Should I custom build a new computer?

[Tesset]

I'm looking to get a new desktop with the 900 dollars I've saved up through the years. I've had my brother's hand-me-downs in the past, and while they work for everything I'd want to do, I would like something that doesn't run incredibly slowly, especially on startup. So, I did some research, mainly on this forum, and asked around, and the answer I often saw/got was to build it myself. So, I'm wondering if I should.

 

 

 

I've never built a computer before, obviously, so I wouldn't know what to do. I also would prefer to buy parts at a store as opposed to online, but I can go online if need be. I'm not a computer genius, even though most everyone I know I'm smarter than with technology, but I do only know the basics.

 

 

 

For the most part I don't need heavy duty gaming stuff, but I do want to program some games and other things, as that is what I want for my future career. Other than that, I do want a new monitor, because the one I have is relatively small compared to modern screens, and it's not an LED, which is what I'd prefer, as it wouldn't have any of the problems mine does, like a screen that flickers randomly sometimes, and the appearance of always moving. However, I am detasseling this summer, so I'll make about $300-$500 more I can spend on the monitor, so right now I just want to focus on the desktop.

 

 

 

If building one isn't the best option, then I would prefer to buy a desktop off the internet. My town, being in the middle of nowhere, doesn't have a particularly good selection, and I really don't know how to compare computers at all.

 

 

 

Anyway, any advice is appreciated. And I apologize for my wall of text.

[jimv]

Building a computer for your specific wants/needs is always preferrable, however if you check there might be a system pre-built that is what you want. Also you may find a computer system for sale at a low price and then just alter a component or two for the system you want. That route may be cheaper in the long run. Browse computer sales sites on the net to get an idea of what the systems cost then check the individual parts that you would want prices on the manufacturer's site. That will give you a better idea of how to go about getting the most machine for your money.

 

 

 

Keep in mind compatability of the components as not everything will work together at all or very well. Also whether or not you will be able to easily upgrade the machine in the future.

[OldJoe]

Do you have a local computer dealer (not just an all-around electronics store, but a specific dealer) and do they have a website on which we here could check? They can put a computer together for you, for about 40-50$.

 

Otherwise, NCIX does have some really great deals on custom-prebuilt computer.

 

What do you plan on doing with the computer? Just getting a faster computer, for some everyday use+rs and light gaming, or do you want a more serious gaming platform?

[InkofDeath]

Well if you're buying off of the internet, the things are very, very easy to buy the products.

 

 

 

I don't know what you'll be using it for, but with the below build you'll be able to use it for almost anything that isn't extreme...:

 

 

 

How about $800?

 

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2 ... 620,00.asp

 

 

 

It has current prices, pictures of some parts, benchmarks with 3dmark and other programs, benchmarks with like 8 current-on-the-market games. And the benchmarks aren't half bad in my opinion, it's well worth what you'd get for $800. Also you don't need to worry about the OC'ing part.

 

 

 

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Tutorials on how to put a computer together:

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwLvgmmF164

 

 

 

And there's dozens on the internet through Google.

[Laura]

To increase your boot times into Windows you'll want a solid state drive. The boot time on my Mac was 17 seconds using the slowest OCZ Vertex which I had to RMA for stuttering. If you're going down the SSD path, I'd only recommend the OCZ Vertex with the with the newer Indilinx controllers. It would also be wise to make a boot drive+important files SSD drive alongside a larger HDD so that way you get the most value for your money. The cheapest OCZ Vertex at 32GB is $130 for 230MB/s read and 135MB/s write. If you're looking for straight performance, the Intel X25-E is the best on the market at 32GB for $393 with sustained read at 250MB/s and write at 170MB/s. Which, as the numbers don't show, has a much higher "random" read/write than OCZ. You'd also need a 2.5" to 3.5" enclosure. As it stands, it seems that both may be out of your budget.

[Sbrideau]

To increase your boot times into Windows you'll want a solid state drive.

 

Really? He can go to msconfig and deselect some startup programs, and it will make his windows load much faster. Also a defrag.

[Laura]

To increase your boot times into Windows you'll want a solid state drive.

 

Really? He can go to msconfig and deselect some startup programs, and it will make his windows load much faster. Also a defrag.

The HDD is going to be the real bottleneck though. If he's serious about wanting fast boot times he might consider it; it was a suggestion. And if he just installed Windows there should be little need for defragmentation.

[Tesset]

Do you have a local computer dealer (not just an all-around electronics store, but a specific dealer) and do they have a website on which we here could check? They can put a computer together for you, for about 40-50$.

 

Otherwise, NCIX does have some really great deals on custom-prebuilt computer.

 

What do you plan on doing with the computer? Just getting a faster computer, for some everyday use+rs and light gaming, or do you want a more serious gaming platform?

 

We do have at least one computer store that does custom builds in town, Computer Warehouse #4, but I'm not sure how much you can customize what they make. And I'm using it more for the everyday use+rs route, I'm not a hardcore gamer, especially since most good new games that I hear about are first person shooters, and I dislike those.

 

 

 

Well if you're buying off of the internet, the things are very, very easy to buy the products.

 

 

 

I don't know what you'll be using it for, but with the below build you'll be able to use it for almost anything that isn't extreme...:

 

 

 

How about $800?

 

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2 ... 620,00.asp

 

 

 

It has current prices, pictures of some parts, benchmarks with 3dmark and other programs, benchmarks with like 8 current-on-the-market games. And the benchmarks aren't half bad in my opinion, it's well worth what you'd get for $800. Also you don't need to worry about the OC'ing part.

 

 

 

-------

 

 

 

Tutorials on how to put a computer together:

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwLvgmmF164

 

 

 

And there's dozens on the internet through Google.

 

Ok, so I'm going to assume that custom-building a computer is at least somewhat easy. But this is what my brother suggested as something within my price range, although it was mostly just something to look at and not something much to consider.

 

 

 

To increase your boot times into Windows you'll want a solid state drive.

 

Really? He can go to msconfig and deselect some startup programs, and it will make his windows load much faster. Also a defrag.

The HDD is going to be the real bottleneck though. If he's serious about wanting fast boot times he might consider it; it was a suggestion. And if he just installed Windows there should be little need for defragmentation.

 

My computer is fairly old, and I myself have had it at least a year and a half, almost two years, so I didn't just recently install windows. But, 17 seconds? Mine takes at least 5 minutes to boot up, and longer before I can get anything going...

[Laura]

To increase your boot times into Windows you'll want a solid state drive.

 

Really? He can go to msconfig and deselect some startup programs, and it will make his windows load much faster. Also a defrag.

The HDD is going to be the real bottleneck though. If he's serious about wanting fast boot times he might consider it; it was a suggestion. And if he just installed Windows there should be little need for defragmentation.

 

My computer is fairly old, and I myself have had it at least a year and a half, almost two years, so I didn't just recently install windows. But, 17 seconds? Mine takes at least 5 minutes to boot up, and longer before I can get anything going...

I was speaking about if and when you build a computer. :P Yeah, really fast boot times. My 5,400RP HDD gets me 38 seconds.

[Sbrideau]

I boot on Windows Vista Ultimate in 30 seconds, from power button to fully loaded desktop. Windows is installed on my 32MB cache - 1TB hard drive that cost me $110CAD a while ago.

 

 

 

I personnally think that's fast enough, no need to spend more than what I paid for a 1TB on a 32GB SSD that will be filled in no time.

[Laura]

Which is why I suggested, should the OP want half the boot speed, to have a 32GB SSD with a larger HDD. The SSD for Windows and important files and the HDD for things like music and other documents.

[OldJoe]

For a build in his price range, it'd be a waste of money to use a lump of it on an SSD. And on SSD you shouldn't really defrag, as the current defrag programs aren't programmed for flash. Neither XP or Vista are optimized for SSD, while on Win7 it will be much better.

 

 

 

@Who am i: NCIX PC System E1400 Athlon X2 Black 7750 4GB RAM 250GB HD ATI 4350 - 365$

 

Really great price, you won't save much on building it yourself. So i'd suggest this. If you want more harddrive space, it shouldn't be a problem calling NCIX and ask them to change it to a 500gb one or so.

 

For a monitor, well ask someone else about that (i'm not intrested in monitors lol).

[Your Grandpa]

You should only be building your own computer if you really know what you're doing, as there are sooo many ways to mess things up. From what you've said, I think you have a basic idea of what you are doing, but you don't exactly know enough to build your own computer quite yet. And as for your monitor, you probably mean an lcd monitor, as an LED monitor would not be very impressive ;)

[Kaphias]

I recently built my first computer just over a month ago... took me 4 hours, from boxes of parts to running computer. It's really quite obvious what goes where, the hardest part was the wiring and that was made simple with the included diagram.

 

No suggestions on parts though, other people here know that field much better than I.

[InkofDeath]

Lol,an SSD suggestion? That would be like 1/4 of his budget gone right there? If he wanted performance that an SSD gives, he'd be spending $1400 or more in my opinion.

 

 

 

OldJoe's suggestion will give you the performance you need to play RSHD, and other very lightweight games. My suggestion you'll be able to play current-generation games in fullscreen @ 1600x1050 resolution decently. The difference is only money.

 

 

 

Either one though is easily upgradeable in my opinion. So you could buy OldJoe's, and then later buy a better video card for it, or better psu for a better CPU...etc. Because you'd still have $500 from your budget to spend anyways.

 

 

 

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Also you could just compile a list of components, go to your computer retailer, ask them if they're capable of building it for you. Get an agreement. Buy the parts, and then send them to your computer retailer to build for you for a fee.