that handle games with no gpu?
liquidsnakex
You'd think the lack of a CPU would be a more pressing concern. Anyway, "nearly finished now"... as CPU and GPU are on the way.
IKeepItOnMe
Specs?
liquidsnakex
A similar enough build, with lesser looks and no overclockability, could be had for ~€700-€800, but there's no fun in that (3).
EverythingISeeIsAJojosReference
So you put it together without getting all the parts to it? BTW it's probably the better investment to grind it up antoehr $150 for a 970
liquidsnakex
Yeah why not, will be quicker to get running once they get delivered. Gaming will be a secondary use for it, so a 960 will be more than fine
liquidsnakex
...and Raidmax Seiran II case. Final price will be ~€900-€1000, but I'd be lying if I said looks weren't a factor in picking some parts. (2)
liquidsnakex
Not finished, but Intel Core i5 4690K, 16GB of Crucial 1866MHz RAM, Nvidia GTX 960, Asus Z97-Pro Gamer (cringe) mobo, Corsair 650w PSU.. (1)
ULTRAJOE
i5? come on
liquidsnakex
What's wrong with a Core i5?
AntonioStark
LISTEN. Surge fucking protector.
ZacMuerte
seriously. thought my computer had died within a week. the surge protector just wasn't working, and static had built up on the GPU.
ZacMuerte
(it wasn't broken, fortunately. discharged the GPU, bought a new surge protector. spoiler: they only last a few years)
xofr
Commenting for later
iliketodothechacha
This...so much this
liquidsnakex
Too late! http://boards.38chan.net/b/src/1321909352954.jpg
drrockso20
but he didn't use an Nvidia card in there...
opikal
Every time someone says LISTEN on the internet, I read it in that damn fairies voice from ocarina of time.
AntonioStark
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gRoyqDl8da8/hqdefault.jpg
randomlex
Laptop master race! :-D
TheLumberjackHipster
If I could upvote this comment more than once I would.
Ruhig
http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=LE1200-RS&tab=models&xtmc=voltage%2520regulator&xtcr=11
pprstspco
UPS. Not just a surge protector.
mackspower
Where are you guys living? India? Please don't waste your money on power protectors. Most city/urban power issues are brown outs (low volt)
Timexican
If the power browns out or blacks out it surges through your house. If your junk is unprotected you will be the father of a broken computer.
AntonioStark
Haha....hahahahahaha....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
deafmute
Or better, an actual USP.
AntonioStark
That is ultimately what I recommend but they can be a bit costly. But yes, an APC unit is great.
Timexican
If you can't afford $75 to save your few hundred or more you're gonna have a bad time..
LightAndSoundDistortion
Thats how the first one I built got destroyed. SURGES FUCKING SUCK. I havent been able to build another yet.
AntonioStark
I feel you. My wisdom comes from bitter experience.
VodkaReindeer
Depends on where he lives.
Timexican
The only way you wouldn't benefit from a UPS is if your house is hooked up with proper surge protection and even then better safe than sorry
im2short2die
What, like planet Earth? Yes, if you live on planet Earth, get a surge protector.
olds97lss
Yeah, lightning is pretty much everywhere at some point.
AntonioStark
Guess that's true. I'm in FL and currently in the middle of a thunderstorm. I forget other places don't have lethal skies.
VodkaReindeer
I was just in a middle of a thunderstorm but I don't think you need surge protectors if you live in a block house and the wires are undergr.
AntonioStark
I live in an apartment. But, I wouldn't let $20 be the difference between just in case and "shit it fried."
CannibalHitler
Seriously though. I lost an £800 computer from not having one
AntonioStark
Yep. My first desktop I built the PSU fried after a thunderstorm. Thankfully the PSU died and nothing else.
TheKeytarPlatypus
No no listen here. UNINTERUPTIBLE FUCKING POWER SUPPLY.
MechanicOfDerp
YES!! Mine has saved my computer so many fucking times.
dinosaurda
I got a UPS and now all the hot girls want me. UPS's people.
A10ThunderboltIICASJetAircraft
And so God said, "He who plugs strait into the wall shall feel the wrath of Mother Nature! Now go forth, and acquire the most holy of (1/2)
A10ThunderboltIICASJetAircraft
devices: The Backup Power Supply Unit!" (2/2)
InvisiblePaladin
THIS!! UPS has saved my build many times.
mordaedil
UPS costs like almost as much as the PC itself. I'm planning to get one, but most of the ones out there are kinda trash right now.
TheKeytarPlatypus
If you want one that runs for 30 mins to an hour, yeah. But you can get one that does like 11 minutes from 80-90 bucks (APC)
AntonioStark
Go on.... Like an APC battery? Or 50 hamsters on wheels??
TheKeytarPlatypus
Don't be ridiculous, it would have to be at least 50 Pikachus on wheels.
TheKeytarPlatypus
Seriously though OP...UPS with surge protection, and a heartbeat to gracefully shut down your pc when the ups kicks on.
AntonioStark
I feel stupid. I've always called them APC units...
Timexican
It's the same as calling locking pliers Channel Locks. Not wrong, but not right specifically speaking.
ChairmanOfThePEN15Club
For the layman. How would a UPS be better than just surge protection other than not having to deal with unexpected shut down?
mordaedil
Power outage in the entire county has happened to me more than once. An UPS would allow you to at least save your work.
TheKeytarPlatypus
Exactly this. If your pc is hard cycled, there's an extremely high chance of OS file corruption. Like need to start from scratch install.
ZacMuerte
I did that to my server once. pulled the wrong hot-swap bay out. instead of an idle disk due for swapping, I ripped out the OS. yup...
ChairmanOfThePEN15Club
Is there a higher chance with ssd?
Malkhuth
Lower chance, actually.
Umcookies
Exactly how high of a chance are we talking here? I've had the power cut or manually turn it off dozens of times while it's running.
Malkhuth
It's pretty low but it's a thing.
ZacMuerte
honestly, if your PSU is high enough quality, you should be fine. mine gives about 5ms of power after a cut, which is enough.
SenOfFiveTails
"Extremely high" That's a bit of an overstatement. I've had to give my computer the pillow of death so many yime
SenOfFiveTails
Times* damn it.
TheKeytarPlatypus
I'll give you that...was an sonewhat exaggerated spur of the moment comment. But why risk it when a small UPS is cheap enough?