NationStates Jolt Archive

Who here built their own computer from spare parts rather than buying one put together?

Personally, the idea of anyone building their own computer has barely even occured to me, but I'm wondering now if its rather more common than I thought.

Well, I bought a motherboard and a CPU as a package and built upwards from there. I did the same the last time I upgraded my computer: it still contains a floppy drive from my very first PC (DX2-66).

Aside from that I have pulled innumerable old computers from skips (dumpsters) and bins and rebuilt them to varying degrees. You'd be surprised how little getting totally soaked by the rain will hurt a computer, provided that you give it time to dry out before you stick electricity through it.

I got my person from that nice man in the corner.... HE was so nice that i could resist buying this nice brown sticky box...

Since I'm a bit older here then most I've been playing with these things since the early 80's. I've built all of my computers from kits since then. It has saved me thousands since my first one.

i got a crappy 600$ hp pavilian they sell at christmas and have replaced everything but the processor and mother board and cd drive:
added 160 gig harddrive, 64 meg geforce 4, 256 megs of ram, and oh jesus is it hard to screw around in a pavilian, they put as much stuff as possible in the smallest tower they can get

I've done both, and I have also upgraded some until the box was the only original bit left.At least it's not like the early days anymore when you had to get the solder gun out on a regular basis.

But then again - I also started programming in Fortran on punch-cards, so I've been at this for a while....

Heh I'm 15 and have been messing with computers snice I was 9.
Until I got a job and built my new rig. All I had was a 75mhz 486 DX4.
I still used the floppy drive from it.
The One I built is.
Pentium4C 2.4ghz
128mb FX5200
512mb of Ram
60gb Hard Drive
DVD-RW Drive
15inch LCD Moniter.

A nice inprovement from my other rig as you might think.

Well, I bought a motherboard and a CPU as a package and built upwards from there. I did the same the last time I upgraded my computer: it still contains a floppy drive from my very first PC (DX2-66).

Aside from that I have pulled innumerable old computers from skips (dumpsters) and bins and rebuilt them to varying degrees. You'd be surprised how little getting totally soaked by the rain will hurt a computer, provided that you give it time to dry out before you stick electricity through it.
hell i should do that, go see if i can scavenge old systems from best buy or something

hell i should do that, go see if i can scavenge old systems from best buy or something

I picked up a 200MHz Pentium today that was lying on the street. The annoying thing is that it is hard to tell if you are picking up a reasonable speed of a creature or not from just looking at the case. Still somedays you're lucky, somdays you ain't.

Most people I know have built their own computers.
It generally works out cheaper and allows for a more customised PC.

a word of advice. If you don;t know what a BIOS is don't even brother.

In choosing a Processor for your computer.
It really depends.
If you have the Extra Money. Take Intels Pentium 4.
If you don't have as much money go for AMD's Athlon XP or even AMD 64 as they are cheaper than High End Pentium 4's.

I'll List some pros and cons.

AMD:
Pros: 1.Cheap Cheap Cheap
2.And you get alot of power for the Money,
3.And if you spend extra you can get 64 bit computing.
Cons:1.Heat, these processors tend to heat up much faster than Pentium 4's
2. Low FSB Speeds, This is a problem with very high end applications, though this only applies to any model lower than the 3000
Intel:Pros:
1. Very High BandWith, This is great for PhotoShop and movie editing. And yes you can tell a difference.
2. HT- Acts like to Processors allowing windows to use your CPU more effiecntly, Windows will detect 2 processors if your processor has this.
3.Pentium 4 processors run much cooler than there AMD counter Parts.
CONS:
1. PRICE!

The people I know in my age that has some intrest in computers buy pieces and put it together themself(or with the help of riends) to a computer opted for what they want to use it for and thier economy.

a word of advice. If you don;t know what a BIOS is don't even brother.

In choosing a Processor for your computer.
It really depends.
If you have the Extra Money. Take Intels Pentium 4.
If you don't have as much money go for AMD's Athlon XP or even AMD 64 as they are cheaper than High End Pentium 4's.

I'll List some pros and cons.

AMD:
Pros: 1.Cheap Cheap Cheap
2.And you get alot of power for the Money,
3.And if you spend extra you can get 64 bit computing.
Cons:1.Heat, these processors tend to heat up much faster than Pentium 4's
2. Low FSB Speeds, This is a problem with very high end applications, though this only applies to any model lower than the 3000
Intel:Pros:
1. Very High BandWith, This is great for PhotoShop and movie editing. And yes you can tell a difference.
2. HT- Acts like to Processors allowing windows to use your CPU more effiecntly, Windows will detect 2 processors if your processor has this.
3.Pentium 4 processors run much cooler than there AMD counter Parts.
CONS:
1. PRICE!

2. No 64 Bit Compatible Processors

a word of advice. If you don;t know what a BIOS is don't even brother.


Ah, heck, it ain't that complex. If you have ever successfully changed a soundcard or a video card or the like, then you should be adequately equipped to build your own computer. Yes, do a bit of research on the web or reading a computer magazine to work out exactly what stuff youa re going to need, but learning how to do it all is a pretty straightforward business. The biggest nightmare you are likely to find is than one part you have bought doesn't actually have any official drivers that actually work (ladies and gentlemen, meet my videocard), but with access to another assembled machine with internet access, you should be able to track down something.

I remeber when I didn't know the limit of my 486's 130 Watt PSU.
Tried putting a 32mb Video Card in it.
Hello auto shut downs!

I was going to have a friend build me a new one but decided to save my money. It's a lot cheaper to build your own computer though because you can get exactly what you need at the cheapest prices and less people are profiting off of you.

I always thought it was funny that the Dell commercials basically tell you not to listen to computer salesmen and then tell you to call them and talk to their computer salesmen. :)

I don't think I have ever bought a whole computer ....

Every one I've ever owned (first one at age 8) was built by my own hands.

Granted, that's a lot easier now that you can buy motherboards instead of having to piece them together yourself (bet I'm one of the few people on these forums that can program Cmos and fully understands the intricacies of interrupts) ...

Then again ... if the only tool you used to put together your computer was a screwdriver, you didn't really build it yourself.

Dell is actually quite nice as Pre Fabbers go.
They use decent motherboards and video cards.
Unlike Hp who uses stuff from companys that I didn't know exist!

Well not from spare parts no, but buy the seperate parts individually and then assemble it. It's much cheaper and also allows for much more customization.

I bought my computer, but I built my dad's.

yup have been building my own for allmost 4 years now

I'm too lazy to. I'd rather have it built for me. Although I know I'm shortchanging myself doing that.

a word of advice. If you don;t know what a BIOS is don't even brother.

In choosing a Processor for your computer.
It really depends.
If you have the Extra Money. Take Intels Pentium 4.
If you don't have as much money go for AMD's Athlon XP or even AMD 64 as they are cheaper than High End Pentium 4's.

I'll List some pros and cons.

AMD:
Pros: 1.Cheap Cheap Cheap
2.And you get alot of power for the Money,
3.And if you spend extra you can get 64 bit computing.
Cons:1.Heat, these processors tend to heat up much faster than Pentium 4's
2. Low FSB Speeds, This is a problem with very high end applications, though this only applies to any model lower than the 3000
Intel:Pros:
1. Very High BandWith, This is great for PhotoShop and movie editing. And yes you can tell a difference.
2. HT- Acts like to Processors allowing windows to use your CPU more effiecntly, Windows will detect 2 processors if your processor has this.
3.Pentium 4 processors run much cooler than there AMD counter Parts.
CONS:
1. PRICE!

2. No 64 Bit Compatible Processors

3.The new P4 Prescott processors are way hotter then anyhting out on the market right now.
heh thats why they call them presshots

4. They dont have the NX bit enabled, which allows certain virus, and hacker prevention when used with windows SP2

5. doesnt perform as well as AMD systems when playing games.

When you buy a pre-assembled computer you will always be ripped off. They will sell you something will a fast cpu and high ram. But it will have a crapy mother board and/or video card. When they put these together thay use the crap that no one would buy or out of date parts.
When i put my own together I always spend less money and get a better computer.

When you buy a pre-assembled computer you will always be ripped off.

No not always. True you pay for labour costs and possibly some cover in case of fault, but I have found (at least in the UK) that sometimes it is impossible to buy all the individual components at a cheaper price than that of a pre-built machine - those companies are buying parts by the truckload, and so are dealing with lower costs. This still hasn't prevented me from paying the extra couple of quid it takes to buy those parts individually and build my own in order to feel that I am actually in control of my machine and responsible for it.

When you're buying pre-built computer, you're never sure what they'd put inside. That is unacceptable for me.
Another problem is that vendors usually try to dump price as much as possible, therefore saving small amounts on much worse elements.
So I'll say : If you want it done right, do it yourself.
Especially true for computers : D

No not always. True you pay for labour costs and possibly some cover in case of fault, but I have found (at least in the UK) that sometimes it is impossible to buy all the individual components at a cheaper price than that of a pre-built machine - those companies are buying parts by the truckload, and so are dealing with lower costs. This still hasn't prevented me from paying the extra couple of quid it takes to buy those parts individually and build my own in order to feel that I am actually in control of my machine and responsible for it.

My computer was bought @ Best Buy - and within the next 4 months I'm going to fry the fucker, take it in and get a replacement - hello 3 year full coverage replacement plans :D

Edit: My compy is over 2 years old now.

[os] Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 Service Pack 1
[cpu] 1 Intel Pentium IV @ 1793.68 MHz Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.80GHz x86 Family 15 Model 1 Stepping 2
[memory] 410/512mb [80.08%] [IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII----]
[display] NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS/GeForce2 Pro card(s), SyncMaster 753DF(T)/ 783DF(T), MagicSyncMaster AQ17DF 1280x1024x32bpp - 60Hz monitor [sound] Sound Blaster Audigy LS
[hdd] [C: 39,997.74mb (9,711.75mb free)]
[bios] D845PT - 20011113 [connection] BCM V.90 56K Modem Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection 1394 Net Adapter RAS Async Adapter

I actually have an 80gb hard drive but have it partitioned so I could dual boot windows xp and slackware.

The manager @ Best Buy said I get to pick any computer that costs at the most $2,500, because that was the cost of the compy I have now two years ago.

Built mine myself using budget parts. lol. At the time I built it it was pretty fast, but a TNT2 M64 doesn't hold up so well nowadays.

My computer was bought @ Best Buy - and within the next 4 months I'm going to fry the fucker, take it in and get a replacement - hello 3 year full coverage replacement plans :D


You are, of course, speaking entirely hypothetically about what you could do if you had no qualms about defrauding said company and publishing information connected to such a criminal act on a public website from where your identity could be traced, obviously...

You are, of course, speaking entirely hypothetically about what you could do if you had no qualms about defrauding said company and publishing information connected to such a criminal act on a public website from where your identity could be traced, obviously...

Of course speaking entirely hypothetically ;) But, even if they did track me - the computer was purchased in the name of a friend of the family, because my mom didn't have enough money the night we got it. :P Paid by CC. :P

3.The new P4 Prescott processors are way hotter then anyhting out on the market right now.
heh thats why they call them presshots

4. They dont have the NX bit enabled, which allows certain virus, and hacker prevention when used with windows SP2

5. doesnt perform as well as AMD systems when playing games.
Thats why you buy the C and not the E ;)
The presscott is not going to last very long.
Intel is only a month or 2 away from there new 64-bit Processors.
Plus if your a good programmer and have 10,000 dollars to blow you can buy a intrinum(SP)2 processor.
Sure it doesn't work with windows but it blows everything out of the water!

I had to pick "Other" for a few reasons.

1) I don't know how realistic building a laptop from scratch is...so I just got a Dell, dude.

2) My previous desktop (motherboard got f'd up) was not originally built by me, but I decided that I didn't like any of the hardware in it...so the only thing original in it was the metal box it came in.

3) I will be building my own desktop sometime in the near future (moneys, moneys, moneys).

Built my own with guidance from a friend, but I post from the one at work.

2.4Ghz Celer(y)on
512 DDR
128M GeForce FX5200
Dual 40's
DVD -R/ROM
CD-R/RW
400W Silent Running PS


Got some two LED Strips on the front and an LED fan on the side.

2.4Ghz Celer(y)on
512 DDR
128M GeForce FX5200
Dual 40's
DVD -R/ROM
CD-R/RW
400W Silent Running PS


Got some two LED Strips on the front and an LED fan on the side.
wow...except for the LEDs, you're about on par with my laptop...(batteries, after all, aren't that loud...).

I think my video card is essentially the same (I can't find the stats on it right now): ATI Radeon 9700 Mobility

I bought mine from a certain chain of German small discount supermarkets.

I added a RAM strip of 256 MB (512 MB total now) myself and that's all the building I've ever done. :p I had a second 80 GB HDD installed, 160 GB total now.

Putting the hardware together requires no skill. It's like putting legos together.

The hardest part about building your own computer is wiring up the front panel buttons, LEDs, and any other front panel connectors... heh.

Ago I put together my present system, since I been using PC's since 80's
Having had a c-64, c-128, trs80 models III and IV, XT. 386, 486, still the working old P-2 233mhz I put together at a few bucks over $600:

Case with 400+ Watt P/S Silver
100 Gig HD
dvd-rom
floppy drive
Abit It7 max 2 Mobo with switchable 400/533 mhz FSB, firewire, Ata,
support, 2 USB hubs supporting 10 USB connections on front and back
and supports hyperthreading.

Pentium 4 1.8 ghz CPU
256 MB DDR-333 RAM

32mb all in wonder Radeon 4x AGP Video card.

It's been running fine all this time, quite satisfactory, I put most of my Cash into the Motherboard and Processor, the Graphics card can be easy upgraded if I ever need to and it can have an ATA Harddrive installed instead of the usual IDE drive, I could add a 2nd HD and use firewire and mirror the primary drive in otherwords It gives me options in upgrading, hyperthreading allows me to future upgrade the processor, less limited in processor speed in an upgrade... cheaper Mobos can limit what and how fast a processor can ever have.

The Mobo also came with 10/100 network card.

One thing I'd note is in my experience, you should buy a UPS/battery backup and use that, it will keep power clean, reduce surge /sag hits to the P/S and prevent brownouts/sags from causing a pc to reboot on you, allowing a PC to last longer My p-II 233mhz still is running even after buying it in 1998,
less stress on the system with a UPS that can switch over even for a few seconds like when your Air cond may cause lights to dim... a PC just plugged in will suffer a surge hit when power evens out if it doesn't reboot and corrupt the system on a power sag.

Since my computer shop charged me about 50$ for an hour of work, I decided to rather ruin my machine myself than pay any more money for others. Hell, do they think they are pilots??

Of course it requires some reading and a good manual, but actually everyone can put together a machine him or herself. It really is not such a big business, although I have to say that sometimes a bit searching and reading is required!
(Who would know that some AMD processors and Win95 don´t like each other? But there´s a little prog for that. Old times stuff.)

Hint of the day:
Don´t try to bring Plug&Play to a new level and built in a CD drive WHILE your machine is on. It might ruin your motherboard. :rolleyes:
But that was tried loooooong ago....

Putting the hardware together requires no skill. It's like putting legos together.


Actually you had better know what you are doing and know what precautions to take cause many components are very sensitive to STATIC charges and you can easy blow out components by not knowing how to handle em.

They are NOT like legos which you can just up and use without any ill effects.

You also have to know what doing in setting up system cause if don't know then your going have problems with the software.

Also misinstalling the cards, making connections if you don't do it right you can mess up.

Especially in installing the CPU!

Also...

If you really think it is just like Legos, do you know that some AGP cards cannot just be put into any AGP slot?

I have an 4x agp card that requires a slot that provides 1.5 volts, wrong card for wrong voltage slot and fried card...maybe fried Mobo.

Also...

If you really think it is just like Legos, do you know that some AGP cards cannot just be put into any AGP slot?

I have an 4x agp card that requires a slot that provides 1.5 volts, wrong card for wrong voltage slot and fried card...maybe fried Mobo.
its less like LEGOS (C) and more like those lego copies that dont fit together too well

Actually you had better know what you are doing and know what precautions to take cause many components are very sensitive to STATIC charges and you can easy blow out components by not knowing how to handle em.


That hasn't been a problem for a decade ...

I still maintain that if the only tool you used was a screwdriver, then you didn't build it yourself.