I want to build my own computer, any tips 4 me?

Question

I would like to start from scratch and build a pc from the ground up.But Ive never done it before. I was wondering if yall had any tips on the best way to start a project like this.. maybe some good sites to help me learn what i need..thanks for your help..

Answer 1

Start small. I would purchase a "barebones" kit (usually case, mobo, CPU, fan) a harddrive and some memory. You can run into a lot of complications even with most of the hard stuff taken care of. Check some of the sites listed and read up on the process (Toms Hardware has pictures). I find TigerDirect has good prices on barebone systems.

Answer 2

If you are bent on doing this, then the previous posts are great. But, fwiiw you will most likely spend more than purchasing a complete system.

Over the past 20 years I have looked into this every time I was shopping for a new system and I always bought a preconfigured system. I have built systems from scratch but that is only when I had a large number of spare parts to begin with.

All it takes is for you to ruin one small item during construction and you have lost all your savings plus some. Then there is the chance you did everything right and you got a bad component, now it is up to you to figure out why there is a random crash every few hours or so.... ram? over heat? bad hard drive?

Why more expensive to build yourself? If you are going to run WinXP then it will cost you about $130US, where it basically costs you $10 when you buy it preinstalled!!!! Another cause is the shipping charges add up for all the individual pieces. If you were to buy all the pieces from one supplier you could combine the shipping, but then that supplier most likely offers the system preassembled anyway!

I personally do not trust rebates because I seem to get burned more often than not. Some times my own fault for not reading the microscopic print, some times it just seems I never get the check.

So how do I buy a system? Typically I find the best price with minimal ram, video. These items I purchase and upgrade separately. Real simple, real effective.

Answer 3

I dont know any sites on this subject, but i have some tips (this is for if you want a nice gaming PC)
1. Get a nice BIG hard drive, possibly two.
2. Get an Intel CoreDuo processor
3. Get the nicest graphics card that you can afford.
4. Worry about the monitor LAST

Answer 4

Go to www.tiger-direct.com. I have found some nicely priced computer parts there. When you build the computer, make sure that everything is compatible. For example, if you buy a "socket a" motherboard, make sure that the processor is also "socket a" and make sure you have the correct type of ram (memory) too. Look at the detailed specifications of the motherboard for details on what processor to get and what type of ram, as well as video card (pci, agp, pci-express). Be sure to remember to get all the parts needed :

Motherboard
Ram
Video Card
Hard Drive
Cd Drive
Power supply, Case
Monitor
Operating system
Processor

Answer 5

first of all, study moonpiglets reaction. I accept as true with each a style of tips. You did no longer point out funds or what you would be using the rig for thus i'm going to spare you the element thoughts and assume you comprehend what you want. a million. do no longer throw something away. this potential bins, plastic wrap, ties, something. in case you get a lemon you will need those to return the object. 2. the only project with paying for factors over the years is attempting out. If it quite is achievable to purpose each and each piece because it is accessible on your ok. regrettably, it is complicated to do, quite if this rig would be a substantial improve over your final. for sure you are able to't attempt DDR2 reminiscence if all you have is a DDR motherboard. comparable with the cpu. you are able to't attempt a socket 775 Intel on an AMD board. i might heavily attempt to set the incremental purchase money aside till you are able to shop thoroughly. no longer basically will this make it much less complicated to purpose, yet new technologies may be launched meanwhile that could desire to force down the value of what you're procuring for. 3. Use the 6 month rule for technologies. I attempt to no longer purchase any new gizmos( new chipsets in mobos, new reminiscence technologies like DDR2 to DDR3, new gpu's and cpu's) till they have been launched 6 months. enable somebody else be the guniea pig and force the manufacturers to BIOS updates and rereleases and shop some eco-friendly in the approach. particular, maximum of it quite works out of the container yet have you ever been to a tech talk board or shopper overview internet site from the etailers? Spare your self the achievable issues. 4. in case you have already picked out a motherboard, acquire the instruction manual PDF formerly you purchase it. verify online for all boards that could communicate with reference to the board. comprehend all achievable themes formerly you build. i've got yet to fulfill the appropriate motherboard and that i continually comprehend what to assume as quickly as the build starts. understanding ahead of time that motheboard X would not like reminiscence Y or utility Z will make the build flow lots smoother. 5. on condition that your development it your self you do no longer could get caught with Vista. some like it. i do no longer. I want XP. it quite is definately no longer suitable notwithstanding it quite works. There are nevertheless motive force themes with Vista. as quickly as returned, wait 6 months and there will be a patch!

Answer 6

newegg.com will become your next best friend. also xoxide.com. its too long for me to go into it, but if you want step by step, search google for how to build a pc.

Answer 7

howthingswork.com

they will actually tell you what a computer needs.
what everything is used for, and what specific part does
what are different types and brands.

Very usefull website.

Answer 8

how to build your own pc.com
this might help you

Answer 9

this is a really good site ...http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/