Building a computer - thinking about it...never done this before

[The Pontificator]

I'm in the market for a new desktop machine and could be talked into building one.

I have ZERO experience building computers. Hell, I barely understand how they work.

FORM FACTOR: I'd prefer something small like one of these two Mini ITX cases:

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=71143&vpn=BFC-PRO-300-KKXSK-RP&manufacture=BitFenix

http://www.directron.com/vl52021n2u.html#caption

OPERATING SYSTEM: Ubuntu or Mint for general use (web surf, music, watching movies, office productivity). Nothing horrendously taxing.

RAM: 4GB minimum

MOTHERBOARD: Whatever works in this form factor

PROCESSOR: I'm not picky can be either AMD or Intel. Doesn't have to be an i7-level.

GPU: again, what works

HDD: SATA 500GB-1TB again, something that works. Whether it's 2.5" or 3.5 unimportant as long as it fits and works.


I'd welcome any feedback and suggestions as to reliable components vendors, building websites for beginners, etc.

 

[ironfisted]

Funny, I was just at a computer shop picking up some memory and I stopped to talk to one of the guys about doing just this. I've never done it before either, but it's getting a lot easier with all of the online tutorials available. That is, unless the only computer you have is the one that it sitting in components on your living room floor, with no assembly instructions. Since we're both looking at smaller form factor cases, I would suggest that the one thing I found was regularly recommended is to ensure that the unit doesn't have an integrated micro power supply. Some cases have it preinstalled and they can't be replaced when (not if) they go.

The other thing you may want to consider, depending on whether you will be using this as a server for your home, is going with a Raid1 configuration. I currently have this on a network storage device, but I want to move it into a PC, so that I can back up my other computers to that one computer. If you're going to go to all of the trouble, you may as well make sure that your data is properly backed up. With Raid1 you'll have two drives mirroring each other, so you can replace one and it will rebuild itself.

Good luck, I look forward to seeing some updates if you decide to DIY.

 

[xraygun]

I used to build custom boxes for a living, but there's no profit in it anymore.
The assembly is quite easy. It's the research to get everything to work together and still get the best bang for the buck that requires effort. Whatever works isn't a good start at building a good computer. Pick your motherboard first. It's the heart and soul of the computer. Buy a quality power supply rated over what you need.
Read reviews. Be cautious of which version/release on every component. Pay close attention to form factors. ironfisted's advice on SCSI Raid is great if you can afford it.
You are going to spend considerably more on a home built system, but with a quality power supply, they tend to last much longer than a Costco special.

Pricewatch.com is a great source to get deals on parts and barebones systems.

 

[smalltank]

I agree..I also used to build custom PC's for customers...maybe $200 at best for profit..assuming your cpu is on the higher end and power supply/graphix card are on moderate end..a good integrated card attached to the motherboard..I would just shop around Frys or ubid.com (bought my first HP desktop for $400)..sold it for sold 5 years later after a few upgrades

 

[The Pontificator]

Funny, I was just at a computer shop picking up some memory and I stopped to talk to one of the guys about doing just this. I've never done it before either, but it's getting a lot easier with all of the online tutorials available. That is, unless the only computer you have is the one that it sitting in components on your living room floor, with no assembly instructions. Since we're both looking at smaller form factor cases, I would suggest that the one thing I found was regularly recommended is to ensure that the unit doesn't have an integrated micro power supply. Some cases have it preinstalled and they can't be replaced when (not if) they go.

The other thing you may want to consider, depending on whether you will be using this as a server for your home, is going with a Raid1 configuration. I currently have this on a network storage device, but I want to move it into a PC, so that I can back up my other computers to that one computer. If you're going to go to all of the trouble, you may as well make sure that your data is properly backed up. With Raid1 you'll have two drives mirroring each other, so you can replace one and it will rebuild itself.

Good luck, I look forward to seeing some updates if you decide to DIY.

I took a look at the two mini chassis I listed in my OP. The BitFenix does not come with an integrated power supply and will accomodate up to 5 HDD's or SSD's and is, according to the mfr., able to be used as a server.

The ThermalTake Chassis is quite a bit smaller, the SFX power supply is built in, and can only accomodate 1 drive.

 

[Austin]

I used to build custom boxes with my son. It was a way to spend time with him when he was a teenager. Otherwise, he would not want to spend time with his old man. It is actually easy if you take it one step at a time. Make sure you get a good compatible motherboard. everything else will come together. Good luck.

I used to use newegg.com for most of my parts.

 

[Barbiere di Figaro]

I always find valuable info on http://www.tomshardware.com/

Very informative, also often with budget components tested.

It's great if your own config starts up for the first time.

Good Luck,

Eric

 

[xraygun]

Good one Eric. It's been so long I couldn't remember the name of that site.

 

[Mick]

Building (or more accurately "assembling") a computer is as simple as building something using lego blocks.

Click, snap, plug in.

When I first started with computers (early 70's) my first cpu card (an intel 8080) came as a kit. The kit was a blank S-100 PC card, a bag of sockets, a bag of chips, a bag of resisters, transistors, heat sinks, and a couple of pages of directions. You had to provide your own soldering iron and solder. Back then you actually "built" the computer (i.e. soldered the IC sockets and other parts onto the board)

Today I build (assembly/configure) all of my own web servers and have been doing this since going into business 12 years ago.

Even configuring a dual quad core, hardware raid 1, dual node system is a cake walk compared to the "good old days"

 

[WickedSwde]

I've been shopping some from http://www.tigerdirect.com/ and http://www.newegg.com/
Just see what parts work together. What most have problems with is that they forget to put that grease between CPU and Heatsink.

 

[The Pontificator]

What most have problems with is that they forget to put that grease between CPU and Heatsink.

I thought you were joking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_grease

Guess not!

 

[Mick]

I thought you were joking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_grease

Guess not!

Use the arctic silver ceramique paste. It has a little better heat transfer than the standard pastes do

 

[jlanger]

I always find valuable info on http://www.tomshardware.com/

Very informative, also often with budget components tested.

It's great if your own config starts up for the first time.

Good Luck,

Eric

Plus one on Tom's

Newegg is my go to source for parts too.
Though Amazon is getting good on selection these days as well.

 

[jmorris]

Do yourself a favor and read reviews on what is going to be most compatible with Linux. Many people (including myself) seem to have issues when it comes to drivers with Radeon cards, for example. I absolutely love Linux, don't get me wrong, but dealing with the driver issues can sometimes make you want to toss the computer you just built right out the window.

Good luck and don't forget to put the thermal paste on your cpu before adding the heatsink and fan!!!!

 

[The Pontificator]

Between the Newegg tutorial videos, a .pdf beginner building book from Lifehacker and information from some other sites I'm starting to gather quite a bit of information.

I don't know exactly what the "innards" will be but after seeing this video I know what the case will be a Bitfenix Prodigy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGYatxJzaBI

That is one sweet chassis.

 

[WickedSwde]

No, not this time ) If you don't have any plans to overclock your CPU you don't have to spend to much $ to get a good thermal grease. Just make sure it spreads properly. Make sure the surface is clean and don't put any fingers and other things that polute with fat etc.
Decent video that shows how it spreads - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4

I thought you were joking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_grease

Guess not!

 

[maxman]

Oh man, I haven't built a machine in a long time.
Good luck. It's not hard.
The worst part is building something that in 2 months will be obsolete.
You can't prevent it, so enjoy what you build!

oh and post pics too. I remember learning about cable folding back in the day.
I don't know if anyone does that anymore. You used to do it with IDE cables.

 

[Phog Allen]

This interests me as well. I am in a position where desktop pc replacement is more a matter of how soon than if. I just cannot make up my mind to buy a budget $500 box from Dell and done or build one myself. I am one of those who firmly falls into the camp of treating these things as appliances. When they seriously break you chuck them in the dustbin and buy another. I cannot believe my old Dell Xp machine from nearly seven years ago is still trudging along. I can buy a copy of Windows7 Business(Ulitmate?) from work for $60. Pretty nice deal but it is upgrade only and I would not have an OS on any new drive I buy. Besides, when you buy one from Dell the drivers and all that irritation factor stuff is already in there. Trade off? Cheap components that lead to the appliance mentality. We shall see. Another use comes to mind as well. I am also interested in a set top box running XBMC attached directly to the telly. Likely something that had HDMI ports and good quality graphics built in. This way all it needs is a case and power supply. Preferably an external p/s so I can keep the case small and cool. It should also hold a low wattage dual or quad core processor. Definitely NO overclocking on that one. I want it to run as cool as possible.

So to the OP, sorry. I kind of piggy backed on your post but it will be interesting to see where you land with this. It would be my first real build as well if I manage it.

Cheers, Todd

 

[njpaddy]

Built my first and only almost 5 years ago. The actual building of the pc was the fun part and was easier than I thought it would be. The hardest part is choosing components, especially motherboard and ram. There are just so many choices available. I spent some time reading motherboard forums before I finally decided. The only component that failed so far was the monitor. I did upgrade the graphics card and power supply this year to give it more pep.

That Prodigy case is nice but I would have trouble working in that cramped space. I had the room, so I went with a huge CoolerMaster case which is ridiculously easy to work on.

 

[BallisticBurrito]

I <3 building computers, oh so very much.
Been around them all of my life..and got my first personal one (used to always fight my dad for his) when I was around 12 or so. That one was a hodgepodge of old parts my dad had laying around. Been building computers ever since. I've never bought a pre-built computer. Just way too much fun.