Building computers from scratch!

[Ray]

For a while now i've been on the lookout for a new computer! Some of you may know I already have a laptop (which truth be told wasn't bought so long ago), but it doesn't have the oomph that I need.

I've searched the websites of PC World and Dell, but i'm wondering whether there's a better option, this being to build it myself!

This was first suggested by a friend, who was looking into doing the same thing. I have just been on www.scan.co.uk and found that I could probably get exactly what I want for about £300. This would be selecting the motherboard and case, and then choosing what memory I want, what hard drive and what graphics card etc.

It seems like a great way to get what I want, for hundreds of pounds less than I'd have to pay at a place like PC World. I'm wondering if anyone here has built there own, or know someone who has?

I'm wanting some advice on it. Is it a good thing to do? Is it hard? Am I better off just going to a mainstream retailer? Any help at all!?

[Reno]

I'd like some advice on this too, as I've thought about this, and been told to do it.

[Telf]

Obviously the biggest advantage of going through a retailer (i'd recommend Dell) is the support you get. One of my housemates bought a top of the range XPS system from Dell and it suddenly died - they had a guy round who replaced the CPU and RAM the next day

Building a computer yourself isn't actually that difficult if you know your way around the motherboard and make sure you get a compatable chipset and HDD etc. Advantages here are cost savings and the nearest you're going to get to a spec you want

But if you're not 100% confident in your ability to build and fix problems as they arise, then i'd recommend getting something from Dell

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Telf But if you're not 100% confident in your ability to build and fix problems as they arise, then i'd recommend getting something from Dell

I assume there'd be tutorials online about how to insert the various bits, and which bits are compatible etc. What sort of problems would arise? Don't you just fit it in and that's that?

[Nemesis Enforcer]

Originally Posted by Ray I assume there'd be tutorials online about how to insert the various bits, and which bits are compatible etc. What sort of problems would arise? Don't you just fit it in and that's that?

There is also various programs that you need to install, Windows can be a bugger to get installed from scratch as it can often lock up on the install, then there is sound devices, image devices that all require software install

It is quite easy like Telf said if you know what your doing, when I went on work experiace I was in a computer repair place and built PC's from scratch a few times during my 3 weeks there, but I always had an expert behind me incase anything went wrong

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Nemesis Enforcer There is also various programs that you need to install, Windows can be a bugger to get installed from scratch as it can often lock up on the install, then there is sound devices, image devices that all require software install

How bad is that? Does it cost to get all the software installation doo-dads?

[Nemesis Enforcer]

Originally Posted by Ray How bad is that? Does it cost to get all the software installation doo-dads?

Windows XP (or what ever you choose to use) will cost you a bit but you get everything with it to install it but if it starts locking up on install you will need a new Motherboard becuause it has a habit of corrupting them if all the codes are not written in exacly right first time

A sound card will come with the disk you need to use to install it's drivers, so thats all inclusive

Image card will come with the stuff to install it too like sound card

Microsoft Word will cost quite a bit but is not too hard to install

It is cheaper to make one yourself, but I personally would buy one in, that way it is insured incase of accidentle damage or if something goes wrong internally and you have phone support

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Nemesis Enforcer Windows XP (or what ever you choose to use) will cost you a bit but you get everything with it to install it but if it starts locking up on install you will need a new Motherboard becuause it has a habit of corrupting them if all the codes are not written in exacly right first time

What's the probability of it not installing right and messing everything up?

Also, I'm ok with acquiring XP and Word. Yes, acquiring.

[Mitchell]

Find something cheap and upgrade it. S'what I'm doing with mine right now.

[Nemesis Enforcer]

Originally Posted by Ray What's the probability of it not installing right and messing everything up? Also, I'm ok with acquiring XP and Word. Yes, acquiring.

Probabillity is about 30%... if you read the instructions carefully and check everything you type before you hit enter you should be ok