I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

[laurenceuk]

Hi,

I`m preparing to create my own computer.

Has anybody done this before? I need advice on where best to source parts.

I have the Haynes manual (3rd edition) but pointers to any other good
online references would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Laurence

[lerch]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

unless you are going to play games it will be just as well to buy one from a shop and more than likely cheaper.

[laurenceuk]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

You’r probably right Lerch…

But cost is not always the criteria in life but the challenge to learn something
new.

Besides, I get to choose the spec and the components and not have to get
shafted with the corner cutting and useless bundled kits.

Thanks for responding though.

Laurence

[lerch]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

I did build myself one about 4-5 years ago took 30minutes not really that hard.

The hardest bit is deciding how much to spend, what you want it to do, will all the parts work together and last is a laptop of more use ???

A good site for starters is http://www.ebuyer.co.uk that is where I got my parts from.

http://www.custompc.co.uk/

For examples of peoples wierd and damm right good self builds.

http://www.computerbuyer.co.uk/

there is also a forum on both which gave me loads of FREE ADVICE from people who seem to bloody know everything but without being snotty !!

other sites which may help:-

http://www.pro-clockers.com/
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/
http://www.xcase.co.uk/
http://www.crucial.com/
http://www.coolercases.co.uk/
http://www.goldchip.uk.com/

😀

[Jonah]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

Hi Laurence,

I use IT247.com for all our computer spares, upgrades etc they are very good and quite competetive on prices 🙂

[squadman]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

Lerch has a good point about considering a laptop, your office is with you all the time, that said I have built many systems without problem and its a great way of learning about computers. If your intended system is for general office type applications then the job is real easy, if however your considering a system for something like Video Editing, Music or Web Design then the requirements are very different and so is the cost !

Good Luck with it

[laurenceuk]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

Thanks folks,

That’s really helpful.

I want to build one for my young grandchildren and then one for myself.

I build my own websites about my hobby – vegetable and herb growing –
which also brings me in a little income to pay for it all.

http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/

I am also beginning to make my own vids on my gardening experiences
(non uploaded yet – still learning) and using Sony Vegas Movie Studio.

I am realising I need a computer with more power than the one I have
right now.

So many thanks for your insights and encouragements.

Laurence

[LJDomestics]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

been a die hard gamer and technology freak for about ten years now.
spent thousands over those years and built many power hungry machines in that time.

Trouble is…. todays technology is obsolete practically next day in the pc world.

Building for browsing?? no point at all.

a tenner pc from the local flea market will do.

[laurenceuk]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

The only thing that concerns me is getting from the building stage to the
working model.

Not very clued up on BIOS and stuff like that.

Still, appears I may be able to get some pointers from folk in the forums if
get a bit of a hiccup 😉

Laurence

[lee8]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

In less than a second of typing build your own computer I found this.

http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

Hope it helps. 😉

[Martin]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

laurenceuk wrote:I am also beginning to make my own vids on my gardening experiences
(non uploaded yet – still learning) and using Sony Vegas Movie Studio.

You’ll need an expensive processor to work with video and video editing. For HD or Full HD video editing nothing short of an Intel Zeon 2.9gHz Processor running at 133mHz, at least 1gig graphics card and 3gig of memory will do! 😯

Most modern PC’s aren’t up for the job in that department. Video editing software technology is way ahead of the capabilities of a modern PC. Only a ‘games/gaming type PC’ will come close. A MAC however with the latest Snow Leopard is the dogs danglies…..oh yes!

[squadman]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

and not forgetting to invest in the latest version of Final Cut !

[kwatt]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

It’s not impossible Martin. 😉

Use a Mac, easy. Use a PC, not so easy.

Use good software on a PC, it’s easier.

Use the right software and hardware in combination and it’s pretty painless.

SD video is no problem, even a decent laptop can do that. HD video is a lot more CPU and RAM intensive but most will still do it, they just take longer to process it all.

This is my latest self-build effort…

I use it for mass storage (yes that is 23Tb of storage space with 6 bays free) for music, movies, photos and a host of other things. There’s also a couple of chunky NAS drives knocking about under the floor for extra capacity, about another 3Tb or so of formatted space.

Oh, that’s for the house. Work storage and servers are separate but there are a few shared files in both locations… backup, backup then back it up!

But that’s a home server built for a specific purpose or five. If you want to build a good machine for video editing then you are looking to build a pretty powerful machine and I’d advise fast drives, as fast as you can get as you’re gonna shunt about a lot of data and big files. A fair bit of RAM to cope with moving them and allowing the buffer to process it all. A decent GPU, but it doesn’t have to be the latest all singing, all dancing affair as any decent nVidia or ATi card will handle up to 1080p easily. Processor is a moot point, any modern CPU can cope with video processing. Motherboard, as fast as you can get as that glues the whole lot together and the faster the BUS the better for moving and processing big files.

Getting the video into the machine is much more of an issue. A good capture card is okay… ish. I liked my funky Pinnacle thing that I still have kicking about as, that’s what they do… video capture and processing. And, they make it as painless as it can made to be.

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/uk/Home/

Well worth a look, a lot faster and better than anything else I’ve tried, except a Mac.

HTH

K.

[laurenceuk]

Re: I`m Assembling My Own Computer – Advice Please

Some great feedback for me here – many thanks.

I want to cut my teeth – so to speak – on building a computer for my young
grandchildren and their parents.

It would be used for general stuff… social networking, uploading photos and
vids ( not editing etc), surfing, educational – things like that.

What level of processor and motherboard etc should I aim for. Would like it
to be upgradeable if possible.

If I succeed at that then I can get to grips with my own 8)

Thanks again,

Laurence

[Author]

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