I would like to build a custom computer for the sole purpose of being able to have a DIY project and as a little experiment. The question i have is: is there any good websites\books that would guide me in the process of putting the system together, with the exeption of these two addresses:
- http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Computer
- http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/
These guides are fair, if i do say so myself, but they seem a bit, well...Predated.
My budget is undecided though it could be around $800, including the OS.
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using a mini itx motherboard with a perminent CPU/GPU. it came with wifi built in and some other nifty stuff. it cost me 400$. Zotac makes a good ITX board and i would recomend their Ion ITX FE board.
...that I was not asking about parts, I was asking if there where more up-to-date guides on computer construction. I did some research on the motherboard you spoke of and I added it to my shopping list of hardware and software. Thanks.
I'm tired of people living in their fantasy world when the clock is ticking away, and when they are unable to see reality for what it is.
therefore there will be not so many guides and similar around.
You simply take a motherboard and read all specs of it, there will be infos as what ram it needs, what hard drive, what display output it has and so what display needed etc. From there on you shop the parts you want, buy some computer housing to that, stick all together and finished. Install operating system, take some ubuntu for start and see what can be tweaked.
At present day , this is more for fun, in the 90ties, we used to do that to save money, today there is no saving in view by doing it, unless having some surplus parts for free.
Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland
so why get one on the web. also the instructions are quite basic in generic computer building where as some of the smaller tidbits like jumpers may be different.
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I'm confused, how can it be an "HP" or "Dell" computer if you built or are building it? You mean that you use an old HP/Dell PC case?
Not criticizing, just slightly confused.
?_?
Please don't hit us with a wall of words.
I'm tired of people living in their fantasy world when the clock is ticking away, and when they are unable to see reality for what it is.
I'm tired of people living in their fantasy world when the clock is ticking away, and when they are unable to see reality for what it is.
Starting with a free OS wouldn't hurt, but my experience with Linux-based OS'es is zero.(but, I had the set-up package of Novell Suse at one time, and got it for free off my local library, but it vanished in to thin air, unfourtunately.)I had planned on getting Windows 7 starter just to get everything configured properly.
Don't you have to have some Command Prompt experience to properly set-up linux-based OS'es? I have some command propt experience, but perhaps not enough to work with Linux..
I'm tired of people living in their fantasy world when the clock is ticking away, and when they are unable to see reality for what it is.
SUSE is free like Ubuntu so you can easly get a new one. what you probibly got was SLED (Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop). its not bleeding edge (if you live that way you compiz feinds >:| )but it works and is rock solid.
Linux is becomming where you dont always need CLI experience. the only reason i like CLI and use it is because CLI is cross distro. a command that works on SUSE will most likely work in ubuntu knoppix tinycore Redhat or soemthing else.
..."SLED" was the one I got, and when I looked at the price, it was even more expensive buy (also more difficult to aquire possibly) than Windows 7 ulltimate. When I looked at screen shots of "SLED," It looked alot like Windows Vista\7.
From what the library told me about it, I guess it was donated or sent by Novell as a promotional thing or something, don't remember anymore. Still, I wish I didn't lose it. but I have made both openSuse and Ubuntu disks yesterday to see what they where like, I have gotten around to it yet.
I'm tired of people living in their fantasy world when the clock is ticking away, and when they are unable to see reality for what it is.
Maximum PC routinely has articles like this one:
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/how_build_awesome_pc_647
Almost all are FREE and complete guides to building a PC in several price ranges.
Check out their Best of the Best Hardware.
You can find many options on the parts for a new build.
http://www.maximumpc.com/best-of-the-best
Their annual Dream Machine is not out this year yet.
Here is last years build: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/dream_machine
You may also find Instructables better than wikihow:
http://www.instructables.com/
Actually... I am uploading video's to youtube on exactly that!
Here's my page if you are interested. This just covers the building of the computer, however. Not the purchasing of the parts
http://www.youtube.com/user/windowsunleashd
Hope it helps
Shane Thompson
Shane Thompson
shanet[at]people[dot]net[dot]au
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...for providing more up-to-date guides, as soon as my budget comes in, I will begin construction.
I'm tired of people living in their fantasy world when the clock is ticking away, and when they are unable to see reality for what it is.
Awesome. Nice to hear. If you have any queries, you can email me. If you want a more in-depth video or whatever it is, let me know.
Take time buying the components. They do matter.
Shane Thompson.
Shane Thompson
shanet[at]people[dot]net[dot]au
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dont wait too long. or you will find yourself buying something out of date.
of this week I'll be able to buy parts.
I'm tired of people living in their fantasy world when the clock is ticking away, and when they are unable to see reality for what it is.
Cool. Are you still going by our vids?
Shane Thompson
Shane Thompson
shanet[at]people[dot]net[dot]au
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut ali
I'm tired of people living in their fantasy world when the clock is ticking away, and when they are unable to see reality for what it is.
1. You want AMD. If your budget's anything south of, say, $1200 or so, you want AMD. I have a friend who argues that Intel is better. What he doesn't argue is that you will pay hundreds of dollars more -- and there are plenty of AMD users who will say that AMD is just as good. Quad-core CPU for a hundred bucks? Intel just can't match that. And Intel mobos are pretty barren.
2. AMD's latest socket (the type of CPU-to-mobo connector) is AM3, and the quad-core Athlon II X4 supports it. Seems most of the AM3 mobos (latest I know is 790X (GX?)) have built-in ATI Raedon 4200 HD video. Unless you're a gamer, that's fine. You can also get on-board audio. You can also save a few bucks by going with a dual-core, I can't remember the model but at one point I was looking at an AMD dual-core for $70. Me, I'd pay the extra $30 and get a quad.
3. Since your budget is so low, get a small hard drive. You don't need a terabyte or two. In fact, the smaller the system drive, the better, for Windows. You wanna add a 2TB monster later? That's cool. But for the initial build, keep it basic.
4. Don't get Windows 7 Starter. It's like a demo you pay for. Despite the name, Home Premium is the basic home version. Though if you want to save money on the OS, there's always Linux. If you're not a gamer and multimedia isn't a priority, by all means, go with Linux. (Multimedia's not impossible, it just can be tricky.) Linux is probably the best OS for someone who just wants web and office, it comes with both (Firefox and Open Office) and "just works".
Best of luck to you. There's a lot of good information out there. I recommend finding a more active forum where people build PCs, and posting your ideas there, bounce some ideas off of 'em. I did this over at Ars Technica, and got a ton of great information. (I didn't end up building then, but I learned a lot, and am much better equipped for when I will build in February.)