Build your own computer

[Jaybird]

I do all of my computer work and surfing at work. I would like to build my own home computer for the learning expierence, but would like some real world advice, feedback, etc, that I can't get from a book, before I decide to dive in and build it myself. Any comments, suggestions, etc from memory to motherboards or power supplys to Towers, sources for good deals, fair prices, good warranties, etc.

[qball]

Well you came to a good place.

You first need to decide what direction you want to go proceed.

As a developer, I want server power so I can run some heavy duty development environments and web/app/DB servers. Since most of my clients run NT, I run NT.

Maybe all you want is a gaming/internet rig. This will point you towards 98/2k. In my case I dual boot between 98/NT.

What about linux? I could triple boot, but I went with a vmware solution as an NT client.

You need to decide what purpose you want your box to serve and draw some reqs from there. What OS(es) do you want?

Next is Proc/Mobo combo. Intel or AMD? I personally like SCSI, so this is another factor (onboard or SCSI card?).

Next what about peripherals. Printer is easy. What about a scanner, CD/CDR/CDRW/DVD, zip, MPEG decoder? Ooops, what about video? (Geforce2 GTS 64 DDR, mmm good). What about a monitor? (I just got a new 22" Mitsubishi that is dazzling, but expensive for my new box).

Next is the time for a crying. Get your list together. Next, what is your budget (this is when most of the crying occurs), be realistic, because iffin you run out and don't have the vidcard yet, you may be in a spot of trouble. Start picking and chooosing things you want and can afford. Hopefully you can build a robust box within your budget.

Remember some components will affect others, whilst some will not. Having a wicked fast CD-ROM at the expense of a slower proc is the wrong way to go. Get the most bang for your buck.

Good luck and have fun. It may be annoying at times, but when the baby boots for the first time and you run some benchmarks, you might just find it worth the trouble.

[SysOpt]

Our guide:

http://www.sysopt.com/buildpc/index.html

[Entragian ][]

I like Qballs ideas, except for a few http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
Why go SCSI when you can get a 7200/10000 RPM HDD. Cheaper than the SCSI and cheaper.
The monitor... 22"? Good god what for?! For the price tag on a 22" monitor, you can go buy a bigscreen TV http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif kidding. I can see going with a 19" to save some $.
If $ isn't an object, then get the 22" and please contact me, because we need to talk http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
Don't forget NIC cards, Game controller, Speakers, SoundblasterLive for the surround

Entragian ][

[Dputiger]

Before I throw in my .02 I'd like to know what the purpose of this machine is.

Is it for gaming? Do you want it to be highly tweakable even after you've built it? How long do you want it to last, and what's your budget?

[dgardner]

The only good pieces of advice I can offer is to get good base bit i.e. mobo, cpu, ram, that really is the heart of the machine skimp on there and it really will effect the overall performance!!! Also on way to save bucks can be to buy mobo, ram, CPU bundles if you can find one with what you want. But be warey often with bundle deals there cheaper cause one of the bits in the bundle is ****, so as I said know exactly what you want before you buy! Also if when it comes to buying and the shop havent got what you want in stock wait till they get it dont let them flogg you some cheaper craper parts.

~Dave~

[skywalker[TSG]]

i would get AMDz duron (600mhz great overclocker)

what is the main use for this comp ?
gamin ? office appz ?

[Jaybird]

The purpose of building my machine is to have a solid home computer for Internet, gaming, home/office use, and for the experience and knowledge of building it myself. I want to be able to add to, upgrade and do maintenance, if required. For example, a DVD is not important in the beginning, but I want to be able to add one later. I want to spend what is necessary on the box and the guts of the box, with a good monitor and add printer, CDR/W, DVD, Zip Drive, etc, as my budget allows.

[Warthog]

Yeah, we need a budget. $1500, $2000?

Warthog

[qball]

As far as the 22" monitor. The honest answer is "because I could". A 19" may be more cost effective, but I could have just kept my 17". With potentially 10-15 apps open (11 open right now) and in use, all the real estate I can get is very useful, but it came down to I could splurge (Sony F500R is $2k, so there is a limit to my excess).

I would recommend the sys-opt guide for advice, though it is a little dated.

Use www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com) and www.pricescan.com (http://www.pricescan.com) for pricing and comparison.