building first computer

[rock8785]

I am saving up to build my own cmoputer, but I am not sure what I should get first. I have about $120. what would you all recommend.

[NDC]

Hmmmmmm, well first of all, what is your system spec now? Are you plan on building a whole new system or upgrading from the parts you have now? If you are planning to build a whole new system starting off with $120, I'd recommend buying everything else first besides the mainboard, CPU, and Videocard since newer models are released so often. (Who knows when you will get the rest of the money to get all the parts to build the new system?) But of course it depends on how quickly you are planning on getting the whole system together. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 01-09-2001).]

[rock8785]

I have a HP 400mhz, 96mb ram sdram pc100, 8 meg ati rage pro turbo, 12.7 gig HD. did you need some more info, I am not sure what all I was suppose to tell about.

[randy48]

Still in High School...sock the cash away and build up $700-1000 before you buy anything! If you're not working, find a few odd jobs to do to earn some $$ When you have a good size roll, check the buyers guide here and also check the "Steals and Deals" forum. You'll more than likely save $$ buying on line (be sure of where you buy from! Lot's of crooks out there!) And if you buy all or most from the same place, you'll save on shipping charges. Another thing to think about, if you can find a few friends who also want to put together machines, large orders can sometimes get you discounts http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif But you have to negotiate with the seller! But if you feel you need to start buying now, look at what you have, and what you want to replace. As NDC said, save the mobo, CPU, and video card for last! And remember, the steals and deals forum! DrVette finds some of the best deals around and posts them as he finds them! You can reasonable be sure that they are reputable sellers also.

[wyvrn]

Looking at your current system, I would say video card and RAM (especially if you use graphics intense programs or games). I am guessing you game at least some. A TNT2 ultra should cost you around 60-80, especially if you buy it used from someone in the sale forums, or you could pick up a GeForce MX for around 110. I would try to get up to 128 RAM. Which OS do you use, and please give more information on what you use your computer for.

[rock8785]

Well, I mostly use my computer to play games over a network, cause I have dsl. I also download music and burn it. But other than that, not very much. I have recently been interested in building one, because I found out that people will hire, if they have good computer skills. I know some things about them, but I can definatly learn a whole lot more.

[This message has been edited by rock8785 (edited 01-10-2001).]

[rock8785]

I also use windows 98 as my OS.

[Keegan]

Building your own computer is a commendable undertaking. I'm very pleased with the $1000 433-MHz celeron system I built for myself earlier this year. It's nearly out-of-date, though, so I'll have to get a different motherboard when I finally DO upgrade, likely to an 800MHz-1GHz AMD Thunderbird.

[MiKe85]

That's the problem with the way technology has been progressing..By the time i'm done saving my money to buy something, it has already been upgraded http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif


Mike

[wyvrn]

Save your money till you have a few hundred, then sell your system and use the whole on building a new up to date one from scratch. You will learn a lot more that way than just adding in a card here and a dimm there.

Take at look at the A+ exam from comptia if you are thinking about making a career out of this. http://www.comptia.com/certification/aplus/index.htm