Post: #26

(12-01-2013 01:54 PM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  Thanks acute!

If you got basic specs to guide me through, that would help immensely.

Thanks

Motherboard: Intel H61 or Z77 chipset. Socket 1155. Takes 2nd or 3rd generation CPU's. Check CPU compatibility - many boards will take up to Intel i7 3770K which is a beast and total overkill for what you want to do, but it's nice to know you have an upgrade path. People will try to sell you 4th gen Haswell, but it's only about 3% faster than 3rd gen Ivy Bridge, though uses less power admittedly.
CPU: I have a modest G1610 2.6GHz dual core Celeron with integrated GPU. Retail boxed version (not OEM) comes with a perfectly adequate fan (my CPU temp is around 35 C on 80% load).
Memory: 4GB DDR3 RAM is fine - I picked up some 1600MHz cheap but the CPU can only use 1333 so it's underclocked. A faster CPU will be able to make use of it's full speed.
HDD: I have Samsung. Hitachi not so good. SSD's are coming down in price all the time. 60GB is perfectly adequate for Win7 OS and programs. Store the data on a cheap, big conventional drive cos if an SSD goes phut you can't recover your data.
OS: Download a Win7 ISO from digitalriver, install it via Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool and activate with Windows Loader I mentioned before.
DVD drive? Cheap as chips, but who uses DVDs much these days?
PSU: 400W should do it.
Case: Pretty much any micro or mini ATX, but double check your MB will fit. Case fans unnecessary.

As covered in previous posts, you may as well buy one off the shelf, and those are the sort of specs that will be more than adequate for a few years' general use. Make sure it has USB 3. That $300 I quoted would be without an HDD/SSD drive and OS, though.

Have fun!

Post: #27

Thanks! *heads to micro center*

Post: #28

(12-01-2013 03:53 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 01:49 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  Also, before starting, understand the concept of electro-static discharge. Invest in a wrist strap. I've been fixing high end shit for years, and still love to do so.

I always wondered about why one should wear a strap, care to explain from your personal perspective?

I'm the guy that says: Since I've had no accidents, I'll pass on it.

I've been building and maintaining my own PCs for nigh on 20 years. I used a strap for about half an hour and then chucked it in a drawer. Never fried an IC.

When working on a desktop PC, leave it plugged in but the mains off so it has an earth. Before you touch any components discharge your hands by touching them to the metal of the case. When installing memory, for example, take it out of the anti-static wrapping and rest it on the outside of the bag, discharge your hands and pick it up and slot it in. Easy peasy.

Talking of soldering irons, my dad's was petrol (gasoline) blow-torch powered. First you filled the canister with petrol, then screwed on the burner. Poured petrol all over the outside of the torch and lit it. Nice flames! Petrol vapourises, open the torch tap, light the flame. Wait till blue. Rest the soldering iron in the flame - fucking big lump of copper on a stick, probably developed from what was shoved up Edward III's arse. Wait ten minutes for it to heat up. Flux everywhere. Solder. Not especially good for close work.

Tip: don't try this on a wooden workbench.

Post: #29

Dude if your going to build your own you should get a gaming PC they are boss. it does everything a PC can and more.

Post: #30

Lol at gaming pc. Those days are long behind me. Motion sickness from all that camera movement

Fun on a computer for me is looking at spreadsheets of tax sales and try to find bargains or watching streams of homeland on bootleg sites. I get hype when I find low competition keywords. I look forward to buying Scrapebox.

WIA

Post: #31

Even if you're not good at repairing hardware on your computer, I can't tell you how useful it is to learn how to fix the software of it.

You should at least be able to reset your hard drive just in case. Most of the time, your computer problems can be solved by starting everything over.

As soon as I learned that, I was free from paying 100 bucks for some random scrub to just put discs in my computer.

Post: #32

(12-01-2013 07:19 PM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  Lol at gaming pc. Those days are long behind me. Motion sickness from all that camera movement

Fun on a computer for me is looking at spreadsheets of tax sales and try to find bargains or watching streams of homeland on bootleg sites. I get hype when I find low competition keywords. I look forward to buying Scrapebox.

WIA

Why do you get motion sickness? When I game I feel fine. Just a suggestion though since you wanna build a PC

Post: #33

I built my own Xeon workstation and countless desktops. Once you get the hang of things, it's simple and quick to build. Feel free to PM me if anyone needs step by step help or anything.

Post: #34

This Passmark CPU Value Chart may offer valuable guidance about bang/buck.

My CPU is the first Intel in the list.

Post: #35

I've always built desktops myself, but not needing it for games or any high power activities minus the odd 100mb/s downloading of HD movies from usenet I'm now an advocate of buying them already built.

Post: #36

I just built my first pc, took probably 3-4 hours and cost me total 650. i could have saved 100 bucks if i used my old bootleg version of windows 7. My video card is = to the new PS4. I couldn't buy it cheap, no way. Maybe have it built for 100 more but most likely worst parts. Also although you get lifetime warranty from builder, you only at msot get 1 yr warranty. You buy parts you get 2-3 yrs on the parts.
That being said..for normal folks who do normal web stuff ,etc there is Very little reason to ever spend more than 3 hundred for a pc or laptop for that matter. The basic machine can do all that(apple comps are big waste of money for the normal person..dont get me started on that lol).
If you only need basic simple pc...the only way building is cheaper is if you use old parts etc.

Post: #37

I've built my last 3 desktops myself. The thing is that when you have a good case you never need build a new desktop again. You just upgrade the parts, something that'll take 1h tops if your super careful.

If I'd have to get an entirely new comp today I'd probably get a pre-assembled. While Ali's comparison is somewhat exaggerated I'm more than willing to give out the extra money for having the work done even if it'd go into 3 figures ($). I have however never really come across a really really great pre-assembled kit. Best just to pick the parts yourself and pay the store to assemble, test and provide their warranty.

Post: #38

@vicious

The store will do that? *keeps in mind *

The more research I do, the upfront cost for a ho hum cpu + 4gigs of memory and 500 gb of storage + everything else needed to make a desktop usable is more expensive than a similarly equipped pre built desktop or laptop. Even.eBay prices.aren't.that competitive.

The long term.costs favor building it myself, device plus the new skills acquired.

I've even looked into buying old corporate stuff, but the research says the ability to upgrade can be limited.

I really don't know.where I got the idea that computers had gotten cheap. Total cost of ownership is still significant. A cheap non upgradeable or hard to.repair desktop/laptop might cost more than building over 3-4 years. Just having a copy of the OS...

When I read the budget builds on pc part picker, even a $200 build is cobbled together with incredible auctions or one off deals.

I make my.decision tomorrow.

Post: #39

WIA if you don't want the hassle, I would just get something pre-made. Maybe pick up a warranty. I had a Dell laptop got a good deal on the warranty. Over the three years I had the warranty - I got a new laptop and I got a new fan and hdd on the new replacement laptop. I definitely got my money's worth.

If you are not really looking for more than a basic work machine/surf internet/watch cat videos machine - no real need to build.

This desktop is 500 bucks from dell and seems pretty decent.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-660/pd...TVq3_0_0_0

This is 380
http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-of...OPwO3V3DmA


Just order and be done. Hope this helps with your decision process. But I derived a lot of fun from building mine.

Post: #40

(12-04-2013 04:34 PM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  @vicious

The store will do that? *keeps in mind *

A real computer store will. Not middle-range franchises.

Post: #41

I have been building my own desktops since the late 90's. I don't even brother anymore unless I need something that needs a lot cpu horse power like running CCTV IP cam sever or running my own cable head end.

My main PC is like 6+ years old. I swapped it with an SSD drive and it runs like new.

EBay has a ton of used netbooks for less than $200 that are more than adequate for 1080p youtube and most casual computer use. The best part is that they come preloaded with genuine copy windows 7(trust me windows from pirate sources are a mix bag ) Just make sure its not an Atom processor.

Plug in a desktop keyboard, mouse and monitor, close the laptop lid and you are ,good to go.

Post: #42

I have built all of my desktop PCs since mid 90s, but I wouldn't bother doing it now. Especially if it is not a gaming machine. Just buy a decent laptop for $400-$500 (less for a used one), pick up a monitor and a keyboard and you have best of both worlds.

Post: #43

anyone recommend a middle range price ($800ish) desktop that can be upgraded easily?

Would mainly be used for basic photo editing and computer programming, not really any gaming but would like at least a mid-range graphics card (something powerful anyone to run three separate monitors for programming).

Post: #44

DIY was worth it back when I lived near Fry's and could buy $50 mobo/CPU combos. Not anymore, with the major manufacturer's outlet you can get steals on pre-built computers and laptops.

Post: #45

I don't think so...
Building your own computer was a big thing in the 90s (my first computer was self-built), but the prices have gone down so much on desktops its not worth the effort. If you factor in time and shipping costs of the separate components (particularly the case), there isn't much of a difference, it might even be more expensive to build your own...

Add to this the hassle of having to send back parts... motherboards and graphics cards often don't work out of the box, and you have to send them back. It's happened to me many times.

It's fun to build a computer, but don't do it to save cash... especially since you're looking at the low end of specs where you can find something decent for less than 400...

(11-30-2013 01:25 PM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  For the typical non-gamer, is it cheaper to build your own? watching 1080 video on YouTube with a couple chrome Windows open.

I've been tracking the typical Dell/hp/Lenovo desktop and trying to match the performance on pc part picker, and building it myself invariably more than buying some corporate joint. Especially when you throw in Windows

WIA