Build your own computer? ...and associated Headaches.

[Steve]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, Dina Lerret <bunniqula at g...>
wrote:
>
> Out of curiosity, has anyone here tried to build their own computer? 
> Y'know, get case, motherboard, memory, etc, jam it all in the case,
> cross your fingers, and hope it works. ;-)  Okay, maybe not that
> random. {g}
> 
> ...
> 
> Dina
>


bboyminn:

Here is a very important point to consider, you are going to have to
do a lot of research to build you own computer.

For example-

What motherboard are you going to use?

    * ABIT (34) 
    * AOPEN (18) 
    * ASROCK (8) 
    * ASUS (38) 
    * BIOSTAR (19)  
    * CHAINTECH (7) 
    * DFI (21) 
    * ECS (11) 
    * EPOX (18) 
    * FOXCONN / WINFAST (7)  
    
The number next to the name indicates how many choices you have in
that brand name.  

Now you must decide what form-factor (size) you are going to use.

ATX? uATX? mini-ATX?


What Processor are you going to use?

AMD? INTEL?

...the economy SEMPRON or CELERON?

...the full-powered ATHLON 64 or the PENTIUM 4

...or one of these variations - ALTHON 64 FX, ALTHON 64 X2, OPTERON,
MOBILE, PENTIUM D, XEON?

Socket 939? 754? 748? 775? or other?

More importantly, are you sure the processor you chose matches the
motherboard you picked?


Next - the Case - with or without Power Supply

    * AHANIX (9) 
    * ANTEC (17) 
    * AOPEN (1) 
    * APEX / SUPERCASE (17) 
    * ASPIRE (16) 
    * ASUS (5) 
    * ATOP (8) 
    * CASEDGE (3)  
    * CODEGEN (15) 
    * COOLER MASTER (33) 
    * COOLMAX (1) 
    * ENERMAX (4) 
    * ENLIGHT (6) 
    * GENERIC (7) 
    * IN-WIN (5) 
    * MASSCOOL (1)  
    * MWAVE (14) 
    * NZXT (6) 
    * SILVERSTONE (4) 
    * SKY HAWK USA / EAGLE (5) 
    * SUNBEAM (4) 
    * THERMALTAKE (13) 
    * XION (4)  
    
If your case has a power supply, is it large enough to supply your
selected processor and all the additional accessories you plan to add? 

Do you care if the case is approved by the CPU manufacturer? 

Did you pick the right case to match the form-factor of you motherboard?

Do you want a Desktop case, Mid-tower, full-tower, rack mount, or
mini-case? 

Do you want to spend $30 or $200 on your case, both options and all
in-between are available? 


What type of memory do you want and how much? 

It's probably DDR, but even amoung DDR there are at least four choices
of brands, all with different prices.


What type of video do you want?

AGP? 2x/4x/8x? PCI? EPCI? 

Do you want to spend $50 or $500? Both options are available along
with everything in-between.


Hard drive? EIDE? SATA? RAID? ... and does your choice match the
components you've picked? 


The point I'm making is that you can count on doing a lot of research
to match all the components properly.

Keep in mind that some motherboard manufacturer put /everything/ on
the motherboard; video, sound, LAN, modem, USB etc....

For a first time builder this might not be a bad idea. In most cases,
each of the 'built-in' things can be disabled and you can add your own
external board later. MSI is a good brand for boards with everything
built-in.

Some motherboard manufacturers have SOME things built-in; like LAN or
modem or USB. Make sure you understand what your motherboard has so
you don't duplicate or forget to add things.

Also, note that most component sellers also sell 'barebones' systems.
They have selected various motherboards, processors, and cases that
are compatable. All you have to do is add whatever accessories you
want to that basic system. 

ASUS is an excellent brand of motherboard, I have an ABIT in my
current system which I am happy with. It was the top rated motherobard
the year I bought it. MSI is good for all-in-one boards.

Note too, that while I have build several systems, for my last system,
I elected to select all the components myself and pay the component
seller $75 to put it together for me. Seemed like a fair price.

Keep in mind that 'back in the day' you could actually build your own
computer for less than you could buy one. But companies like DELL and
Gateway have tremendous buying power that you could never possibly
equal. What you are really going for is two things; a system build
from universal components that can be replaced anywhere in the world,
and complete control of all component and the configuration.

THE NEXT THING IS VERY !!IMPORTANT!!

When you buy a computer in components you DO NOT get the Operating
System with it. 

You MUST order the Operating System at the same time that you order
your motherboard or you are going to pay substantially more for it.
Usually the dealer will give you OEM pricing on the OS when you order
the motherboard. If you try to order the OS separately, you will end
up paying full retail price for it. That more that twice the OEM
price. Don't forget this one critially important item when you order.

Here is were I bought my last component computer which has served me
well for 6 years. 

http://www.mwave.com/

I have complete confidence in them as a company, and their prices are
very good.

Also, for people in the Mid-West, I've had very good luck with this
company in Minneapolis, MN.

General NanoSystems-
http://www.nanosys1.com/

Building a computer isn't really that hard, and is safe if you observe
basic Static Precautions. It's selecting the properly matched
components that takes so much time. Also, count on running into a few
rough spots during the build; that is, afteral, how you learn things.

Just passing it along.

Steve/bboyminn