Building your own Computer

[ColtsLax]

Ive screwed around with some old towers and stuff, to get the hang of building a PC and not having to worry about ruining expensive stuff. But now that im staring college straight in the face, i realized that im going to need a computer to last for four years, and id prefer if i could build and service it myself. So my questions are where should i start, how much will it cost(range) Intel or AMD, which Mobo? Ive been browsing around Newegg, and it think i know that im going to go with the ATI Raedeon 1600

Also, i was wondering how hard would it be to build a laptop from scratch? Ive seen that some companies sell barebones cases, and you add the memory, harddrive, cpu, GC and OS

The usual use btw, surfing, word processing, and gaming.

[JoshM]

How much are you concerned about gaming?

[truste1]

How much are you concerned about gaming?

Probably one of the biggest deciding factors when doing this.

I built mine a few years ago and I kind of just jumped into it. It's definitely cheaper, and it's fun, and rewarding knowing you built it yourself.

Look at parts and read reviews and stuff on NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com).

[enjoi]

Ive screwed around with some old towers and stuff, to get the hang of building a PC and not having to worry about ruining expensive stuff. But now that im staring college straight in the face, i realized that im going to need a computer to last for four years, and id prefer if i could build and service it myself. So my questions are where should i start, how much will it cost(range) Intel or AMD, which Mobo? Ive been browsing around Newegg, and it think i know that im going to go with the ATI Raedeon 1600

Also, i was wondering how hard would it be to build a laptop from scratch? Ive seen that some companies sell barebones cases, and you add the memory, harddrive, cpu, GC and OS

The usual use btw, surfing, word processing, and gaming.
If you go laptop: Don't bother building your own. Most everything in laptops is propiertary anyways, you might as well spend the extra cash and get a super nice warranty.

[NY Lax 4]

I wouldn't reccomend building your own laptop. If you are going to be gaming go AMD but no gaming go Intel. What is your price range? You can get something really nice for 800-1500 on newegg.

[ColtsLax]

yeah, no more than 1500, and the laptop thing was just kind of a musing than an actual serious thought, thanks. i think my biggest dilema is choosing my motherboard. And i want to play like call of duty. so i want to atleast meet those requirements.

[JoshM]

yeah, no more than 1500, and the laptop thing was just kind of a musing than an actual serious thought, thanks. i think my biggest dilema is choosing my motherboard. And i want to play like call of duty. so i want to atleast meet those requirements.
You have to be completely certain on the gaming issue. If COD is all you want to play, you should have no problems.

I, personally, would get an SLI mobo, this way you can get one mid-range graphics card, and if you decide you want to get more into gaming later, you can get another card that's exactly the same.

I'd get 1.5 gigs of RAM, at least an AMD 3200+, maybe a geforce 6800.

For mobos, look at nforce, but I strongly reccomend SLI.

Does 1500 include a monitor?

[NY Lax 4]

I just estimated and for 1400 you can get an amazing gaming setup that includes a 19" samsung lcd monitor.

If I were you I would get a 12" powerbook.

[JoshM]

Hell, for 1500 I would get an Alienwear.

[ColtsLax]

see, i like the powerbook, but i dont know if im ready to abandon windows for apple, id rather dual Linux with XP before that

[soclax15]

As far as processors go, I would recommend AMD over Intel no matter what your purposes are. In my opinion, AMD Athlon 64's are far superior to anything Intel has to offer right now. I just bought an Athlon 64 3500+ for my parents and it's terriffic. With an AMD however, make sure your cooling system is top notch, because they do tend to run quite a bit hotter than Intels do. I agree with SLI motherboards, that's what I'm running and I like it. I wouldn't get more than a gig of RAM right now, it's really not necessary to have more than that, and you could realistically run just fine with 512 MBs. As for where to buy, I would recommend Tigerdirect.com as well as Newegg. They often have some amazing rebate deals if you don't mind a little paperwork.

[zak]

Look around in your area for a computer exchange type store. Lots of hardware is cheaper than newegg etc. Maybe a smaller range of choices, but you cant beat the prices. Plus, no shipping, and someone who can help you face to face.

[JoshM]

As far as processors go, I would recommend AMD over Intel no matter what your purposes are. In my opinion, AMD Athlon 64's are far superior to anything Intel has to offer right now. I just bought an Athlon 64 3500+ for my parents and it's terriffic. With an AMD however, make sure your cooling system is top notch, because they do tend to run quite a bit hotter than Intels do. I agree with SLI motherboards, that's what I'm running and I like it. I wouldn't get more than a gig of RAM right now, it's really not necessary to have more than that, and you could realistically run just fine with 512 MBs. As for where to buy, I would recommend Tigerdirect.com as well as Newegg. They often have some amazing rebate deals if you don't mind a little paperwork.
I disagree about the RAM. I think you need at least a gig, 1.5 gig if you're into gaming.

[soclax15]

I disagree about the RAM. I think you need at least a gig, 1.5 gig if you're into gaming.

Allow me to put it this way. If it comes down to the price line and you have to choose, I would rather get a faster processor or video card and decrease the RAM for non-gaming. Ram can be upgraded easily and inexpensively when the time comes around. That's just my two cents.

[JoshM]

Allow me to put it this way. If it comes down to the price line and you have to choose, I would rather get a faster processor or video card and decrease the RAM for non-gaming. Ram can be upgraded easily and inexpensively when the time comes around. That's just my two cents.
Oh, I agree. But if you're willing to spend the money, go for the extra RAM as well.

[Krypt0M4g!c]

I just estimated and for 1400 you can get an amazing gaming setup that includes a 19" samsung lcd monitor.

If I were you I would get a 12" powerbook.

CRT is the only way to play PC games.

I can't wait till SED tv's come out, flat panel CRT's....... mmmmmmmmmm

[JoshM]

CRT is the only way to play PC games.


Umm, no...

[LCNlaxman]

I'd suggest AMD. Better bang for your buck.

Tomorrow when i have some time, i'll set up a computer for ya. (Meaning, give you links and information on the computer i'd suggest)

[zak]

Umm, no...
I hear opposite. Arent the refresh rates faster on crt?

[ExiledinIN]

Check out anandtech.com for monitor reviews, especially LCD. CRT is the best way to go as the reponse time is better on CRT vs. LCD. Although newer LCD monitors are getting faster, color and response time is still the best on CRT.

[Krypt0M4g!c]

Umm, no...
Umm... yes.

It's a given. Tube displays have better pictures than anything else, they are just bigger.

SED will change the bulky part. http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/10010/Toshiba-Shows-SED-Prototype-for-the-First-Time/

[JoshM]

Umm... yes.

It's a given. Tube displays have better pictures than anything else, they are just bigger.

SED will change the bulky part. http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/10010/Toshiba-Shows-SED-Prototype-for-the-First-Time/
I've not noticed a difference, I've played on both CRT and LCD. The refresh rates aren't a problem, as long as you have at least 8ms.

[tomahawks11]

i could never build my own computer.... WAY to complicated for me

[JoshM]

i could never build my own computer.... WAY to complicated for me
It's not that difficult.

[atacklax]

It's not that difficult.
We should have a tutorial on the forums: Build Your Own Computer! Might work. Probably not.

[JoshM]

We should have a tutorial on the forums: Build Your Own Computer! Might work. Probably not.
PC Gamer had a great tutorial on it.

[atacklax]

PC Gamer had a great tutorial on it.
Link? Or was it just in the magazine?

[SullyLax]

Link? Or was it just in the magazine?

If there's enough interest I could do one, but there are several dozen great ones (with pictures, and everyone loves pictures) on the internet already.

[whslax1990]

I wouldnt spend more than 1000 on a good pc. Built mine for 600, greatest pc ive ever owned. I posted the specs in some other thread so let me find the link real quick

EDIT: heres everything

BenQ 17" lcd monitor
Pentium 4 hyperthreading 2.40 GHZ
Antec P160W case
Cool blue neons (bass activated)
Ati radeon 9600
Creative sound blaster Audigy 5.1 surround
Sunbeam tech media unit
NEC DVD-RW
Creative PC-DVD DxR2 (old school dvd reader)
Western digital 60 gig 7200 rpm
Western digital 30 gig 7200 rpm
Altec Lansing 5.1 surrond speakers VS3151 (not recomended by the way, peices of crap)
Cooler master squirrel fan cpu cooler with cool top gun type controler on case
2x 3/12 floppy's which are now obsolete thanks to my 1gb jump drive
idn about my power supply
Microsoft wireless optical mouse 2.0
Microsoft keyboard with fingerprint reader
Ipod nano w/ dock
ASUS P4S800 mobo
Dual channel
Old epson scanner for dvd covers
Lexmark Z45 printer
dual channel 2x 250mb memory, forgot brand + Rosewill 512mb memory

Keep in mind that was only 600

[ColtsLax]

where did you get all that from, mostly the PC components, not the ipod and stuff, or the speakers and all that, i have good speakers

[beach2300]

I dont think you need to drop the extra cash on the SLI mobo, but it could come in handy if you are really truely going to get into gaming.

Socket 939 is the way to go at the moment. Take a look at the higher end AMD procs with Venice cores. They are more stable then the lower end. opteron(sp?) are also a very good choice as they run stable with the ability to overclock.

Dont skimp on the mobo. It is what everything is going to be based of of. So if its a choice between a 3200 proc with a nice mobo or a 3500 with an ok mobo, then go with the first.

Ram- gig or better. At the current price, there is no reason to get less then a gig of ram.

HDD- if it were me I would run with two drives. one with the operating system...ect on it. The other with music/programs...ect.

Ill look into specific parts and post later.

[whslax1990]

sorry about that guys some of those components were previously owned. Still though that whole setup w/o the ipod was no more than 850. Got the speakers and most everything else of newegg.com zipzoomfly.com and mwave.com I recomend newegg but check zipzoomfly has free shipping.

[Krypt0M4g!c]

Socket 939 is the way to go at the moment.

939 is only for certain (mostly newer) AMD 64, and AMD 64 FX cpu's.

Just make sure to get a mobo that matches your CPU socket.

[Alex]

If you're thrifty, you can build one that does everything except games for ~300.

www.fatwallet.com/forums - Hot Deals and Deals Discussions
forums.anandtech.com - Hot Deals - has more proprietary computer stuff
www.slickdeals.net

You can pick up the RAM for under 50, case for under 30, cpu/mobo together for under 100 (esp if you have Fry's near you), HD free after rebate, etc., the comp will last you at least 2 years, at which time you can simply upgrade. I built mine in April 2004 and it's still going fine now (mild overclock). It will probably last longer as well, unless the new Windows is really bulky and widely adopted. Let me know if you need any help with finding the parts or the assembly, just built my mom one as an xmas gift.