Building my own PC

rmg1

Hi all

Following the problems I'm having with my current machine (see my thread on "Problems after re-install of XP", I'm seriously thinking about building my own PC. I think it would also be useful for the experience (so I know how things go together, etc).

Can anyone recommend the parets I'd need for a decent machine? It won't be used for high-end gaming, but I would like to have plenty of storage, a decent CPU/Motherboard, decent graphics card (just in case I change my mind) and plenty of RAM.

I don't reallt have a budget in mind, but I would imagine £250 would be available (have to check the piggy-bank).

Can anyone recommend some decent parts and the best/cheapest place to buy them?

jweb2k

Hello! Welcome to the PC building world! If it's not a gaming machine then you've got a heck of a lot of choice, but I'd recommend picking up a copy of something like Custom PC from your high street newsagent and getting ideas of what you want/need, whether size is an issue (smaller case vs mid tower) and how old in terms of original release date you'd want the components in there to be...

Freebyman

Good choice, a lot cheaper as well if you can cannibalise parts of your old pc such as dvd drives, hard drive etc. Saved me over £200 with a like for like machine. I also know if anything goes wrong I know how to repair it.

darthpaul

Agree with jweb2k on Custom PC mag as they have recommended hardware in it for different types of machine and budgets.

rmg1

Thanks guys. I think I'll be going for a tower similar to what I have now, and the only thing I can cannibalise would be the DVD-writer (when it's working again)

turbobob

How do you mean when its working again?

somebody10

Ebuyer are among the cheapest UK site to sell components.

To get a base unit for £250 with a good graphics card is going to be a struggle.

You will probably be looking at a mid range card at best and an AM3 motherboard with a Athlon II CPU and some DDR3 RAM and SATA HDD and decent enough PSU.

Is your current case up to housing new components? What wattage is your current PSU, that may be useable if its a decent 400W or over.

I think you will need to spend another £100 or so even without any operating system if it is Windows that is required unless you install Linux of course.

Lokolo

I just built me a PC. Came to just over £700.

- AMD Phenom II X4 945 3.0GHz Socket AM3 6MB L3 Cache Retail Box Processor
- ATIRadeon 4890 1024MB
- Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM Caviar Blue
- 4GB Crucial RAM (the yellow ones...)
- DVD RW (cheapish sony one)
- Coolermaster Gladiator 600 Mid Tower Case - No PSU
- Gigabyte GA-MA790FXT-UD5P 790FX Socket AM3 DDR3 8 Channel Audio ATX Motherboard
- Corsair 650W TX Series PSU - 120mm Fan, 80+% Efficiency, Single +12V Rail
- 21.5" Dell Monitor with DVI connection



God knows whats wrong with the HDD, but the rest is nice enough.

poppy10_2

Lokolo wrote: »

God knows whats wrong with the HDD, but the rest is nice enough.

You really need a solid state drive to get over 6 on the Windows Experience Index. Not worth it at the moment, prices are still too high.

To the OP - would definitely recommend building your own PC. It's great fun, and does help you get to know how your computer works. It often works out cheaper, but don't expect huge savings, as you don't have the same buying power as bulk purchasers like Dell or Compaq when it comes to buying components.

spakkker

My celeron e3200 - £32- @3480 scores 6.9 in win exp. with onboard graphics!
If you do an intell build put the cpu and cooler on before installing the m/board into the case - much easier. Don't know amd.

exup

Haynes (car manual people) do a decent manual on PC building