Whats the best way to buy the "build-your-own" compy

[biggestmexi]

Would you recommend buying things only on sale or combo deals and such and wait a little while?

Or buy everything at ONCE?

And how hard is it to put the computer together. The physical part.

I have never done that before but i can figure out the putting the components together and makeing them compatible. And OS is not a big deal as I can get one.



edit after adding the tag: I tried to type computer builing in the tag bar. And well then it suggested compulsive masterbator what the fudge

[JPMNICK]

i think the best thing to do is go to one site, like www.newegg.com, and get every thing in one shot.

it is not hard to do, and is a fun weekend project. it will take like 2 hours to do everything. the hardest part is mounting the cooler onto the chip. once that is done, it is smooth sailing

[biggestmexi]

i think the best thing to do is go to one site, like www.newegg.com, and get every thing in one shot.

it is not hard to do, and is a fun weekend project. it will take like 2 hours to do everything. the hardest part is mounting the cooler onto the chip. once that is done, it is smooth sailing

do you need thermal ?grease?/?compund? Whatever it is?

could you walkit through just the basics?

And why at once? I do not need it RIGHT away but i NNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDD a new compy. My compy is a 900MHz slowbaddon:glurps:.

[oldladyfacepuncher]

i think the best thing to do is go to one site, like www.newegg.com, and get every thing in one shot.

it is not hard to do, and is a fun weekend project. it will take like 2 hours to do everything. the hardest part is mounting the cooler onto the chip. once that is done, it is smooth sailing

I agree, especially if you're in a hurry. I tried waiting for sales, but it's just easier to buy everything in one shot. You'll be saving some money by building your own anyway, so there's no need to torture yourself shopping.

I use newegg too. Read the worst reviews on the components, as they often suggest alternatives that will get you more bang for the buck.

It's not hard to assemble everything, most things will only fit in one slot or connector.

[JPMNICK]

best thing to do is hit the sweet spot for every component. like right now 750GB hard drives offer the most in terms of GB/dollar. same can usually be said of processors. do not go high end, but spend the extra 30 bucks to bump up a few levels if you can.

make sure the RAM matches your Mobo and chipset combo. also get a decent power supply, not some shitty one that comes with a case for free.

[JPMNICK]

oh and do not put to much stock into the sites like tomshardware.com and anadtech.com.

they measure systems like car and driver measures cars. they only take on the fastest and most expensive and then compare it to other high end items that are over clocked.

look for a very stable middle of the road mother board

[biggestmexi]

best thing to do is hit the sweet spot for every component. like right now 750GB hard drives offer the most in terms of GB/dollar. same can usually be said of processors. do not go high end, but spend the extra 30 bucks to bump up a few levels if you can.

make sure the RAM matches your Mobo and chipset combo. also get a decent power supply, not some shitty one that comes with a case for free.

are there some good power supplys that are not "NAME" brand by chance?

Also what a good number. i planned on around 500w.

and i take it power supply supplied cases are the crap.

and do you really need a fancy case. I would like a nicer looking cheap case. as it doesnt really matter to me.

[JPMNICK]

are there some good power supplys that are not "NAME" brand by chance?

Also what a good number. i planned on around 500w.

and i take it power supply supplied cases are the crap.

and do you really need a fancy case. I would like a nicer looking cheap case. as it doesnt really matter to me.

you do not need an expensive case, but you want to spend around 75 bucks or so for a power supply.

500w should be fine

[biggestmexi]

you do not need an expensive case, but you want to spend around 75 bucks or so for a power supply.

500w should be fine

and if i want it to light up like an ufo?

JUST KIDDING. thanks for the advice

[biggestmexi]

could you possibly try to build me one around 600-750 dollars

[JPMNICK]

just a general PC, or do you do gaming or anything? what do you use it for?

[oldladyfacepuncher]

are there some good power supplys that are not "NAME" brand by chance?

Also what a good number. i planned on around 500w.

and i take it power supply supplied cases are the crap.

This is where the reviews come in handy. Check out the high end ones, and read the reviews. There should be plenty of comparable suggestions in the reviews. I have had good luck with PSs included with the case, but I have backups on hand just in case.

As for wattage, it will depend on what you plan on building. What will you be using your computer for?

and do you really need a fancy case. I would like a nicer looking cheap case. as it doesnt really matter to me.

Get a well ventilated case. See if you can find one with screened vents too. You need to have at least one intake and one exhaust fan on opposite sides of the case.

[biggestmexi]

just a general PC, or do you do gaming or anything? what do you use it for?

home/ media center.

would like hdmi and blu-ray.

and i know those are pricey atleasy the bluray.

and do these bluray drives in the compy upscale DVD's?

[MobCounty]

x2 for newegg.com I have used them many times and they have never failed.

I would find a build that someone did, and copy that or pick all your hardware and post your list on a board with a solid knowledge base.

I built my own and there are a couple key choices to make it all work.

[JustJon]

building a pc is pretty fun. I'd recommend getting a list of parts together, buying them at one and doing it right the first time.

My computer build from last September (http://www.flickr.com/photos/justjon/sets/72157602472259232/)

And I always like MaximumPC, either magazine or www.maximumpc.com, for reviews. They're fairly even handed and keep in mind the level of enthusiast/price point. Plus they write good guides on how to build it.

[Captain Awesome]

I know you want to try to buy everything in one place, but you might want to check TigerDirect for their motherboard/processor combo's. I've built 4 machines using deals I got from there and saved a ton of money. Some even include RAM or video cards for under $400. That's a huge part of what you're looking for.

[SatCam]

do you need thermal ?grease?/?compund? Whatever it is?

yea you do. It might come with the processor, but I would suggest getting a tube of $5 arctic silver........ actually, if you know anyone who has built a computer, see if they have any. A tube has enough compound for several builds.

Also, invest in a good heatsink&fan for your cpu

[LordJezo]

If you want a seriously good PSU then get a Corsair.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001459+40000058&Manufactory=1459&SubCategory=58&SpeTabStoreType=0

I put the 520 in mine, the thing is sex. Modular cables too so you only need to plug in what you need, cutting back on case clutter. They are some of the best power supplies out there and have been ranked as having the most stable power output to push everything in your system.

With the Arctic Silver and all that stuff, most new chips come with it on there from the factory and unless you are going to be overclocking it you wont need anything more. The Intel Core 2 Duo chips are the best for the money and retail come with a heavy duty fan so you wont need to buy anything extra. They are a pain in the ass to mount on the motherboard but once it's on there it won't budge.

[romerocortez]

new egg is really good. what you do is buy a barebones pc with a motherboard and a processor then get RAM, a hard drive, and whatever else you need.

[JustJon]

With the Arctic Silver and all that stuff, most new chips come with it on there from the factory and unless you are going to be overclocking it you wont need anything more. The Intel Core 2 Duo chips are the best for the money and retail come with a heavy duty fan so you wont need to buy anything extra. They are a pain in the ass to mount on the motherboard but once it's on there it won't budge.

I've been using a system fan, but I need to run with the door off because of it. I'm going to buy a Zalman 9700 to really crank down the temps.

[JPMNICK]

I've been using a system fan, but I need to run with the door off because of it. I'm going to buy a Zalman 9700 to really crank down the temps.

i was thinking of getting one of those too, my fans are just so loud right now i need to get it more quiet

[PapaBear]

In addition to a good power supply, I recently went for a good heatsink/fan combo instead of the standard ones for my latest build. I got an AC Freezer Pro. It looks like a beast, but it does a terrific job cooling the cpu, and it's very quiet.

http://lp.pcmoddingmy.com/albums/userpics/AC/FreezerPro/normal_4.jpg

I also agree with buying a cheap case. Just make sure you get one that will allow for plenty of expansion. I get most of my stuff from Newegg, but I've gotten all my cases from Geeks.com. Geeks has plenty of them dirt cheap. Of all the stuff I've gotten from Geeks, there have been a few problems, but they are always very good about fixing the problems. One case I ordered came to me dented. When I called them up, they sent me a new one, and said not to even worry about sending the old one back.

As for the thermal grease, the good heatsinks all come with it already applied. Some people like to buy a higher quality compound, but the stuff that came on the Freezer Pro was already very highly rated.

[LordJezo]

I've been using a system fan, but I need to run with the door off because of it. I'm going to buy a Zalman 9700 to really crank down the temps.

What are you running? I have an E 6600 in mine with a case that has a side vent panel and a plastic funnel thing that goes right on top of the chip to get the air circulating directly on top of the cpu and fan.

To the OP:

Here is my case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119047

Cooler Master Centurion

Its a great design, easy to open and get around in, and it has a bit of a blue trim, so it looks good if you ever take it anywhere. Not too heavy but nice and sturdy.

[JustJon]

What are you running? I have an E 6600 in mine with a case that has a side vent panel and a plastic funnel thing that goes right on top of the chip to get the air circulating directly on top of the cpu and fan.

To the OP:

Here is my case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119047

Cooler Master Centurion

Its a great design, easy to open and get around in, and it has a bit of a blue trim, so it looks good if you ever take it anywhere. Not too heavy but nice and sturdy.

Pics of everything in my first post in this thread. Cooler Master Cosmos case, it rocks but even with all its fans, for some reason causes occasional overheating.

And even with a cheap case, make sure you have good air flow.