Computer building

[copenhagen269]

Building a computer can save money and give you a feeling of accomplishment, but don't try it if you are really stupid.

I owned a retail computer business for many years and one of my customers decided he wanted to build his next computer himself and save some money. I tried to show him a few things but he got kind of pissy and grabbed all the parts and headed to his Mortgage Business office. An hour later he came back and said I sold him a bad motherboard. I took a look inside and he had screwed the motherboard directly into the tower without any risers!! The whole inside of the case stunk like fried silicone so I knew he had powered it up like that. I had him totally convinced that the reason it wasn't working now was because the components are filled with smoke and he had "let the smoke out". I don't think he ever figured it out

Funny story

[GrinderCB]

I've been told multiple times that i'd be better off(that it'd be cheaper) building a computer myself than to pay for someone else to build one for me.

The problem is that i have no clue how to go about that.
What course(s) would i have to take to learn how to build my own computers(gaming or otherwise)?

I taught myself how to upgrade by installing a CD drive and its SCSI-2 card into a 386 machine about 17-18 yrs ago and have never looked back. Building vs. buying a computer today is like building vs buying an AR-15: building it yourself is almost always more expensive, but in the end you have it exactly the way you want it and if something malfs or you want to make a change, you pretty much already know how to do it.

After my first few upgrades I eventually shelled out $40 for one of those all-day-Saturday adult-ed classes where you pay the instructor at the door, he gives you a book and a few other materials, and spends the next 6-7 hours demonstrating how to build the PC. Not sure if they do those classes anymore but if you can find one I'd go that route. Also, keep an eye out on the magazine racks, the major computer mags (PC World, Maximum PC, PC Gamer, etc) usually run at least one major piece per year on building a solid system on a budget. Articles like those can help you get an idea of what components you want to go with.

[orchard]

An alternative to explore is buy a used machine and upgrade the components, OS, etc.. Starting from a working machine, you can always uninstall components and get back toa working machine (frying parts doesn't count).

[Ricky-Ray]

An alternative to explore is buy a used machine and upgrade the components, OS, etc.. Starting from a working machine, you can always uninstall components and get back toa working machine (frying parts doesn't count).

That could wind up being a bigger PITA or cost even more than purchasing a new one.

[thrasherfox]

I havent read all the posts. But personally, unless I have spare parts laying around. I would recommend just buying a Dell.

By the time you get done with the case, power supply, mother board, CPU, ram, DVD drive, Keyboard, mouse, Operating system (one of the big expenses), monitor, and whatever else.

You can usually get off cheaper just buying a new dell.

If you want something that you can customize, and tweak and beef up, then by all means build one. but even then, by the time you get done you probably could have got an Alien computer.

Computers are so cheap these days just find one you want and buy it


Just my opinion anyway.

[maverickmage]

Yeah, computer prices dropped enough that it really isn't cheaper to build one. But... I wouldn't say that it's more expensive either. For a little bit more money, you can usually deck it out with a lot better parts by building it, especially in the lower to mid price range.

Here's a tip... be realistic about what you want the computer for then buy parts accordingly (ie. if you aren't a gamer, you probably don't need the latest and greatest graphics card). Also, you're probably going to have to cut cost somewhere so think about where you want to cut it from. (ie. I bought a relatively cheap steel case, but some people I know has to have the light aluminum lian li's, etc...)

[locosway]

Find someone local to help you out. I'm in Orange County and would help anyone if the asked.

[SoCal Gunner]

Not any more, computers have become so cheap, I still build my own so I can choose what parts I use.

+1


There was a time when you could build a superior computer for less, especially when everyone "shared" copies of their OS.

Now, manufacturers are putting out systems for little more than your cost of a full Windows 7 OS.

That said, if you want to build one just for the sake of doing it, there are lots of combos and packages out there that can save you some money.

Plan out your build for what YOU NEED, have others review it (compatibility, weak link in the chain, etc) and have fun doing it. Microcenter is a great place for locals and the internet is limitless.

If you have any questions or are in my neck of the woods, I'd be glad to help.

[Brianguy]

Well you could always take a CompTIA A+ course Post what you're looking to do with your system and someone will post a build. You decide which build sounds good and order the parts. When you get all the parts just have another computer running and search youtube on how to put each piece together (ie put cpu on mobo, connect hd to mobo, putting ram on mobo, etc). I just leave hardware all over the place and never use an anti-static wrist strap and I'm always dropping **** on the floor. If I can build a system, you can too!


FYI if you have a microcenter near you they have i7 950 for $199!!!

Edit: aha I found this for you to review

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikimedia/en-labs/7/7b/How_To_Build_A_Computer.pdf

http://www.buildacomputerguide.com/getting-started.html

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/how-to-tech/build-a-computer.htm

Might want to keep an eye out for a barebones kit on sale and go from there
check out bensbargains.net and slickdeals.net for daily deals on comp hardware

[Paragun]

I would have to say that it's not cheaper or a good deal to buy a prebuilt computer.

On the surface you get a computer, but more than likely it has onboard graphics and sound, the minimum amount of memory, and a small hard drive. The power supply is almost always substandard. Like they say "you get what you pay for".

The first thing you need to look at is what you want to do with your computer. Word processing, web surfing, simple things like that a cheap computer is fine.

If you want a good gaming computer it might be best to build your own.

You will have to pick a CPU (central processing unit) manufacturer first, some like AMD, others like Intel. I do not want to get into an argument about which is better, I just use AMD processers. Some will tell you Intel is better, and they argue that the floating point calculations are faster, but we are talking in the nanosecond (one billionth of a second) range and you won't notice any difference as a human, but you pay half as much for AMD.

In playing games, its mostly now in the graphic card itself or its GPU (graphics processing unit). The better the GPU, the better the look of the game.

[Paragun]

This is my system and it as not failed me yet. I run games at full resolution 1920x1080 on a 40" monitor all settings on high. You will notice I shop at Newegg a lot.
AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition Deneb 3.5GHz 4 x
$179.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103894

GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
$179.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128441

OCZ Reaper Edition 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3RPR1333C9LV8GK
This memory is no longer available, but any other brand with similar specs will do. I got 16 GB. $111.99 x2 = $223.98 I bought one set at each paycheck.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227541

GIGABYTE GV-R567OC-1GI Rev2.0 Radeon HD 5670 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$99.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125339

Western Digital Caviar Green WD7500AADS 750GB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive.
$59.99
Out of stock right now but you can get any other hard drive. I only use Western Digital.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136359

Or:
Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$79.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136514

DYNAPOWER USA Prestige Black / Silver 0.8mm SECC steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply
$34.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811138100

No longer available but you can pick another, I do not use the power supply that came with it. This one I got for my wife, I have a Viper case I bought in2004 (http://www.atruereview.com/atruereview/viper/index.php ), also no longer available. I use it over and over and have upgraded a few main boards and power supplies in it.

SONY Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 8X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM 8MB Cache SATA Internal Blu-ray Burner Blu-ray Burner BD-5300S-0B - OEM
$109.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118050

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Upgrade
$183.97 Don't forget this is an UPGRADE ver. You have to own windows XP, or Vista to use this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116715

Thermaltake Black Widow W0319RU 850W ATX 12V v2.3, EPS 12V v2.91 CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
$119.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153106

You can use the onboard sound or get a sound card.
I have the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro, but its discontinued now.
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro 70SB055A00000 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card (Black/Silver) (Eng)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102015

This will get you a complete computer, you still need a monitor, mouse, and keyboard.
179.99 CPU
179.99 Motherboard
111.99 Memory 8GB
99.99 Video Card
59.99 Hard drive
34.99 Case
109.99 Blu ray burner, player/CD burner, player/DVD burner, player
119.99 power supply
Total: 896.92