How to build a computer from scratch....

[patjk]

Hello,
I have been using computers for around 7 years, and I have been into the computer security and web design business for awhile. I am pretty much a beginner to building a computer though. I'd like to learn from scratch how to do it. Can anyone recommend a good site to use, or can assist me in building a computer from scratch? Thanks
Patrick

 

[snes tor]

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/guides/build_computer/index.shtml

 

[PhattyRipz]

www.newegg.com. buy parts+get parts+put parts together+turn on=you got a new comp. that simple i did my first time a couple weeks ago.

 

[Slowlearner]

Our own valued member Mechbgon's site is the best http://www.mechbgon.com/

 

[supernov]

There are pretty good guides on the net nowadays, as stated above, but in the end it's just a matter of doing it. You'll be a bit nervous, especially when handling the CPU, you will curse a couple of times, but as long as you watch out for static-electricity and handle circuit-boards by the sides as much as possible, it'll work. That's my experience, just finished building one yesterday for the 3rd time in my life. 🙂

Good luck and drop-by anytime!

 

[deathwalker]

After you get all the help you can possibley stand....dont worry yourself to death over it. There is a remarkable amount of common sense involved in the process and following your motherboard instructions correctly will go a long way.

 

[BladeVenom]

Read through a motherboard manual before you even buy parts. Check out whats popular in the motherboard area, and go to the manufacturers website; I think they all have PDFs available. That will give you a lot of useful information.

 

[patjk]

Thanks for all the replies. I plan on buying parts in the next month or so, and putting it together in about 2 months, so I can have it completely up and working by the end of the year. I was told that you can build very nice computers for a fraction of the price of what Dell and other companies sell. I am looking for something that will be quick, and will last years, and at the same time, I want to learn a lot of this so I can do more in the future. I am thinking 512RAM now, maybe 768, but not sure yet, I can always upgrade. As far as "good" or "higher end" hard drives, videos cards, motherboards, etc. I have no idea what is good and what isn't, and what is a great price, and what isn't. If anyone has the rundown of what a "good" price is for the basic parts of a computer, that would be excellent. I want to make a computer that is equivalent to about a $900-$1100 Dell PC. Thanks again.
Patrick

 

[deathwalker]

Well, I dont know if the "fraction" of a price observation is completely accurrate, especially if you have to buy the OS also. Dont forget Dell and others have the power of volume buying, you dont. What you will get is a system built with your own loving hands (pride) and with parts that are not made buy the cheapest bidder. Components that you have selected to meet your system requirements.

 

[Atheus]

First decision is 'AMD Athlon 64' or 'Intel Core 2 Duo' dual core processors. Do not buy a Pentium 4 no matter how cheap it is - they are terrible compared to the modern architectures. Read up on these first, then you can make a choice on a motherboard to fit.

I am thinking 512RAM now

Don't even think about it. 1GB is recommended even for midrange systems these days. Most people buy 2GB.

Will you be gaming?

 

[WildHorse]

Originally posted by: patjk
< words cut >
I was told that you can build very nice computers for a fraction of the price of what Dell and other companies sell.
< words cut >

It's recommended you not set "saving money" as a goal for your build project. You?ll spend more, not less than on a retail box.

You?ll have fun, it?s satisfying, easy, and the computer you build will fly rings around a retail box, because you'll pick & chose the best available stuff, within your budget. And you'll know how to fix & upgrade it in future.

and will last years

Your new computer will fall toward obsolescence in a year or 18 months. The market recently transitioned toward pushing dual core cpu?s & overpriced new DD2 RAM. Soon things will transition again, away from dual core and toward pushing quad-core cpu?s. Big changes are happening fast in video cards, which is your biggest ticket item by far (unless you buy a big new monitor). Gotta have a great video card!

I have no idea what is good and what isn't,

It's very helpful to read the Anandtech Guides..
You can learn a lot by reading the components shown in signatures on various web forums.

The Anandtech RealTime Pricing is great for comparison shopping.

On web forums pay attention to which components people say do and don't play well together; e.g.; some motherboards don't play nice with certain psu's or RAM, etc.

List out a potential build on a spreadsheet. Continually revise your list for better components, prices and suppliers, based on what you learn over a few weeks. Here?s a list to help get you started, for your edits. "Recycled" is asking the question : can you re-use what you had before?

[*]n.item..................Model/Details.....Suppliers.....Price incl. tax & shipping

[*]1 case..................................................(recycled?).................................$0
[*]2 power supply
[*]3 motherboard
[*]4 processor
[*]5 thermal paste
[*]6 memory
[*]7 hard drive
[*]8 hard drive 2.........................................(recycled?).................................$0
[*]9 DVD±RW drive
[*]10 floppy drive.........................................(recycled?)................................$0
[*]11 video card
[*]12 chipset cooler
[*]13 cpu cooler
[*]14 fan for cpu cooler
[*]15 extra case fans..................................(recycled?).................................$0
[*]16 monitor..............................................(recycled?)..................................$0
[*]17 keyboard............................................(recycled?)..................................$0
[*]18 optical mouse.....................................(recycled?)................................$0
[*]19 modem...............................................(recycled?).................................$0
[*]20 operating system
[*]21 other software
[*]22 printer/scanner....................................(recycled?).................................$0
[*]23 microphone..........................................(recycled?)................................$0
[*]24 Sign up for faster DSL or cable modem service
[*] ...................................................................................Total spent . .... .$2,300???

I want to make a computer that is equivalent to about a $900-$1100 Dell PC.

Aim higher. That would be a waste of perfectly good money, because it'd be unenjoyable, unable to play games, & unsuitable for overclocking. It's be a Chevy Prism. You may not build a Ferrari, but at least go for a Porsche. Increase your budget by $500 to $1,000, or more. Remember that you?ll have to buy software. Add the items of software you plan on to the same pricing list with your hardware. Prioritize buying a great video card & top quality psu. Don?t scrimp on those.

I've built 6 computers, all great. You'll be glad you did.

edit: to align dots

 

[Freze]

I just have a few short comments: Its A LOT easier than it looks, but you still need to be careful.
If you can fit is in with your budget, Core2 Duo is the way to go nowadays.
DO NOT build a modern system with only 512 MB of RAM, 1GB minimum, 2GB recommended.
A good midrange GFX card is the 7600GT.

 

[pkypkypky]

You probably will end up saving a little money and also get higher quality into your system. Plus, you'll have warranties that usually exceed Dell-like policies and the knowledge you've obtained by putting the system together youself. I'll use one of the poster's list to give you a few tips of my own. Before that, do your own research on parts. Spend a good amount of time to make sure you know what you're getting.


[*]1 case - mostly for looks. Beware of cheap ones. Not only will they cut you but they usually need an extra fan (=$$) and are made poorly. The worst encounter I've had is one where the mobo popped off during shipment because the standoff screws.
[*]2 power supply - The one that comes with your case is usually underpowered and is of suspect quality. Check the boards for recommendations on companies. Be wary though, a lot of guys here need more wattage for overclocking and SLI. In other words, don't overspend here either. Also, go for a 24 pin p/s because most mobos use it now. You're safer going 24 and using an adapter for a 20pin mobo than vice versa.
[*]3 motherboard - This is where most of your research should go into as far as searching for parts. First choose the chipset and then find a specific board that has the features (usb, firewire, raid, etc.) that you desire and also check out what other people are saying about that particular model. You might find some have more issues than others. Mobos are harder to get support for later on so I suggest strongly to choose wisely.
[*]4 processor - See the AT guides for suggestions on this as well as other parts. They've got great recommendations on what is hitting the sweet spot in terms of performance & price. Intel Core 2 Duo seems to be the sweet spot these days.
[*]5 thermal paste - Buy a "retail" packaged CPU. I'm assuming that you won't be overclocking so save your money and go this route. Retail packaging comes with the heatsink fan with thermal paste already applied on it for your convenience. Retail usually offers substantially longer warranty coverage also.
[*]6 memory - No o/c'in so go with a popular brand basic/value ram. It should carry a lifetime warranty. Don't skimp with 512mb, go with 1GB. 2GB if you do heavy multi-tasking or gaming. Go with a kit that has two dimms, for example 2x512mb to take advantage of dual channel. The cost should be nearly identical from a single stick.
[*]7 hard drive - Use a sata2 drive if your board supports it. I'd look for a drive that is reportedly on the quiet side and a 5yr warranty.
[*]8 hard drive 2 - only if you're going with a raid config. Otherwise, get a bigger drive and make separate partitions.
[*]9 DVD±RW drive - These are so cheap these days it doesn't matter if you're burning dvds, just pay the extra few bucks and get it over the regular drives. Of course, make sure the color matches your case 😉
[*]10 floppy drive - Be truthful, have you used one in the past year? I always stick one in but if you know it won't be used, save the $10-15 and put it towards a nice usb thumb drive. The prices on them are dropping by the minute so 1GB is easily attainable. Bios updates for some motherboards might require one though. I'm not sure if there's a workaround for that. Just know that you more than likely will update your bios only once if ever. The boards I get from newegg usually have fairly recent updates installed and the only time I bother updating it is when I'm having an issue that a new update resolves.
[*]11 video card - depends on your gaming and what type of applications you use. If that's a no to both, there is absolutely no need to spend even a $100 on it.
[*]12 chipset cooler - Not necessary if you're not o/c'ing. I don't even think most overclockers use one.
[*]13 cpu cooler - already discussed.
[*]14 fan for cpu cooler - same thing
[*]15 extra case fans - for a basic system all I would make sure to have is one in the back of the case. Check your case details to see if it comes with one. If you're buying one make sure you have the right size (80mm/92mm/120mm..etc) and go with a reliable, quiet model.
[*]16 monitor - You prolly want a LCD. I personally love my 21" CRT. Choosing one online can be tough. If you're picky, go into some stores and check some out and then find them cheaper online.
[*]17 keyboard - i usually go with a wired keyboard and a wireless mouse. All up to you though.
[*]18 optical mouse - again, you might want to go into staples and see how they fit in your hand.
[*]19 modem - I'm hoping your past the dialup era. Might still be useful if you fax.
[*]20 operating system - up to you
[*]21 other software - antivirus, spyware protection and office suite.
[*]22 printer/scanner - up to you
[*]23 microphone - up to you
[*]24 sound card - I'm adding this one. Almost all motherboards have onboard sound. I still use my old santa cruz card but you're safe on sticking with onboard. Don't forget speakers and/or headphones.