DU Techies - How hard/expensive would it be to build my own computer?

[nickgutierrez]

It's just an idea I've been kicking around. I don't have much experience with this sort of thing, but let's say I have around $800 to build a computer with. I don't necessarily want anything superpowered or anything like that, just something that isn't going to be horrendously outdated at this time next year. Would I be able to do something like that on that kind of budget?

A few other random questions: How difficult is it to put the thing together and make it work? What would you suggest I put in it? What about software? Are there any other questions I should be asking?

[Taverner]

1. Very easy

But then again, I have done it many times.

You could do it for under 800, but finding the best harware and peripherals might be tough. You can go over what the big comapnies use and you can go under their prices...

Honestly, if you don't have much experience - you might consider getting a generic brand at a good deal. Fry's Electronics has good deals all the time.

[GOPisEvil]

3. Fry's also has partially built machines that do most of the hard work.

They have boxes with motherboards and sometimes processors attached. Then you pick your hard drive, cd/dvd drives, and other peripherals and attach those, which is rather easy.

Then you have to buy the OS, if you don't have access to one already.

Try to see what local computer builders have to offer. If you have a good monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc., then you only need the new box. Down here you can spend less than $800 and get a smokin' system.

[nickgutierrez]

5. I didn't consider a generic brand.

That could be a good idea. This might seem like a silly question, but how do they compare with the big guys in terms of quality?

[Taverner]

9. Usually equally

Although the support won't be there - so if you have to fix it you're on you're own. Also, they often are preinstalled with Linux (since it's free) so you might need to buy Windows, or learn Linux (it's not that tough...)

[billyskank]

2. Can you screw things together and plug things in

That's basically all there is to it. But there is a lot of things to plug in. If the general complexity doesn't faze you, then there's nothing that needs special skills. I've done it, twice.

There always seems to be at least one heart-stopping moment when you think, "fuck, I've buggered it up now," but I haven't had the worst happen yet.

You probably can't do it cheaper than the OEMs can. They get the parts cheaper than we can. It is a rewarding experience though in my opinion.

[chenGOD]

4. OEMs also use cheap parts in general...

at ;least in my experience...

[billyskank]

7. Yes. A computer you build yourself will probably be better

:)

[no name no slogan]

6. Very easy to do

Check your phone book for a local mom-and-pop outfit-- they'll either sell you the parts so you can build one yourself, or oftentimes they'll assemble it to your specs for a nominal fee.

Also, many of those places will sell you an OEM version of the OS with the purchase of a motherboard, hard drive or processor. OEM versions are typically much cheaper than the shrinkwrapped versions.

Of course, if you roll your own you don't get the support that you'd get from a name brand, but maybe that's not important to you. Most of the name brand machines are built with the same parts these days, so all you're really paying for is the brand and support package.

I'm not mechanically inclined at all, and I've been building my own machines for six years. It's really easy once you understand how things work.

[nickgutierrez]

11. I can do basic troubleshooting myself

The internets are surprisingly useful for that sort of thing. :)

I was wondering where I can find the parts. I found a good step-by-step tutorial for the process, so I at least know *what* I'll need, in basic terms. There is a shop not too far from where I live that I'll check out - I think they might have almost everything I would need.

[billyskank]

8. Oh, one consideration you should remember

if you build your own machine, you'll have to buy Windows separately, and thus pay full whack for it. It isn't cheap.

Unless you are going to put Linux on it, in which case I would say more power to you.

[nickgutierrez]

10. I still haven't decided on the OS

I'll probably have to settle for Windows, as I'm going to be using this primarily as a gaming machine. But if there was any easy way I could get Windows games to work on Linux - and if there is an easy way to learn to pick up and use Linux, since I don't have any experience at all with it - I would definitely prefer that. I despise Windows XP.

Full disclosure: My primary machine right now runs Mac OS 10.3 - it's a three-year-old iBook, and should probably be replaced sometime soon.

[chenGOD]

12. Try Ubuntu linux.

Stuff just works with it. At least as much as it does with Windows...