Anyone built their own pc?

[raffrox]

I'll be getting a new pc in the next few months and I'm trying to work out if it is worth the hassle of me buying the components as cheap as I can and getting a kick ass rig or whether I should get a pc shop to do it. I'm looking to spend around $1800.

Has anyone built their own pc? What issues have you had? Would you recommend it and what suggestions do you have?

Thanks heaps

 

[JasRulz63]

I've built my own, plus quite a few others for family and friends. One issue I remember having was not long enough cables, which were a pain, but I got longer ones in the end. Only other one was getting the CPU HSF onto the motherboard, the stock Intel ones can be a pain sometimes, when you need to somehow get all the clips down.

I would recommend doing it, you get a good sense of achievement after you complete it. One suggestion I do have is trying to get someone that knows what they are doing to observe you the first time, just in case. Not neccessary (I never had anyone who knew what they were doing to observe me), but always good to have.

As long as you don't force anything (if it doesn't fit, it probably doesn't go there), and be aware of possible static electricity (what I do is install the power supply first, then plug it in, and switch the power off, then either use a anti-static strap, or ground yourself every so often by touching metal part inside case), you'll be fine.

Good luck

 

[sblack]

Costs like $50 to get someone to do it doesnt it? I would just pay the extra...not going to bankrupt you

 

[raffrox]

Costs like $50 to get someone to do it doesnt it? I would just pay the extra...not going to bankrupt you

The issue is more being able to shop around for the components you want at a good price.

JasRulz63, cheers for the info
Keenn to hear if anyone else has any suggestions.

 

[Chodders]

I have built my own PC in the past. Not sue if I would be able to do it now as I have not kept up to date with the technology.

I would definitely recommend it if you are confident, and if not confident, if you know someone, getting them to do it for you. You should save heaps.

When you say you are looking to spend $1800, what exactly are you looking to spend all that cash on? What do you want your PC for?

Personally, I bought my latest PC (excluding monitor) earlier this year for about $600. It runs everything (including games, cos that is what I bought it for) really well.

 

[supersonic88]

I built my computer just last year. Cost me $2300 all up as i wanted a great computer that'd last a while. As long as you know what you're doing its easy. Theres also many guides online if you need some help. Suggestions would be just get all your parts first, dont start building if you dont have everything there, build it in a nice clean big area (say a table or something) & take your time, go slow & be careful. But yes, building one yourself will save you heaps of money. NEVER buy one for the shop as they over charge you by a mile. Have fun

Oh and just be careful of sharp edges. Ive cut myself many times on computer bits throughout the years, so watch out for those!

 

[raffrox]

I have built my own PC in the past. Not sue if I would be able to do it now as I have not kept up to date with the technology.

I would definitely recommend it if you are confident, and if not confident, if you know someone, getting them to do it for you. You should save heaps.

When you say you are looking to spend $1800, what exactly are you looking to spend all that cash on? What do you want your PC for?

Personally, I bought my latest PC (excluding monitor) earlier this year for about $600. It runs everything (including games, cos that is what I bought it for) really well.

I'm looking for a gaming machine, something to do some pretty basic video editing on and something that will last me a fair while.

My last pc has lasted 4+ years.

What about warranties etc... if something goes wrong? I know each component would have its own warranty so I assume that this would be a hassle.

I've installed video cards, memory, hard drives, power supplies and an os before but never installed a motherboard or processor and the idea of sussing the bios freaks me a bit. I'll be flying solo (i.e. no one I know is experineced in this kind of stuff). I'm seriously thinking about it now...

 

[old_clint]

There's not much in it really just a couple or few hours of your time and an average IQ. The motherboard manual will lead you through it all. I've always found the hardest part is the last bit where you have to plug in the pesky and miniscule front panel connectors with big meaty fingers ill-designed for the job. ASUS boards come with an adaptor-block called a Q-connector which simplifies the task.

 

[supersonic88]

What about warranties etc... if something goes wrong? I know each component would have its own warranty so I assume that this would be a hassle.

I've installed video cards, memory, hard drives, power supplies and an os before but never installed a motherboard or processor and the idea of sussing the bios freaks me a bit. I'll be flying solo (i.e. no one I know is experineced in this kind of stuff). I'm seriously thinking about it now...

With the warranties, yeah as far as i know each part has its own warranty & i assume return process. I had my new video card break down on me about a month or 2 after everything was put together. No particular reason, just started stuffing up. The return process was a bit of a shocker, but mainly because the website i was dealing with (brought the vid card online) had crap customer service & never replied to my emails The whole process took a while but finally i got a new card as a replacement & everythings been fine since. Guess you just gotta hope nothing goes wrong & if it does, that you're dealing with a place with good customer service.

If you've installed all those things before then putting a computer together should be easy. The motherboard is no problem, just put it into the case, screw it in & thats about it. Just have to connect things up to it then, which is all covered in the manual it comes with. The CPU is also pretty easy. Just remember not to touch the pins on the bottom & hold it by its sides. All you do is just put it in its socket (has a little arrow to tell you which way to do it), clamp it down with the motherboard clamp, apply some thermal paste & put on the heatsink you have and its all good

Finally with the bios, you could possibly get away without ever needing to look at it. The only times ive gone into the bios with my new comp, has been to set the boot sequence (ie, dvd drive first, then hard drive, then floppy or whatever), turn a few things off that werent needed & overclock the cpu. If you happen to need to go into the bios, just read up on the net about it. Its all pretty standard & easy to understand though & the manual also covers it in detail

 

[Chodders]

I've installed video cards, memory, hard drives, power supplies and an os before but never installed a motherboard or processor and the idea of sussing the bios freaks me a bit. I'll be flying solo (i.e. no one I know is experineced in this kind of stuff). I'm seriously thinking about it now...

Mate, if you have installed a power supply I am guessing you know what you are doing. That was always the thing I would never touch.

From my experience processors are easy to install. You just have to careful that the pins match up and then they normally have a clip or something on the MB to lock it in place.

Motherboards are also easy to install. Just make sure you case is the right size and you have enough spacers.

If I was you, I would keep you old PC while building your new one, and if you get stuck, just look up the solution on the Net. I am sure you could find heaps of information about tweaking your Bios on the net too.

 

[JasRulz63]

Never had a problem with something a while after building it, but I did have a few issues with dodgy RAM. I bought all my stuff from a few walk-in stores (not online), so I just walked in, and got it replaced.

Even if the store does build it for you, they normally give you a 12 month labour warranty, and any issues after that, you'll need to complete the normal path to warranty (the same one as if you built it yourself).

Motherboard is pretty easy to install, just screw it in, and that's pretty much it. I did have a friend who forgot to put those copper spacers or whatever (the ones that keep the motherboard off the case), which is the only problem I've seen with the motherboard. CPU is easy as well, as long as you line it up right, and don't touch bottom of CPU, it's a simple job.

With the BIOS, only time I changed mine was to get the DVD drive to boot first (so I could install windows), don't think I've needed to touch it since (other than for overclocking, but that's another thing altogether).

I remember one of the guides I read was this;
http://www.corsairmemory.com/systembuild/report.aspx?report_id=12472

Quite a while ago though

 

[HorseHead]

Just one other thing to add: If you build your own machine, you'll end up paying less for a better pc.

 

[Niximus]

I've done it heaps of times, you end up getting exactly what you want and for a much better price.

My most recent machine included a liquid cooling system - very cool

Notes:
check and re-check the compatibility of your parts before you order. It is really easy to order the wrong CPU etc if you're not paying attention.

 

[sblack]

Take a look at some of these...could give you some ideas on parts

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs_systems

 

[JasRulz63]

Take a look at some of these...could give you some ideas on parts

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs_systems

I remember starting that ages ago

Where it originally was;
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=rmp_sg_jasrulzpcs

 

[Father Jack]

I impatiently stood by while a mate of mine built my current PC, we went and got all the parts from Gamedude up in Brisbane. He was happy with a bottle of Scotch

 

[spitlizard]

This is such an easy one..........pick and buy your components THEN, go down to the local TAFE that does IT and get one of the students to build it for you; give them a fifty for their efforts and everybody wins

Those young guys would just about do it for free and they usually do know how to do it well

 

[PAFC_1]

Just sign up on OCAU, ask or look there....

Much better advice then anywhere in Australia.

 

[HFC082]

Go to msy...chuck them together.

no problems

 

[_JC_]

I just built a new rig a few months ago. It is definatly worth it as not only do you save $50+, but you also undertstand your pc better. Just be careful with static and also as said before heatsinks are a pita to clip on.

 

[raffrox]

Once again, thanks for all the tips fella's.

If I end up building my own pc I'll let you know how I go.

 

[Underdog]

Go to PLE or Austin Computers. Both are very good, cheap and helpful.