I'm planning on building my own computer in the near future and was wondering if anyone here has done it before. Any advice or suggestions? Got any links where I can find some useful information? Google is a swamp that I don't care to wade through.

Thanks.

double and triple check your parts list to make sure that everything is compatable, it sucks when you order a socket 939 motherboard for your socket 754 processor. Also, make sure you touch the power supply before installing stuff and touch it every now and then to discharge static electricity. One more thing, the most underlooked part on the computer is the power supply, but if you get one that underpowers your system, you're in for a world of hurt. I know from experience, melting a power supply is no fun. Post a specs list, I'm interested now.

Hudsonville makes excellent ice cream...

If you don't have the parts Newegg.com is easily the best place to buy them from. I'm not good with technology so the actual building of the comp will have to come from someone else.

Thanks for the info. Specs? I'm not even that knowledgable to know what I need. I know some of the parts I need, but I don't know all of them nor do I know what quality to look for. Compatibility issues is not even something I would have though of. I though any motherboard would work with any processor. That's how little I know.

For instance...

What am I looking for in a tower case? Size? How many fans?

http://www.pricewatch.com is an excellent source for finding parts and comparing prices. They basically provide sortable lists from a bunch of different sellers. I've built two computers and went through them both times.

As far as the parts you're looking for, it depends on what you want to do with the computer. For example, if you want it to be compact, go with a small case. If size isn't an issue and you want to be able to upgrade/expand easily, go for a bigger one. If you're going with a top of the line (super-fast), heat-intensive system, you'd like more fans, but then you're fighting the noise issue.


Specifications.

Basic parts: tower (power supply included is usually easiest), motherboard, processor (again with a CPU fan), hard drive, DVD/CD drive, keyboard, mouse, monitor. The cords should all be included. If you get all that, you've got a functioning system. Again, depending on what you want to do with it, you may want to get a graphics card and/or network card.

LOL...I knew what specs meant, I just don't know what I should be looking for. I use my computer to store photos, for graphic design (photoshop) to watch movies, listen to music, play poker and other games...sometimes I do 2 or 3 at once and my current pc slows to a crawl. So I guess I'm looking to build something superfast with dual-cores and hyperthreading and all that jazz.

So, I'm assuming I need to start with the tower. What should I be looking for? Who makes a good one? I want one that looks good but I don't want to sacrifice practicality for esthetics.

Is something like this okay? http://cgi.ebay.ca/Cobra-828-Mid-Tower-Com...bayphotohosting

Or do I need more than 400W?

I've built 2 before and have upgraded tons.

DO NOT go cheap on the following parts (in this order):

1. Power Supply - Seriously, don't skimp here. Go Antec and be happy.

2. Case - Some of these are so cheap that if you even bump them, the metal is so flimsy that it will bend your motherboard while the computer is on and that's REALLY bad

3. Motherboard - Big name brand only. Don't go cheap.

4. Memory (you can go cheap but stay with a reputable name, they are rarely that much more expensive than generic)

I'm pretty far out of the loop with new hardware. I used to keep up with that crap about 2 years ago.

Anyway, newegg.com is a great site for computer stuff. And tomshardware.com gives moderately unbiased reviews.

It was lot more fun to do back in the day. Computer Shopper magazine used to be the size of a phone book.

Now days unless you are building a custom high-end machine I don’t see the point. Unless you are going to put in lots of hours of research just buy a Dell.

Although I will say that now that Fry’s has a store here in town I have seen some amazing deals.

Oops. Totally neglected RAM. Yeah, you'll need some of that. =)


I thought you probably did, but just making sure.

That case and power supply look fine. I've usually gone for slightly more expensive ($80-$120) models, but if you're really worried about it, just find some reviews on the sites that others have recommended.