SydLexia.com - The Forums :: View topic - Anybody want to learn to build thier own PC?

Posted: Dec 18 2008 08:26 pm

I notice that the level of knowledge regarding PCs varies greatly on this board. Some people just know how to click the mouse. Some can upgrade parts on thier own. And, others still, know how to overclock thier CPUs and tighten their RAM timings to squeeze an extra few points out of benchmarks. (And, some have no idea what that last sentence even means.)

Well, from time to time, I build PCs as a side job to make extra money. I have built around 30+ systems. Everything from $300 budget systems up to the last build I did, which cost $1,800 in parts alone.

Well, I am getting ready to build a new PC for my in-laws. And, I thought, that maybe you guys would like to see how it is done step by step. If the majority is interested, then I will keep a photo worklog and post it up, explaining step by step what I am doing.

What do you think?

Posted: Dec 18 2008 08:42 pm

I'd want to see how to build a PC. Never did it, never saw it, so it would be pretty educational for me.

Docinsano's Channel 63 · Posted: Dec 18 2008 09:22 pm

Yes. I'd love to learn how to build a PC. I've always wanted to build one from scratch, but never really had the time or money. Now i have a case and a few other parts, it would be nice to have a guide or something. I'm all for it.

Posted: Dec 18 2008 09:28 pm

A documentary would be entertaining and informative! yay!

Posted: Dec 18 2008 09:33 pm

Building PCs is easy, it's building the parts that is hard.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Knyte wrote:

I notice that the level of knowledge regarding PCs varies greatly on this board. Some people just know how to click the mouse. Some can upgrade parts on thier own. And, others still, know how to overclock thier CPUs and tighten their RAM timings to squeeze an extra few points out of benchmarks. (And, some have no idea what that last sentence even means.)

Well, from time to time, I build PCs as a side job to make extra money. I have built around 30+ systems. Everything from $300 budget systems up to the last build I did, which cost $1,800 in parts alone.

Well, I am getting ready to build a new PC for my in-laws. And, I thought, that maybe you guys would like to see how it is done step by step. If the majority is interested, then I will keep a photo worklog and post it up, explaining step by step what I am doing.

What do you think?

As a former PC builder I'm good.

If you write a guide I'll browse through it to discuss, but it wouldn't be of much value for my own education.

I would be interested to know the specs though.

Joined: Jun 20 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 802

I think that's a great idea. Though I have most, if not all, the knowledge to do so, I haven't attempted to build my own yet. I have vastly modified every factory bought PC I've owned though. I've always wanted to build my own plexiglass cube PC, so some directions would be nice!

*thumbs up*

Posted: Dec 19 2008 12:36 am

wtf is a pc? politically correct? fuck that

Posted: Dec 19 2008 01:18 am

Yes please! Very Happy

Posted: Dec 19 2008 04:10 am

I'm good. I do think it is a good idea though!

Currently have my CPU overclocked 600mhz with a stock fan. Never frozen up on me yet, even with hours of Sandra stress testing.

Posted: Dec 19 2008 08:33 pm

I'd watch it. My uncle built his computer, so I knew how I would understand more of the things he says.

Posted: Dec 20 2008 01:24 am

Well, at a 10:1 ratio, it's a go.

The parts are due to arrive on 12/24/08. (Which, I lucked out on, because I was hoping to get the system build for x-mas.) So, I will have the guide up and posted sometime next week.

And, just so you know, here's what we are going to be building:

Case: Antec Three Hundred
Mobo: ASUS P5N-D 750i SLi
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Aftermarket CPU Cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro (To OC the Q6600)
Mem: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (5-5-5-15)
HDD: WD Caviar 1TB 7200 RPM SATA
Vid: EVGA GeForce GTX 260
DVD/R: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe
PSU: HIPER Type M HPU-4M730-SS 730W

This will be a very decent mid-level gaming system with plenty of Hard Drive space, and room for future upgrades, such as a 2nd GTX 260 video card for SLi.

Total price to build (With Shipping) = $US 969.19

Posted: Dec 20 2008 04:13 am

nice setup and I build computers too, nice choice on the gtx, I would have gone for the 4870x2 but thats just me.

Why didnt you get a Core I7?

Posted: Dec 20 2008 05:32 am

Because, I am working on a $1000 budget. If I went i7, then the Mobo, DDR3, and i7 920 would have taken the entire budget. There would be no money left for Case, PSU, HDD, DVD, and Video Card.

Second, a 4870 X2 is a $500 Video Card. The GTX 260 is the best bang in the $220-$250 range.

It's called working in a budget. This is the way I build systems for people. I say, "Tell me how much you have to spend, and I'll build you the best computer I can for the price."

If I had a $2000 budget, then yeah, I would go with an i7 and a 4870x2 or GTX 280, or hold out a month for the GTX 295.

Posted: Dec 20 2008 05:49 am

Ah I see ok. I would think about the Phenom II for a budget built.It is suppose to work on AM2plus Mobos and can support DDR2

Posted: Dec 20 2008 06:41 am

Well:

1. I would have to wait till Feb 4.(Jan 8 is the official launch, but retail products won't be available till Feb 4, 2009.)

2. Cost. The Phenom II 940 (3.0GHz) will retail for $340 vs Q6600 @ $190.

3. Also, based on the first benchmarks, Phenom II X4 model 940 (The top one) still isn't a match for the older generation QX9770 at 3.2GHz. (Which 95% of all Q6600's can easily OC to 3.2 GHz on stock air.)

The Phenom II 940 also only won one test. (Crysis, and only by 1 FPS.)

http://my.ocworkbench.com/2008/asrock/ASRock-AOD790G-128M-running-Phenom-II-X4-940-overclocking/Phenom_II_X4-info-1.htm

Don't get me wrong, I am a HUGE AMD supporter (My Q6600 in my system is my 1st Intel chip since the Celeron 300A.), but unfortunately it's their turn to play catch up this time around. They just can't really compete with the Core 2s and now the i7s. I hope they retake the crown though. The Athlon 64 generation was awesome.

Posted: Dec 20 2008 10:27 am

I agree on the Q6600 on being an awesome chip, to save even more money I would recommend the Pentium Dual Core E5200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

Its like a 100 dollars less and still packs a powerful punch since it is based on Wolfdale. I have noticed most stuff doesn't even utilize a Quad Core, even games such as Crysis or FarCry 2 dont.
I know GTA4 uses 3 cores, but that is like the only game I know of that actually does.

If you are doing movie encoding the quad is great, but I dont mind waiting an extra 5 minutes using a chip that is 100 dollars cheaper and I can use that money towards a better video card, which is the most important things for games over the processor.

As for the Phenom II, your pretty correct but I still love the compatability of not having to buy a new mobo or upgrade to DDR3,

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

It seems like a decent system.

I don't think I would have done it exactly like that, but that is be beauty of whitebox building. We all get to make "OUR" computers the way we like em.

Just for fun here are some of the changes I would have looked to make:
I would switch the EVGA GeForce GTX 260 for a Radeon 4850. Performance wise, the 260 is a better card... but only just slightly, and there is a $60-$75 premium for the nVidia chip. With only a 5% performance difference, I couldn't pay almost 30% more.

The next major change I would look to make is to get to the i7-920 processor.

Now as you mentioned the required RAM and Mobo choices would up the price of the whole system. I would bet on at least a $200 increase to buy solid components. But is it worth it?

I think so. The i7 and DDR3 are here to stay. Upgrading in the future will be an easier option, and the system's longevity will increase. There is also a large performance difference between a Q6600 and an i7-920, large enough to make up for the cost difference in motherboard and ram.

Like I said, I don't think that you made a bad decision with the setup, it is a fun box and will offer current day gaming fun for some time to come. I hope it is a well received box and enjoyed by those who use it!

Posted: Dec 20 2008 05:47 pm

Are you sure you don't mean a 4870, and not a 4850 over the GTX 260?

My pair of 9800GTs stomp my buddies system with a pair of 4850s. (I score about 2000 marks higher in 3DMark06.)

That, and there is about a $100 difference between the 4850 and the GTX 260. Whereas, the 4870s can be had for $199 vs the $240 for the GTX 260.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Knyte wrote:

Are you sure you don't mean a 4870, and not a 4850 over the GTX 260?

My pair of 9800GTs stomp my buddies system with a pair of 4850s. (I score about 2000 marks higher in 3DMark06.)

That, and there is about a $100 difference between the 4850 and the GTX 260. Whereas, the 4870s can be had for $199 vs the $240 for the GTX 260.

Ok, I'll agree that if I were building the system for myself, I would spend an extra 50 bucks and go for the 4870.

But I was not mistaken before. I would go with the 4850 for $150 and spend the difference on the i7 upgrade.

No doubt, graphics performance would be hurt slightly, but going forwards, a midrange graphics update is cheap compared to the core system being upgraded.

I would consider it a better investment to work that way.