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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
224424	2004-03-23 01:36:00	I suspect this topic has been covered before, somewhere in the depths of PF1, but as I can't recall seeing anything on the subject, I thought I might as well ask from scratch. I am planning to replace my old PIII 700 computer in April. I have spent countless hours trolling through websites and looking at Pricespy etc, and have a pretty good idea what I want to get. I would really like to get all the components and assemble the PC myself. However, for only $40 I can get it assembled prior to delivery. Questions: 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.) 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.) 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? 4. Are the assembly instructions that come with all the components (they do have instructions, don't they?) all written in reasonably plain English? Cheers Miami	Miami Steve (2128)
224425	2004-03-23 01:55:00	> I am planning to replace my old PIII 700 computer in > April. I have spent countless hours trolling through > websites and looking at Pricespy etc, and have a > pretty good idea what I want to get. Pricespy is always a good place to check :-) > I would really like to get all the components and > assemble the PC myself. However, for only $40 I can > get it assembled prior to delivery. Well, if you're keen to learn, and want to save yourself 40 bucks, then why not? > Questions: > 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.) 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. > 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.) Yes, the biggest (And Only??) risk is that you screw up and damage the parts. CPU Installation is the biggest one (apparently around 12% of all get screwed up) so just take your time, dont rush it, and make sure your room is well-lit so you can see exactly what you're doing. > 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? Talk to the place you purchase your hardware from about this. I know that QMB in Auckland will take parts back under warranty and sort it out themselves :-) > 4. Are the assembly instructions that come with all > the components (they do have instructions, don't > they?) all written in reasonably plain English? Most likely not. You'll get instructions with the CPU, and Motherboard.. Not sure about anything else though. Its like a small Jigsaw puzzle, each piece has its place, you've just gotta find it ;-) Its not really that difficult, if you've done a HDD/CD-Rom upgrade before you should be fine doing it yourself :-) Hope this helps Chill.	Chilling_Silence (9)
224426	2004-03-23 02:00:00	That is very encouraging C_S. I think my biggest fear is the unknown's - jumper settings and things like thermal paste that I have heard of and have heard stories of how, if things aren't done just right, it can all turn to custard pretty quickly. Cheers Miami	Miami Steve (2128)
224427	2004-03-23 02:04:00	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). Accidents happen. If the assembler finds something doesn't work, there's no argument. Although guarantees should hold even if you've done the assembly, I suppose static-sensitive parts (most) could be argued about. It's up to you. I built my first two computers. Z80s. An average of 4000 soldered joints on each board. :D	Graham L (2)
224428	2004-03-23 02:07:00	> That is very encouraging C_S. I think my biggest fear > is the unknown's - jumper settings and things like > thermal paste that I have heard of and have heard > stories of how, if things aren't done just right, it > can all turn to custard pretty quickly. You're right, it can... I had a bad run assembling my first PC because the Mobo was labelled incorrectly and it had the Reset and the Power switch around the wrong way. If you get stuck, take 5 mins time-out and Google on the subject, or post here :-) I dont think you should need to set any jumpers, perhaps on the HDD, but if you've done a few installs then you'll know about the Master/Slave/Cable-Select settings. As for Thermal paste, you put it between the CPU (On top of it) and your Heatsink/Fan. The other thing I do (I dont wear anti-static wrist-straps) is I keep on part of my skin touching the case at all times to eliminate Static. Some debate keeping the Power cable plugged in etc, but it is my understanding you should leave the Power cable plugged in, but simply Off at the wall. Hope this helps Chill.	Chilling_Silence (9)
224429	2004-03-23 03:07:00	Done it once, won't ever do it again. Had no real problems with putting it together, worked first time except the USB connectors and swapped that round and away it went. I've probably replaced 100 simms and another hundred hard disks, it still took longer than 30 minutes. Self-doubt and confusion reign. But at least I can say I did it once. robo.	robo (205)
224430	2004-03-23 03:10:00	Bite the bullet - build your own m8. A good magnifying glass helps with those tiny mini-plugs and jumpers. You'll learn heaps and your techno-paralysis will gradually diminish as you gain confidence. Then you can boast about your prowess to your m8s and fambly. :) Mobo manuals are usually pretty good at illustrating what goes where.	braindead (1685)
224431	2004-03-23 03:42:00	hmmm....i would guess i have assembled more pc's then most(well,maybe not compared to some of the users on this forum,and you would never find me soldering 4000 points) Anyhow,i give myself at least an hour per system for assembley.I check what my next move is,then i do it,then check it twice more. These things are meant to run for a good long time,no use rushing the build only to have a disgruntled customer/freind/yourself whatever. Add more time for fiddly crap like front USB and audio. Having said that i can strip down my own systems in a matter of minutes....of course they generally have no sides on the cases and drives hanging out the side,held there by the ide cable.....	metla (154)
224432	2004-03-23 03:44:00	give yourself heaps of time and read the manuals and online guides over and over again. the first one is always the hardest. you also can do little tricks like lapping heatsink, use a better than oem thermal paste. also read through the forums so you don't go doing any newbie mistakes. if you can't aford to replace any parts should you damage them then pay them the small amount to install it. >Given that most sellers seem to direct customers straight to the component manufacturers for warranty issues, (Is that legal?) nope. illegal. standard warranty has to be done by the retailer. they can not flog you off to the manafacture. once the products are out of the retailers waranty period certain products will still be under manafactures waranty but you have to deal with the manafacture.	tweak'e (174)
224433	2004-03-23 05:19:00	re the thermal paste...........if you buy a 'boxed' cpu/fan assembly you most likey wont need the thermal paste as P4's and AMD's usually come with a sorta thermal tape type of stuff already stuck to the heatsink.....	drcspy (146)
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