Community archive
by zlitocook
is only as good as the parts in it. I buy alot of my parts and some systems from Ebay. I have been ripped off three times out of 400 items I have bought from there. You can look for adds from Compusa, bestbuy ect, you can find great deals like free keyboards and mice after rebate.
Try these on line stores.
http://www.pcsurplusonline.com/
http://www.everin.com/
http://www.newegg.com/index.asp
by mrafrohead
One thing to remember is this:
You get what you pay for.
So - when you buy your parts, research them first and verify that they are good quality parts.
After that, I would find a nice little local shop in your area and spend your money there. You can always haggle prices with them and usually meet what you find online.
Not to mention, if you have a problem with a part, instead of yelling at your computer because they sent you an e-mail saying they can't help you. You can just drive down to their store and yell until they get sick of hearing you :)
Mrafrohead
BTW - when I say computer store. I mean a store that will sell you Motherboards and Processors. NOT - Best buy or circuit city. Check your yellow pages.
by glyall
Are going wireless or wired.
The cost for wireless is going to be more. But you do not have to run the wiring from room to room. But you have to set up WEP security for your site. The manufactors do have setup instructions. Using wireless others have a better chance of using your site.
Wired sites are cheaper, but your will have to drill holes in your walls or floors to run the cables.
Use name brands such as SMC, 3COM, Siemens there are other to look in to.
Always have more ports on the hubs, switches, or routers than you plan on using. Something the ports do go bad, even to the the best.
If you using a Cable or DSL modem. Buy a second one as a spare (same make and model). Same with your hub, switch, or router.If any part goes bad you have the same piece to replace. You will not have to configure thing all over again. E-Bay is a good place to buy them. Buy from sellers will a lot of sells (500+). Try to buy new parts they cost more a little more. So you do not end up with somebody old problem.
Good Luck and have fun.
by hal 9000
To build a computer rather than a home network. First only buy quality parts {you will have to research this one} as there are quite a lot of parts available that are less that reliable like some M'Boards have up to a 80% failure rate but they are the cheep ones. Also I wouldn't buy through one of the big Internet sellers but through a local computer shop that actually sells the bits rather than a complete computer, if something goes wrong or doesn't work with something else then it's easy to fix up quickly.
In this area you get what you pay for and I'm not suggesting that you go out and buy a Quad Processor M'Board with a Built in SCSI that supports up to 30 SCSI devices and 12 Gig of Ram. What you want is relability and ease of use so like most people you will want Microsoft OS and programs and these are preety much the same price everywhere, the only difference is if you buy OEM rather than Retail Versions as the OEM is far cheeper but the trade off is the company who sells it must support it rather then Microsoft and the OEM product is only legally able to be used on the original hardware this means that you are only able to use it on what you buy and any new parts that you may buy or need to replace but MS policy here isif you replace the M'Board & CPU with something that gives you a siginifant improvment in performance you must buy new OS/Software.
by hal 9000
by hal 9000
The other thing to look at is the power supply as all too often I've seen fairly good computers built and then destroyed by a substandard power supply you want a good one and you will pay for one of these but they are worth the price as they producestable power output and in 1 case where high voltage power lines came into contact with the low voltage mains supply only the power supply was destroyed and it saved the computer this was a really cheep repair. The other side is a cheep unbranded power supply that was fitted to a server that failed and allowed mains power into the case and across the network and destroyed everything connected to the computer all 250 computers and the hub ect everything was destroyed.
The best advice that I can give you is to research everything that you want to use then find a store close to you where you can buy the parts and then most importantly of all ENJOY the experience.
by thechas
Once you choose the hardware you desire, you can find some of the lowest prices by checking the listings at www.pricewatch.com
CAUTION: watch the shipping charges and dealer policies.
I seldom buy from the lowest price dealers, but use the prices as a guideline so that I know how good the price is at my trusted dealers.
If you have one near you, PC shows / sales are a fair source for reasonable priced hardware.
As to operating systems, expect the following for "OEM" versions:
Windows XP Pro $145
Windows XP Home $100
Windows 98 $80
Windows 95 $35
Linux FREE (when downloaded with NO support)
Chas
by hal 9000
SCO has bought a law suit against IBM because Linux has the same basic Kernel as Unix and SCO is trying to regroup some money, they have tackled IBM because they have the ability to pay if SCO is successfull. If they are it will mean that all open source Linux distributions may become libal to a licence fee to SCO which will make them no longer free.
It will take some time to come to court but this is something that I will be watching with interest.
by mtberjim
I'd say try Ebay, pick up a few year old PC. Maybe a Pentium 2 or 3, Athlon slot or socket processor. As soon as you start to use it you'll find some fault with it, it's to slow or not enough disk space, whatever. Research the upgrade compair, prices, buy it and learn how to install it, or at least that's how it happened in my case.
Just remember what ever you start with, it's not what your going to keep.
Good luck and enjoy, Jim D.
since you (supposedly) are learning to build a computer, I'd suggest you buy a complete PC, take it apart, and re-build it!
That way,
1.
anything goes wrong, you have some protection in terms of manufacturer's warranty etc
2.
some tech support which is focussed on a complete working product and how to get you back there
3.
the learning is still there, since you can put it all back and make it work like it should...
what' more important is to define the following:
a.
purpose...will it be gaming, CAD, spreadsheet, music, general documents only...?
b.
how long into the future do you see the PC being used as it is....i.e., do you plan on upgrading, or discarding
c.
what software "bundle" do you plan to live with?...defines whathardware needs you have!
I've found some decent deals on
www.computersurplusoutlet.com
by sgeisler
by sagetech
Research Research Research
1) Find websites that do reviews.
Say for example you wish to start with the motherboard.
a) Use www.search.com and www.google.com use logical search words "motherboard review compare"
When you find a motherboard youlike go to the manufactures website of the motherboard and look for all info on it, FAQ, Manuals, techno documentation, release notes.
b) You will probably find that the Intel website beats all others hands down with its wealth of documentation "recommended for a first time builder".
2) Again Research Research Research
a) What processors does this board support?
b) Does the "processor" you chose affect the type, speed, amount of memory you must install.
Many manufactures have suggested suppliers that have passed some sort of certification.
c) Are there minimum air flow recommendations for the case?
d) Are there recommendations for the power supply?
3) Go back to line 1) and use similar approach for the hard drive, cd-dvd R RW "lots of choices here" sound and video cards, monitor, keyboard, mouse, scanners, printers networking devices ETC.....
CONTINUED see reply or next post.
by sagetech
Once again Research Research Research
For a first time builder get the big brand names, buy the items "retail boxed" you will pay more for retail boxed items but you will get all the manuals, disks, cables and better warranties.
Don?t forget to read EVERYTHING sent in the retail box too.
Yes it's a pain to do all this but remember if you build it YOU support it!
You will get allot of help from the manufactures if you need it as long as you bought it retail boxed.
4) Operating System, Imay catch flack for this but GET WINDOWS XP! It will cost you as you have to pay full price when you build your own system, Retail copy not upgrade nor OEM. As soon as you get online UPDATE YOUR SECURITY PATCHES!!!
And your Anti-Virus files. You are very vulnerable when you first put a new system on the net until you do this.
5) Networking "this can be a major headache to a new person so I am going to offer you a cheat here.
Microsoft now makes networking hardware both wireless and wired and include a very hand CD and floppy diskette with a extremely simple to use Wizard to set up your network for you.
P.S. make a contact sheet listing the websites and tech support phone numbers "PRINT IT OUT" and put it where its handy if a problemoccurs 6 months down the road.
You will learn a ton building your own systems but it can be very rewarding and the knowledge and skills you gain are valuable.
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