[Happy Noodle Boy]

Well, as much as I love computers, I've never actually built one before. I've replaced graphic cards and switched things here and there, but never started from scratch. That is all about to change this weekend when my order arrives and I undoubtedly will mess up at sometime, but hey you gotta learn somehow, right?

I got me a mid-range system, nothing high end since my budget was $1200 and I needed to squeeze everything (monitor,os,keyboard/mouse) in it. Here's what I ended up getting if anyone cares:

• Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
• GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
• SAPPHIRE 100242L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
• Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400
• Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
• mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
• Logitech MX518 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB + PS/2 Wired Optical Gaming-Grade Mouse
• LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-04
• Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support
• Saitek PZ30AUR Red USB Wired Slim Eclipse Keyboard
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit

It's mostly going to be used for gaming/media center (which is why I went with home premium), and my gaming needs aren't that high. The "best" computer I've ever had is the laptop I currently own and it's "ok" at best for gaming, so with the 4850 it'll be nice to be able to run a game like TF2 at high settings for once. Hell, I still remember playing Everquest in some crappy Compaq with a 4MB video card.

I'll be sure to post some pics of the mess that will be construction on Saturday, but until then, entertain me with stories if you've built one yourself.

Finally, yes this isn't a mac and Vista, so if those two points make you burst into flames, feel free to ignore this thread :P

[Rustynuts]

its pretty straight forward building a system from scratch, you have all your componants, so thats step one complete..

Alot say you are suppose to wear a anti static strap but i never have. And iv built loads over the last 12 years.

What i suggest is you take your time to read the motherboard manual, well not the whole thing, but the section where it tells you what wires from the case go to the motherboard.. i.e power button and reset button...

Make sure you have correctly inserted your ram, they will only go in 1 way, just make sure they click into place at both sides..

TBH like is said before there nothing to it, just build it install windows and update it and all will be good.

[Aiyo]

I want to build my own computer >.<

[Poseidon79]

I just rebuilt my system last month... used the same case but upgraded everything else.

Antec 900 Gaming case with 11 Blue LED Fans
Abit IP-35 Pro Motherboard
Intel Q6600 Quad core 2.4ghz OVERCLOCKED to 3.6ghz
Western Digital 300GB Velociraptor 10,000RPM hard drive.
2 GB PC8400 Crucial Balistix RAM
Raid Max 600 Watt Modular Power Supply
9600GT Graphics card
20x LG DVD Light Scribe Burner

Its a BEAST!

[Zeal]

Its like a giant puzzle

[Kaas]

Originally Posted by Poseidon79

I just rebuilt my system last month... used the same case but upgraded everything else.

Antec 900 Gaming case with 11 Blue LED Fans
Abit IP-35 Pro Motherboard
Intel Q6600 Quad core 2.4ghz OVERCLOCKED to 3.6ghz
Western Digital 300GB Velociraptor 10,000RPM hard drive.
2 GB PC8400 Crucial Balistix RAM
Raid Max 600 Watt Modular Power Supply
9600GT Graphics card
20x LG DVD Light Scribe Burner

Its a BEAST!

how do u overlock a processor?, possible on mac?

EDIT: nevermind, i googled

[Happy Noodle Boy]

Originally Posted by Rustynuts

its pretty straight forward building a system from scratch, you have all your componants, so thats step one complete..

Alot say you are suppose to wear a anti static strap but i never have. And iv built loads over the last 12 years.

What i suggest is you take your time to read the motherboard manual, well not the whole thing, but the section where it tells you what wires from the case go to the motherboard.. i.e power button and reset button...

Make sure you have correctly inserted your ram, they will only go in 1 way, just make sure they click into place at both sides..

TBH like is said before there nothing to it, just build it install windows and update it and all will be good.

Yeah, I'll be taking my time with it. I have a friend who's built a couple who offered to drop by in case I need any help, but I kinda want to try it myself.

[dale1v]

I noticed that you're installing x64 windows. Most programs don't run on 64 bit windows.

edit: I noticed that you have Team Fortress 2 as well.

[Kruejl]

^^^Agreed. As mentioned before, take the time to read the MB manual. It will help you with jumper settings, plugs and BIOS setup. Take your time, make sure you route your wires cleanly so it isn't a huge bird's nest inside your case. The hardest connections to make will most likely be the HDD and power lights- the plugs are really small.

[redcard]

Most new boards come with little extensions that make plugging in the power lights etc much easier

[Happy Noodle Boy]

Originally Posted by dale1v

edit: I noticed that you have Team Fortress 2 as well.

Hell yeah, love that game. Between medic and spy, I get to help the team whichever way I can. PS:

[dale1v]

haha. Spy and Demoman are what it's all about.

[alcala315]

Just make sure you take your time and dont hurry you just end taking longer to catch up to your mistakes. Also since the stuff is being shipped to you make sure the ups/fedex guy didnt play soccer with your packages. I ordered all my parts online and the worst that can happen to me happened and that is the motherbaord itself would not even post. If you plan on overcloking dont just jump to the latest bios i found that out the wrong way....the latest bios on my motherboard made it more difficult to overclock so the latest bios doesnt always equal the best outcome.

[Happy Noodle Boy]

I ain't planning on OC'ing, the computer should be good enough as is for what I want it to. The only thing I'll be doing is increasing the fan speeds on the 4850 since they run a little to hot for my own comfort. And yeah, I'm just going to wait tomorrow all day at home and make sure everything arrives in one piece.

[Chase817]

i wish i had enough money to build a computer