Building A PC

[Olympichero]

From what I've read building a PC is really the only way to go, it's cheap and you get a much better system according to most people I've spoken to...

So, I'm thinking of building a PC instead of buying one as I was going to, apparently its meant to be easy. A few questions...

1) Is it really that easy? I can cope with installing a new drive but the prospect of setting the whole thing up scares me
2) Where is a good place to start looking at guides and stuff to help me?
3) What parts will I need? Can I salvage anything from my old computer?

Thanks

[wod]

its easy puting the parts together but then comes setting up the bios to detect the hard disc, dvdrom etc then of course you need to install windows and then install the drivers that come with your motherboard, graphics card, soundcard.

parts you'll need

case with 350watt psu or higher
motherboard
processor
ram
heatsink/fan for processor
dvd rom drive or cdrom drive
cdwriter or dvd writer if you want to burn discs
hard drive
floppy disc
ide cables
graphics card
soundcard unless onboard the motherboard

[andy572]

Prices and price differences (between self-build and complete system) vary now and again, but my recent dabbling into the matter shows that there's not an awful lot in it. If you seek the 'comfort' of an on-site warranty, don't mind the inherent premium and fear a self-build, then a complete system is a reasonable way to go.

However, if you have very specific requirements and still-usable hardware (a monitor, for example), then a self-build could have some appeal and be financially prudent

If you have patience, can take things a step at a time and have 'braved' fitting parts already (as you have), it isn't a bad option (IMHO!).

Hey, it's what I'm going to do!

Without knowing about any of your old hardware, it's impossible to give any specific advice regarding "salvage". At the very least, you should be able to use any of your current drives (hard, floppy and optical) and may well be able to use your video card (assuming you have one). Furthermore, any other internal peripherals that use the PCI bus (e.g. sound card, network card or modem) have a good chance of being transferred to a new system. Incidentally, you'd need to check on the possible need for drivers with each of these parts.

For a simple step-by-step guide to building a new box, try choddo.com.

If you like pictures too, have a wander through the two-part guide at tom's hardware.

Finally, there's a nice guide at arstechnica too.

Hope that's good for ya

[Ish]

On low to middle end systems there's not usually a lot in it agreed.

But if its a cutting edge ninja gaming PC your after there's quite a bit in it.

Price up a top of the range Alienware machine and then price up the equivelant yourself. Your looking at probably just over half price to build it yourself....

I've posted about the PC I've just built in a couple of threads already rather than repeat myself there's some info in here you might find useful:

http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/viewtopic.php?t=21261

[macosx!]

I've just cannabalised my old 2100 Xp machine, keeping the case, DVD drive and CD burner. Bought a new motherboard, PSU, 9800XT gfx card and a 3.2 processor for about ?700 cheaper than buying a new complete top end system. I had it all the parts put together for ?20.00 on Tottenham Court Road