Anyone Here Built a Computer?

manasecret · 02-12-2004, 02:25 PM

"Computers are like beer. They look good, they smell good, and you'd step over your own mother just to get one!"
-Homer (quote may be slighty changed)

I love building computers. I built my first one a few years ago and never looked back.

I've built three computers so far, all mine, and I've had no major problems. None. Somehow Dells, Compaqs, and all the rest always seem to come with prepackaged problems, and yet cost more than if you built your own.

I've bought the majority of the parts for all three computers from GoogleGear.com, who have changed to ZipZoomFly.com I guess because of copyright issues (they got Googled you might say), who have been very reliable for me. The only thing I didn't buy from them were the video cards and monitors. And I'll tell you why.

You can get high-end video cards that normally run for about say $400 at retail or major websites for $300 or less at lesser known websites. I'm not sure how or why, but I have a good guess. I think the difference is that: $400 = Retail version with a pretty Retail box and all the extra software (such as 'free' games), while $300 = OEM version with all the hardware and wires and such that the retail version has, but no pretty box or games.

So I bought my video cards from BuyXtremeGear.com, which have very cheap prices. You can get OEM versions of high-end video cards for $100 cheaper or less than their retail versions.

As for monitors, shipping costs are horrendous, and I like to look around a lot for monitors at nearby retail stores before I buy one.

Newegg.com and Pricewatch.com are popular in this thread

. I don't know much about Newegg.com, but if you don't trust BuyXtremeGear.com or want to compare prices I think Pricewatch.com will give you a lot of websites that also sell OEM versions of videocards. EDIT: I looked a little at NewEgg.com, and they also sell the OEM versions of video cards, but for about $10-$15 more than BuyXtremeGear.

So come back to the thread when you need help! Like JonBo said, the first time you turn on your freshly built machine problems are likely to arise.

Jonbo298 · 02-12-2004, 02:54 PM

I sooo need to get that oem 9800pro thats only $209 right now on BXG, but alas, the money just isn't in sync with the selling price

Shiz · 02-12-2004, 03:49 PM

Thanks alot guys!! Im so exited...too bad its so far away. It definately should be fun. Im curious about this though....lets just use some examples. lets say, there is a...like a 9800xt out when you build your comp, but you opt for something cheaper because thats so damned expensive. so you build your computer with one card, then change to the 9800xt later when its cheap.

OR, lets say you built it WITH the 9800xt, because price wasnt a problem. is there anything wrong with upgrading, or is it best to get the best things and not upgrade. vid cards were only an example, just upgrading in general is what i meant. thanks ALOT guys!

Jonbo298 · 02-12-2004, 04:21 PM

Nothing wrong with upgrading or getting the best things. If you have the money to blow and don't care about price, get the best stuff. If you want to conserve a little here and there, go for it. Building your own computer makes it so you CAN upgrade in the future. I had to build mine from the ground up basically because my old computer was too old to do anything with. But with what I have now, I can upgrade here and there easily, at least until the new mobo standard comes out and sloowly takes over ATX (but that is a little ways down the road)

Yoda9864 · 02-13-2004, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonbo298

at least until the new mobo standard comes out and sloowly takes over ATX (but that is a little ways down the road)

I'd say that's in the far distant future.

But yeah, like Jonbo said, building your own computer allows to to easily switch out components and upgrade them.

Jonbo298 · 02-13-2004, 02:51 AM

The specs for the BTX format have been out for a little bit now. Kind of interesting.

Seth · 02-14-2004, 01:48 AM

Don't build your PC while standing on a carpet. I've known a few incidents where people have fried parts cuz of static electricity.

And I've never built a computer. I'm sure I could if I wanted to. I've taken my PC apart and stuff and shat like that.

Cyrax9 · 03-11-2004, 04:24 AM

I will have COMPLETED building one on Friday (Hopefully) -- I just have tyo get 'nix running on the RAID-1 Array.

I will POST SPECS when I'm done, it's not hard unless you get DOA parts, I got two one as refunded one was a $20 floppy, so meh, it was easy, well... easy for someone who knows the PC's guts.