3 month PC Build from Scratch Plan - HELP!

lawtz04

Hi guys

Im going to build my own PC for my business. As the business is web based I need it to be reasonably quick and reliable. It will not be hosting the business website but I will be editing it.

I've never built a PC before and all the jargon regarding the products can be quite confusing. I think building my own will be slightly more expensive but will I think but more satisfying.

I'm going to build it over 3 months or so so I can buy the parts bit by bit as I cant afford to do it all in one.

So, what parts should I buy first, and what brands/specs should I be looking out for?
Thanks guys
S

totalsolutions

Just go and buy a ready built unit and get to work on it. Stop flaffing about and do business on it.

You are going to be in business to make money and not spend money, let others worry about the ongoing support and go to work.

You will not have time to play with this IT stuff later. Its a tool, not a time waster for you. Buy a decent brand and and hopefully in a short time as the business grows you will get more units. Stick to quality and up to date suppliers.
All the Best

pitkin2020

i have to agree, unless you are intending to build PCs as part of your business (which i would hope not lol) just buy one, your going to pay a lot more by building it yourself when you can get a good spec PC for a good price

theboylard

Not sure I agree with the above comments?

To build a pc is easy, really!!
A dual core reasonable processor with plenty of ram running Windows 7 can be built for around £220 inc vat.
In July I ordered from aria an intel E5200, Gigabyte board, 1TB hard disk, 2gb ram for £169 inc.
Used an old case with a 400 watt psu, the onboard graphics and sound as it's not a gaming system and Windows 7 RC.

Took 40 minutes to build and install Windows 7!!!!!
All hardware is literally plug and play these days, it is not rocket science. If you can wire a plug (a lost art) then you are more than capable of building a pc. There are a million guides on the net, blimey, we'll guide you!!
Your needs are not graphics intensive so it would be ample.

You could save money by using Linux instead of Windows, this means that most of the software will be free, but you will have to get your head under the bonnet as it were.
A smaller hard disk is obviously an option, and you can get cheaper motherboards, but be careful - check reviews.

Plan your purchases in advance, memory being the most volatile for pricing so watch it, you can sometimes get stunning deals but can also get caught just as pricing peaks!

Good luck

DCFC79

It can also feel good to have a working computer which you built with your own hands,

pitkin2020

dont get me wrong yeah it can be satisfying building your own, but windows 7 is going to set you back over £100, (dabs.com £106), 4gb ram what another £40-£80 dependent on brand, motherboard another 70-£150, case, £15+ monitor £60 HDD £50 + for that spec i can one built direct from mesh for less.
If your in business you buy the best your budget can afford, you also want something realiable and with support when it goes wrong, building yourself wont give you a RTB warranty and downtime could be costly
Just my opinion, but with some of the great dels out there now building it yourself isnt the cheapest option, unless your looking for something very specific

patman99

Do you have to run Windows 7?, XP works well-enough to use for now. Do you know anyone who is a student (even p/t) at a UK college?, do they already have a Win. 7 PC?. If so, then ask them if they wouldn't mind earnining themselves a tenner by purchasing Win 7 through Microsofts' 'Student discount scheme'. Every student can buy either Win 7 Home Premium, or Win 7 Pro for £30.00 However, the offer expires next monday so you will have to be quick.

DCFC79

pitkin2020 wrote: »

dont get me wrong yeah it can be satisfying building your own, but windows 7 is going to set you back over £100, (dabs.com £106), 4gb ram what another £40-£80 dependent on brand, motherboard another 70-£150, case, £15+ monitor £60 HDD £50 + for that spec i can one built direct from mesh for less.
If your in business you buy the best your budget can afford, you also want something realiable and with support when it goes wrong, building yourself wont give you a RTB warranty and downtime could be costly
Just my opinion, but with some of the great dels out there now building it yourself isnt the cheapest option, unless your looking for something very specific

yes i completely understand what you mean,

Mobeer

As others have suggested, just buy a PC with a onsite support package.

This might be slightly more expensive than building your own, but not by much for a basic machine as big makers get their software cheaper than you can. More importantly, if it takes longer to build and configure than to buy, then this is a use of your time that could be used more productively on your business. Plus if it goes wrong, you need somebody with free time to fix it, and a new business is unlikely to allow you much free time.

savemoney

Its cheaper to buy a pc unless you pay top notch rip off prices than to get the parts yourself. The main reason you want custom build is to have a pc dedicated to do something that is aimed at, ie 3d rendering or gaming. In fact even if you build your own you can waste many hours trying to get right parts to match up for your requirements

You can get pc's that are custom built or part custoom even Dell do these but you can pay a lot more for Dells extras. Companies like Aria, or even Novatech do part custom built, ie cae, psu, mobo, ram, cpu etc and you add graphics, hd, dvd etc

Stubert

Buying a pre packaged PC for business is probably your best bet. Unless you're trying to build a really powerful PC for gaming (as mentioned) for example probably isn't worth it. You're gonna be paying for mark-up on every single piece of hardware rather than just one package if you buy a pre-built PC (thus it may be more expensive).