Weekly Subject - Considerations Before Building

[greengoose1]

This will be a very important thread for anyone thinking about or wanting to build a computer. It is dificult to decide where to start as there are many factors to consider.
Probably the best place to start is with the capabilities a person needs. Let' start from the simple and work towards the complex.

What does a person have to know to even consider building a computer?

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[bistro]

"What am I going to use it for?"---the #1 question.
Family Internet access, a few games for the kids, light office work, etc.; then perhaps you don't need to spend so many bucks getting the latest, greatest, fastest components money can buy. Just something that will perform well, but is upgradeable.
Heavy gaming, high-end graphics/video rendering programs, etc.; then consider going for the higher-end CPUs, a lot of RAM and a high-end graphics card. Into recording music? Don't settle for onboard sound--consider a good, solid sound card.

Have to be honest with yourself and your wallet....sometimes hard to do .

#2: It doesn't take an electronics guru to build a computer--it's relatively easy--will take an afternoon or evening--maybe two for a beginner. Have to consider whether or not you are really motivated to do so. If not, that's OK. Nothing wrong about it. Some folks don't care for delving into the innards of a computer; they just 'want it to work' . Cool! But for the rest, hopefully these threads will inspire and help motivate.

[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 06-11-2001).]

[defung]

When someone comes to me for help on building a new system, the first thing I would tell him to know how much he budget for. In most the case, the final cost is little bit more than the original budget. For example, change for a better video card, more RAM(cheap now) or monitor in the last minute.

Originally posted by greengoose1:
What does a person have to know to even consider building a computer?

[This message has been edited by defung (edited 06-11-2001).]

[zam1el]

there is also a difference in quality of products (naturally)

when someone comes to me and asks for a PC, I ask them if they want headaches or something that will run nice...
one needs to know what they are buying first, and from a good source as well...
searching online for the best prices, customer reviews, and corp reviews are a start before you buy what you have already decided to get


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Mark
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Please remember to post back about the updated status of your inquiry, we're here to help!

[bistro]

Not to get negative, but realize that you will not have a central tech support or warranty on the system. That's not as scary as it sounds, considering some of the lame tech support seen with some brand name computers. (Besides, you've got VDr! ).
And the individual parts are usually warrantied by the respective manufacturers.
After building, you'll know enough of how it's put together to be able to do some minor hardware troubleshooting anyway.

[Running_on_Wheel]

its not the support ...

its the warranty!! the ability to say ... take it back or fix it


but what am i talking about ... i build my boxes

[Train]

Running_on_Wheel
Well, some of the manufactors tell you to call them, go through their riga-maroll, then they say "yes it is bad, so we will mail you a new one and you can put it in" will inclose instructions. Have a nice day and hangup.
Have put a few items in because of this.
National brands also.


EDIT You have left the BRAGGING $$$ rites computer out of your list of what do you do with your computer.

This person must have the latest and the greatest components in the machine. Which can translate to $$$$ and possible problems and all the glitches may not have been worked out the hardware or software.

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[greengoose1]

If a person believes he/she can build a computer let's discuss how much money for what type of system, tie in warranties, compare to ready built, custom built, and home built.

Should the latest cutting edge computers or homebuilts be considered or would dependable proven components be used?

How does a person become informed about these things?

Some of this has already been touched upon in a very upfront realistic way but now we need to go deeper into details we know but even more people don't know. Which by the way is why we're here. Some people will decide building isn't for them and we will have done our job. Others will decide to build and take to this like a duck takes to water and we will also have done our job. The better we do our job the better the decisions will be made by those contemplating; "Can I build a computer or not."

Let's discuss and recuss (JTDoom - recuss - a slang derivative of discuss)

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[This message has been edited by greengoose1 (edited 06-11-2001).]

[bistro]

Hi! This is Stan Dupp for "Real People". We go now to the great state of Texas where our correspondent, Burt Droppings, is standing by with Queen_of_Hearts. Burt?

Burt: Thanks, Stan. We're here with Queen_of_Hearts, who earlier this year actually built her own computer.
Q_o_H, how much did you know about building your own system when you first got the idea?

Q_o_H: I didn't know squat, Burt. I don't mind telling you that I was scared sh**less about it...

Burt: Uh....you can't say that word on TV, Q_o_H....

Q_o_H: What?? "Squat"??

Burt: Uh...no...that other word...uh...never mind. Well, what inspired you to take on such a formidable task?

Q_o_H: Well, there were some really great people up on the Virtual Doctor Forum that volunteered to talk me through it. Even supplied some tutorials that came in real handy. And they were all so patient with me. Including bistro, I guess....

Burt: "Bistro"?

Q_o_H: Yeah...he helped too. But between you and me, I think he smoked too much during the 70's...you know...the "cigarettes" with no names on them? Affected his mind, in my opinion. Anyway, they all talked me through it. It was a lot easier than I had thought it would be.

Burt: What was the most difficult part?

Q_o_H: Well, most of it was just plugging the parts in--pretty straightforward. But I really got scared sh**less when they said I had to "go into the BIOS". I thought BIOS" stood for Boogeyman In the Operating System...

Burt: Uh....please don't use that word again...this is live TV....

Q_o_H: What word?!? "BIOS"????

Burt: Never mind. So, just exactly WHY did you decide to "build your own"?

Q_o_H: The system I had was older than my grandma's dentures and slower than roadkill. Thought it time to move up. Wanted to save a few bucks and I wanted a system that had exactly what I wanted in it. Now I'm the proud owner of my own high-speed computer; built by my own two little hands. Learned a lot about computer "innards" on the way, so I feel pretty confident about doing my own upgrades in the future. Hey, once I got in there, it was pretty easy.....a slice of pie.

Burt: Uh...don't you mean "a piece of cake"?

Q_o_H: No,..sorry...I was just thinking about having a slice of pie. Just getting hungry...

Burt: Well, any advice for the viewers out there that may be considering building their own computer?

Q_o_H: Sure. If you are inclined to build your own system, go for it! Take the bull by the horns, Bonzai!, Be All You Can Be!, Semper Fidelis!, Go for the Gold!, When the storms of lfe surround you...

Burt: Uh...right. This is Burt Droppings for "Real People". Back to you ,Stan....

[Train]

I figured for a budget of $1,200 for a computer and monitor. Then after some hem-hawing around, this what I decided on.
Top of the line was to expensive and some of the Items that I was looking at were posted with problem questions. So, looked at the next step down. and wound up getting:

InWin S500 case [lots of room and a minimum of sharp edges. Have not cut myself yet.]
with 300watt ps. $78

ASUS A7V motherboard supports PC100 or PC133 $158

Duron 800MB cpu $89
Heatsink $12
cdrom $38
floppy $10
WD 30GB ATA100 7200rpm harddrive $139
128MB PC133 $76
2 80mm case fans $16
Network card $10
Keyboard and mouse $37
Hercules 3D Prophet II video card $159
2 19inch monitors [one for wife ]
$1354
Those prices are for Feb and Mar 2001.
Prices on some of these are much much better now.

Went over budget with second monitor.
Love it. And later I can upgrade to a 1.2GB T-bird. Maybe 1.3GB.


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[bistro]

That's a real good list above and it brings out a point. If you already have a system, and are on a short budget, you'll have to consider perhaps "recycling" some parts, such as the floppy drive, CD-ROMS, etc. to shave off a few dollars. Do you need a new monitor (that's going to be the most expensive item) or can you get along with the old one for a while?
Now, IMHO, if you are going to get a new motherboard and CPU, then don't recycle your old vid card or sound card. Include new ones in the build. Same for hard drives--the older drives will work, but you're better off building with a new one and put a clean install of the OS on there.

[Queen_of_Hearts]

ummmm.... I musta been smokin' bistro's brandless "cigrettes"...I can't remember doin' that interview...

[Train]

Should have added above , but. . .

Kept the Compaq but removed 15 " and replace with 19" monitor.
Got a router. Now both of us can do our thing with out bothering the other. Using cable.Router on sale for $100 and two cables $30.


Queen_of_Hearts
Did he use you name in vain again?

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[This message has been edited by Train (edited 06-11-2001).]

[Queen_of_Hearts]

He sure did, Train.

My 15 minutes of fame.

[greengoose1]

Good Morning All , Rare form Bistro. LOL Where's Burt now? Shades of Operation Delta!

The article on generic computer building you referenced Bistro is reader friendly and takes some of the mystery out of building a computer. Everyone should read it whether building or not.

Train, Nice recap on your system. Any particular reason for those components over any others?

Queen of Hearts, I think Bistro calls it literary license. And while you're around would you repost your system and tell us how you felt as you built your system. Any self doubts or not. How clear was the step by step instruction you received form members of VirDR. Can others do the same as you did?
Anything else that would help the prospective builder?

To many members this may be simple "stuff", but remember back when you started. Was it that simple then? Again, that's the point we're at - the beginning.

And again, if you have a question, don't be afraid to jump right in and ask.



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