Do you build your own computers?

SumTinWong · Sep 21, 2004

pgp_protector said:
Nope, but I do have a ASUS AGP-V6600/32M Sitting around collecting dust

Beleve it's still good, though the fan was giving me a few probs, but a good de-dusting should fix that.

We should have a parts swap thread. I have a few other bits and pieces laying around here, and I am sure everyone else does.

MiccyNarc · Sep 21, 2004

I build my own, saves alot of cash.

imawebmonkey · Sep 21, 2004

John 316 said:
The only problem I have with building our own computers - my house looks like this! Oh, and if anyone's wondering about the box fan on the computer in the corner it's because it's in desperate need of a new video card and we're trying to keep the old one from dying on us. If anyone has a video card they'd like to donate (preferably an ATI All-in-wonder 9600 XT ) we'd be more than happy to take it off your hands! LOL

You should see my house. I'm too embarrassed to put a pic of the home office on here. We've been tripping over computer parts for months.

askbros · Sep 21, 2004

I like being able to customize what I have in my computer.

mnkyboy · Sep 21, 2004

GW John - thats the sort of level I have achieved Except half my stuff doesnt go.

Ashamedly all of my 7 bar 1 and the smoothwall box are Windows boxes - Still grappling with debian.

~Mrs. A2J~ · Sep 21, 2004

pgp_protector said:
Nope, but I do have a ASUS AGP-V6600/32M Sitting around collecting dust

Beleve it's still good, though the fan was giving me a few probs, but a good de-dusting should fix that.

LOL Thanks for the offer but I was just kidding . Besides, that's my husband's gaming computer so he needs a card that's at least comparable to the 128mb one that he has now. Well, we'll just add the new video card to the long wish list we have LOL The box fan has been helping for a few months now so hopefully it'll last a while longer.

Sarah

~Mrs. A2J~ · Sep 21, 2004

craftygal said:
You should see my house. I'm too embarrassed to put a pic of the home office on here. We've been tripping over computer parts for months.

LOL Yeah, we have six computer towers on the floor right now to trip over.

pgp_protector · Sep 21, 2004

John 316 said:
LOL Thanks for the offer but I was just kidding . Besides, that's my husband's gaming computer so he needs a card that's at least comparable to the 128mb one that he has now. Well, we'll just add the new video card to the long wish list we have LOL The box fan has been helping for a few months now so hopefully it'll last a while longer.

Sarah

One thing you can do is replace the Box fan with one of thoes personal fans, works better, and you can direct the air flow better.

Also get some compressed air (either from a compresser ) or the can, and blow out the fans on the Gfx Card.

WeakButHopeful · Sep 21, 2004

Since the poll didn't have an option for this, I'll just comment that the last 2 PCs I've bought I've had built for me by a local company. I am very satisfied with the quality and price...I get the benefit of a custom PC without the trouble (some would say fun, but I'm more a software guy).

Rand1956 · Sep 22, 2004

Building 'em is fun, except it seems to take me longer and longer to get from the Big Box o' Parts period to a working PC. I finished an AMD tower a month ago that's crying out to be powered up and tested, but I can't find the time! I suppose eventually I'll solve it the usual way, by losing sleep.
Randall

marduke · Sep 22, 2004

i build them, i like using good quality parts, because i know what afew companies put in theirs... also its fun building your own, and pretty easy too.
i need to upgrade mine.

SumTinWong · Sep 22, 2004

I tell you what there are at least two companies out there that I am aware of that do a great job of making computers. One is Alienware. If you need a gaming rig they are amazing. The price is steep but hey we are talking quality here right? The other may suprise you, but it is Sony. I have had this Sony computer for almost two years now and it is the best computer I have ever had, bar none. Quality stuff from top to bottom.

Here is the link to alienware:http://www.alienware.com/ALX_pages/main_alx.aspx

the Colonel · Sep 22, 2004

Lollard said:
We should have a parts swap thread. I have a few other bits and pieces laying around here, and I am sure everyone else does.

I'd like to see this as well. Let's open a thread for computer parts in the Trading Post forum.

SumTinWong · Sep 22, 2004

As Tony the Tiger would say that's greaaaat

the Colonel · Sep 22, 2004

Lollard said:
As Tony the Tiger would say that's greaaaat

Thanks for settin' it up, Lollard.

Oh, by the way, I do build my own computer(s).

theseed · Sep 22, 2004

Is it true that it costs more to build your own computer? I suppose the extra cost is worth it.

the Colonel · Sep 23, 2004

theseed said:
Is it true that it costs more to build your own computer? I suppose the extra cost is worth it.

You can buy cheaper pre-built computers. If you treat it like a throw away appliance (meaning, when it goes bad after the warranty, you just toss it) and don't care about upgrades and such, you'll be fine with a store computer.

The key with the pre-builts is that nearly every one of them is full of proprietary parts and integrated components. That means they had parts manufactured specifically for them in an original (read: odd) format that you can neither upgrade nor replace. Plus, a some of the functions are integrated into the motherboard: sound, grahics, modem, etc. If one of these functions goes bad, you're out of luck.

What are some nice things about building your own (or having someone do it for you)?

(1) You get to know exactly whats going into the computer, so you can get the quality and capability of parts that makes the most sense for your needs.

(2) Each part will have its own manufacturers warranty (who are usually a lot nicer to deal with than, say, Compaq or Gateway). If one part goes bad, you can just pick something up from Best Buy (or wherever) or online because its in a standard format (no worrying about having to get a particular part number from the manufacturer of the computer).

(3) It's just plain fun to build your own computer. In so doing, you take away the "voodoo" of computers and it becomes something you understand much better.

If you watch for online deals, you can build a nice computer for quite cheap ($400?). My Dad's a bargain shopper and has built some awesome computers for very cheap.

SirKenin · Sep 23, 2004

It can be more expensive to build your own computer if you do it properly. I only use top end parts in my machines because I can't be bothered fiddling and messing around with low-end garbage when it fails. I get tired working on other people's computers. I have no interest coming home and fixing my own.. Sooooo.. I consider it worth it to spend $500 on RAM, $250 on a motherboard, $360 on a Harddrive, etc.

So yeah, my machine is far more expensive than a Compaq that you would pick up at Future Shop, but it's much better quality. That's why I like building my own.

I'd post a pic, but the database has a problem yet again and it won't let me.

the Colonel · Sep 23, 2004

drfeelgood said:
It can be more expensive to build your own computer if you do it properly. I only use top end parts in my machines because I can't be bothered fiddling and messing around with low-end garbage when it fails.

I think that used to be a problem, but anymore there are so many manufacturers of computer parts that you can buy a Cd-rom drive for $20, for example. If it goes out after 9 months, so what. It was $20! It's a throw-away.

I think there are now plenty of good-quality/low price manufacturers now-a-days. The only difference high-price makes now is if you want the latest/greatest, otherwise you can settle for very good at much cheaper prices.

xMinionX · Sep 23, 2004

drfeelgood said:
It can be more expensive to build your own computer if you do it properly. I only use top end parts in my machines because I can't be bothered fiddling and messing around with low-end garbage when it fails. I get tired working on other people's computers. I have no interest coming home and fixing my own.. Sooooo.. I consider it worth it to spend $500 on RAM, $250 on a motherboard, $360 on a Harddrive, etc.

So yeah, my machine is far more expensive than a Compaq that you would pick up at Future Shop, but it's much better quality. That's why I like building my own.

I'd post a pic, but the database has a problem yet again and it won't let me.

Have you gotten your cables all sleeved? I'm sort of excited to see what you come up with.

A friend of mine just finished up on a 'frozen' theme for his case. We spraypainted the outer edges of his window with a very light coat of white paint. Just enough so that it looks like theres frost on the acrylic. We then put in some blue lights, silver sleeved power cables, and a subtle white light beaming down from the top. It's a real neat effect. I'll see if we can get some pics.

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