Building a PC

[Corpsegoddess]

Hey all...

My computer is in serious need of replacing, and I've begun looking at PC's on sale (I'm in Canada). The two main things I do on my computer are play videogames (mostly MMO's and RPG's) and video edit.

As I've been looking around, the one common thread that keeps bubbling up is that it's far cheaper to build a gaming PC than to buy one, and people say it's not that difficult.

I'm fairly proficient with computers; everything I know about them is self-taught, however. My husband is a software engineer and is more knowledgeable and comfortable with this than I am, so I have that as a bonus.

My question here is--has anybody built themselves their own PC? Is it worth it, and is it that difficult? As I said, I mainly game and edit, but I want my PC to be able to handle the usual stuff as well (my fairly large music collection, browsing the web, Photoshop--things like that).

Any feedback or personal experiences would be much appreciated; I really respect the level of knowledge of users on this forum and I'd be interested in hearing what you have to say.

Thanks!

[AnemicOak]

I've built several over the years and for a while did it as a business. Maybe I've just burned out over the years, but I find it's only worth it anymore when you need certain specs.

With what you want to do (gaming, video editing) it will likely be worth it, because you're likely to want certain things in the hardware department. If it was just for email, word processing & web surfing I'd probably just grab something stock. It's not at all difficult to do and there are several tutorials to be found online (some with video) if needed.

Sometimes places like iBuyPower and CyberPowerPC have some pretty good deals on gaming systems depending on what you want for a setup. Never bought from either one, but have heard OK things from a few folks.

[Stitchawl]

I've built mine for the past 15 years, when needing something newer. The first time was a bit daunting, as was the very first time I opened the case to add new memory cards. I was sure I was going to turn the machine into a large paperweight. But there was only one place where they would even fit... no question about how they should go in... And it's like that for each and every component. The plugs on each are a different shape and will ONLY go into the motherboard in the correct place and in the correct direction! Where there are several sockets that are identical, the plugs that fit can go into any of them. The actual assembly, once you've screwed in the motherboard, shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes. But... the 'hard part' is choosing the right components to do what you need the machine to do. But these days you can get all the information on line. Once you know what you need to install, choose the best motherboard that can hold them, then choose the best tower to hold the motherboard and all the bits and pieces. How many full size slots will you require? How many half size? How many drive bays? What sort of cooling system? Once you know what you need, the rest is easy!

Stitchawl

[Corpsegoddess]

Thanks, guys! I've heard mixed reports about CyberPower--mainly their customer service. And it was mostly on the sites or forums where the PC's that were reviewed that people were saying "build your own blah blah".

I know it takes a lot more research than just buying one ready-made--it's more the experience of it I was wondering about. So thanks so far for the replies!

[PeterT]

Check out a local supplier to you; try http://www.ncix.com

You can get preconfigured systems, or one built with components you specify, or even just get parts from them.

There are various review sites which "build" systems in various price ranges; for instance look at the guides at AnandTech or the SystemBuilder Guides found at Tom's Hardware $500 Gaming PC, $1,000 Enthusiast PC and $2,000 Performance PC.

Building a PC is really not rocket science at all; it's a question of ordering the parts you need, and then plugging the various bits together.

Also do remember that some pieces of older PCs can easily be recycled! Monitors / keyboards / mice come to mind, along with printers, other peripherals, even hard drives can be (although I tend to be a pack rat with those and keep old drives).

Even sound cards can for the whole be retained, if you do decide that you want a discrete sound card rather than the one built into the majority of all new motherboards.

[Corpsegoddess]

Ooh, thanks, Peter!

Yes, I actually do have some pretty decent components in my current PC--for a while, we just replaced things that were having issues, rather than me buying an entire new one. So that's something to consider as well.

That's great info--thank you very much.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

But... the 'hard part' is choosing the right components to do what you need the machine to do. But these days you can get all the information on line.

I think the hard part is to put all those cables in your casing without blocking any fans!

For the component selection, I went to a site (a Dutch well-known computer site) which brings out a best-buy-guide every month, containing various setups. Several years ago, I still knew what was good and what fitted together, but I have kost track...

I am typing this on the PC I assembled a few years ago. It was my first assembly and while I approached it with some trepidation, in the end it was not hard at all. To add to what others have stated (a lot of pieces may be recycled from your old PC) I would say do not skimp on the mother board, case, or power supply. If anything over purchase beyond your current expectations there.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I think the hard part is to put all those cables in your casing without blocking any fans!

There really IS an art to this, isn't there! When I had some problems I couldn't solve years ago, I brought my PC to a good shop. The tech found the problem with his diagnostic software (now I keep a fresh update of Hiren's Boot Disk, with its dozens of diagnostics close at hand) and put everything back in such a way that I didn't even NOTICE the cables, much less worry about them blocking one of the fans! (I have four fans inside my case) To this day, I've never been able to get them that neat!

Originally Posted by Hamlet53

I would say do not skimp on the mother board, case, or power supply. If anything over purchase beyond your current expectations there.

I'll second that! Overbuy your power supply (THAT was the problem I was having that I couldn't solve! I had added more peripherals and it was draining too much power that I didn't have to spare,) and as long as you have room for it, get the biggest, best case you can! More room mean; easier heat displacement, easier component swapping, and less chance of something shorting out something else!

Stitchawl

Stitchawl

[cromag]

I did a lot of hardware maintenance on computers back in the 80s, when things were actually more cramped and difficult inside most computer cases, we didn't have "screwless" mounts for disk drives, etc. Aside from a hard drive replacement a few years ago, I really haven't done any significant hardware work since then ...

But I've been accumulating the parts I need for a new computer for a few months, now. At this point I'm really just procrastinating, but I should be getting into it in a few weeks.

Keep in mind that there are a few sites that provide "kits" of parts for builders with all, or most of the parts you'll need. It can be easier and (a little) cheaper to go this route if they have specs that meet your needs, especially if you're looking for something off the beaten path -- like a gamer PC, a media PC, etc.

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by cromag

Keep in mind that there are a few sites that provide "kits" of parts for builders with all, or most of the parts you'll need. It can be easier and (a little) cheaper to go this route if they have specs that meet your needs, especially if you're looking for something off the beaten path -- like a gamer PC, a media PC, etc.

I know that if I look at (for instance) TigerDirect and their kits, I am not that impressed by the quality of what they include.

[HarryT]

One thing to factor in is the price of the o/s if you're using a commercial one like Windows. It's much, much more expensive to buy Windows commercially than to get it bundled with a pre-built PC.

[PeterT]

True; but then I believe you are legally allowed to move it to a different system if you build a new one, whereas an OEM version is tied to that system.

Of course one option is to buy a lower priced "upgrade" version and finagle it using readily available instructions to install without an existing version (I seem to recall you boot from the media, do an install without supplying the serial number. and then do a second install from the installed, non serial numbered installation).

[Iznogood]

My two last computers I have built myself. Not so much because pre-built systems wouldn't suffice, but I wanted something very quiet, and put in a custom water cooling loop with quiet fans. Another benefit from building a system yourself is that you can actually buy a large and expensive e.g. power supply (PSU) and re-use it the next time you build something new. But with a pre-built system you get a PSU that is barely sufficient to run your current rig. Next time you build something you need to get a newer and bigger PSU anyway, which makes the next upgrade expensive. Choosing parts for yourself, you can plan your upgrades years ahead.

And besides, building is fun! I like building stuff, and the DIY-approach to computers teach you about what a computer really are

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by PeterT

True; but then I believe you are legally allowed to move it to a different system if you build a new one, whereas an OEM version is tied to that system.

Agreed. If:

1. You actually have an installation disk. I generally buy Dell PCs, and it's many years since I got one with a "real" Windows installation CD. They supply a "system image" CD these days, which is very different. So if I were to build a PC I'd need to buy a new o/s.

2. You're taking your older PC out of use (eg, if it's died). I have my last three PCs in everyday use still. The oldest (an XP box I bought in 2001) is still doing excellent service as a networked media streamer.

Of course one option is to buy a lower priced "upgrade" version and finagle it using readily available instructions to install without an existing version (I seem to recall you boot from the media, do an install without supplying the serial number. and then do a second install from the installed, non serial numbered installation).

I leave others to comment on the legality of that .

I simply raise the point because the o/s is a component of the system that it's easy to overlook, and the price of full Windows installation media can come as a bit of a shock!