How hard is it to build your own PC?

MathsParMathsPar New
edited August 2007 in Hardware
Just wondering how hard it would be for me as a beginner to build my own PC, have a lot of spare time this summer and fancy learning some new skills. Is it much cheaper than buying one already made in a shop? What are the most expensive components? What's the hardest thing to do?
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Comments

  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    edited May 2007
    It's not difficult at all. When I built my rig, I had nearly no computer experience whatsoever. I trawled some forums, and got a little handbook from a magazine. I got some help from a friend on what parts would be compatible, and where I should order from. I built the computer in a couple of hours. The hardest thing, I think, was to get all the connections right. Actually, the first time it didn't boot, because I had messed up where the On-button should be connected to the motherboard. The most expensive part on my computer was the video-card, I think. This depends on what sort of rig you want.
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited May 2007
    I am sorry maths, but asking that question here is like asking fish if it is hard to swim.
    It takes planing, lots of it. You will see a lot of threads here with people asking others to critique their component selection.
    I payed someone to put my first machine together. Then a friend of mine helped me with the second one. I have built 7 since then.
    The conceptual build (what do I want to do with this machine) comes first. Once you have an idea of what areas are more important to you then you can start selecting specific parts.

    Some parts are easier to work with than others. Some makes of motherboards are more straightforward, and some stuff just tends to be less trouble. Many of us here have been there.

    You won't save a huge amount, but you will have a machine that does what you need very well. And you will have a better understanding of how it is put together so that you can alter it in the future.
  • LincLinc Owner Detroit Icrontian
    edited May 2007
    edcentric wrote:
    You won't save a huge amount, but you will have a machine that does what you need very well. And you will have a better understanding of how it is put together so that you can alter it in the future.
    That's very true, and you may save money in that it will be easier upgrade piece-meal in the future.

    For me, the most nerve-racking part was trying to figure out if I'd applied the thermal paste to the processor right. Sure, it might not boot with it plugged in wrong, but incorrectly-applied thermal paste could fry the most expensive pieces. :eek3: I later learned it's not nearly as touchy as I first thought ;) Just stick you finger in a plastic bag and smear it around the processor so it's very lightly covered... and you're off to the races :)

    For prices, I suggest a quick tour around NewEgg.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited May 2007
    Thanks for the quick replies, so basically the key things are planning and compatibility. I'll come back again when I have some more detailed questions, away to do a bit of googling to get a broad idea.
  • miragemirage
    edited May 2007
    Knowing all the components in your computer, and having the ability to build/fix it is better than the best warranty you can get. :cool:
  • BuddyJBuddyJ Dept. of Propaganda OKC Icrontian
    edited May 2007
    MathsPar, building your first computer is an incredibly rewarding experience, and once you've got it figured out, it's as easy as stacking Lego bricks. I built my first system with the help of this forum's members six years ago, and I still use that machine. Because of their help, and the knowledge I gained, I've been able to upgrade it as needed instead of buying off-the-shelf systems, saving hundreds of dollars and lots of trouble. Figure out what you want, and we can take you step-by-step through the process!
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited May 2007
    Hehe I wish I could say I have saved hundred of bucks...thing is...I upgrade a lot more now. :D
  • LincLinc Owner Detroit Icrontian
    edited May 2007
    As a resource, you might want to check out the PCPer hardware leaderboard. It will show you some concept systems in different ranges. :)
  • floppybootstompfloppybootstomp Greenwich New
    edited May 2007
    Some good advice offered here :)

    As others have mentioned, you won't save a great deal but you will have a superior product to those 'tailor made' machines.

    Which, in a way, is a saving I suppose...... 'thinking'

    And by way of reminiscing, I turned to a forum for help when I carried out my first serious build - an Abit KT7 RAID with a Duron 800. It was Christmas time and Abit's site was closed, so I searched and came to: Icrontic.

    I remember it was a problem with me not fully understanding the RAID ports.

    Whatever, all these guys - mostly American (I'm UK) had my new build up and running in about 30 minutes.

    I was so impressed, I'm still here ;)
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited May 2007
    Thanks again guys, going to start making up plans but building wont begin until July I'd think as that's when pay cheques will start flowing in. Will tell you what components etc I'm thinking about buying once I decide what I want out of the system.
  • BuddyJBuddyJ Dept. of Propaganda OKC Icrontian
    edited May 2007
    Excellent. You've got plenty of time to do the planning so when it comes time to put it all together, everything should go smoothly.
  • WingaWinga Mr South Africa Icrontian
    edited May 2007
    I would agree that you probably wouldn't save money building a computer yourself as opposed to buying one but you would certainly have a better quality rig. Most computer shops that I have had dealings with build PC's as cheaply as possible so you end up with an entry level motherboard and a really cheap and nasty power supply. Probably two of the worst combinations you can get.

    Purchase the best core components you can within your budget and worry about the extras or the bling later.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited May 2007
    How do I get all the Hardware info of my current computer? Is there a bit in Control Panel? Just so I can see (and ask you guys) which parts of my current PC are worth saving. I know the Hard Drive is worth keeping because it's a Seagate 400GB one I bought last winter when my old one died (had installment advice thanks to the people on this website). The rest of the PC is about 5 years old and starting to show it's age.

    Anyway just from reading the label off the side I can say it has,

    3.2GHz Hyper Threading
    Intel Pentium 4 Processor
    512MB DDR
    16X DVD
    52X CD-RW (haven't made a CD in ages i.e since the novelty wore off)
    GeForce FX 5600 256MB / TV out / DVI

    I want the new PC to run as fast as possible so that would involve the DDR RAM and the processor yeah? Not too bothered about graphics for games but play a lot of movies on my current PC. I'm sort of thinking out loud here so most of this might seem like jibberish!

    My current PC is running OK but as I said it seems as if not too soon parts are going to start failing, already had a couple of sound and video problems. Also the benefits of building my new one is going to be learning an invaluable skill that will save me hassle and cash in the future and give me a better understanding of computers.

    By the way I found a helpful step by step guide here,
    http://www.tigerdirect.com/static/html/pcbuildingtips.html
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited May 2007
    Failing? How so?

    My guess it is just software issues.
  • botheredbothered Manchester UK
    edited May 2007
    When I built my first PC it cost around £1000. Every one I've built since seems to cost around £1000 but each time I get a lot more PC for the money. I could easily buy one for that money but as others have said I end up with a much better machine. All the help I've ever needed has come through this forum, no other resource is needed. These folk care and they know their stuff.
  • LincLinc Owner Detroit Icrontian
    edited May 2007
    MathsPar wrote:
    How do I get all the Hardware info of my current computer? Is there a bit in Control Panel?
    Right-click My Computer -> Properties -> Hardware tab -> Device Manager. That'll let you browse your hardware.
    MathsPar wrote:
    already had a couple of sound and video problems
    I wouldn't expect parts to randomly fail. Most issues have a solution if you elaborate in another thread. :) You'd also be surprised how much a reformat can freshen up a system if you've never done that before (just be sure to backup everything first). Not trying to dissuade you from building a new system - I like the idea - just giving you more info.
  • dragonV8dragonV8 not here much New
    edited May 2007
    If you can lay your hands on an old comp, like a PIII or something, you could practice on that first.
    Just over 4 years ago, i built my first comp with assistance from the folk at SM. Since then, i built over 30 for personal use.

    Also if you want info about what is inside your comp, including hardware, software, etc, download Belarc. Good free program.

    Here is Short-Media's own "How to build a computer from hardware to software". This was done in Oct 2003.

    Jon
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited May 2007
    I personally like Sisoft Saundra and CPU-Z but I usually know what I put in my computers by heart. :)
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited June 2007
    It's not failing anymore really and most major problems I've had Short-Media have found an answer for. Just though I'd sign in to say I found an online book through WikiBooks - http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Assemble_A_Desktop_PC
    Could prove useful.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited June 2007
    A little update,

    Reading my way through that Wikipedia guide, reckon I'll go for the Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Socket 775 2.4GHz from http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=44HD.

    Been checking Motherboards and one from that league table looked good, 'EVGA's NVIDIA nForce 680i Chipset for the Intel Platform', although apparently there are chipset problems - http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTI0NCwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

    Do you guys know any more about these chipset problems? The article is from last December so maybe it's fixed now?
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited June 2007
    One thing I've learned from years of experience - the cheapest mobo's always cause the greatest problems. Asus mobo's are generally rock solid and reliable and have excellent support. They are often more expensive but if you are a first time builder buy a quality foundation.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited June 2007
    Beginning to think the Intel P965 motherboards might be better suited for me, so an Asus one with that is what I'm after then? Still trying to take in all this info I'm reading everywhere lol.

    Any guidance on other types of Motherboards would be appreciated.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited June 2007
    Asus P5B-E Plus Skt 775 Intel P965 Core2 Extreme / Core2 Duo 1066FSB PCI-E x16 SATA RAID Firewire Giga LAN 8 ch. Audio ATX socket 775 motherboard

    http://www.pcupgrade.co.uk/productdetails.asp?ProductID=2563&categoryid=260

    Thoughts?

    Would this Hard Drive work with it? http://www.pctechonline.co.uk/home/product_detail.asp?id=676&catid=15&show=2

    Bought it when I replaced my Hard Drive at winter but not sure about the SATA, Ultra ATA stuff.


    EDIT: Here's some RAM I've been looking at too, 'OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-6400C4 Dual Channel Platinum Revision 2 XTC Series DDR2 (OCZ2P800R22GK)'

    http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-072-OC&tool=3

    EDIT2: Here's what I think is a good video card, might look for something cheaper though as it's not a priority... although I was thinking of trying out World of Warcraft eventually.

    XFX GeForce 7900 GS Video Card

    http://www.pricegrabber.co.uk/rating_getprodrev.php/product_id=30590767/id_type=masterid

    EDIT3: £30 cheaper for a 7600 GT

    http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4G23&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=geforce+7600&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited June 2007
    That's a good mobo and will suit you fine. That harddrive will work with it, in the future though you'll want to pick up Sata drives as ide(PATA) drives are being slowly phased out.

    That ram is also decent.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited June 2007
    Looking into Cases now and possibly Optical Drives. Which are the best websites that show cases and how do I know if my current one is the standard ATX size?

    Will probably get a whole new case as I'm thinking of giving my current PC to my parents after I take the Hard Drive out cause their PC is like over 10 years old, in exchange for a brand new monitor or speakers or something.
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited June 2007
    reminds me of this thread
    http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread.php?p=536602#post536602

    Yes, I found Icrontic in 2004 when I building my first box with a KT7A. I actually ended up with four KT7A-R machines, one of which is still in daily use.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited June 2007
    Okay, here's the list of my new PC so far.

    PC PLAN

    Power Supply:
    http://www.afterhours.co.uk/silverstone-zeus-st65zf-650w-psu-p-583.html - £78


    Processor:
    http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=44HD#specifications - £140


    Motherboard:
    http://www.pcupgrade.co.uk/productdetails.asp?ProductID=2563&categoryid=260 - £94


    Optical Drive:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000LSZKRE/ciaouk-ce-21/ref=nosim - £24


    RAM:
    http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-072-OC&tool=3 - £80


    Sound Card:
    http://www.ciao.co.uk/Creative_Sound_Blaster_X_Fi_Xtreme_Gamer__6577946#productdetail - £52


    Video Card:
    http://www.pricegrabber.co.uk/rating_getprodrev.php/product_id=30590767/id_type=masterid - £100

    http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4G23&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=geforce+7600&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0 - £70


    Case:
    http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=4KN3 - £49



    Running Total: 78 + 140 + 94 + 24 + 80 + 52 + 100/70 + 49 = £617 or £587

    Coolers: If needed
    http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=8757&page=118


    Any comments on my choices or ideas where I can get cheaper deals?

    I've probably missed something out, been a long day of trawling through websites. Keeping my current monitor and speakers for now at least, might see about changing them if my parents give me some cash for the remains of my old PC.

    I'll probably change my mind/find better deals before I actually start this as I wont be able to afford it all until mid Summer.
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited June 2007
    Looks solid. I like the PSU a lot.
    You might want to look for SATA drives, both the HDD and the optical. Just easier to work with the cables. I have a few Seagate 7200.10 drives and I like them a lot.
    Keep your eyes on the CPU price. The steps in the pricing tend to shift. In a couple of weeks you might be able to move up for almost nothing, or move down a little and save a bunch.

    Today I would go with the 7600GS video and plan on upgrading to DX10 next year.
    Sound card? Maybe you should try the onboard sound first. Unless you plan on recording a lot then you should look at something better.

    You have the right plan. Keep looking and refining.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited June 2007
    "You might want to look for SATA drives, both the HDD and the optical. Just easier to work with the cables. I have a few Seagate 7200.10 drives and I like them a lot."

    Have an Ultra ATA 400GB one I bought for my current PC last Christmas so will use that for now but look for SATA if I ever want more memory (lol greedy).

    "Keep your eyes on the CPU price. The steps in the pricing tend to shift. In a couple of weeks you might be able to move up for almost nothing, or move down a little and save a bunch.

    Today I would go with the 7600GS video and plan on upgrading to DX10 next year.
    Sound card? Maybe you should try the onboard sound first. Unless you plan on recording a lot then you should look at something better."

    Thanks for the advice, will the onboard one be good for movies and music? With that and the cheaper video card should save me £82.
  • MathsParMathsPar New
    edited July 2007
    Prices seem to fluxuate quite a bit for the parts, some gone up ten pounds, others gone down a bit. Nice to see the ram coming down a little, want to get good ram. Probably be buying parts at the end of the month so will do another revise then.

    Anyone got any links to sites with their build guides like the anandtech link, http://anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=2973, already suggested?
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