how do i go about building my own computer?
436336
As far as I know, and I've had quite a bit of experience with computers, \n-the first thing you should look for is a motherboard. The motherboard is the main part of the computer (the part that all the other devices are connected with, which means that the motherboard (hence its name) connects, and makes all components that a computer requires to boot work together.)\nAfter choosing your motherboard, you go after a processor. -Some motherboards come with a built in processor, and maybe additional components as well. However, I would buy all components separately, since it is more likely that the quality will be better.\n-After that, you look for a fan, and the electricity/power device.\n-Physical RAM memory.\n-You'll also need a graphics card (and by the way, you've gotta check for compatibility with the motherboard before purchasing the components.)\n-Sound card.\n-cd/dvd drive\n-network card, or a modem\n-you might also find USB ports useful\n-the keyboard and mouse ports usually come with the motherboard, but you still have to check on that first.\n-and a case for the main unit\n\nNow that you're done with the main unit, you can go pick a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse. And you're done.\nOf course, it is not as simple as it sounds, but I'm sure all the components that you will buy come with instructions, and if you have the time and nerve to go through them, I'm sure you'll be able to get it up and running successfully.\n\nI hope you find this info useful.\nGood luck
704547
Lesson here for all. DON'T BUY, Build your own.\n\nYou have the parts that YOU selected, at the price that YOU want to pay, and the performance YOU elected to pay for!\n\nBuild it yourself!\n\nComputer Help Page\n\nhttp://www.diskgenius.com/\n\nhttp://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm\n\nhttp://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm\n\nhttp://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm\n\nhttp://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/\n\nhttp://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html\n\nhttp://www.disk-image.net/products.htm\n\nhttp://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm\n\nhttp://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1\n\nhttp://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder\n\nhttp://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html\n\nhttp://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html\n\nhttp://www.theosfiles.com/\n\nhttp://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw\n\nhttp://www.winternals.com/\n\nhttp://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html\n\nhttp://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml\n\nhttp://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp\n\nhttp://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm\nVisit our Helpdesk for PC Bug Doctor\nhttp://www.maximumsoftwaresupport.com\nPC Beginner  software\nhttp://www.pchell.com/support/limitedconnectivity.shtml\nhttp://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/\nhttp://www.bootdisk.com/utility.htm\nChapter 1: Purchasing Components \nChapter 2: Component Overview \nChapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard \nChapter 4: Installing The Mainboard In The Case \nChapter 5: Installing Drives \nChapter 6: Connecting Components \nChapter 7: Installing AGP and PCI Cards \nChapter 8: Testing the System and Completing Assembly \nChapter 9: Installing Windows XP \nChapter 10: Configuring Windows XP \nChapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System (Linux And Windows XP) \nChapter 12: Home Video -- “So, You Want to Be the Next Steven Spielberg?” \nChapter 13: What’s Next? \n\nhttp://www.hardwareanalysis.com\n\nBUILD YOU OWN COMPUTER:\n   www.directron.com\n   www.newegg.com\n   www.monarchcomputers.com
1104141
Can you be more specific on what you are trying to do?\n\nbuild  computer?\n\nget a bare-bone system and upgrade it yourself?\n\ntechnical problems?\n\nSomething else?
485178
Do plenty of research.  Figure out if you want a gaming machine, a word processor, or a graphics workstation.  This will determine what kind of motherboard/processor you'll need, as well as RAM requirements.  Next is video card, as you'll want something fast for gaming, but something powerful for heavy 3D graphics.  Again, do plenty of research.  Final considerations are monitor, cd or dvd burner, audio.\n\nI suggest putting together a "dream system", with all the toys you'd ever want.  Then list a "bare bones" system.  Price both, then start swapping parts until you have a system you like for a price you can afford.\n\nHope this helps.
47468
Well, the only way to get around that these days is to build your own computer.  Or you could try something really creative and problem solve the issue by yourself.
396129
Build it yourself. for gaming get a nvidia 6800le (can be unlocked and overclocked to a higher value card), two GB of low latency ram and look for a cheap but highly overclockable cpu (mine is a amd atlon 64 running at 2.30 GHZ from 1.8 GHZ). Everything else are just cosmetic
347706
great computers, but very expensive....you can build one your self for less. building your own computer isn't difficult to do, the down side is you have to be your own tech support
1107238
http://www.buildyourmemory.com/\n\nbest part: its FREEEE
639440
Build your own is the best way, however, most people aren't inclined to do so, so i would suggest a Dell.
246619
Actually, it is simply buying your own components and slapping them together... it's a bit more complicated but it is basically that easy.  First, you need to buy a case that is compatible with ATX motherboards then find a motherboard that will fit the case (there are various ATX sizes) but the size the case supports and the size of the motherboard will be listed.  Then, you need an ATX power supply (anything above 500W and that has 28A on the 12V rail - see power supply specs if you are building a gaming system).\n\nThen you'll need a hard drive (or two), optical drives, graphics card and memory.  Make sure you buy memory that is compatible with the motherboard.  All the hardware you need will be included with the case.  The hardest thing you are going to do is line up the motherboard with the holes in the case but don't put the motherboard right in, place standoffs in the holes first (included with the case).  Then put the motherboard in.\n\nI like to install the CPU and memory before putting the motherboard in.  But it doesn't really matter.  Connect the case wires to the motherboard (power, usb, audio, reset and so on).  Now, it's your choice at this point but if you want, install the graphics card and you can test boot the system now if you want.  Just to see if everything works.  If it does, turn it off and continue with installing stuff.  If it does not boot, you probably have the case wires connected wrong so consult your motherboard and case manual to see how to make the connections then correct it.  These are low voltage wires so you really can't cause any harm to the system if you get them wrong.\n\nOnce you know it turns on and boots (this proves all the components work), sometimes you will get a DOA part... but that's okay, if you purchased from a reputable store (like Newegg), returning and exchaging it will be as easy as pie.  \n\nNow, install the optical drives and hard drives (I like to set the jumpers to cable select) that way you don't have to worry about setting master and slave.  Black is master and slave is grey on your IDE cables.  You now have a blank hard drive and optical drives installed.  Make sure the BIOS is set to boot from the optical drive first consult motherboard manual for settings.\n\nPut in your Windows XP disc (or whatever OS you are going to use), boot from the disc, format the drive NTFS or NTFS quick, copy installation files, let the CD work it's magic... boot into the Windows installation and... begin installation.  I installed Windows XP in under 30 minutes on my system though... it's quite a mark above your average system.  Let the install finish.  Install the drivers included with your motherboard for the onboard audio/video solutions if you have those.\n\nIf you have extra PCI, AGP or PCIe devices you want to install do them one at a time.  Meaning, install one, shut down, install the next one, shut down and so on until all the devices are installed.  The last thing to do, at least I did it last is run Windows Update until all the security updates are installed.  You are done.  Enjoy.\n\nA couple warnings, if you have an AMD processor... make darn well sure you have the CPU fan connected to its power source before booting.  If you don't you might be okay because most modern motherboards have temperature sensors (mine reports the system temp, CPU temp, GPU temp, fan settings, fan speeds and reports fan malfunctions and will sound a warning at 60C).  So, even if you don't have it connected, it will shut down before it fries.\n\nBut, make sure all the fans are working while you still have the system open, if they aren't, make sure they are connected to the power supply (or motherboard).\n\nIf you want some more tips feel free to contact me.  I've rebuilt one system and built one.  I've learned quite a bit and it comes much easier now, though... I was always adept at hardware.\n\nIf you want to know what I got:\n\nAMD Athlon
443913
Well if you have all the money, buy the best computer in the world!\n\nSeriously, This depends on what you want to do. If you are just editing 2 minute home videos with no titles or transitions, then you can do it on a pentium 2 with 96MB of ram. (I have a vaio that does that.)\n\nfor 3d modeling, I would recomend a high end gaming computer, equivalent to what you would get from Alienware or one of the other custom computer manufacturers out there. The more memory, higher the processor speed, and faster the video card, the quicker the render time that will be involved in producing the video.\n\nFor straightforward video with simple transitions and if you don't mind waiting a few minutes to render, I would recomend a pentium 4 processor over 3 gig speed, 1 gb of memory, two hard drives, one operating drive one for video. At least 80 gigs of video space. (Make sure the drive is 7200 rpm.) Get a video card with two monitor support or widescreen monitor, this makes keeping track of windows much easier. Make sure it has firewire, and a DVD burner is a nice option to have.\n\nIn a Mac get a dual processor 2.5 Gb, with 1 gb of memory, a 300 gb Lacie external Harddrive, Two button mouse, Final Cut Pro with Motion and purchase Photoshop elements.(At least) THis is alot more money than the PC, but it is a much more powerful system, with many features that will allow you to work professionally for years without upgrading. (Provided you move on to HDV and not something else like film or holographic projection when they start to make an appearance in the next few years.)\n\nHope this helps,\nTony
1076673
I would go with newegg.com  they are a great company.  But if you want to compair prices go to http://www.pricewatch.com there you can get the prices of computer parts and barebone systems.  This way you can either piece together your own system or get is barebones.
886119
http://www.dell.com - Kidding, of course.  You want to build a custom computer. \n\nI use http://www.newegg.com for most of my stuff.  I actually go to STAPLES for parts that I need quickly. (No hassle returns)  I also check http://www.tigerdirect.com for some parts.  \n\nI am always on the LOOKOUT for new vendors through http://www.pricewatch.com   But I investigate these companies throughoutly.  It's silly to buy from a company that is 3,000 miles away, when a good one might be within 500 miles where the shipping cost might be less, and delivered quicker. \n\nGood luck
96584
You can buy a basic computer from Dell cheaper than you can buy the parts to make one yourself.  You can save a few hundred on a high-end gaming machine by building it yourself.  Newegg, see sources, is a very good source for parts.
873009
Well building it yourself would be a good choice, other than that, I would say try here:http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/ you should be able to configure something that will play games at high quality, maybe not the highest quality for only $1200, but still at high quality.  If you want further help on building your own, or on what parts to put into a prebuilt one, give me an email, it is in my profile.
121019
Purchase a new computer, u'll receive manual for each and every part like motherboard, cpu, etc. This will help you learn a lot
943707
You don't need software to build a PC, just know-how, and the first site in the sources will teach you that.\n\nYou do, however, need software to run on it, otherwise a PC is useless, and - principally - the first piece of software you'll install is an Operating System (see the second link in the sources).  The most popular Operating Systems are commercial, such as the Microsoft Windows range.  Yet there are free offerings based on Linux, like Ubuntu and Debian (see the third and fourth links) that can run *some* Windows software using a package called WINE.  (See the fifth link.)\n\nAs for maintenance software, you don't really need it because most Operating Systems come with enough software to manage that task adequately.  But the final links offer freeware and shareware for every conceivable task you may think of, so give them a look.