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Thread ID: 43662	2004-03-23 01:36:00	DIY PC vs Pre-built system	Miami Steve (2128)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
224434	2004-03-23 05:19:00	...and 2.4Ghz celerons.....	drcspy (146)
224435	2004-03-23 05:44:00	Well, I for one, would fully recommend building your own system. Its soooo much fun. However.... >If you've never done it before, leave yourself a good 90 minutes, plus OS Installation time. If you've replaced parts a bit, then it shouldnt take longer than 30 minutes. When me and coldfusion built ours it took us from 12pm to 8pm without even installing DOS! Laid out a white sheet on the carpet, laid out the parts, and took our time. Ya gotta watch out for kittens though. They find that sort of stuff veeerry interesting ;) It was our first times too. But it is great fun and very eye opening. I had less experience than you. Another thing I recommend... QMB computers in mt roskill. great staff, really helpful.	hamstar (4)
224436	2004-03-23 06:02:00	> Well, I for one, would fully recommend building your > own system. Its soooo much fun. Agreed :D > However.... > > If you've never done it before, leave yourself a > good 90 minutes, plus OS Installation time. If you've > replaced parts a bit, then it shouldnt take longer > than 30 minutes. > When me and coldfusion built ours it took us from > 12pm to 8pm without even installing DOS! Well, it cant hurt to be... thorough.... ;-) > Laid out a white sheet on the carpet, laid out the > parts, and took our time. Ya gotta watch out for > kittens though. They find that sort of stuff veeerry > interesting ;) The sound of the Fan always gets my cat's attention ;-) > It was our first times too. > > But it is great fun and very eye opening. I had less > experience than you. And you would do it again?! The first time is always the longest, and the amount of time taken WILL vary from Joe Bloggs to Joe Bloggs. Experience will affect it a lot, as well as confidence, as well as the amount of care and precautions taken. Read the Motherboard manual... Twice.. > Another thing I recommend... QMB computers in mt > roskill. great staff, really helpful. Yeah, Ive stopped and chatted with Paul a couple of times... Good guy... I gave him Ark Linux too :p Chill.	Chilling_Silence (9)
224437	2004-03-23 06:51:00	Sorry if this is kinda OT but has QMB had a change of ownership or something? last time i was in there their service was appauling, plus their website isnt exactly easy to understand.	Pete O'Neil (250)
224438	2004-03-23 07:53:00	> 1 . How long should I set aside to assemble a machine? > (I have previously installed HDD's, RAM, CDRW drives > and expansion cards etc with no concerns, but have > never tinkered with MoBo's and CPU's . ) It depends on how confident you are and how quick you are with your fingers . :D I probably took almost the best part of a day all up :8} . Mind you, my parts arrived in dribs and drabs so I wasn't in any hurry . I also spent a fair bit of time checking and rechecking things before I plucked up enough courage to switch the thing on . :p Don't forget to allow time to install your OS and essential programs as that will more than likely take a good hour or so . > 2 . What are the risks? (eg . Risks of damaging > components while assembling . $40 seems a pretty cheap > insurance policy to get somebody else assemble it and > know that it will work at the end . ) Yep, stuffing up your mobo or other parts with a slip of the fingers or screwdriver is a risk that you take . Not taking anti-static precautions is another (a tip: use the anti-static bags provided to put your parts on when they are removed from their bags prior to putting in the case) . Another risk is choosing parts that are not compatible with each other - that is your responsibility if you purchase your parts and assemble your computer yourself . You can lessen that risk by careful research and seeking advice from the dealer . Remember, that is one advantage of buying as many parts from one dealer as possible as you can ask them prior to buying whether your mobo, CPU and RAM ought to play nicely together, for example . If they don't and you have kept records of the advice the dealer gave you they will have to exchange parts without you incurring a returns penalty . If you be careful, read ALL instructions properly a couple of times and take your time you should be fine . > 3 . Given that most sellers seem to direct customers > straight to the component manufacturers for warranty > issues, (Is that legal?), I would guess that > self-assembly would not affect warranty cover in any > way . Is this correct? As others have already mentioned, you take your warranty issues to the dealer you purchased from . > 4 . Are the assembly instructions that come with all > the components (they do have instructions, don't > they?) all written in reasonably plain English? The motherboard and CPU come with a manual and I presume cases do also as mine did . Nothing else came with instructions but then I did buy OEM parts for the rest . My case manual was a bit tricky to follow at times - I had to use a bit of common sense here and there so don't expect absolutely clear-cut instructions with everything . You have a big advantage as it helps being pretty familiar with the inside of a PC and installing some things . As previously mentioned I would advise having a good troll around tutorials on assembling a computer - there are plenty out there . As long as you have access to the internet and PF1 you should be fine . After all, I managed to do it . :p :D Is it nerve-racking? Yes . Is it worth it? Yes . Would I do it again? YES!! :D	Susan B (19)
224439	2004-03-23 08:00:00	> I'd go for the $40 deal. :D It's not that > exciting plugging boards in, catching bits of skin on > the jagged edges of the sheet metal, trying to fit > your hands in awkward places plugging cables in ... > (when you can either see to do something > or have you hand in the place to do it). Are you mad?! :O It is very exciting building your own computer - might be a touch stressfull if it is your first one, but the huge satisfaction and confidence boost you get from doing this is worth it :D Just have a read up on what to expect (lots of sites have guides) and take your time. Make sure you have a clear workspace and double-check all connections. I attached the CPU/heatsink and added the RAM to the board before putting it into the case (do the RAM before the graphic card as the positioning of the AGP slot often means you don't have much working space to release the RAM clips once the graphic card is in). Check out the downloadable versions of your intended motherboard manual first, as this will give you a good indication on the clarity of instructions that are provided. Ask here if you have any questions. When I built my computer, it took me less than an hour to do the actual assembly, but another 45 minutes trying to interpret where the cables for the front case panel went (power on, reset button etc) as the case wire labelling was rather poor. I really wanted to get this right first time so that if the system failed to power up, I could at least rule out my front panel connection for the power switch being dodgy :p. However, my system powered up smoothly first pop and I couldn't wipe the grin off my face for hours! So go for it. :D PS* if you strike a problem, I know of a very good computer help forum ... :p	Jen C (20)
224440	2004-03-23 08:35:00	I would definitely do it myself. The only thing that can get a bit dodgy is applying the thermal paste. There's some great guides over at overclockers.co.nz/.com which tell you to use Arctic Silver 3 and how to smooth it on correctly with a rubber glove (found in med kit). Have removed a cpu/heatsink, vid card, ram, hard drives, cdrom in my good computer, but haven't replaced the Motherboard with it. Can't say it owuld be much harder. Put together a whole 486 package too. All good fun :D	PoWa (203)
224441	2004-03-23 08:44:00	haveing built two puters fairly recently I have to say taht in neither situation did the case come with a manual but then the cases were NOT the 'expensive' kind........and also......DONT put thermal paste onto a 'boxed' cpu if the heatsink which will come with it has heat tape on it, (if you buy a 'non boxed' cpu which will only be the cpu without the heatsink/fan you may very well need thermal paste)........manuals do arrive with the mobo and cpu but often you will find that they are about 20% english and the rest is goobledegook lol.....and yes the plugging the case leads into/onto the mobo can be a bit of a headscratcher.....allow yourself a couple of hours to do all this so that you have time to check/recheck and then an hour for the OS and maybe a bit more time for all the other programs etc etc.....	drcspy (146)
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