How hard is it to build a new PC?

[kas187]

The reason i ask is because im considering buying/building my own PC dedicated to capturing/convertin. I have asked before on the types of hardware required and have got sound advice but just wondering how long it takes to personally build one.

Im a newbie so i would have to research bigtime but just to get an insight from the professional here, and if there are any good guides on the net.

thanks kas

[Dhruv]

It varies from person to person.

How long have you been using computers for? Can you currently open up your computer and install components?

The big question you've got to ask yourself is Are you comfortable with having a possible risk of totally messing up your hardware?

If I were you I would go to a local computer parts dealer and just ask if you can watch them assemble a few computers so you can get to understand what they are doing. That ought to give you a guideline as to whether you should do it yourself or not.

[kas187]

thanks for the reply Dhruv,

ive been using computers for a while and the only thing i have installed is extra memory, thats about it. Thanks for the suggestion of going to a local computer parts dealer, ill think about it.


kas

[pixel]

I would say it isn't too difficult.

Nowadays almost all hardware comes with installation instructions, even if you buy OEM hardware, you can still usually get instructions from the manufacturers website.

If you are going to get involved with vid editng, you are eventually going to have to open your PC up, even if it is just for changing a graphics card.

Building one can take any amount of time, depending on user preference. My current PC is a work in progress because started building it a few months back, and finished it, but then I started adding more hardware to it, and have yet to finish it. (Hopefully in a couple of weeks though.)

If you get all the hardware you need all together, you could easily build it, install windows, and all the drivers within a day.

(Just a suggestion, usually the most difficult part for any newbie is choosing the right mobo, processor and RAM. I would probably suggest a "bundle kit" that has the mobo, processor and RAM all included.)

[pixel]

A website like this may help you Build your own.

There are lots of other sites like this, just google it.

[Faustus]

Get someone who knows a little more about it to help you choose your parts. Have them explain why they choose what. Then once you have parts you know work together just do it yourself. Its not that hard these days, no jumpers or anything to set except on hard drives and optical drives.

Its more like Legos then computer building now. If you mess up or have any questions I'm sure anyone here would be glad to help.

[SLICK RICK]

I just finished building my own about a month ago (very first one). Check out the pics here I have never been inside a computer until 6 monts ago, when I installed a USB 2.0 pci card in my old system. From there it went to a firewire card, more memory, and a 120GB second hard drive. I had a friend I met on this site help me with details after starting it up. But I pretty much built it all my self.

This might help you out.

http://www.buildyourowncomputer.net/learntobuild.html

Good luck, just a quick tip, get a good tool kit. I boughy one from Belkin (55 piece).

SLICK RICK

[SLICK RICK]

One more thing, If you do decide to build your own and you run into any problems, ask questions here. We have alot of very intelligent people here and I could not have done mine without them.

SLICK RICK

[g_shocker182]

Be prepared to lay down quite a bit of money, especially for the mobo and processer.

[pixel]

Be prepared to lay down quite a bit of money, especially for the mobo and processer.

That's why I suggested a bundle kit like this: http://komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?action=info&sku=120713&p=&t=1397&l=2&AvdID=1&CatID=44&GrpID=1&cks=PRL

They probably aren't the best parts, but its easier for someone new to computers.

[Roundabout]

One other note, IMO you are much better off building your own, for more than one reason. First of all, you get the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself (brag factor w/ friends). Secondly, if you have a problem, you already know what's inside and how it works, and have more confidence about noodling around with it (no worries about voiding the warranty, either, because you opened it up - lots of mfgrs will void your warranty for this). Third, YOU get to choose what goes inside, not the mfgr. That's important, because many of them cut corners on components wherever they can - for example, EMachines (already a cheap brand) uses FIC Mobo's, the worst brand out there. You can choose an ASUS, or other well known reliable brand. You're only limited by your budget. Fourth, and very important, if you've ever tried to upgrade an HP or other brand, you run into all kinds of issues about what will physically fit into the case. I spent hours trying to upgrade a friend's HP, where the PS blocked where I needed to add components, there was no room for extra HD's, etc. When you buy a standard ATX case, you won't have these issues. Although you won't save tremendous amount of money building your own, you will save some, and you will know that you can upgrade anytime without problems. What others have suggested about buying a combo kit (or barebones) - getting the Mobo and Processor in one deal, can sometimes save money. If you're in California (or a few other places), you can go to Fry's or PC Club and find some pretty good deals like these. Every week Fry's has some Mobo/CPU combo for a decent price - I think this week it's a Athlon XP 2600 + Mobo (don't know what brand) for $139.00 - don't quote me on that, I don't have the ad in front of me, but I think that's what I saw.
Definitely, build your own! It's the only way to go, IMHO.

[g_shocker182]

They probably aren't the best parts...

Would that not defy the purpose?

[RayH]

Assembling a computer isn't difficult. Trying to figure out what parts you want is. It keeps changing all the time.

An Intel CPU on a motherboard with an Intel chipset will probably assemble the easiest.

Watch the shipping charges. Purchase your items from a place that has a no hassle warranty. There are a lot of defective items out there. Purchase your power supply, motherboard, RAM, video card, and CPU from the same place. Sometimes if one fries, it takes other things with it! If you purchase in one place, the vendor will make good.

[gmatov]

Kas,

You are talking about 1 hour, max, of assembly time.

Comps are, now, the easiest thing in the world to build..

If you decide to buy a "barebones", which will be a case, MoBo, CPU, possibly RAM, it will be assembled for you, all you have to do for that part is make sure nothing shook loose in transit..

IF your board has a jumper selectable Buss, you will have to check that the vendor has the right pins jumpered, 100 or 133.

Now, you add your RAM, if it didn't come with the "barebones", HDD, Floppy, CDs, Vid card, if you don't like the one on board, plug in, load the OS, and you are up and running.

There are guys on this site who have built quite a few, there are guys on this site who build them for a living, therte are guys on this site who have never opened their box before, and found that with a little discretion, and maybe a few well phrased questions, found that they could do it themselves.

Please don't be afraid that you are somehow going to screw something up.. It is not as easy as it once was to screw up. You can't put the power cables on in reverse order and burn up the board, as you could with the AT board. The worst you can do is get the cable to the Floppy backwards. All the other drives have gone to a "keyed" connector, you can't connect them wrong.

Go for it Get a box, a board, a CPU and RAM, use your own Vid card, net card, whatever else you already have, unless it is in addition to rather than a replacement, then buy a 10 buck net card, use the onboard vid till you decide what you want. The onboard vid chip is getting better with every board release.

Cheers,

George

You know you can get all the help you need here, right?

For Roundabout,

A computer is an inherently upgradeable machine. Breaking a little piece of tape will in NO way void your warranty. In fact, nothing WILL. The worst that can happen if you buy a Dell or something with, say, Win ME on it,which you replace with W2k or something is they will tell you they will only support it with the original OS, as they shipped it with. I HAVE gone through that with a few clients. Reload the original OS and the tech support is there all over, again/

[Roundabout]

A computer is an inherently upgradeable machine. Breaking a little piece of tape will in NO way void your warranty.

Probably true. But the implied threat is still there, and I'm sure many have been concerned about opening their PC if it has a sticker on it that says in bold type "Warranty Void if sticker is broken". They could use it as an excuse to void the warranty, even if you did no damage. "Mmm. You took out the CPU and didn't use an ESD strap?" Maybe this never happens. My only point was, you don't have to worry at all about it if you built it yourself.

[gmatov]

Roundabout,

That's true. Most people would hesitate to break a seal.
Nevertheless, a computer is exempt from that taboo, as everyone knows, including our lawmakes, law interpreters, that they are upgradeable.

The OEMs admit to this by offering to sell you more RAM, and other upgrades, and they do not ask that you send the machine back, they will send you a pictorial on exactly how to do the upgrade.

Cheers,

George

[pixel]

They probably aren't the best parts...

Would that not defy the purpose?

Sorry, the email notifications aren't working properly again.

It is just the RAM that isn't the best. I think it is cheap, non branded OEM memory that they are selling.

Everything else is OK (don't know about the cpu fan, also looks cheap, but luckily i don't use AMD :P so I don't suffer from common overheating problems usually linked with AMD).

(Not that I'm saying AMD is a poor brand, I just choose not to use them).

[jgandara]

I have built 4 comps so far. You will ned this:

+ CPU
+ Motherboard (Depending on the CPU). If intel check the cpu type (newer are 487). Yuo have like 3 sizes. ATX is better and bigger (diff is in # of ports, slots...)
+ Heatsink. Very important!, goes in top of the CPU and it keeps it cool. Sometimes it comes w/ CPU, but is better to get a better one
---> Sometimes you can get this as a package called barebone or CPU/Mobo combo
+ Videocard. GEt AGP card, avoid PCI
+ Memory. Must be compatible with/ mobo. The motherboard says what is the compatible memory
+ Case
+ Power supply (sometimes comes w/case). Check CPU for requires wattage. Most P4 require 350W or above.
+ HD. Newer HD are serial ATA, so check if you motherboard supports SATA or regular IDE
+ CD/DVD drives. Need an available IDE connector.

You have to be carefult when installing the componets, specially the CPU and memory. Most people fry their computers because of bad CPU installation. This is an experimatnation and be aware that you need to spend some money if you scre_w it! This happened to me and believe me, you can burn a 100+ CPU in seconds.

I'd advice that you read as much as possible. I've seen guides very complete. It's fun and easy after you do it the first time.

If you buy the parts in the internet, check http://www.pricewatch.com/ . BE aware that most stores charge 15% restocking fee (if your memory was not comaptible or something). Most people buy stuff on mwave.com or newegg.com.

Good luck

[Drakng]

Damned easy!!! Only problem is, at the final moment when the power button is pressed, holy shit!! the pc is not working. That when the headache begin!!