How do I do that? What special things do I need to know? Can it be done? Is it the best thing to do? Or should I simply build a new one slowly from scratch? Also, what about just getting a new processor, hard drive, DVD RW drive? What if I just did that? What is the best stuff I can use for that?
Posted by Heffaji (Member # 3669) on :
It all really depends on what is in your current computer.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
If you get a new processor you'll need a new motherboard. Peripherals (meaning CD/DVD drives, sound cards, hard drives, monitor/keyboard/mouse) can all be reused without much problem.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I'd like to get an Anthlon 64 processor. Between 1ghz or 2 ghz... What sort of mother board would I have to get?
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Athlon 64s start at 1.8 GHz and go up from there. They come in two different sockets, 754 and 939, so you'll need to make sure that your motherboard matches the processor. It's hard to recommend a motherboard without knowing what you want to do with it or how much you want to spend, but Asus, Microstar, and Gigabyte are pretty much always good brands.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
go for a gaming computer, nothing less then the equivilent x800. and no less then 2 gb of ram.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Sounds good to me. I want to try to create a decent system out of my old computer that will not cost me billions of dollars and has a lot of ram, a faster processor and a larger hard drive.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
At the very most tops tops!!! 1000$ but I really don't know your old specs send em to me and I'll forward it to my friend swho work in stores.
Also do you live in Quebec? If you do I can send you to a store that gives extremely good deals for high end machines custom built and built to last.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Let's see if I remember
800 hz Athlon processor 40 gigs HD space Now 256 gigs of ram... (i think, or is it 512? I think it's 512 now)
DVD drive CD RW drive...
I'd like one with at least 2 GHZ Athlon processor... 120 gigs of HD space with the old HD added on... DVD RW drive... and I'd like to keep my new video card as it cost about 50 bucks...
Posted by ReddwarfVII (Member # 8879) on :
Video and Sound cards almost always need to be replaced. I just rebuilt my dad's computer. Here's what you get to keep:
-CD/Dvd Drives -Floppy Drives -Modem (as long as you have the driver's disk) -Wi-fi card -Internal LAN Card (but most motherboard come with them now) -Case (as long as it is ATX) -Power Supply (as long as it's at least 400 to 450 watts) -Mouse -Monitor -Keyboard -Pretty much anything that plugs into the CPU Case.
Here's what you need to buy: -Motherboard and CPU (buy them as a package. That usually gives you the best deal and will guarantee that they will work together) -RAM (Be very careful to make sure that your RAM matches up with the Motherboard. It's not as easy as it used to be. You need to match type and speed now.) -Video (if you are building a gaming system buy a good one. One that will run you at least 150.00. XFX GeForce cards are really good.) -Sound (for a gaming system go with a sound card rather than buying a motherboard with sound built in. Don't need to go crazy on this one though. Decent ones should be under 100.00) -Hard Drive (Stay away from SATA drives. They are a pain in the butt to install. Just pick up the largest UDMA IDE drive that you can find for the best price. For a gaming system I would go with a 250 gig. They selling for very reasonable right now. Do not do any kind of RAID array. They are not worth it unless you are going to do some high end video capture and editing.) -Operating System if you are not using XP, if you are, upgrade to XP Pro. Way better than Home. Buy an OEM copy with SP2(Service Pack 2) on Tiger Direct or Newegg. Really cheap compared to retail.
Websites that I would recommend looking on for parts and prices:
Also for a hard drive, your local Wal-Mart generally is just a few bucks more, but worth it because you don't have to wait for it ship to you or pay shipping.
[ February 18, 2006, 12:50 AM: Message edited by: ReddwarfVII ]
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
quote:I want to try to create a decent system out of my old computer that will not cost me billions of dollars and has a lot of ram, a faster processor and a larger hard drive.
Synth, don't. I'm serious about this. Your older computer won't even have a power supply capable of running the stuff you're going to plug into it.
What this means is that you're going to replace EVERYTHING in your computer except the case, mouse and keyboard.
At that point, if cost is as you've indicated your primary concern, it will be far, far cheaper for you to buy from some manufacturer like Dell when they're having a sale -- especially if you've never done this before and aren't sure what parts you need. While it's still possible to build a machine more cheaply than it can be purchased, it's harder nowadays than it used to be.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Could I try buying from a place that builds computers? That's what I did with this one. The local guy charges a lot, but I really like custom build computers better than manufacturers for some reason... Plus I want to know how I could copy my hd onto another one. Plus i just bought this video card in the summer and I don't want to replace it yet.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Find a friend who has a Sam's Club membership. Go there and buy their cheapest tower computer. It will come with an LCD monitor, and be around $600, and be pretty darn decent.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
Really, you won't be saving much money building your own computer. In the past it was worth it, but anymore you can buy prebuilt ones for very cheap. If you just need a minor upgrade, it is good to do it yourself. But once you need to replace the motherboard, processor, Ram, power supply it is no longer really worth it. You also start moving beyond the average person's knowledge level (particularly when you have to start adding more heat, and need a better cooling system).
The real benefit of building your own computer is not savings on price, but customization. It does take a bit of know how though, and if you screw up you are on your own...since you won't have tech support through a company.
I would recommend that you buy a cheap computer from best buy rather than trying to build your own.
Posted by Nato (Member # 1448) on :
I'd say it is definitely still worth it to build your own in certain quality ranges, but at the low end of the market, barebones prebuilt ones are a good way to go. (Check out some barebones systems at tigerdirect.com)
If I were you, I'd build my own (maybe re-using the case, but not much else)
Something like this: click Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Computers from major manufacturers also have the advantage of coming with pre-installed software.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
True, but often there is software I'd rather not have on it. When I got this computer it just had the operating system and I had to install everything myself. Can't say I minded that. I mainly want to build my own out of fun, experience, so I can know a ton about computers and be able to fix them myself without being charged 75 bucks an hour or having to bother a neighbour. Also I could have a computer with a huuuuuuuuuge HD and a ridiculous amount of memory and that is quite appealing as well.
Posted by Tullaan (Member # 5515) on :
Check out ecollegepc.com
They sell computers without an operating system(Windows) or extraneous software. They also don't make you buy a new monitor and printer etc.
They have multiple levels of systems, from bare bones to gaming. Some start at only around 300 dollars.
Having bought from them in the past I will do it again. I have friends that build computers to sell (and for fun), and they cannot build the computers at ecollegepc.com for cheaper than what they sell them for.
Shipping is free and if you pay with a money order you get 3% off the price. You can even upgrade and customize the way you want.
Keep in mind, you may need to have them load Windows on the machine or you need to buy it seperatly and load it on yourself.
Tull
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Thanks, dude! That's exactly what I was looking for! I got my first computer from a place like that, but they went downhill. I must have got the last good computer from them or something... Very cool!
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
Synesthesia, how did the computer building go? I have rebuilt old computers out of old parts and it is fun.
WHat are you planning on using the new/rebuilt computer for?
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I'm going to have to rebuild a new computer soon because this is on life support... I give it a few months or more before it gives out. Hopefully I can get a gaming system and salvage my hard drive... I hope I can do that. I got to get a better job first.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
I'm a longtime fan of mwave.com
You could also keep you hard drive, and disk drives to lower the price.
In fact, check out the budget computer from arstechnica.com It's a complete system (not a gaming box, but faster than your current system) for around 500-600 bucks.
Tom's advice is good as well.
Also, what is ypur "new video card", and is it AGP or PCIe?
-Bok
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
You can customize computers built by manufacturers, you know. Like, you can order them to whatever you want.
-pH
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Uh.. AGP? Not sure... But, I could get a system with a 256 mg video card... I wonder I could have 2 vid cards in one computer.
I know, but the nerd in me likes the idea of building a computer or getting it build by one of these people. Perhaps because I want to know about computers so I don't have to hire a person to fix them. Not at all like Do it Yourself Animal Surgery.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
Syn, before you think of building, PLEASE read up on things. The video arena has had a shift from AGP to PCIe (the type of physical slot it uses) in the past year. AGP can't be used in PCIe.
And that's just the start.
As for 2 card, or multiple hard drives, Tom's post is important to realize. Your power supply will be toast, and you will need a new one.
-Bok
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Having a computer built by someone is about the same as having one built by a manufacturer, really. Both of my computers are custom, and one is Hewlett-Packard, and the other is Compaq (and yes, I realize that they're really the same company).
-pH
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Ones more expensive though... And has a bunch of stuff I don't really want or need.
Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :
If you want the scoop on computer hardware and what to look for when shopping, I would recommend visiting Newegg.com and look under their knowledge base section.
Both Zipzoomfly and Newegg used to have little blurbs about how RAM, CPU, Vid card all work etc for a more informed buying experience. However, they've made a lot of changes and I'm not seeing those little blurbs anymore.
Monarch Computer offers some good computers that you can fully customize down to the power supply, case, case FAN...and more. I've ordered from them before they're good folks.
If you have any local LAN party groups that get together, there'll be plenty of people there that could build you a computer.
Do you visit Hatrack Chat?
[ March 19, 2006, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: Earendil18 ]
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
quote:Originally posted by Synesthesia: I wonder I could have 2 vid cards in one computer.
Since money seems to be such an issue for you, I'd highly recommend against this. Do you really need to spend double the amount on video cards for about a 25 percent increase in performance?
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I just dont' want to get rid of this new video card I have.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
So you meant that you want to keep your current card and get a second and use them simultaneously? 'Cause that most likely won't work.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
quote:Originally posted by Synesthesia: Could I try buying from a place that builds computers? That's what I did with this one. The local guy charges a lot, but I really like custom build computers better than manufacturers for some reason...
I guess that's the part that confuses me. I don't get why you'd be willing to pay extra for someone else to build it but not a manufacturer, when they have almost exactly the same degree of customization capacity.
But my sister's company builds custom computers, so I guess I could put you in touch with her...
-pH
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Cool. I mostly just want the parts I want and nothing extra like a monitor. I don't even mind having to install most programs myself. It's cheaper that way it seems... Took me ages, for example to install real media on my computer. I hate that program.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
I'm going to say this because no one else seems ready to: You will not be able to build a computer. Don't even try. You'll just be wasting your money.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Aw. Well, I could just get one custom built. I want to learn a lot about computers because I get so tired of paying someone to fix them. At least I know how to install hardware and that's always good.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
Syn, if you want to learn, check out the arstechnica.com computer hardware guides. Any terms you don't understand (bound to be a bunch of them), google them and read up. (They also have a "ultimate budget box" guide).
Do this for educational purposes, don't think that you'll be replacing your computer soon.
Also, there's installing hardware, and then installing hardware. Putting in a video card is much different than putting in a CPU + heatsink, or even a motherboard.
-Bok
Posted by Baron Samedi (Member # 9175) on :
Why do you say that, PC? I'm no more computer savvy than your average hobbyist, and I just built my own computer. It took a bit of research, but in the end it wasn't unreasonably difficult of frustrating, and it has been running without a glitch for about a month now.
I don't think I'm any smarter than Synesthesia, so I'm wondering why you think she can't do it. Or why, by extension, you think I shouldn't have.
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
I'll echo what's been said about the video cards: if you want a new video card, you should probably get a motherboard that's PCI Express compatible. That seems to be the way all the video card manufacturers are going. You can still get a very good card that uses AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port), but probably not for much longer.
And if you're going with AMD (Athlon), for the love-a Mike, get a socket 939 motherboard rather than a 754. Right now, most 939 motherboards accept the newest chips, so you could do anything from a 2800+ to one of the new dual-processor chips (or upgrade to same some time in the future if you decide you need that kind of power.) 754 is the old standard, and it's fading, just like AGP.
I speak from experience in this. A friend of mine helped my computer together (a great way to save on the often high work costs- he did it to repay a favor.) It's a great machine, but it's AGP-only and socket 754, so it's not going to be upgradable for very much longer. The very fact that you're considering this project means that you will almost certainly want to be able to do a major upgrade, some time in the future.
You almost certainly *will* be able to transfer your hard drive to a new machine if you choose, but I recommend making it the secondary hard drive not the primary. A new set of hardware inevitably means re-installing your operating system, and keeping hold data on a hard drive you're trying to reinstall an OS on can be a huge gassle.
Oh, and portable hard drives are great for making system transfers easier. And they've come down in price a lot.
Posted by ladyday (Member # 1069) on :
My husband wrote up a nice guide to how to build your own computer, thought some might find it useful .
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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