Ever build your own PC?

[Murt]

I'm thinking of building a new PC, and just wondering if anyone else has done so and what to look out for? Any Guides or websites that are useful? Cheers!

[Clerlic]

Are you talking about building it as NOT buying a crappy HP or other company ready PC, or as mining the silicon, gold, iron ore, etc. to produce your own computer chips? I presume the first, since it's easier and cheaper.
You just check the stores website, maybe read some reviews about the components you are going to buy, then you check that they are compatible which can be done by asking the computer store dudes, bring everything home and assemble it. You spend an hour on assembling and half an hour on installing windows or any other OS. You save a lot of money, you don't get crappy stickers all over your PC and dumb useless pre-installed software, plus you get experience and customized pc.

[Oinohtna]

I decided to build my own PC about three weeks ago. It wasn't too difficult and I had no previous experience. The only time I had opened my case before was to add more RAM and that was it. The easiest way to do it is to go to a store like Fry's or Best Buy and ask them to help you out. They can pick motherboards that fit with cases to make sure everything works perfectly. It took me about six hours to build it, but that was because I triple checked everything and was extremely careful. I could have probably done it in two, but I was a little scared of breaking something very expensive. Just remember to buy xp or have a copy of Linux on hand. You get to save a lot of money and its really no harder than building a set of legos.

[Rob]

Parts are slowly arriving for my new computer from various websites. I'm using this as a guide because it was the first result on Google:
http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

If you're ordering parts online, I also recommend you search each component (actual product name) on pricegrabber.com. You can easily find a $50 difference from site to site. Don't always trust newegg.com to have the lowest price, even though it usually does.

[Chriz]

If you get lazy, and want a nice gaming rig, I reccomend http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk for more power.

[Murt]

Just wondering is there anyway of making a kind of Part-time money out of it....or is it not worth it?

[Chriz]

Indeed there is, you could flog off a crap machine to some Grandparents wanting a computer for their grandkids to tamper with whenever they visit.

[Matterialize]

http://www.tigerdirect.com
http://www.tigerdirect.ca

Tiger Direct is my favourite place to shop, and you can order online as well as physically going to their stores. Good service, low prices, high-quality parts. I put my entire computer together with components from Tiger Direct.

You could do what Rob said and search around for better prices, but there's a lot of cases where TD has the lowest.

[Mobius]

I usually just go to www.newegg.com or www.pricewatch.com.

If you're looking to put in a high-end processor such as an AMD Dual-Core or something, make sure you invest in an after-market heatsink and fan. It will work much better than the set that comes with your processor. Liquid cooling is also a good option.

If you're looking for further modification of your custom PC, try www.xoxide.com.

[CharlieH]

http://www.tigerdirect.com
http://www.tigerdirect.ca

Tiger Direct is my favourite place to shop, and you can order online as well as physically going to their stores. Good service, low prices, high-quality parts. I put my entire computer together with components from Tiger Direct.

You could do what Rob said and search around for better prices, but there's a lot of cases where TD has the lowest.

If it was a Newb posting that, i'm sure they would have been out on there ass before the tiger could catch them. That was some flagrant advertising there. Do you work for them by any chance?

[Derelict]

If it was a Newb posting that, i'm sure they would have been out on there ass before the tiger could catch them. That was some flagrant advertising there. Do you work for them by any chance?

He does not actually work for them, and that wasn't advertising.

I used www.pricewatch.com. for everything on my PC and I never even had to go to newegg.com.

[Mobius]

If it was a Newb posting that, i'm sure they would have been out on there ass before the tiger could catch them. That was some flagrant advertising there. Do you work for them by any chance?

Any Guides or websites that are useful?
When people ask for websites you usually suggest some links.

And newegg has some good stuff Derelict, you should check them out sometime. I haven't had a problem with their shipping methods either.

[I_Smell]

I decided to build my own PC about three weeks ago. It wasn't too difficult and I had no previous experience. The only time I had opened my case before was to add more RAM and that was it. The easiest way to do it is to go to a store like Fry's or Best Buy and ask them to help you out. They can pick motherboards that fit with cases to make sure everything works perfectly. It took me about six hours to build it, but that was because I triple checked everything and was extremely careful. I could have probably done it in two, but I was a little scared of breaking something very expensive. Just remember to buy xp or have a copy of Linux on hand. You get to save a lot of money and its really no harder than building a set of legos.

Wow. See, I'd never have even thought of building a PC.
Anyway, considering you save money by building it yourself, surely there's money to be made. If you can find someone who knows what they want in a computer, but doesn't want to risk putting it together, I think you should try to flog one or two.

[Intestiny Destiny]

If it was a Newb posting that, i'm sure they would have been out on there ass before the tiger could catch them. That was some flagrant advertising there. Do you work for them by any chance?

It's not a big deal. I also happen to use Tigerdirect a lot too. Otherwise you could say the same thing about everyone else who's providing suggestions.

[Matterialize]

NOM NOM NOM
Yeah, you can leave now.


Also, spend over $500 at TigerDirect and get a free iPod Nano! :fmita:

[lollercaust]

I prefer NewEgg, but I've never tried Tigerdirect. Building your own PC is really good not only to save money, but for the learning aspect. I've understood so much more about how computer parts work together by simply putting them all into a PC. Also, if you work to build a PC on the good end of decent, it may seem like you're spending more. But comparatively to get what you want, it would have cost more. I would reccomend finding things you think will work together from Newegg, Tigerdirect, or another site, doing some research, and posting your plan on the G4 Tech Support forums. When I built mine for the first time, they're very helpful in pointing out flaws and assisting in getting you the most for your money.

[TireVengeance]

Don't waste money on a super-holy-shit-package video card or some shit like that.

[Casalen]

Computers you put together yourself also tend to work better. More customizable, less limitations. Most manufacturers (at least in the past it was this way) seem to want you not to touch the components, so sometimes everything is built in pretty specifically. Clean installs of operating systems are usually best, too. And it's a good hobby. I've never used them, but a CPU/Motherboard combo might save you a little. Or they might suck.

[Rob]

Don't waste money on a super-holy-shit-package video card or some shit like that.

I think the video card is pretty important.

[SWiTCH]

For someone who knows their pcs inside and out it may be easy...
But if you've never done it before, building a pc is not a simple task, especially if you have high end stuff. One little mistake and you can fry you processor or motherboard (speaking from experience).

[Murt]

Just found out that tigerdirect.com, doesn't send to UK or Ireland....or at least I don't think it does when I looked through the site. I'm gutted!

[Mr. Crow]

How do you guys know how to build a PC? Did you find a guide somewhere, or is it just really obvious where everything goes?

[lollercaust]

How do you guys know how to build a PC? Did you find a guide somewhere, or is it just really obvious where everything goes?

When you truly first start (meaning, are actually pulling things out of the box) you may need to read about how a certain cord looks like this, and you need to find a port that looks like this on your motherboard. But about halfway into my first build, I stopped reading because all the wires really just became obvious.

It's really not difficult at all. I think the idea about it being difficult to be one is because people share the thought about putting one together as creating the computer chips. Therefore, it becomes a much more... daunting task.

[Murt]

Just a quick question, Someone said something about compatibility between the Motherboard and CPU, Does this mean just the socket type.....or is there more? Also will most processors come with the Thermal Adhesive already on it or will I have to do that myself?

[Clerlic]

I believe it's usually the socket type, since newer CPU's tend to use more pins. About the heat grease, all of my processors came clean, and the grease was in the same package as the fan.

[Murt]

I believe it's usually the socket type, since newer CPU's tend to use more pins. About the heat grease, all of my processors came clean, and the grease was in the same package as the fan.

Cheers....didn't quite understand those two bits, but now I think I have a fair idea of what I'm doing.

[Derelict]

How do you guys know how to build a PC? Did you find a guide somewhere, or is it just really obvious where everything goes?

A lot of it you have to find a guide for, such as finding compatible parts, etc. but most of it is pretty obvious. Things like installing your video card are really straightforward because there is (usually) four or five slots and it goes into which ever one fits. Most higher end cards need the external power cable thingy hooked in, but it usually says if that's required.

Some stuff you actually can't do without a manual unless you fuckin made the thing and some stuff is just really obvious.

[Casalen]

Find an old computer and take it apart, good place to get an idea for what parts are and where they are. Then put it back together. That way you're not risking expensive things.

Be sure to ground yourself before messing with stuff, don't touch the circuits when you can avoid it (just the edges), and don't hook up the PSU backwards. That'll fry your board and maybe even shut down your house's power for a little while.

[lollercaust]

Another thing about the thermal adhesive, you may need to purchase it separately. I know I did, but it was only about 5 dollars in total. Make sure you find out so you're not forced to wait another week before putting your baby together.

[Mobius]

Arctic Silver 5 is the best thermal paste. Don't use that crap that came with the CPU.

[SODA]

www.ecollegepc.com
They have insane deals on prices, when their site is working... But I can confirm they are legit.

[fabz]

I used www.pricewatch.com. for everything on my PC and I never even had to go to newegg.com.

I've been going to that site for a long time and it not only has what I want and need all the time, its really really cheap.

When I built my PC it was thrown together pretty fast (about a day). The things I would watch for is, try not to build it on carpet, because if you accidentally shock the motherboard, it could blow up and then you would need a new mother board.

When putting something together like that, remember you get what you pay for.

[Jose]

What kind of programs are you installing into your new computer?

[SWiTCH]

Also, don't buy a cheap case. It's very important in keeping your pc cool.

[Lackie]

I haven't build one, but one of my friends did and he spent $600, I went out and spent $400 on a dell and ir was better than his. If you ask me sounds like a waste of time annd money.