Desktops forum: Ready to try my hand at building my own PC, what are your thoughts?

I found it surprisingly easy to build my own screamer for a fraction of the cost I'd have had to pay Falcon Northwest or Alienware for a comparable unit. And the actual assembly, while not the proverbial "snap," was straightforward and everything worked right out of the box.

I'll get to assembly (which is the easy part -- mostly) later. When building your own PC, the single most important part is planning. Decide what you need in the way of case, motherboard, processor, RAM, video card, storage, power supply and accessories. Learn up on these things.

What features (front panel connectors, etc.) do you want in the case? Do you need wireless networking and/or bluetooth on your motherboard? How many 6 Mb/s SATA2 connectors do you need? How about USB3? Be aware that motherboards in the smaller form factors, like mATX, sometimes have fewer features than the IDENTICALLY NAMED motherboard from the same manufacturer with a full ATX form factor.

You know, of course, that your FIRST decision is on the CPU type and the motherboard socket it will require. These days, most Intel chips will use either the 1155 or the 2011 socket (there are still chips available new for the older 1366 and 775 motherboards but why would you want to build one of those?). AMDs use different sockets and motherboards.

Research the brands and the retailers on-line. I am lucky to live near a MicroCenter, and their prices are as low as the lowest-priced online discounters for many items and they stand wonderfully behind their products (but don't buy anything "refurbished" from them, because it seems that "refurbished" just means "repackaged"). Tiger Direct, NewEgg, and B&H Electronics are also excellent on-line retailers that sometimes feature astonishingly low prices.

Your planning and decision-making on the components is the most important part of this procedure, and the better you do it the happier you'll be with the finished product.

Now, on to assembly. Aside from the masses of wires for all the case fans and front-panel connections, this is pretty easy, with the only real complication being the attachment of the CPU cooling fan to the CPU.

First of all, the CPU clamps into its socket without any tools needed, but more force is required to clamp down the little lever than you would expect. Now comes the trick -- unless you're using the cooling fan supplied with the CPU, which has its own conductive adhesive (and nobody who builds their own computer uses the stock fan), you will need to apply a conductive adhesive like Arctic Silver to the top surface of the CPU in a pattern that depends on the brand and type of CPU (for second-generation Intel i-series chips it is in a vertical line down the center of the top of the chip), and then the cooling block is set atop the chip and clamped down with screws (some AMDs use a lever instead). The act of clamping is supposed to spread the conductive paste properly on the surface of the CPU, but because you're wiggling everything back and forth during this process it's a bit of hit-or-miss. The proof of the puddin' comes after everything is up and running and you run a utility like the freeware OCCT or Open Hardware Monitor and see how effectively your CPU is being cooled "in battle."

But other than that it's very simple, with the drives going in (in better cases this doesn't require any tools, either; on others you'll need a small Phillips head screwdriver), the RAM clamping right in the slots (the motherboard's manual will show which slots to use for any given number of RAM sticks), the various accessory cards similarly easily inserted, and the various power and data plugs/jacks only fitting where they're meant to go (or otherwise well and clearly labeled). Sometimes you have to look hard for the little fan connection points, though.

But there's nothing like that first time you throw the switch and everything comes right up (which it always has for me, every single time, and trust me when I tell you that I am a GENUINE klutz in most areas of mechanical skill).

yeah, I meant 1.5Tb hard drive.

check the parts list to the part as sometimes the trader will try and sell you a cheaper generic part for the same price as a genuine part (they pocket the difference).

Hi Paul,

You are wrestling with a question that I hear all too frequently. Generally speaking, you'll make yourself crazy if you're trying to ensure you have the most up to date hardware. The first thing you need to do is come to grips with the fact that whatever you buy or build is already obsolete. How close you are to the newest technology will depend on your budget, but usually as soon as you say "budget", you are thinking mainstream. However, don't consider this a bad thing. In the long run, it's much more economical for you to use proven technology that is 6-18 months old; you get the best deals, any issues are well known and/or are being resolved, and it costs half as much (or less) than being on the bleeding edge. I won't try to get into all the potential details that can come up when building your own system, but I would offer the following notes to hopefully prioritize your thinking on this project (based on my own experience and observation):

1) It's not cheaper.
Unless you have accounts or contacts with suppliers at the large business level, you can't compete on pricing. Even if you manage to be in the ballpark on hardware, you can lose large on software pricing alone.

2) It can be a huge PITA.
If you run into any issues with defective (it happens no matter what quality components you might buy), non-compatible (it's very easy to do), or otherwise non-working hardware, it can cause you long delays and large headaches. This will cost you time (which perhaps you're ok with), but invariably, it will cost you more money.

3) It's not easier.
Most systems go together pretty easily with a little know-how, but again, it takes time. My rule of thumb: it always takes longer than you want it to take.

4) It's not cheaper - part 2.
If you decide to design your own system, but not build it, then hopefully you have a friend that will do it for you, or at least with you. Time is money and these things take time (see #3 above).

5) It's not cheaper - part 3.
Unless you have compatible tools/supplies already, you may end up on the hook for additional supplies, such as thermal compound, extra cables/extenders, etc.

6) It's not cheaper - part 4.
When it breaks, you have to fix it. 'Nuff said.

7) You can (usually) build exactly what you want/need.
Depending on your budget, you can build a very attractive and functional system to your own specs. You will have to do your research though, and many vendors are not particularly helpful in this regard. My advice: start with the motherboard/CPU you want and work outwards from there. Study the capabilities of the motherboard and make decisions based on that info.

8) Planning is key.
I can't stress this enough. You need to have a very clear idea of what you need your system to do now, and what you might want it to do in the future. Not only does your current work depend on this, but future upgrades do too. I would go so far as to say you need to consider and predict what upgrades you will want to do in the future, since the components you buy now have a very large impact on this. Obviously, it's impossible to predict everything (The 2012 end-of-the-world thing could happen, right?? LOL), but purchasing the wrong component now could necessitate multiple upgrades (and more $$) in the future just to upgrade a single component or run a single piece of software.

9) When you're done and it works, it's awesome!
It looks how you want, it has what you wanted in it and you are probably a lot closer to be being an expert on how it works!

Alright, so I've gone on long enough on this topic and you get the idea. It's likely not going to be cheaper and when it hits the fan, you'll be the one cleaning up the mess (and replacing the fan). However, if you have some know-how and experience, and hopefully some friends with some as well, you can customize a beautiful system, exactly suited to your needs, that your significant other will immediately decide suits her needs much better than yours and you'll be relegated to using your trusty service laptop again in no time at all!

Cheers!

Note: This post was edited by its original author to add line breaks on 08/23/2012 at 1:14 PM PT

newegg.com is a good place to start. Do a little research, read some reviews and forums, and go for it.
I built mine about 7yrs ago, and it is still running like a champ. I've worn-out 3 HD's, and 4 or 5 DVD drives.
Windows XP would not work for more than a few hours without crashing to blue or black screens of death, but I learned of Linux Ubuntu about a year later and then it worked perfect after installing Ubuntu 6.04. I now am running Linux Mint 9, and even after I totally screwed up my system, I am able to fix it without reinstalling the OS.

match workstation capability.

I recently received a sale email from HP that had the following specs:

1. Latest multicore i7 IvyBridge processor( I can't remember if it was 6 or 8 cores)
2. Huge GPU memory at 3Gbs!!! I thought it was a typo, but I read now that they exist!
3. TWO hard drives - yep - count'em! One SSD over 100Gbs and a 1.5Gb spin drive.(6Gb/s)
4. 16Gbs of RAM - holy cow! and 32Gbs capable!!!
5. I believe it had a blu-ray too!
6. 17.3" high res monitor - HDMI out if you want bigger.
7. USB 3.0!!!

With all the specs I saw on that one, for just under $800, who needs to build? I don't know how they got all this powered with the PSUs that laptops use!!

Sounds simple, but above all, builing the machine you want requires time-consuming research. To get the best machine for your budget and purposes, you will need to compile lists, read reviews, and ideally visit one or mores store carrying DIY components. Some online retailers have a lot of valuable reviews from those who have already worked with what you want.

Also, consider the matter of timing with technology. Do you want the most recent PC components, or something slightly older which might be less expensive, or is there another generation of processors or videocards coming out soon that you'd rather wait for? (Intel plans to release another generation of processors in the 2nd quarter of 2013.)

The actual build of the pc is pretty easy these days - just make sure nothing is missing, incompatible, or likely to be a poor investment.

First of all, don't simply look to build a PC 'only' because you want to save money. There are plenty of low-end computers available from OEMs (like Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc) that have good value and that you can still upgrade some of the parts for very well.

The only reason you should want to build a PC is to have a high degree of control over the process. Most of the challenge lies in knowing what kind of parts you want for it. When and when it comes to PC building you typically get to pick two out of the following three options.

1) Build it quickly
2) Build it cheaply
3) Build it well

What I mean is if you want to build a well-made system and are on a certain budget, be prepared to do research and then more research. If you want to craft a system with loving care, and high quality components, and a nice case that works well -- while still staying under a moderate budget, be prepared to do a lot of comparing, learning about features, reading reviews, and looking at pictures for the parts you are interested in.

You can save money and build a decent system, but that too takes research, -- enough to know that the parts you're buying on sale aren't on-sale because they're of abysmal quality.

Online shopping has its advantages. You can certainly go to a brick-and-mortar PC shop and pick out enough components to build a system, but through online retailing you have the option of acquiring a wider variety of different types of parts and doing research while you're looking at the parts (something that you cannot often do in a computer store). However, it requires patience to wait for your parts to be mailed to you.

The satisfaction of building your own 'beast' is an immense one, but it comes at the cost of time and patience and unless you get lucky, every ounce of quality or value you want to add on can take time.

Hi Paul

It's admirable that you want to attempt building your own computer. Your main reason for wanting to do so seems to be your disappointment with preconfigured systems from mainstream manufacturers that afford some customization, but don't completely meet your needs for the long term. Judging from your comments you appear to have some idea of the intricacies involved in building your own rig such has purchasing components that work well together, using technology that is not outdated, establishing a target budget and making sure you achieve the proper balance of investment versus performance.

My very best advice is - do not attempt this project by yourself. You've taken a good first step by seeking advice from the knowledgable members in this forum. For the record I'm not counting myself as a one of those individuals. I'm speaking from a similar path that I would follow if I were considering this project. After digesting the advice obtained here I'd seek the assistance of a friend or professional who has had experience in building a rig before. How-to-DiY instruction (which is essentially what you will take away from this forum) is no substitute for practical experience.

Paul, as you have purchased preconfigured systems before my question is how many and over what period of time? You should know that whatever you build today is gong to be out dated at some point in time just like the previous preconfigured systems you purchased and tweaked. To future proof your rig you will probably have to exceed your budget by purchasing more capability than what you actually need today. I'll explain what I mean by discussing the essential components you'll require to build your rig.

MotherBoard
This should be your most important investment. Motherboards generally come in three sizes: Mini ITX, Micro ATX, and full ATX. You'll want this component to meet your needs for today and have the expandability for future upgrades (i.e. Chipsets - SLI and/or Crossfire support, PCI Slots, GPU, CPU, PSU, RAM, SATA Ports for Drives and I/O's (i.e. USB 3.0, HDMI, Toslink and Thunderbolt which is slowly filtering into Windows configurations).
Important Note: Everything you purchase must be compatible with your Motherboard especially your CPU (i.e. AMD or Intel) and your Motherboard must be capable of supporting the components you choose now and in the future.

Case
Invest wisely here as you're going to be living with your rig for a while...we hope. Some of the build features you'll want to consider are:
- Metal alloys (versus plastics) which dissipate heat better thereby lessening the need for large or multiple fans
- Expandability for drives and I/O's
-Adequate front I/O's for easy connection of peripherals
-Cases with pre-installed PSU's may limit your internal design flexibility due to their fixed placement
-Aesthetically pleasing - something that you wouldn't be ashamed to place in your living room for all to see

GPU (Graphical Processing Unit)
Here's another area where you may want to invest a larger portion of your budget as you use relatively resource-hungry applications for video editing, AutoCAD, and Photoshop. However you can go with a GPU to meet your minimum needs to start with and upgrade it later.

PSU
Poor quality or a failing power supply can potentially put unwanted strain on expensive computer parts and components. Buy more than you need at present to accommodate future upgrades but don't go overboard. Too large of a PSU will generate unnecessary heat requiring more cooling (i.e. large or multiple fans).

CPU (Central Processing Unit)
You can start modestly with the minimum MHz unit required to adequately run your video editing, AutoCAD and Photoshop programs. Just make sure you have the ability to adjust the clock speed. Here again you can upgrade to a faster CPU later.

RAM
The least expensive component to start with and upgrade (i.e. increase total amount). However it must be compatible with your Motherboard either Dual or Triple channel. Buy the fastest RAM you can to complement your Motherboard and augment your CPU. Don't waste your money on RAM that clocks faster than your Motherboard can recognize.

Storage - HD vs SSD
This is the second least expensive (i.e. conventional HD price/GB) and easiest upgradable component. You're on the right track to consider an SSD versus a conventional HD. Recommend using an SSD as your primary drive for OS and programs (256GB should suffice). You might also consider a hybrid drive that combines a small amount of flash memory with a conventional HD to achieve near SSD performance without the SSD price. At the moment the Seagate Momentus XT is your only choice.

Install a 7200 RPM HD as your secondary drive to store your files - especially those that require constant read/write and editing sessions. Multiple HD's for storage or RAID configuration are a personal choice and you'll have to decide if that's what you require (another reason to have a knowledgeable person assisting you with this project).

Other Components to Consider
-Optical Drives - Conventional/Blu-ray/Light-Scribe
-Network Card - Gigabit
-WiFi Card - 802.11 a/b/g/n and new 802.11ac
-Bluetooth Card
-IrDA Function (can be USB enabled)
-Sound Card
-SD Card Reader
-USB Back-up and/or premium grade surge protector

Tools
-Computer Maintenance Tool Kit
-Latex Gloves (for handling certain components like your CPU)
-Soldering iron
-Double Sided Tape
-Thermal Conductive Paste

Final Thoughts
Paul, I know I've probably forgotten something but hopefully the other contributors will fill in the gaps. It has not been my intention to discourage you. On the contrary...I applaud your tenacity and wish you the very best if you decide to undertake this project. Just be patience, do your homework, enlist the aid of someone with experience (if possible) and enjoy the journey while working through the process to achieve your goal of building the ultimate rig!

Together Everyone Achieve More

Since 1996 every computer that my wife or I have gotten other than laptops have been built by me. Here are a few nuggets I've picked up along the way:

Determine what you plan to use the computer for. There is a world of difference between what is needed to run Office and what you need to run the newest high end games.
1. Make a list of components:
2. Read reviews of various brands an models on Cnet, Tom's Hardware, www.anandtech.com/, and customer reviews on Amazon and Newegg.
3. I always buy motherboards that are designed to overclock even if I'm not overclocking because they use better components in order to handle the stress of overclocking. I especially like MSI and Asus motherboards.
4. Don't ever buy a cheap Power Supply Unit (PSU). Use the list of components and the power supply finder page of the power supply manufacture you have chosen ( E.G. http://www.corsair.com/en/learn_n_explore/ for Corsair PSU's) to determine the size you need. I generally buy 100W higher than recommended so that I have some overhead to upgrade the unit.
5. Make certain that the PSU you select matches the plugins for your motherboard, hard drives etc.
6. Never buy a cheap, off brand, case. They make them cheaply by using flimsy materials and not spending the money on good heat flow design.
7. Make certain the Case supports the form factor of the motherboard you have selected. and has enough drive bays to place the drives you are going to use.
8 . Make certain you buy high quality name-brand memory. Your high-end memory manufactures all have comparability charts and memory finders. They also have much better warranties.
9. Remember that you have to move the heat out of the case or you will cook your components. Large diameter slower spinning fans move more air and make less noise.

Bob

Benefits of building your own computer:
You know exactly what parts are going into the build; sometimes you can carry parts over to a new build without too much hassle (I have kept the same case, power supply, graphic card, and hard drives across a couple builds). Each component will carry their own warranty - RAM: generally lifetime warranty - Power Supply: 1-5 year - Spinning hard drives: 1-5 year - SSD: 3-5 years - Motherboard: 3-5 years (these are all just rough measurements). Better driver support for operating systems...XP (This is not across all manufacturers, just a general statement).

Downsides:
Supplying/maintaining your own software - Often I take my old components and build a computer that I sell off to friends and relatives - and at the basics I have to put a licensed copy of windows on that computer and make sure the sound and display work, it's on me to keep around windows and driver disks; a windows 7 computer from standard retailers come with Word and Excel Starter 2010. There is alot of work that goes into making a restore disc that makes it really nice to pop in a couple of discs and erase everything but put back windows, software and drivers. A good amount of planning and thought should go in to a build - if I buy a prebuilt computer I don't have to order case fans or find out what size case fan is appropriate. Lastly generally I save little to nothing on building my own especially after counting in my time of ordering parts, assembly, install, and troubleshoot.

For clients, friends, and family that ask me to build for them I have generally taken a hybrid approach to it: I look at retail stores for basic processor, memory, hard drive specs that they are looking for and then add specialty parts (SSD, graphics cards) that Dell or HP would charge a premium for. Where this has bitten me on the backend: I often replace the manufacturer power supply and I have had to Dremel / tin snip out parts of the manufacturer case to fit graphic cards into the case: I've opened the case of a couple retail displays to look at what I could fit - and that tends to freak out the sales people/managers.

Your statement of you want space for 3 - 4 hard drives would generally push you into making your own computer because generally with prebuilt computers you would only have space for 2 - 3 hard drives. I would ask if a solid state and a secondary 2TB storage drive is enough for you. If that is not enough storage for you then you are definitely going custom build (or at least ibuypower build). If you just have multiple hard drives laying around that you want to use I would recommend a good enclosure with usb 3.0 / esata support.

As for combo packs they tend to be a case of 'is it worth the savings?' - I have a couple favored brands of motherboards, power supplies, graphics cards that I do not like to deviate from - but I am not a purist, if the reviews are favorable, the parts fit my needs, and the savings are substantial then I'll use the combo packs. The combo packs should NOT be used as replacement for careful consideration of what parts are needed and wanted. Make a list of your ideal build and price it out using your favorite retailer(s) (I often start at newegg.com) to see if it fits your budget; If it does hey great - if not make the sacrifices needed (or search for sales) until it does

I bought my 1st PC years ago. Basic system running DOS and Windows 3.1. Small desktop case and no room for expansion. I eventually bought a mid tower case and moved everything over to it and added a CD-ROM and 2nd hard drive. Over the years I've expanded, switched out cases, etc. My latest PC I bought from HP. I checked out the "build your own" options and compared the options I choose before buying it. Ended up with a Quad-core, 8 GB RAM, 2 2TB hard drives in a RAID 1, Blu-ray DVD and a DVD R/W, 1 GB NVIDIA PCIe video card, GB network card. The extra options did cost some but the advantage was it was factory installed, configured, operating, and under warranty. At the time it came with Vista but got a free Windows 7 upgrade. I ended up getting a 2nd NVIDIA PCIe video card so I could hook up my TV to it. I'm already using the 2 DVI ports on the 1st card for my monitors.

Only suggestions I have is do some research on the components you want. If you might want a 2nd video card make sure the MB has a slot for it. My NVIDIA cards use the same drivers so no problems there. Check out the max memory the MB will hold. Check out the power supply. Sometimes they aren't big enough to support any additional component upgrades or additions. I don't have the link but there are web sites where you can check out how much wattage you'll need for the components you want. that's one thing I didn't do and ended up swapping out the power supply with a bigger one.

The case may seen less important but make sure you have enough front access slots and HD bays to fit your needs or future needs. My case has 4 front drive bays (DVDs/CDs, etc) and 4 HD bays inside.

Finally, check the numbers and size of fans in the case and any places that can have some added. Cooling a hot running PC is a must.

Before you pick up your screw driver or credit card, do your homework. THAT is the single most important key to having a happy PC.

What do you want your PC to do?

Do you just want a PC for surfing and regular home usage (where a bought one would be a far better deal), are you a gamer, do you want video and or photo editing specialties, are you planning to use it for CAD, or are you setting up a home business and want RAID storage protection, or are you planning a home network setup?

Are you building it to just build one, or to save money (you won't - at least not in the short run).

After deciding what you want to do, remember these words...YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. The better the parts in your PC - the longer it will last, and the tougher it will be for you to run stuff that uses it to its upper limits. Most of the bought PC's skimp on quality parts in certain areas. HP IS NOTORIOUS FOR USING THE SMALLEST POWER SUPPLIES THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH - even if you decide to upgrade later, you won't likely have the juice to run stuff like a better video card or extra hard drives.

If you decide to build or just research, there are two websites I'd recommend: Tomshardware, and NEWEGG. The Egg is the overall best place in the universe to get parts - hands down ... and you can read literally thousands of reviews on pretty much anything that is on the market. Toms is the hardware guru's home for the insane gamer. There are people there with $50,000 gaming PC's running 6 or more 100" monitors and CPU's submerged in oil baths or using liquid nitrogen for cooling - you got to watch for the snarky commentary though ... a lot of know-it-all geeks there posting with no patience for newbies.

Now if you are planning on buying a pc - one huge piece of advice .... you will find no bigger bunch of clowns, liars, and outright morons than the bunch called Geek Squad at Best Buy.

If you decide to buy something from Best Buy, research it elsewhere with the advice of people you trust, and go right to what you want and buy it without talking to them. If they try to push you to a different device - leave. You will live a far happier, far more peaceful existence with your family, friends, and the whole universe than if you get "sold" up the river on some sucker deal by Geek Squad.

Having rebuilt, repaired, upgraded and improved various computers since the mid '80s,the best advice I can offer is please, do the necessary research. Prior to purchasing my first PC in the early '80s, my light reading for many years was computer related publications.
I pushed that small footpring xt to the limit, added modem,tape drive, even a memory extender for an xt, optical drive, (cd only back then).
Subsequentialy upgraded to a Windows pc in 1993, upgraded that machine by replacing most of the internal parts including the mother board, memory, optical drives, etc.
The box I currently have on my dest is a tower (6 - 51/4 exposed, 2 - 31/5 exposed, 2 - 31/5 internal). I acquired the tower in 1999 but the OLDEST component inside is not quite 3 years old!
I have 3 dvd r/w drives, 1 SATA hard drive, 2 EIDE drives, one USB2 front panel 4 unit extender, the Mother board and CPU are only 14 months old (I'm sure you get the picture)
There is a tremendous amount of useful information availeable on ZDNet, and also CNet, as well it is worth while to subscribe to the PCWorld series of newsletters.
If you do the necessary ground work, you can save a bundle and reap the intangible reward of having 'built' your own computer.

Good Luck
Phil

For more than 16 years I have built my own computers. At the time it was to save money. Over time I have probably built six for myself, six for family members and 8-10 for a special education coop. You can almost always get more bang for your bucks. However, it is hard to put into words how a practicum increases the understanding of computer hardware.

To be a do it yourselfer with computers, it helps to have a mentor. Someone who can look at your work and either critique it or help you solve a problem. Years ago, I had a machine stop working on me and I had to get my mentor to look at it. We finally figured out that the reset button had fallen into the switch in such a way that the circuit was permanently closed. I would never have solved that by myself.

Over time, building computers is not as much fun for me as it was. I recently purchased my grandaughter an all in one computer, so I would not have to build it nor would I have to take the time.

There are websites that are helpful, but there are so many complicated variables that it is often hard to find a hint or tip that fits your exact situation. A person whom you can trust to help is imparitive at first. I hope you are able to build your own, but such is not for the faint of heart.