[geverett87]

so here's the deal, my old dell dimension 3000 is really starting to show its age, (2.8 P4, 2gb ram, 80gb hard drive, 256mb PCI xfx GeForce fx 5200).

Recently I've been going back and forth between building a new PC or buying a newer dell for $450 or so and adding a decent graphics card, ram and sound card. What would you guys suggest?

the most I've ever done is adding PCI cards and ram, so my experience is fairly low with PC hardware, but i am a quick learner, and build cars for a living, so i do know about wiring and tools.

Thanks for any responses!

[Murilo Specht]

I suggest to never buy a ready computer, feels much better when you choose piece by piece of your rig, and set it up yourself, or you can even have someone to set it up for ya, I just suggest you do have someone with enough knowledge about compatibility and stuff.

[VonWaffen]

It s not so hard....My fist one was made by hp pavillon just like you ,2 year later a was building one by my self , just need to read some description and ask what you didn t know....begin by chosing what you want to do with and how mush you want to put, if it s for gaming you must chose if you want to go with ati or n vidia first then chose you mother board and all compatible stuff to go with...processor ,video card ,a powerfull power supply able to deal with everything you got , hard drive,dvd reader , casing ,sound cart and everything you want.....you can start by surffing the net and check price and stuff you can get a any computer site , read description of parts and you will learn a lot....
ASKING HELP IF YOU NEED SOME TO THE PLACE YOU BUY YOUR STUFF
THEY WILL GIVE YOU GOOD ADVIS...

[BH_Blue]

DIY: some people will flame me for this, but youtube is a VERY useful resource for learning about how to build a pc, its how i learned.

[VonWaffen]

It s like building someting were every part you have buy was bolt on...loll
You realy don t need to be a genius....

Win XP , E6850 intel core duo
evga nForce 680i sli , 8 GB DDR2 sli ready
WD raptor 150 16 mg x 2 raid 0
asus en8800gtx sli x 2
antek 850 true power quatro
Lg 42 inch lcd

[geverett87]

thanks guys, the main use will definitely be gaming. I'm not a "hard core" gamer or anything, but i would like to be able to run some of the games put out in the last 2-3 years

thanks for the you tube hint, I probably never would have thought of that!

I've never owned anything ati or amd, only intell and nvida...so i'll probably stay with them. I have spent a lot of time looking at newegg and most of the hardware seems pretty straight forward.

The only big question i have at the moment is; once you hook everything up, whats next? do you just put a windows CD in and it installs it, or do you have to know some kind of special computer language? that and what the heck is BIOS? all the reviews on motherboards are talking about BIOS this and BIOS that, what is it exactly?

Thanks for the responses!

[JG14_Jagr]

I have not bought a PC ready made in 20 years. You need to do your homework and know what specific hardware you need. What mobo for what CPU etc. What RAM type and what GPU.. Most motherboards come very well packaged with the necessary cables etc. Some (most ) are produced by companies who grasp of english can be entertaining at times especially in the manual. Look at good web sites for reviews of certain CPU's, motherboards etc. Set out a rough budget and then start looking for the parts you need.. newegg.com is a great place to shop. You can choose items and get a running tally of your expenses using the checkout basket.

Suggestions...

Buy from a quality online store like Newegg or someone else who stands behind ther gear.

Do not buy a single part until you are ready to build it..every day the stuff drops in price..wait until you are ready

* The one exception to the last statement is RAM.. RAM tends to fluctuate so once you decide if you see a great deal and you are close to building I'd consider buying it.

Get all the Power Supply you can..will save you headaches later.

Don't overclock at least initially..build something that is a notch or two below the bleeding edge and you will have plenty of performance.

Get a good (big) case with strong ventilation.. smaller cases with cable nests don't allow airflow very well..

The moment of truth is that first boot up when you need to enter the BIOS and setup the default settings.. make sure you know how to get to the BIOS and what you want for settings... usually "load default" or "load safe settings" is best..we just want it running to load the OS.

Its NOT nearly as hard as it sounds but you need to go slow and be thorough and do your homeork to know the steps before you take them..

good luck

[JG14_Jagr]

The only big question i have at the moment is; once you hook everything up, whats next? do you just put a windows CD in and it installs it, or do you have to know some kind of special computer language? that and what the heck is BIOS? all the reviews on motherboards are talking about BIOS this and BIOS that, what is it exactly?

Thanks for the responses!

The first time you turn it on the mobo BIOS runs.. There will be a key you can press to enter BIOS Setup.. might be delet key..might be an F key..the mobo manual will tell you and its usually visible during the boot process. When you enter the BIOS setup there will be an option to "Load Default Options" or something like "Load Failsafe Options" You select that then save, usually you then need to set the BOOT order to include your CD ROM drive with the OS CD in it. AFter you save and exit it should begin the OS installation. Later you can adjust BIOS settings for specific features.. best to K.I.S.S. at first..

[Alucard]

i just made one a week ago ..my first computer..and it kicks ass!...i havent installed this game yet cuase i am still playing other newer games but its well worth it if you make one. if you are not too sure to make one yourself you can ask a friend that knows about computers to atleast guide you a bit.

[Sora]

A very good subject indeed. I've always wanted to try to build one myself but was always afraid to do so. The way you gentlemen expain it really seems tempting. I thought you had to be very well conversed in computers to build one but from what I've read, it seems you don't have to. But of coarse I do have to read up on some of those computer parts stuff, but I guess that comes with the job. What's compatable to what and how much $$$$$ will it cost.
I've yet to feel the feeling of building my very first computer and the accomplishment I have done. But I'd better do some reading and some investigating and with members of this AAA's website community like yourselves, I feel comfortable asking questions here about building one. Your sinciere answers and comments has put me in the right direction in taking that big step.
* one small step for man, one giant leep for Sora (if he gets it right) *

[agracier]

By all means build one yourself - and if you don

[Flanker35M]

S!

Only thing to remember is grounding, those components HATE the ESD (Electrostatic Dischcharge). Motherboard manuals most of the time show with pics and easy to follow instructions how and where to put different parts. Rest is more or less just plugging in and attaching items Built every computer I have owned except the Commodore 64

[duffys tavern]

This has got me thinking... thanx.

[geverett87]

thanks for all the info guys! i think I'm going to go with your advice and build my own after the next paycheck or two comes in! I'm sure i will have some questions about compatibility and what not, but until then, thanks again!

[Flanker35M]

S!

You are welcome Have fun!