I am wondering if anybody on here built their own computer. Im going to build my first computer when my parts get here. I never bulit one before so maybe some one can give me some tips on the build or any experiences building a computer.

 

take your time, and don't force anything. it's reletively streight foward

 

Yeah definately dont force anything. Id recommend googling for a guide and following it your first time, but it certainly doesn't require a rocket like scientist degree. I am 15 and managed to build my own so anyone could if I can. I would also recommend going to Radioshack and getting their $4 groundstrap..A very cheap investment. Just take your time and if you use a guide stick to it closely. If you need ANY help just let me know, or if your looking for forum like help I HIGHLY recommend a site called "Pcper". They have great forums and many users willing to do anything to provide assistance. PM me for a link or google for it, it is easy to find. It said I was trying to spam or something and wouldn't let me put the url in so...<REMOVE p not..< im but something or spam to trying me about said it out, spaces the all spaces.<TAKE and ()>
Good luck and just pay attention to what your doing and you'll do fine! :-)

 

I build about 2 every week and roughly 50 around Christmas... Some advice for you -- every plug has a place, and really only fits one way correctly--- Reading the directions to the Motherboard is alsways good,--- Read up on master/slave/cable select setup on your drives. Don't skimp... the buck you save today will bite you later when you have to re-do it, or upgrade it--- and don't buy the very top of the line it is overpriced now, and will be cheaper once the new latest and greatest is out.

 

I had the same problem at first. It won't let you post a link until you have enough posts that they figure you're not a troublemaker. Brady

 

Building a computer is easier than it sounds. I have built many computers and remember my first time. I was nervous but took my time and over read every little thing. After a few you will just jump right into it and have no fear. Like flip4ford says it can only go in one way so if it doesnt fit just turn it, don't shove anything.

 

I've built many. It's really very simple, most things will only go in one way, and in it's own slot. Just remember that the red stripe on the cables goes toward the power connector.

 

I'll second flip4ford. Don't get the newest and fastest, but don't get the cheapest either. Check around forums, newsgroups, etc., see what everyone recommends and avoids. The guys here have a pretty fair amount of experience on how to do it, and also on how not to.

 

Pfogle
"Just remember that the red stripe on the cables goes toward the power connector."

That is a dangerous statement, ever hear of a floppy drive? Not all the manufacturers are this way on them, in the 10 years I have built computers, I have learned to read the floppies (either on the board or back of them) because this isn't always the case.

A book that got me started years ago that you might be able to find around (check libraries) is Upgrading and Repairing PC's. You really don't need it but is is a good source of info (if you have another machine while your building, so is the web).

How many builders here ever ran into this type of problem? First computer I ever built was a dual P90 (had helped and upgraded earliers, but this was first full assembly). Had it all put together but those little connectors for the power button, reset, etc; then found out the board was mispackaged. It was the same model but built for a proprietary case (I think HP) and had a unmarked connector with a common ground for all those, I think it was a six pin connector, but that was long ago.

 

I'm a old guy and built my first computer, I will say it works but not as good as I would like..I got nervous and had a "PC PRO" load the software. Get someone that knows what they are doing..It is well worth it. He loaded it but its just not right and after having seen by 2 people and being charged it still isn't right. So My only advice is load it yourself or get some one that knows whats going on so far I haven't been able to locate anyone yet!! Bear in mind I am computer illiterate, Thats how I got in trouble.

Glenn

 

Yep. One reason I quit buying "new" boards from eBay....a lot of them are OEM surplus. Manuals and drivers are sometimes hard to find, and connectors are not always the same. I finally learned to avoid them, after getting a few oddballs. Always managed to make them work but not sure they were worth the time involved, and I finally quit getting them.

 

Did you order your parts yet?

Do some research. Visit www.tomshardware.com they have reviews on computer hardware. Just do a search on what you want to know.

Tips:

Get a good power supply min. 400 watts or more. Todays video cards and CPU's suck up the juice...they need a lot of amps.

A good motherboard = reliability. Asus #1 (Good Overclocking), Gigabyte #2, (OK Overclocking) MSI, Abit.
No video on board, audio on board OK but a seperate audio card preferred because sometimes the audio is choppy when gaming action gets intense.

A decent video card for gaming something around $100 to $150 range.

Brand name DDR Ram. Less problems. Get the fastest the motherboard is designed for and as much as you can afford.

CPU AMD or Intel?

AMD....cheaper, more bang for your buck. They may run at a slower clock speed, they are just as or faster than Intel, plus they run cooler. Good gaming CPU . My favorite.
"Athlon XP" still fast, it's cheap. "Athlon 64" faster, can run 64 bit software, won't need to upgrade in the near future.

Intel....Good, more expensive per clock speed, hotter , better for office applications, a bit slower for games, more popular. Cannot run 64 bit software.

Get round cables for better air flow in your case.
Get extra fans, front and rear.
Get a mid size tower for room to expand.
Optical mouse..no ball to clean.

Take your time, read the manual, go through the motherboard and identify the plugs, connectors before you start.

Good Luck

 

I have some of the parts right now and I am waiting for the rest this is what I bought.

Abit NF7-S2 motherboard
AMD AthlonXP 2800 Barton core 55watts
Corsair Value Select 184 DDR Ram Dual 512 sticks
Sapphire Ati 9600 se 128mb video card
Yamaha 24x10x40 Cdr drive
80 Gig Western Digital Se Caviar Hard Drive
Sanyo Floppy drive
Raidmax ATX 268 case
5-Thermaltake Blue eye 80mm fans
Thermaltake Volcano 10+ Amd Xp Heatsink

 

Now you need a good power supply, a dual DVD burner and a video capture card like this one http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...100-120&depa=0 so you can put your videos on DVD's.

Anyway that is what I'm going to do. I'll get the card now and the DVD burner will have to wait until my B-day in a few months.

 

In the last 5 years I've only have one floppy drive that wasn't that way. It was a funky one with the power connector on top of the interface connector. I agree with reading the drive tho. All IDE HDD (most all on the market) are red stripe towards the power.