How easy is it to build a PC?

scheming_gypsy

John_Gray wrote: »

It used to be a remarkably good way of getting your hands badly scratched from the sharp edges,!

i've still got a scar on one of my fingers.. Back in the 90's we were using budget cases that hadn't been smoothed down. I was pushing out a blanking plate at the back to fit a card and it was stuck; after putting more presure on it the plate moved out. Ase my finger went through the case sliced through it like a spoon through marge.

photodgm

I was looking at a self build based on an i5 2500k and a Z68 motherboard but when I priced it all up including thermal paste, SATA leads, delivery etc I couldn't significantly beat the price of a pre-built system. Any comments?

SailorSam

When i first got my computer i went to night school to try and learn a bit about them and i was surprised when the guy 'opened up the box' and there was so little in there.
Op can't answer your question but with a bit of reading i think i'd have a go.

[Deleted User]

Building a PC is easy... Cheaper i dont know but in the long run possibly as a gamer PC need to be upgraded at least every 4 years to handle the latest games.. i built my 1st in 2005 a gaming machine as well... since then i just build and add... parts.. Thou if you want a new mobo or better one then be warn you will probly need new CPU & RAM too... most shops sells them as a bundle (MOBO< CPU & RAM) easier than seacrhing as some rams dont llike certan mobo..... i had to by a new PSU the other week as my 3 years old 850 watts couldnt give out the power it need after i brought a new graphic card

The most ignoring thing half the time is you power up nothing happens?? eg once i had the rams in the wrong slots!!! took me an hour to figuir that out.. and also drivers as in the pass i download latest one and dosnt function proprly...

As for SSD yes way forward get 2 and RAID 0 ( Google Raid 0) and get an awsome speed read & write mine Write at 952mb per sec at more...

InsideInsurance

Just to give the counter argument......

To build a PC, as in sticking the components together, is very easy and can be done very quickly - others are evidently a bit more of a dab hand than me as I'd estimate about an hour.

To build a good computer is actually a very different thing. You obviously have the basics of ensuring the CPU is compatible with the motherboard and you get the right RAM for it but it really goes well beyond this. Some kit simply works better together, some drivers work better together. Companies like Dell, IBM, Apple etc spend millions a year in ensuring the compatibility beyond the simple "does it fit in the hole" level that others have suggested (and still they get it wrong sometimes).

To get a middle of the road system, sure, you can do it and probably not have to many problems. If you are wanting to push performance to nearer the bleeding edge of technology then you should have a lot of time, patience and accept it wont always work or pay for someone else to do it.

I used to build systems for many years but gave up in the end because of a few that on paper should have been amazing and fully compatible (and in one case was amazing until I changed a couple of drivers without testing or noting down which versions I was using before the update) but turned out to be pigs because of driver conflicts or system using virtual IRQs when actually real IRQs were free and unreserved and g.card company said its mobo companies issue, mobo company said it was the g.cards fault etc etc

bigdave196

photodgm wrote: »

I was looking at a self build based on an i5 2500k and a Z68 motherboard but when I priced it all up including thermal paste, SATA leads, delivery etc I couldn't significantly beat the price of a pre-built system. Any comments?

Well, for a start

A) If you're buying a retail boxed version of the CPU or a seperate heatsink and fan, they come with thermal paste pre-applied so you don't need to buy any.

Motherboards generally nearly always come with at least 4 SATA cables, so unless you intend to use more than 4 HDD/DVD drives you shouldn't need to buy any of them either

dojoman

As the others have said, it is very very easy to build your own PC.

marvell-kid

I built my first Custom PC in the Summer and its great.
Took around 45 minutes, but around 4-6 weeks of researching. Making sure I had the right parts and the best deals.
Ebuyer normally has the best prices and their forums are great for helping you build one.
Post what you think you will be getting (and your budget and what you plan to do with it) and we can help you save a bit more money. Or get the best products for you money (that are compatible).

Robisere

HAMMYMAN has the best advice here, but I would add to it a little.

1 - What do you want to do with the PC? Sounds a daft question? NO - what you want to actually do with it, will govern what parts you need and what sort of machine you build. For example; if you want to be a gamer and part of that is a desire to play the latest games, you will need a fairly powerful machine with a good (= more expensive) Graphics card. Same goes for video requirements: if you want to play DVD's, Blu-Ray videos, watch films on it, and/or have ideas of heavy Photo/picture management.

2 - if you just want to email and Internet-shop, then you will not need a powerful PC. In that case, I would advise a good Laptop, if you want a good sized screen, get a 17" model.

IMHO, you should post here with the requirements you expect from the machine you want. The act of building a PC can be quite satisfying in itself, at least I found it so. It is something that you may have looked at and thought could be complicated, but after doing it and watching your work boot up into something you can use, that is a good feeling. I actually envy you: that first build, after all that trepidation, is a terrific feeling.

I built my first after becoming disabled at 51 and losing my vehicle technician job. It was quite simple compared to what I have now, but I have gone on from there to take courses, become qualified and get work. I have built for family and friends, the latest being a Server for my 17 year old grandson's network. I built his last 3 computers and this latest has prepared him for work as a Network Technician. i am retired now, but still building.

If you post your requirements here, with your budget and the sort of parts you have in mind, I will try to advise.

Robisere

Squire_Fulwood wrote: »

I came across someone building a pc for the first time and he was complaining that the motherboard sockets did not line up with the holes in the back of the case. I asked him if he had put the spacers under the motherboard and there was a long silence. So that's my tip to a beginner. The motherboard should be raised so that it is not in direct contact with the case. Spacers/threaded lumps in case/bits of plastic maybe so if the sockets don't line up make sure you have remembered those bits.

The "spacers" are actually called Standoffs and they should come with the motherboard, in the box, along with an I/O Plate, a silver plate with holes to line up with the connectors in the 'board. They are usually brass-cloured and are made to screw into the case where the motherboard mounts. The 'board is then lined up wit the holes and I/O plate, which is "springy" and pushed slightly into line with the holes in the standoffs. Screws are then driven into the holes to secure the 'board. The standoffs are NOT "bits of plastic". They are made to insulate the 'board from the case and mount it level, to prevent warping.