Semi-Noob going to try and make a computer.

Puzzlemaker

Puzzlemaker

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Hi everyone, I came here for help. You see, I want to make a computer for my friend. He needs a new one, and making a computer costs less then buying a pre-made one, and they are better.

I have experience taking apart computers; I have taken apart several, and looked at the parts, taking some parts out, putting other ones in, ect. Note that all my experience is with PC's not Macs.

However...

I have no experience with doing this from scratch.

So, I would like to ask a few questions...


  • Compatibility. Are there any obscure compatability issues with certain parts that I should know about?
  • Cases. What are some good cases? Do all motherboards follow the same shape, or will some motherboards only fit into certain cases?
  • Cooling. How many fans should I get? Do the amount of fans I want to use depend on the parts I want to use?
  • Re-using Parts. Is it okay to use old parts from the old computer, or should I just buy new parts? (For example: The... I dont know what the techinical term is, but the thing that has the powercords, how re-usable is that? Do they wear out easily?)
  • Good Parts. What are some good parts that are cheap, or any other suggestions you have about parts.
  • Other Issues. Are there any other important issues that I should know about?

Thanks in advance!
 
The fact that you can't name a power supply doesn't exactly lead me to believe that you can build a computer from scratch. Don't waste your buddies money. He'll just end up hating you.
 
* Compatibility. Pretty much all you need to make sure is compatible are motherboard compatibilities. Socket 737, etc, etc.

* Cases. ATX is the standard, any ATX case will work.

* Cooling. I have 2 case fans, the CPU / PSU / GPU fans will cover themselves, but its always nice to back it up with some nice case fans.

* Re-using Parts. Depending on what you're replacing, it might be a better idea to simply buy it, especially a CPU. GPUs are a bit more durable, as well as PSUs and RAM, and will probably sustain the transfer without hitch.
* Good Parts. Get a good PSU and good RAM. Generally, look on www.newegg.com for the highest rated products you're looking for.

* Other Issues. Make sure you assemble it together, SLOWLY, cautiously, and always use one of those static-absorbing red mat things you can buy at Radioshack. Come back here and post all the parts you're planning to buy / build with, and you'll most definitely get suggestions / compatibility fixes.

Always READ THE MANUAL.

The small wiring is the hardest part of building a comp, especially with weird CD/DVD Rom wires.

Building a computer isn't that difficult, Dirk Pitt. If you run into a problem, check back on these forums.
 
Have you read this thread yet Puzzlemaker?

Also, how much help were you hoping for?
Did you want suggestions for which parts to buy or where to buy them n stuff?
And what's your friends budget? Stuff like that would help...
 
Don't forget your standoffs, nubcake. They're tre important.
 
Hey man, missing standoffs are the leading cause of premature mobo deaths. If I can save just one power trace this year by calling a n00b a nubcake, then so be it.
 
The hardest thing in making a computer is connecting the 8 wires to the power buttons.
 
Puzzlemaker said:
[*]Other Issues. Are there any other important issues that I should know about?
Click to expand...

Static O_o major component killer. I learnt something while putting my computer together, then your building it - do it on a table not a carpet or laminate floor, plug the psu cable int the wall socket, turn it off and turn the rocker on your psu off aswell ! This means the case is grounded
 
Dirk Pitt said:
Hey man, missing standoffs are the leading cause of premature mobo deaths. If I can save just one power trace this year by calling a n00b a nubcake, then so be it.
Click to expand...

yes because someone who's never built a computer knows exactly what a standoff is ..you're more of a hinderance than help
 
Isn't a stand off, when some one got you by the throat, and a 45 Cal. Magnum to yar head, at yar local gas Station, surrounded by snipers, the phone rings and you got Samuel Jackson as your dear life negotiator?
 
a mexican standoff is this

duel.jpg
 
Now that's stand off gone horribly wrong...Very Wrong.
.
.
.
Damn Wrong!
.
.
These two guys now need a third friend.
 
Compatability-make sure your mobo is compatible with your processor and videocard(socket,agp,pci-e,all that stuff)

Cases-Not much to know about em as long as you have a relatively new case.just make sure you have all the drive bays your gonna need, and buy a case with plenty o fans

Cooling-buy a case with lotsa fans as I said before and you'll be fine unless you plan on OC'ing.

reusable parts- dvd and cd roms,ram,power supply but a new power supply might benecessary,but since I dont know what you have and plan on getting, I cant help you much.

Good parts-theres a new thread for part recommendations almost everyday,im tired of responding to them. Use google and search other threads.

other stuff to know- watch for static, always have one hand touching your case while messing with sensitive parts.Carefull with your mobo mounts.
 
Static is a over rated killer. Most of the time it just shortens the life span.


Theres a video where someone zaps a chip with a few thousand volts(very low amps though. Basicly just like static), and it still works.

Companys do it because the shortened lifespan, might effect the customer later on.

Still take care with it though.
 
15357 said:
The hardest thing in making a computer is connecting the 8 wires to the power buttons.
Click to expand...
I agree with that, my fingers are getting podgy, so its harder to connect those very small parts

I don't connect up the beeper though, the beeper in all the cases I buy generally don't fit in with what the mobo connections have, so I just leave that out.
 
The peeper......Oh! The Peeper.
The peeper is so old and out of it's time, I don't remember the last time I connected that wire.....I always have it off by default, roll that wire up and tug it away somewhere hidden in the case.

I hate that "Peep" before BIOS.
 
Thanks for the help guys.

And... the beeper/peeper is that weird wire that connects directly from the soundcard to the CD player? Or am I thinking of something else?
 
Its one of the 8 wires that connect to MOBO from cumputer case. The ones that once you take them off you cant put them back in, remember those?
 
Barney Fife said:
The peeper......Oh! The Peeper.
The peeper is so old and out of it's time, I don't remember the last time I connected that wire.....I always have it off by default, roll that wire up and tug it away somewhere hidden in the case.

I hate that "Peep" before BIOS.
Click to expand...

Sweetest sound in the world, besides the mating call of a cow.
 
Yeah it means "I'M BOOOOOTING HALAJUJAH" Just beg god it only does that "Peep" once, and once only.
 
Yes, I do like that sound.


Anyway, here is the list of parts I am considering:


Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131540

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103529

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817171007

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119068

CPU Cooling Fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118115

Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575

Case Cooling Fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811998127

Sound Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102178

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102492

I can just re-use his old CD and floppy disk drives, I see no reason to replace those.

Also, by the looks of it, the motherboard has a videocard already built in; how good is it, and should I buy another one? If so, what is a good videocard (I was thinking about going with one I already know about; ATI, but I dont know if its compatable or if the one thats in the motherboard is good)

It also has a sound card built in too. Should I buy a seperate one of those?

And does the processor already come with a fan? I dont think it does, but I just want to double-check.
 
Looks pretty good so far.

• The PSU isn't Antec, though.

• You shouldn't need to buy another CPU fan

• You still need a HDD
 
The motherboard looks great one of the tops of Asus. no cons there.
CPU does come with Fan and Heatsink, probably much better than the one you're buying, specially if you intend to OC ADM heatsinks/fans do pretty good job when OC-ed.
You could go up little high on that PSU to like 500W, cuz you probably gonna get (I think) 75% of that 400W. So shop a little more for PSU.
Even though I like full tower cases, but that case does come with at least a one 120MM exhaust fan, so you don't need to buy extras unless you want to.
RAM look fine, the price is on the high side, but I have no problem with it.
Sound card is cool Audigy 2.
OK the video card is where it gets a little tricky.
The ATI card has 256MB of V-RAM, 500MHz Core, with 16 Pixel-pipelines. all for $299.00.

This is the one I found: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130247
eVGA Nvidia chipset, its got: 256MB V-RAM, 450MHz Core with 20 Pixel-pipelines.
Now despite the ATI having 50MHz more speed on the clock EVGA can beat the ATI card by way of more Pipelines. $279.00 and its 20 dollar less.

On top of that most of these games are designed base on Nvidia chips.

Guys, correct me if I'm wrong there.

Good Luck.
 
Barney Fife said:
OK the video card is where it gets a little tricky.
The ATI card has 256MB of V-RAM, 500MHz Core, with 16 Pixel-pipelines. all for $299.00.

This is the one I found: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130247
eVGA Nvidia chipset, its got: 256MB V-RAM, 450MHz Core with 20 Pixel-pipelines.
Now despite the ATI having 50MHz more speed on the clock EVGA can beat the ATI card by way of more Pipelines. $279.00 and its 20 dollar less.

On top of that most of these games are designed base on Nvidia chips.
Click to expand...
But no TV feature. :(
 
Motherboard: Good
CPU: You could get a dual core for around that much, but that one is still good. And it comes with a fine heatsink/fan so don't bother with the Zalman.
Power Supply: That coolermaster isn't great, I found this one but it's expensive...The reason I picked is because it has 22A on the 12V line, which I think you should have for a higher-end, longer lasting system
Case: Dunno, looks ok...so does this one although it has no 120mm fan spots...maybe this one
Ram: Thats pretty expensive, you could get just as good RAM for way less...I pick this \o/
Case fan: can never have too many of them, make sure your case has spots for them
Sound card: Not entirely necessary, so if you want to cut down the cost, you don't really need that, although its a good card
Video Card: Well, 7800GT, or 7900GT
Hard Drive: Uhh this looks good
 
Motherboard: is good
CPU: good, but the 4000 is not worth the money over the 3800
PSU: i'd recommend something slightly more powerful, from seasonic, fsp (sparkle) fortron, antec etc.
Case: decent case for the money, no complaints there.
Ram: pricey, but decent, could go with value ram to save money if an issue.
Case fans: always good.
Video card: the one you listed is agp, so wouldn't fit, plus you can get an x1800xt or 7800GT for that price, which are much faster. Or a 7600GT, which is cheaper, and still fast.
 
3ssence said:
Video card: the one you listed is agp, so wouldn't fit, plus you can get an x1800xt or 7800GT for that price, which are much faster. Or a 7600GT, which is cheaper, and still fast.
Click to expand...

Nice Catch, I didn't even pay attention there. It is an AGP card. Freaking lol.

Idonotbelonghere said:
Video Card: Well, 7800GT, or 7900GT
Click to expand...

I like both Video cards Idonotbelongthere have found


Asus said:
But no TV feature. :(
Click to expand...

Dang it, I missed that too. Though already soldout (The card), TV feature can be somewhat helpful to others, but I never used the feature.

Oh well I like 7900 GT better anyways.
 
Thank you guys; you have been extremly helpfull. I really appreciate it.
 
D-D-D-D-DOUBLE POST!

Thanks guys. I have changed my list:

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817148027

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119068

Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145579

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130249

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136009


It all looks in order.

Its a bit above $1000 bucks, though, and he didn't want to pay more then that. Oh well, I will see what I can do. I am starting to get the hang of all this. Thanks again for your help!

P.S. Whats the diffrence from the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530 mobo to the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131540 mobo? I mean, sure ones premium, but I dont see any other diffrence.
 
Well, if you wanted to cut down the cost a bit, you could choose that non-sli mobo.

It depends on whether or not your friend is planning to go SLI in the future (SLI is basically running two identical nvida video cards on one mobo to get better performance, if you didn't know).
Most likely, he doesn't even know what SLI is. I would pick the non-sli mobo if I were you. Also that power supply is just barely enough for this system...I don't know for sure but I would get at least a 450 watt psu...
maybe this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817148027
 
Thanks, I updated it accordingly. And I didn't know what SLI was, thanks for telling me.

P.S. I dont belong here, you have good suggestions. Thanks.
 
tell us your budget, and well give you a list of parts we think would word well
 
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