How hard is it to build a system for a newbie?

[Ryan]

Hmm, I'm gonna be building my first system soon, and I need an idea of how long building it will take, and how hard is it? I am gonna be building a Duron system soon, and I am kinda worried that I might mess something up :frown: Also, do any of you knwo any REALLY good websites w/ tutorials on how to build one?

 

[przero]

Check out the forums. It's really easy, just take your time. You'll do fine.

 

[bonkers325]

just be careful thats all time is not important

 

[SeaHarp]

In my opinion, if you could put a bookcase together, you can put a computer together. Taking it to the next step is where you will have more questions (overclocking). You first will want to decide exactly what your purpose is for the system. Then, will you want to overclock, and if not now, is it a future possibility? This will help you to decide which mobo you will want/need. But for the most part, as long as your willing to do a little research on your own, most here are willing to help. I know because I just put my KT7A-RAID board together and had several question. Alot of times you think you have the answers until you are actually in the predicament. But I could'nt recommend enough to build your own system. It is a great way to better understand your system, fully. I made my share of mistakes, but nothing so frustrating that I was willing to give up.

If you decide you want to do it, you WILL receive the support.

 

[Ryan]

Well, I won't be overclocking, and I'm not a gamer. I just want to try and build a newer system then I already have (see below ). I was thinking about the FIC AZ11, and a duron 650/700 for now, and upgrade later.

 

[SiliconVandal]

I build business computers for a living. The standard box I put together is this:
Enlight 7237
FIC AZ11
Duron 750
128MB PC100
Cheap Trident video, Diamond speedstar, or a Quadro (depending on customers eneds)

I've NEVER had a problem with this setup, and its incredibly reliable. They are very simple to throw together, and you can get onboard sound too!

I'd say the AZ11 is the way to go!

 

[SeaHarp]

You should have no problem. I'm not familiar w/ fic but you are just looking to upgrade from what you have. One thing to consider, is if you are planning to upgrade your processor, how soon? Maybe it would be better to go with the kt133a chipset instead. If you don't plan on upgrading soon, then go with as cheap as you can, because prices drop quick. No sense buying a board of the future today when you can buy it tomorrow when your ready to upgrade again for half of the price.

 

[Bignate603]

I haven't heard anything bad about fic, but then again, i haven't heard anything good either. Actually, i haven't heard anything aout them...

 

[doog519]

Here is a link.
http://www.pcmech.com/build.htm
You should not have no problems as long as you read the manuals.And you are careful mounting the fan.It would be a big help if you could get someone who has done it before to help you.

Good Luck !!

 

[max105]

its not hard at all...but set ALOT of time out for yourself and don't rush through anything cause thats the easiest way to make mistakes. other than that, most things are just like putting legos together.

 

[blackhawk]

Do your homework first!! Download and printout articles or guides on doing it and on your specific components.
Every mistake you make is learning and we all made lots.
If you're not sure what to do, try to post on the forum if you have another computer access.
When you get frustrated or stuck, go for a walk or vent to someone else.
You will get through it and you'll be proud of your job and a lot smarter.

 

[ddiccico]

go to the bookstore and check out the PC mag rack, there's probably at least one issue that walks you through building your own system.

 

[smp]

there's a thing in PDF format on AMD's website.. I'll look for it..
Okay.. you'll need this
and you'll also need this
The latter is in regards to building an amd ATHLON based system.. but it still applies.. the first one is about heatsink installation.. these two things should help you out.. also, you might want to check out thier system configuration page...
I think this stuff should help you..

 

[Tung]

i think you'll do fine... don't bother with the PC magazines.

 

[smp]

oh yeah.. once you finish building your rig.. you might want to put those spare Mhz to some good use.. check out team anandtech's seti efforts.. go to www.teamanandtech.com
see ya.. good luck

 

[Moonark]

Just be careful and take your time.....it is very easy

 

[Vyle]

One thing that is essential. Make sure you can get online on another computer. People who have put systems together again and again are your best resource. Someone is bound to have run into your specific problem before so you can get detailed help. Not that you will have problems, but in case you run into something you don't know how to handle.

 

[shawnmos]

Putting a computer together is easy. Everything fits/screws together. They only thing that is hard is trying to troubleshoot when something goes wrong. But don't worry, just post here because almost always there will be a person that can help you out. Since this is you first computer it might be a good idea to get a cheap motherboard with everything(video, sound, lan, etc.) onboard. Then get everything seperate the next time once you have expenence. That way there is less to put together and less worrying about hardware conflits since everything should (hopefully) work together. If you do plan to game though don't get a motherboard with onboard video. Not a good idea at all.

 

[bluegi]

i think it is pretty easy as long as you are careful...get a good case like the antec sx830...it is so much easier to work with when you have a nice case...

 

[clumsum]

Hey, ................... the harder it is to do and the longer it takes, the more gratified you will feel about it later, after it is built ...........!

 

[geeman]

hey I second the kt-133a board, the cheapest fic az-11 kt-133 board is $90 on price watch, the cheapest kt-133a board is an epox-8kta3 at $118 both include shipping. $28 gives you a mb that clocks nominally at 133*12.5 = 1663 t-bird, but will do 145*12.5 = 1800 t-bird, and it may hit 160*12.5 = 2000 t-bird with future chips. a kt-133 only will give you 110*12.5 tops = 1375, the extra 400-600+ mhz may come in handy.

 

[hans007]

the cheapest possible board is the pc chips 810lm , $85. has built in video, sound, lan, modem. FIC makes decent boards. They are reliable for the most part, but dont expect all the extras. I use a gigabyte myself, same type of thing, but probably more reliable from my experience. The only problem i've had with FIC was one of my old super7 boards didnt have an AGP slot that could power some high power cards (voodoo3 at the time, which isn't even high power now). Then again there were abit and asus boards that had similar problems, due to not being able to see that cards were gonna need a ton more power in the future. But they are decent. might want to get an az11e for like $3-5 more since well it has overclocking, and is a newer design (probably has all the minor fixes, etc) . also amd has a step by step guide to building an athlon system somewhere on their site

 

[Ryan]

Wow! You guys are great! thanks for all fo your input. My parents are buying a new gateway Select w/ Athlon 1200, and I am getting the old system. I am keeping the case, cdrom, cdrw, and ps. The case is quite large, and it is pretty quiet too. Once they have their new system up and running, I will start the buying/building process Thanks!

 

[Ryan]

bump: ok, here what it's gonna consist of (remember, this is a BUDGET pc):
Diamond Stealth III S540 32mb
FIC AZ-11
Duron 800
Diamond Monster 400MX
IMB Deskstar 22gxp 13.5gb
Generic RAM - 1 X 128mb and 2 X 64mb pc100 ram (total 256)
PS - Antec 300w AMD approved

Comes out to a total of $393

If I am able to sell my Current PC's Parts, they will sell for about $180, so I will pay a total of around 213 for a new system!