Curse

Azrael · Apr 02, 2005, 09:54 PM // 21:54

I was wondering if anyone knew any online guides on how to build your own computer (as detailed as possible would be nice). The only computer I have now is my family computer and its not really that great (I don't feel like going into specs), but I've wanted one for my room for a while and now that I have the money I want to build my own so it is costumized to do what I want.

Thanx in advance.

Mss Drizzt · Apr 02, 2005, 10:01 PM // 22:01

In order for us to give you anything concrete we will need to know your buget. And what you would prefer for cpu/graphics.

Azrael · Apr 02, 2005, 10:13 PM // 22:13

Budget wise... about 900-1000 would be nice (without monitor).
Cpu-2.6 ghz or higher and graphics would just need to be enough to play this.

Loviatar · Apr 02, 2005, 10:28 PM // 22:28

pc magazine has a listing of the best parts for 3 different price ranges

go to library and copy the hardware page if it isnt available online

for that much you might consider going online to a few sites including alienware for their budget line and try a few configurations to see if you can get a nice package that has a warranty

BTW

for that money you can do better than the proc you mentioned

also have you considered AMD ot are you set on intel

lots of choices

Mss Drizzt · Apr 02, 2005, 11:00 PM // 23:00

amd 64 3800+ 512 L2 cache 370.00

asus a8n-sli Delux 175.00

corsair 1 gig pc-3200 89.00

asus extreme n6600 PCIe 151.49

Thermaltake tsunami dream htx 105.00

jaguar 450w psu 65.00

sata 250 gig wd hdd 127.00

Your up and running.

Fezz · Apr 02, 2005, 11:12 PM // 23:12

If you are still looking for a guide on how to actually put it all together check out this thread with detailed instructions and pictures.

Azrael · Apr 02, 2005, 11:32 PM // 23:32

Thanks for all the suggestions and for the guide. Any more suggestions are always good though.

Sin · Apr 03, 2005, 12:18 AM // 00:18

I did a little web searching and on a simple review this site seemed pretty comprehensive...

-This site even has links to a computer repair flowchart--something you might need being this is your first box. I Didn't go through the links but the guide at this link walks you through it and they don't seem to asking a fee, however, like most online guides it's for a pentium II. Obviously out of date as far as the actual components, however, it's not hard to mentally put "AMD 3800" in it's place in the text although this won't help much for the illustrations

They do have a link to purchase the 4th edition of their Build Your Own PC Book from amazon for $12.99(US).

http://www.daileyint.com/build/

-This site although a 2004 article, seemed like a pretty handy little component/language reference for a novice...

http://www.acme.com/build_a_pc/

-The following are some basic tips I copied and pasted from a site on building a Pentium II. These basics remain, and in some cases (i.e. Static sensitivity) are more, important:

"Don't overtighten!

Remember, you're building a computer, not a bridge. If you tighten all of your screws until they beg for mercy you're likely to strip the screw, strip the hole, rip the head clean off the screw (computer screws are often of lousy quality), overstress an expansion card by twisting its tab, or crack the motherboard. Just snug them down so they can't be undone with your fingers, and that's good enough. On a related note...

Don't use an electric screwdriver!

Cordless screwdrivers (not a dreadfully informative name; pretty much all screwdrivers are cordless, when you think about it) are great if you have to drive a lot of big screws. When building a computer you only have to drive a few little ones, so you won't get the job done much faster by using a power driver, and even if your screwdriver has a torque control, it's quite possible you'll overtighten screws. Electric screwdrivers also tend to be big and clunky, which makes it hard to use them for fiddly jobs like tightening motherboard screws next to case metalwork.

Anti-static precautions

Static electricity, which you pick up and dissipate pretty much every time you move or touch something, can destroy the more sensitive electronics in various computer components. The crackling you get when you stroke a cat on a dry day is thousands and thousands of volts of static (the current is so vanishingly low that there's no danger to you at all, unless the sparking startles the cat...), but as little as 200 volts is enough to fry components. You won't feel a 200 volt discharge at all.

Realistically, it's pretty unlikely that you'll destroy any components of your new computer with static electricity. You're much more likely to drop them or overtighten something or bend connector pins. There, that made you feel better, didn't it?

To remove the risk of static damage completely, though, you can buy anti-static wrist or ankle straps for less than $20. A wire leads from the strap to a reference earth [ground], generally the frame of the computer, which must be plugged into the wall but needn't be turned on. [This is true so make absolutely sure the power supply is OFF BEFORE YOU PLUT IT IN THE WALL!! I forgot to check the on/off switch putting one together and fried the mootherboard--I assumed (Doh!) that I checked the switch.] True paranoids also use anti-static work mats to lay all the components on.

You don't need to buy geek jewellery in order to be static-safe, though. If you have carpet, especially wool or synthetic, try to find an uncarpeted place to work. Plug the case in as recommended above, and just touch any piece of exposed metalwork periodically while working. It's just feasible that you'll still cook a component somehow, but I for one would be more worried about the risk of a jumbo jet crashing into my house."

(All emphasis to the above was added by me out of concerns for safety and not wasting your cash on re-buying components since it sounds like this is the first time you want to tackle building a PC.)

Now if I were you...

I'd consider how close GuildWars is to release and take a look at Mss Drizzt config, then I would shop sites looking for about 3-5 of the closest matches I could find on the web. Come back to this forum, post the links to what you found, and ask if these seem reasonable or what upgrades/extras might be good a good investment. I say this because at least you know you can get what you need fast should you need to and you get a warranty so should you take delivery of the system next week plug it in and it dies within a few days or weeks you are likely not stuck without a system.

Should you build one, try not to spend everything in the initial components purchase so you can quickly replace a piece or two should you need to. Seeing as it's the first time you are building a computer I'd try to not spend about 20-25 percent of the budget--that's your self-warranty basically.

P.S. Loviatar, Mss Drizzt and many others have taught me alot about todays systems throughout their posts in the technicians corner. I would trust any configuration ideas they posted as well thought out, reasonable, and surely to run games as complex as GuildWars and beyond.

*Edit* it took me a few to find some stuff so by the time I posted Fezz had posted to which, I thank Fezz for that great link

Mss Drizzt · Apr 03, 2005, 12:31 AM // 00:31

I did not include sound or network. They are both on the mobo.

Also this board will do you for the next 3 yrs. With a bios update it will do dual core.

I believe that it will do you well for the long haul and be able to upgrade graphics when they get better.

Loviatar · Apr 03, 2005, 12:37 AM // 00:37

one caviet i would add is to buy a RETAIL processor (cpu) over a oem as the retail while costing little more has a 3 YEAR warranty and comes with approved heatsink and fan which can cost as much as the savings

the OEM processor only comes with a 30 DAY warranty

HARD DRIVES

those for some reason are the opposite

i like WESTERN DIGITAL

RETAIL costs much more comes with a cable 4 screws and instructions with 1 year warranty

OEM costs less comes in a box and thats all also it has a 3 year warranty (same drive)

where you buy is important

i have trusted newegg.com for years and their prices are as low as most and they have been near the top of reseller ratings for as long as they have been in business

STATIC

i dont use a strap but i have developed my own procedure which has worked

arrange your case so you can put your elboe against the bare metal of the case at the time you handle any parts and do the install

for cards and ram that means putting an elboe inside the right front corner and using that as an armrest for a gental steady push on whatever i am installing

i also unplug physically the power supply from the pc end so it doesnt matter if i forget anything

i press on and nothing happens until i go is it plugged in nope

Mss Drizzt · Apr 03, 2005, 12:59 AM // 00:59

I just touch the side of the case before I touch any component. And I put them together in my kitchen which has tile.

Loviatar · Apr 03, 2005, 01:06 AM // 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mss Drizzt

I just touch the side of the case before I touch any component. And I put them together in my kitchen which has tile.

tile helps but the only tile here is the bathroom and it is a bit awkward to even contemplate working there

Mss Drizzt · Apr 03, 2005, 02:00 AM // 02:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loviatar

tile helps but the only tile here is the bathroom and it is a bit awkward to even contemplate working there

Yea but you have the tub.

Loviatar · Apr 03, 2005, 02:07 AM // 02:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mss Drizzt

Yea but you have the tub.

and i can balance it on my knees to keep it above the water

i will see your

and raise it to

Lews · Apr 03, 2005, 04:01 AM // 04:01

I touch the side of the case.

I like to look up parts, but Drizzt did a good job of a budget pc in that range. Though I would get a 3500 and a 6800 gt instead.

DarkWasp · Apr 03, 2005, 04:53 AM // 04:53

I built my PC. And I learned it all by common/uncommon sense.

Read the mother board manual for jumper and BIOS settings.
Becareful not to put conflicting cards in shared PCI slots, such as sound and network cards.
Remember were all the cords and plugs go.
Use the motherboard layout map to see were everything goes.
Dont block or neglect fans.
Always touch the metal casing before touching anything inside.
DO NOT DO ANYTHING WITH THE POWER ON!

Now replacing the CPU is a tough part, your gonna wanto read up on that.

I'm a bad example though, you shouldnt just open up your computer and start changing things like i did.

But my computer is working great now.

Mss Drizzt · Apr 03, 2005, 05:02 AM // 05:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lews

I touch the side of the case.

I like to look up parts, but Drizzt did a good job of a budget pc in that range. Though I would get a 3500 and a 6800 gt instead.

I was thinking about that but I don't think the $ difference would be enough for him to stay in his price range. So I went with the higher CPU instead.

And Microsoft has announced the release of Windows 64 OS and that is the OS I would use as it would show a marked increase that should offset the difference in graphics cards. %50 faster for the OS verses %30 for the graphics. It is a toss up. And I am just not sure which would be better.

IE: no testing for benchmakeing yet availible.

Lews · Apr 03, 2005, 06:15 AM // 06:15

amd 64 3800+ 512 L2 cache 370.00

asus extreme n6600 PCIe 151.49

I found

eVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT $379.00

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ $267.00

Yes, you are right, it's about 100 more for the 3500 and GT, but I think it would do better.

Mss Drizzt · Apr 03, 2005, 07:27 AM // 07:27

Yes I found the same gt6800 but I am pretty sure it is agp not PCIe.

Also I'm not too fond of no name nvidia cards. Their cards have a problem with heat. And the lesser ones don't have a very good cooling solution.

That is just me though. To each his own.

Lews · Apr 03, 2005, 07:49 AM // 07:49

What am I thinking about! Radeon X800 XL, a card better then the 6800 GT, $300, pci express and ATI ( or their board makers ).

No, that nvidia was pci-express.

But sheesh.... the X800 XL is a fantastic card, and a killer for the money. Comparable to inbetween a GT and Ultra 6800, and only 280 for a connect 3d or something, 300 for Saphire/Ati.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-509&depa=1