Building My Own Computer

[pschokiller]

I know several of you have already done so, like Saber, but I was wondering where online you can find parts and like how-to guides, etc, since this will be the first one I build by myself. All I really need is information at this point, because I doubt I will buy parts until, ohhhh, a few months or so.

Any info will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[SpawnoChaos]

Here you go psychokiller, all the stuff that you will ever need :

Information-

www.buildyourown.org.uk

Hardware-

www.newegg.com
www.tigerdirect.com

If you have any questions, just ask.

[pschokiller]

OK, Thanks a lot Spawn, I knew I could count on your guru knowledge.

I just spent about 25-30 minutes looking at all the parts they had, and really like the tigerdirect website. When I saw all those parts tho, I got a little dumbfounded, I mean, how do you know which motherboards are the better ones? I'm sure it's buy maybe company, but what about specs? Also, With all these parts, how will I know how/where to attach them, and if I have all the parts. Are there any guides or anything? I'm starting to think that building my own computer may not be that smart of an idea.

Also, is Windows Horne really going to be worth the wait?


Oh yeah, when shopping for parts, where should I start? Prolly motherboard, since everything runs of that/ because of compatability issues?

[GimpMaster~*DS*~]

Normally you just start with a couple of well named brands.....like do you want Intel or AMD? Amd you'll get the best bang for your buck but Intel makes a mighty fine processor if you have lots of $$$. Then do you like nvidia or ati? For motherboards I'm partial to ASUS brand. So depending on the CPU you get you have to get the correct socket type. Mine is a socket 939 for Amd 3700+ processor.

Next you need to get some ram. I've always thought highly of Corsair and I purchases 2 X 1 Gig sticks of ram. Running the same ram in parallel you get added performance and speed.

Also Window Horn, Aka Long Horn, aka Windows Vista still won't be out for a while so for right now just stick with windows XP

[pschokiller]

Spamming monkey see, spamming monkey do.

My father now wants a new computer too, and asked me to build it for him. I got some parts for him, starting with
an Intel Socket 775 Motherboard.
Then I got dual Intel processors at 3.2 Ghz.
For him I am also getting (well, he paying) 3-one gb Ultra memory cards,
as well as 7.1 PCI Sound Card by TurtleBeach.
Also getting dual hard drives by Hitachi (250 gB at 7200 RPM).
Also a GeForce FX 5500 graphics card (256mb).
3 fans

still deciding on the cd/dvd burners

w/o the burners, the total comes to just under 2 grand.

Does anyone here think I should swap out some parts (mainly graphics/sound cards, cuz everything else sorta runs together/depends on each other).

anybody have recomendations for the burners.


@gimp- My father is sorta old fashioned and I dont think he would trust AMD b/c he never heard of it, and has been relying on Intel for a while now.

But, as for me, I am going with the more bang for the buck, and know that AMD is a good company, and its not worth the extra money to go to Intel (b/c u get Intel motherboard, u have to get Intel hard drives, processors, etc, all adding up quickly!)

thanks for all the help tho.

oh ya, general question-when I have all the parts, do I need to order like an empty computer to put them into as well? (Im a frigging iddiot, lol, such a noob)

[GimpMaster~*DS*~]

Yes you have to get a case as well. Antec is the case i have which is a very nice well thought out case. Besure to get something with a 400W powersuply in it atleast.

Your dads getting such a nice computer with a crappy video card. Hopefully he doesn't plan on gaming.

By the way there is no such thing as intel hard drive. Just intel processor/mother board. Everything else is universal.

[pschokiller]

lol, oops, duh, the hard drive is by HItachi, thanks for pointing that out, and yes, I realize the graphics card sux, but he dont play games (too busy yelling at me for playing so much ;D)

Anyways, I really appreciate all the help Gimp, by the way, in the case, what does the 400 w thing or w/e mean, is that like protection?

Oh ya, forgot to mention this:

this was just a rough idea/outline b/c my dad wanted to compare prices (comparable pc at dell = around 2700 dollars).

also, my dad doesn't think I can do it by myself (he's not exactly an engineer or anything) but, I think I coninced him cuz I should him the ohter website Spawn gave me and he like the details.

This will be good practice for when I will build MY computer.

[GimpMaster~*DS*~]

The motherboard has really nice detailed directions on what to do and when. Its all really easy since there are pictures and stuff in the manual you'll get with the motherboard.

the 400W means 400 Watts of power. Think of your speakers. You need a lot of power to run a pentium computer.

[keysersoze73]

Make sure you have adequate Power and Cooling for the case.....Heat can make PC's run funky.

Also I would swap out the fx5500 graphics card.

My question to you is what made you decide between the intel versus the amd? I had my reasons for going the exact opposite way based on a number of reviews and info from "tom's Hardware". I take it the proc is a Dual Core and not necessarily two physically seperate procs in 2 sockets on the Mobo?

[pschokiller]

Well, for my pops, I'd think he wouldn;t go to the AMD, cuz he s been wit Intel for a while, and as for the last part you said, dohh?.

[pschokiller]

Quick question, does it matter what type of hard drive I get, I mean, is my motherboard compatibile with whatever hard drive I get?

OK-heres the deal, My dad is letting me build a computer for his office (500 dollar max). I just ordered the parts, but have one question, do I need a sound card for the comp to use sound, cuz i didnt get one of those.

Also, I might be asking questions here frequently when the parts arrive, so SPawn, Im counting on you, lol.

[SaberRed6~*DS*~]

well, your harddrive will either be IDE or sata. All motherboards have IDE ports but i am not sure if they all have sata. Yours is most likely ide though, the only sata harddrives ive seen are the raptors.

And as for your dads sound. The motherboard should have an integrated sound card, but it wont be very good. Meaning if you are trying to hook surround sound speakers to it or play games with high quality sound you would need to get a new one.

[pschokiller]

OK, thanks, as for the sound, this computer is strictly for my dads company, and just needs the minimum requirements. Nobody will be playing any games on it, just word documents, and surfing the net.

I really appreciate the help, and my motherboard name had Serial ATA and my hard drive is ATA, so will that work?

[SaberRed6~*DS*~]

I beleive it should, but don't quote me on it.