Building my pc?

[Atlantean]

I was wondering if I should build my own pc or when I go to the computer store, ask if I can watch them put the computer together so that I would know how to do everything in there, is it hard to build a computer if you have never done it before?? Or should I go to the store and ask them if I could build it there and then if I can then I would be able to ask them any questions that I may have.

 

[Jex]

I kinda double they'll let you hang around when they build it, but it might be worth a try.

Learning how to build a comp is very useful and fun. I would suggest trying to find a friend or something that knows how to do it and have them walk you thru it for your first time. If the store will do it, then cool.

There are some guides around (don't have any links off hand) that tell you how to go about puting a computer together. If you can't find anyone to help you and you still wanna build it yourself, check out one of these guides.

 

[Vegito]

You can do both but most place charges for watching....

If u have a PC now u can strip it and try to put back or have a friend help show you..

 

[Jex]

Here's a link.

Found this on www.sharkyextreme.com.

 

[Desmoquattro]

i'd definitely build one instead...as far as watching i don't know about that...i don't think they want you to see how easy it is yet they charge you so much. $40 bucks for a videocard installation?...uhhh ok.

 

[sadb0i]

do it your self..way too easy...

 

[Atlantean]

oh, and should I get a cheaper video card and buy a better monitor something like the sony g400 perhaps??

 

[Jex]

A really good monitor is always a good investment, cause it will last you a very long time compared to the rest of your hardware.

What do you mean by a cheaper vid card? I'd get at least a GF2 Pro or something like that. If you were thinking GF3, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to use the money on a nicer monitor now and upgrade your vid card later.

 

[Atlantean]

yeah I was thinking about going the geforce3 route, but now I am not really sure, maybe I will get a geforce2 pro with only 32MB of ram, and then next year upgrade to ageforce4 or whatever is released then would that be good to do? does anyone know if they will have 128 MB vid cards by then?

 

[Jex]

With the rate they've been going I'm sure they will.

 

[Atlantean]

yeah hopefully there will be!!! oh yeah and for the monitor then which one should I go for?

 

[shaolin9]

hey thats EXACTLY what I did...my very first computer i bought, I hand picked out all the components from this lil computer shop...(see my older server rig to see the components) and I asked to put it together, and they said no problem...theyd guide me if I did anything wrong...they were actually impressed in the fact that the customer wants to help build it instead of the typical customers that have no idea about computers and just want it to be done ASAP...so it was a change of pace for them..ever since then, its like I worked there...i could go in and look at new stuff and what not..pick up something to borrow and bring it back the next day..
this was in Austin, TX tho dunno where u are...anyhow, I think if a comp shop charges u to do ur own labor at their place...then u need to either talk to em about why u want to do it (i.e. to learn) or go to another place that doesnt mind...cuz thats kinda uncool to hafta pay to watch...considering its not THAT hard...anyhow its a great feeling to build ur own pc...

 

[Atlantean]

Does anyone else have any suggestions, and should I wait for the palomino desktop to come out before building the computer?? because the main reason I am building it is for school next year, but I want to be able to play games and do cool things on it

 

[Jex]

If you're not hard up for a comp, then wait. At least until Palo's come out. Even if you're not gonna buy a Palo, then Tbird prices will be lower...

Just don't get stuck into the trap of "If I wait a little longer, I can get better and cheaper stuff." You'll end up waiting forever.

 

[limsandy]

Build your own PC is always a better solution if you know what you're doing because it's cheaper and you gain experience. Do some research about how-to-build-a-computer. I'm sure you can find it everywhere. Good luck.