SRL Archive - Help and Support

Hi all :)

Well, my parents gave me a $350 Tigerdirect gift card this last Christmas for building myself a computer. There's only one problem. I have absolutely no idea where to start :|

Any tips from people who've maybe built their own computer once?

I also have $150 'anywhere' gift card from my uncle. I believe my parents may have also said something about a couple hundred more from them. Not sure. Would $350 build a good computer?

Thanks. Please help,

-Mike

Not great but you can get by. Check out the barebones section first and go from there. And tell your parents newegg.com pwns.

I used to work for fujitzu, building/fixing computers (hardware and software) on an army camp, so if you have any questions feel free to pm me.

Pretty much every computer I've ever had has been built by me (apart from my first of course :p)

IMO 350$ will not be enough to get you a decent computer.

I used to work for fujitzu, building/fixing computers (hardware and software) on an army camp, so if you have any questions feel free to pm me.

Wow…



Tom be with you.

Well, if it was my choice, it would have probably been Newegg. But my dad's friend, who's a computer-wiz, swears by Tigerdirect.

How much would it take to built a decent computer? And thank you, Sporky. I'll keep that in mind.

Bookmarked. Thanks n3s :)

Mr.klean built me a computer that was just over $900 :) but i dont know how good/bad it was (was a lot better than my current comp though, so its good enough :))

From: Dan Cardin
Mr.klean built me a computer that was just over $900 :) but i dont know how good/bad it was (was a lot better than my current comp though, so its good enough :))

3ghz Pentium D
3gb of RAM
8600GT
And so on.


Feel free to IM me. $350 would not build a computer that I would like, but it would do an ok one.

Hm, alrighty. Well, as I was opening it, they said something about 150-200 more.

350 dollars… Hmm…

I don't even think 500 dollars would get you a "ok" computer, unless by OK you mean slow as dial up internet… But the computer is as slow as dial up.

It wouldn't have to be that slow, it could have 2gb ram etc. It just wouldn't have the best brand names.

I would point out some stuff on tiger, but navigating that site makes me want to puke. Use most of the money on a barebones, picking only what you really want, and use the rest for additions.

Oh, I guess I was wrong. I thought buying one of those barebones things was cheating ^_^

So it's common for someone to buy a barebones package, and just add stuff to it?

My current computer:

Case: Free after rebate
Power Supply: 500 Watt, Free after rebate
Video card: Crappy, but Free after rebate
RAM: 2 Gb DDR2, $30 after rebate
CPU/Mobo: Intel Core2Quad 6600, $200
Hard Drive: 320 Gb, $50
CPU cooler: Free after rebate
Keyboard/Mouse: Free after rebates

Of course, I've built it slowly over time as deals popped up, since I already had another computer running. And I also live near a Fry's, which is the best place to get computer hardware deals, especially if you're willing to do rebates.

You have to decide what you want your computer to do best, then set aside enough money to do that. If you want good graphics, you need to set aside some money for a decent video card. If you want CPU performance, you will need to set aside a little more there.

On CPUs and Video cards you pretty much get what you pay for. And hard drives, you pretty much get the amount of space you pay for. If you could come up with the specs you would like, people could probably tell you if it's feasible or not, and where you might want to tweak your build plans.

Here's a pretty nice deal for some RAM that's going on right now…

http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4394887&CMP=ADATA010808

From: tarajunky
My current computer:

Case: Free after rebate
Power Supply: 500 Watt, Free after rebate
Video card: Crappy, but Free after rebate
RAM: 2 Gb DDR2, $30 after rebate
CPU/Mobo: Intel Core2Quad 6600, $200
Hard Drive: 320 Gb, $50
CPU cooler: Free after rebate
Keyboard/Mouse: Free after rebates

Of course, I've built it slowly over time as deals popped up, since I already had another computer running. And I also live near a Fry's, which is the best place to get computer hardware deals, especially if you're willing to do rebates.

You have to decide what you want your computer to do best, then set aside enough money to do that. If you want good graphics, you need to set aside some money for a decent video card. If you want CPU performance, you will need to set aside a little more there.

On CPUs and Video cards you pretty much get what you pay for. And hard drives, you pretty much get the amount of space you pay for. If you could come up with the specs you would like, people could probably tell you if it's feasible or not, and where you might want to tweak your build plans.

You have a Quad?! Isn't that like…awesome computer speed?

Sorry Mike, can't help you. I barely know what Ghz does.

From: Jason2gs
Oh, I guess I was wrong. I thought buying one of those barebones things was cheating ^_^

So it's common for someone to buy a barebones package, and just add stuff to it?

It kinda is, but it depends on which way you want to go:

1. Build your idea/perfect computer right off the bat.

2. Build something you can evolve over time into the perfect pc.

It works better with 2, especially if you don't have the budget atm for your dream pc (I never do because every time I get closer my dream gets higher).

Rebates… I'll look out for those :p

I don't know what I'm looking for in the way of specs, but I'll be thinking. I've never built my own computer before. (I guess that would fall under #2, Boreas?)

And one more thing. I know that some of the components need to marry up together, but I don't know which ones they are. I heard that the motherboard and the CPU need to match, and I know that if you get the wrong RAM, your computer will die, but is there anything else? And is it the RAM that needs to work with the motherboard? Just to show how little I know about this ^_^

The CPU/RAM/Motherboard/Video Card/Hard Drive all need to match.

Some motherboards have onboard video, but they all have additional video card slots. The modern version is PCI-Express x16. The old version is AGP. You should definitely get PCI-Express. The only reason to get AGP is if you already have a really good AGP video card that you want to put into the new computer.

AMD and Intel CPUs use different sockets, so you can't use them on the same motherboards. The latest AMD CPUs of all price ranges use socket AM2, so you would need a motherboard with socket AM2 support. The latest reasonably priced Intel CPUs run on socket 775.

You definitely want a board that uses DDR2 memory, since it's much cheaper than DDR, and performs better in dual channel.

New hard drives use a Serial interface (the new narrow cables). Older hard drives use a Parallel interface (the old ribbon cables). Your motherboard needs the right kind of controller for your hard drive and any CD/DVD drive or burner you might have or want to buy. Most will have 1 parallel and several Serial, but it's something you should check. Whether you buy serial or parallel drives, they usually cost about the same amount of money. Serial are the newer version, so opt for those if you have a choice.

Since you have a TigerDirect gift card, you should search for "Bundles" there. This will give you lots of matched CPU/Motherboard combinations to look at.

A barebones kit is pretty much just a CPU/Motherboard bundle plus a case and usually a power supply included. Just because they sell it all together as a kit doesn't mean it's a good price for what you're getting, though.

And yes, my computer is -quite- fast. :)

Wow, thank you for that! Taught me a lot of stuff there :)

You said you bought your's little by little over time. Boreas also said that he's building his over time. Does that make it hard to make sure you're getting matching parts?

I came into the decision I won't build one since here in Finland it'd be more expensive than buying one.

+ ofcourse the chance I sit on the motherboard or something :p

But like, its not only the RAM, GFX, Sound, MotherBoard, HD, Processor you need to buy, aren't there the stuffs like modem thingies etc? Teh shizzleation :(

Here's a pretty great deal on a DVD burner. $23.99 with free shipping. Just the bare drive, no software included.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827248009&CMP=AFC-C8Junction

Note that it is EIDE, which means it uses the older Parallel interface. It will still work great, as long as you have the appropriate connectors on the motherboard.

What is the difference between parallel and serial? (Other than the connector and type of wiring.)

My guess would be speed?

And to my previous question, doesn't buying parts slowly over time make it hard to get matching parts?

The serial interface is theoretically faster than the parallel. But DVD drives and even hard drives are so slow relative to the maximum data speeds of the interface, that you would never notice. There may be a very slight speed improvement of serial hard drives over parallel in benchmarks, but on a DVD drive there is no difference at all.

It's not hard to match up components, as long as you are aware of what needs to match.

For Hard drives and DVD drives it's IDE or SerialATA
For video cards it's AGP or PCI-Express
For monitors it's either VGA or DVI
RAM is either DDR or DDR2

It looks like most Motherboards at TigerDirect have one IDE port and a couple of serial ports. Each IDE port can control up to 2 devices on a single ribbon cable. So you really don't have to worry too much about hard drives and dvd drives not matching up properly.

One important question is if you going to buy a monitor to go with the computer, or do you already have one you're planning to use?

Hm, I think I may have something messed up…

Each part… Does each part need to be compatible with everything else in the computer, or just one or two other components? Sorry for all these questions. I've never done anything like this before :)

And I do have a monitor, but I don't like it very much. I'll probably buy a different one. Why?

A monitor will be a significant expense, so you need to include that in your calculations.

Each component needs to be compatible with the motherboard. It's not that hard to make sure they match, since most modern motherboards offer similar features.

Some motherboards come with basic onboard video, so you don't need a video card. But if you want to play 3d games, you will want to buy a separate video card. These cards can cost anywhere from $20 up to $500, so deciding if you want to buy a video card, and how much to spend on it is another important decision.

Maybe you should rank each of these considerations on a scale of 1-10.

1) I want a BIG monitor
2) I want a FAST CPU
3) I want a POWERFUL video card
4) I want a HUGE hard drive

That will help you decide how you plan to use your computer, and help you prioritize where to focus your money.

Ah, but no compatibility issues?

You're being very helpful, by the way. Thanks :) You seem very knowledgeable about this. Mind me asking how old you are?

I'm not much into gaming, but I would like to learn Maya and 3D Modeling, so would a video card help there?

I would like a fast CPU, and I don't really care much about a 'BIG' monitor. Just not too small.

I'd like a decent sized HD, but I don't do anything in the way of movies and such, so not THAT big. You got a 320 Gig HD for $50 though, right? Doesn't sound that bad.

Here's a pretty great deal on a pretty great case. Free shipping saves a lot on cases because they are heavy.

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4895610

Add to cart and it's only $59.99, with a $40 rebate, so $19.99 after rebate. Sales tax only charged in AZ, CA, GA, OH, TX, NV,WA, IL and IN.

http://image.ak.outpost.com/art/rebates_pdf/4895610_011808.pdf

The rebate is only valid today, the 18th, so don't buy it tomorrow. :)

I found this awesome tutorial when searching google for you.

It is pretty good, for a beginner. I understood it quite well.

Enjoy ;)

Oh my, didn't notice any new posts!

Thank you, IP. I'll bookmark it :)

And Tara, on a scale of one to ten, can you tell me how difficult it is to match parts when you buy them little by little? That'll probably be my last question. (For now at least.)

Edit: Oh, and perhaps which part to buy first? My guess would be the motherboard…

On a scale of 1-10, I would say about a 3 or 4 if you try to do it on your own. If you had someone help you, a 1.

You probably want to choose the features you want on your motherboard first, but then buy it last.

The reason I say this is because when you actually assemble the computer, the components most likely to give you problems are your motheboard, CPU, and RAM. Many parts that you buy online have a 15, 30, or 45 day warranty on them (you'll want to check this each time you buy something). That means after you buy it, you need to be able to assemble the computer before that time passes. So, if you buy your motherboard today and don't assemble the computer for 2 months, the warranty may have already expired, and if you have problems you won't be able to get a free replacement.

The components least likely to give you problems are the case, power supply, hard drives, keyboards, DVD burners, monitors, video cards, and mice. So those are good ones to buy as soon as you find one you like for a good price.

Wow, so not very hard at all? This should be fun :)

Thank you again, for all your help, Tara! (Or is it Junky?)

Tarajunky is just fine, lol.

Mike, PM me if you need any help. Yes you can make a computer for $350, don't listen to anybody here. It may not be very good, but I just made my dad one for $290 w/o a Hard Drive (Just used his old one).

I built mine. Tara, how'd you get all those full rebates? That doesn't make any sense.

PS: It's LOTS of fun.