Issues with your account? Bug us in the Discord!

Putting Together A Computer

124

Comments

  • SpiritOneSpiritOne Magneto ABQ NM
    Like every one else, I didnt realize you were still having problems with that PC.

    If you are still interested in building your PC, then yeah, get some new RAM. I would reccomend Corsair, Crucial or Atlas Precision (all memory that is guaranteed to work or they will replace it).

    Otherwise, if youve had enough, Id try to sell the parts you have and buy a prefab box.
  • MTMT Ranger
    After countless testing, shipping, and waiting, I finally have the computer running. All this time, it was the RAM.

    Well, the optical drive turned out to be completely dead, but that didn't stop the computer from turning on properly.

    If I waited until now to buy a computer, I could have a pre-built one with 4000+ and a floppy disk drive/flash card reader for less than I spent on my current configuration.
  • C_MonC_Mon A Genuine Sucker
    Well, goodluck with your somewhat new computer that finally works. ;)
  • JohnDJohnD Ranger
    Speaking of pre-built PCs, here is mine - due to be shipped on April 11. Woo hoo!:

    [1] Area-51® 5550

    Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support with Onsite Service
    Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
    AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
    Chassis: Alienware® Full-Tower Case (480-Watt PS) - Space Black
    Power Supply: Alienware® 480 Watt Power Supply
    Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 550 w/ HT Technology 3.4GHz 1MB Cache
    Motherboard: Alienware® PCI Express Motherboard with Intel® 925XE Chipset 1066/800MHz FSB
    Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz - 2 x 512MB
    Graphics Processor: NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6800 GT PCI Express 256MB DDR3 w/Digital and S-Video Out
    Chassis Upgrades: AlienIce™ 2.0 Video Cooling System - Astral Blue
    System Drive: High Performance - Serial ATA - 160GB Serial ATA 7,200 RPM w/8MB Cache
    Optical Drive One: NEC® ND-3520 16x Dual Layer DVD±R/W Drive
    Floppy Drive: 3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive - Black
    Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2 ZS High Definition 7.1 Surround Firewire (IEEE® 1394)
    Network Connection: Integrated High Performance Gigabit Ethernet
    Display One: NEC 22" CRT Flat Screen MultiSync FE2111SB - Black
    Display Two: No Monitor
    Speakers: Logitech® X-530 5.1 70-Watt Speakers
    Keyboard: Microsoft® Basic Keyboard Black
    Mouse: Razer Diamondback Mouse
    Alienware Exclusive Offers: 10% off your next EB Games online purchase
    Free Alienware T-Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
    Free Alienware Mousepad: Free Alienware® Mousepad
    Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager
    AlienInspection: AlienInspection - Exclusive Integration and Inspection - $99.99 Value - FREE!
    AlienWiring: AlienWiring - Exclusive Internal Wire Management - $99.99 Value - FREE!

    [1] Free Shipping Mail-In Rebate; on Alienware systems excluding peripherals - Continental U.S. Only
    [1] $500 Instant Rebate; On Select Systems
  • E.TE.T Quote-o-matic
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by JohnD [/i]
    [B]Graphics Processor: NVIDIA® GeForce™ 6800 GT PCI Express 256MB DDR3 w/Digital and S-Video Out[/B][/QUOTE]X800 XL would have had better "bang per buck" (except in Doom III) if price difference is same as here.


    [QUOTE][B]System Drive: High Performance - Serial ATA - 160GB Serial ATA 7,200 RPM w/8MB Cache[/B][/QUOTE]One important aspect is missing... manufacturer:
    [url]http://www.storagereview.com/map/lm.cgi/survey_login[/url]

    [QUOTE][B]Display One: NEC 22" CRT Flat Screen MultiSync FE2111SB - Black[/B][/QUOTE]Price must be insane... but sounds nice, at least if it shows different shades of light and dark colors as well as CRTs.
    (especially reproduction of dark shades has been weak point of TFTs)


    I'm myself updating PC little, last parts should be here on next week.
    Biggest updates
    Enermax EG701AX-VE PSU
    Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe
    A64 3500 Winchester (90nm) with Zalman CNPS7700-Cu.
    X850 XT PCI-E 256MB
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by E.T [/i]
    [B]Price must be insane... but sounds nice, at least if it shows different shades of light and dark colors as well as CRTs.
    (especially reproduction of dark shades has been weak point of TFTs)[/B][/QUOTE]

    Read the description again. It is a CRT. :)
  • PSI-KILLERPSI-KILLER Needs help
    Interesting I just upgraded too. My 1 ghz Athlon thunderbird needs too retire. 5 years old in a few months! I will be making upgrades to processer, scsi raid 0 and SLI when wife won't get angry or looking!



    Flash Media Reader/Writer ( 6-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer Black )
    Case ( Raidmax Scorpio-868 ATX Mid-Tower Case w/420W Power Supply Black )
    Case Lighting ( None )
    Power Supply ( Standard Case Power Supply )
    Processor ( [939-pin] AMD® Athlon-64 3500+ CPU w/ Hyper Transport Technology )
    Free Software/Game ( Free Napster Download Coupon Free Napster download coupon with purchase of AMD-64 based systems )
    Free Software/Game ( Free Half Life 2 Download Coupon Free Half Life 2 download coupon with purchase of AMD-64 based systems )
    Operation System ( MS Windows XP Home Edition )
    Processor Cooling ( Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink + 2 Extra Case Fans )
    Motherboard ( Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe nForce4-SLI Chipset w/LAN, 7.1 Sound, IEEE-1394, USB 2.0 Dual PCI-E Motherboard )
    Case Round Cable ( None )
    USB Port ( Build-in USB 2.0 Ports )
    Memory ( 1024 MB [512MB X2] DDR-400 PC3200 Memory Module Geil or Major Brand )
    Video Card ( [PCI-Express 16x] Nvidia Geforce 6200 256MB w/DVI + TV Out Video )
    IEEE-1394 Fire Wire Card ( None )
    USB Flash Drive ( None )
    Hard Drive ( 80 GB HARD DRIVE 80 GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA-100 Hard Drive )
    Raid Configuration ( None )
    CD-RW/DVD-RW Drive ( 52x32x52 CD-RW Drive Black )
    Sound Card ( 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard )
    Network Card ( 10/100 Network Onboard )
    Floppy Drive ( Mitsumi 1.44 MB Internal Floppy Drive Black )
    Warranty ( Warranty Service Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty )
    Rush Service ( Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) No Rush, Ship Out in 5~10 Business Days )
  • C_MonC_Mon A Genuine Sucker
    I think I don't need to upgrade for a while, and I probably buy a good laptop next instead of upgrading.
  • JohnDJohnD Ranger
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by E.T [/i]
    [B]X800 XL would have had better "bang per buck" (except in Doom III) if price difference is same as here.[/QUOTE][/B]

    From what I remember, the ATI cards were more expensive than the nVidia equivalent. Plus, I don't do ATI after I saw too many friends tear their hair out in frustration over support and driver issues.

    [QUOTE][B]One important aspect is missing... manufacturer:[/QUOTE][/B]

    Considering Alienware tends to use some pretty good hardware, that doesn't concern me too much.

    [QUOTE][B]Price must be insane... but sounds nice, at least if it shows different shades of light and dark colors as well as CRTs.
    (especially reproduction of dark shades has been weak point of TFTs)[/QUOTE][/B]

    It is a CRT :) To be specific:

    Display One: NEC 22" CRT Flat Screen MultiSync FE2111SB - Black

    [QUOTE][B]I'm myself updating PC little, last parts should be here on next week.[/QUOTE][/B]

    Good luck.
  • The Cabl3 GuyThe Cabl3 Guy Elite Ranger
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by JohnD [/i]
    [B][/B]

    From what I remember, the ATI cards were more expensive than the nVidia equivalent. Plus, I don't do ATI after I saw too many friends tear their hair out in frustration over support and driver issues.

    [/B]

    Considering Alienware tends to use some pretty good hardware, that doesn't concern me too much.

    [/B]

    It is a CRT :) To be specific:

    Display One: NEC 22" CRT Flat Screen MultiSync FE2111SB - Black

    [/B]

    Good luck. [/B][/QUOTE] Yeah well if you can afford an alienware machine you might as well go to a government used super computer sale & pay the same.

    I could build the same machine for half their ridicules prices. Its the damn fancy cases that sell them.
  • JohnDJohnD Ranger
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by The Cabl3 Guy [/i]
    [B]Yeah well if you can afford an alienware machine you might as well go to a government used super computer sale & pay the same. I could build the same machine for half their ridicules prices. Its the damn fancy cases that sell them. [/B][/QUOTE]

    Their price isn't as ridiculous as you'd think - it came out cheaper than Dell or anything else I could buy around here in any store. For those of us who are unable to assemble our own PC, it's a good option. Considering the hours spent buying, assembling and testing the PC, I doubt you could do it for half their prices unless your hourly rate would be a hell of a lot cheaper than mine.
  • SpiritOneSpiritOne Magneto ABQ NM
    I generally dont charge myself my standard hourly rate.

    Alienware makes great solid PC's that are crazy expensive. You probably could have gotten it a little cheaper at ABS or another manufacturer excluding Dell, but its your money.

    Despite how this thread played out and the difficulty involved in building his computer, if you just follow a couple general rules, that normally doesnt happen.

    1. Dont buy cheap RAM. In general, the cheapest price is the cheapest manufacturer, and they rarely work like they say they will. Just like a $100 pair of nikes will last you longer the $15 dollar kmart brand shoe the $125 dollar 512MB stick of RAM will last longer and run more stable that joe schmoes bargain RAM.

    2. Buy a good quality Power Supply. For a powerfull "gaming" PC I wouldnt use anything less than 380W PS. For my computer I would use ONLY an ANTEC 480W NeoPower or a PC Power and Cooling 510W monster. Bad power is the biggest problem in prefab PC's, they use whatevers cheapest and whatever will run exactly whats in the PC as its built. If you start adding stuff (new video card maybe) you can kiss that cheap POS PS goodbye.

    3. For your first rig. Keep it simple. If you have never done it before dont try to build yourself an Alienware quality without help from a pro. Ive actually gotten on the phone with some of the AQM guys and walked them through proceedures they didnt know how to do.

    4. Consult someone about where your buying from and what your buying from them. I get 99% of my stuff online (occasionly I will buy a mouse at office max) but I wont jump on Pricewatch and take the first lowest price I see. I go to specific retailers for specific items. 3 places I will shop are Newegg.com (peripherals and dvd drives, good prices on good ram), Compuplus.com(cant beat their western digital hard drive prices, and adding in an OEM operating system is incredibly inexpensive) and bzboyz.com(great prices on motherboard combos complete with cpu and great cooling options).
  • JohnDJohnD Ranger
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by SpiritOne [/i]
    [B]I generally dont charge myself my standard hourly rate.
    Alienware makes great solid PC's that are crazy expensive. You probably could have gotten it a little cheaper at ABS or another manufacturer excluding Dell, but its your money.[/B][/QUOTE]

    The price I paid is comparable to what I can get at local computer shows, and those shows are dominated by the New York Camera Shops turned PC stores. And whether or not you charge yourself your standard hourly rate, you do spend time putting together the PC - time you could have spend doing other things, so it is a part of the equation.
  • Random ChaosRandom Chaos Actually Carefully-selected Order in disguise
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by SpiritOne [/i]
    [B]4. Consult someone about where your buying from and what your buying from them. I get 99% of my stuff online (occasionly I will buy a mouse at office max) but I wont jump on Pricewatch and take the first lowest price I see. I go to specific retailers for specific items. 3 places I will shop are Newegg.com (peripherals and dvd drives, good prices on good ram), Compuplus.com(cant beat their western digital hard drive prices, and adding in an OEM operating system is incredibly inexpensive) and bzboyz.com(great prices on motherboard combos complete with cpu and great cooling options). [/B][/QUOTE]

    One thing I am very leary of buying online or from mega stores are LCD monitors. Bad pixel policies vary widely and unless you can (a) return it easily and (b) they have a decent policy I won't get them. I know that when I got mine I did order it online (newegg), but that was back when they had a 3 bad pixel policy instead of the 8 bad pixels now. 8 is just too damn many if you ask me (actually, 1 is too damn many!). I've never had a bad pixel, but I know people who have. They ruin a good monitor.
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by JohnD [/i]
    [B]The price I paid is comparable to what I can get at local computer shows, and those shows are dominated by the New York Camera Shops turned PC stores. And whether or not you charge yourself your standard hourly rate, you do spend time putting together the PC - time you could have spend doing other things, so it is a part of the equation. [/B][/QUOTE]

    But building it is the fun part!
  • MTMT Ranger
    I didn't think so...
  • The Cabl3 GuyThe Cabl3 Guy Elite Ranger
    Ok at most its going to take me 2-3 hours to get everything to work...Assuming absolutely nothing goes wrong & I've done my part by not buying shit parts. 15 mins to unpackage & organize everything...maybe 20 to put the mobo & everything in. Test Run, go into CMOS maybe 5-10 mins...(another 20-30 if something isnt detecting or its overheating) Install Windows (Who knows).

    Thats it two hours for me is at my current wage about $7 hour so $14 dollars to save $500. So yes its damned worth it & besides you get that added benefit of learning something on a new setup, because no setup is exactly alike.
  • Random ChaosRandom Chaos Actually Carefully-selected Order in disguise
    Hmm - It takes me something like 2 days to actually set up windows to the point I like it (lots of toolbars, start menu organized, all apps I actualy want installed, etc)

    of course - I do that if it comes from a retailer too.

    ;)
  • JohnDJohnD Ranger
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by The Cabl3 Guy [/i]
    [B] Thats it two hours for me is at my current wage about $7 hour so $14 dollars to save $500. So yes its damned worth it & besides you get that added benefit of learning something on a new setup, because no setup is exactly alike. [/B][/QUOTE]

    But my billable rate isn't close to being that low per hour.
  • The Cabl3 GuyThe Cabl3 Guy Elite Ranger
    so you make $250 an hr? Jesus!

    No wonder we cleared that donation drive so quick!

    Regardless you sound like its twisting your arm to do something that is actually alot of fun and educational? but then again alot of us are geeks here I guess your just not one of em. I do forget that we do have some mundanes on here.
  • MTMT Ranger
    Is there any way to export FireFox bookmarks for use on another computer?
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    Yep. Copy the bookmarks.html file out of your profile directory and put it in the profile directory on the other computer.
  • PhiPhi <font color=#FF0000>C</font><font color=#FF9900>o</font><font color=#FFFF00>l</font><font color=#00F
    Alternatively: Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks > File > Export

    Not that it really does anything different from what Biggles said.

    - Φ
  • PSI-KILLERPSI-KILLER Needs help
    Just going back to that discussion of building one or having one built for one self. While I agree that it is educational and significant learning to build your own; who are you going to call when something goes wrong or burns up? You become the warranty at that point. You have to look in the mirror and yell at yourself for frying the board or card or bending a connector. It is much more theraputic to yell at someone else for building the machine wrong. Also it is more difficult to prove that you installed a card or part right but it really is defective. They will just say , doing it yourself huh?
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    Well, in my case it's better to build them myself because I have enough knowledge to fix problems myself, but, more importantly, because I enjoy putting computers together a lot.
  • The Cabl3 GuyThe Cabl3 Guy Elite Ranger
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by PSI-KILLER [/i]
    [B]Just going back to that discussion of building one or having one built for one self. While I agree that it is educational and significant learning to build your own; who are you going to call when something goes wrong or burns up? You become the warranty at that point. You have to look in the mirror and yell at yourself for frying the board or card or bending a connector. It is much more theraputic to yell at someone else for building the machine wrong. Also it is more difficult to prove that you installed a card or part right but it really is defective. They will just say , doing it yourself huh? [/B][/QUOTE]
    uhhh not if ya buy your shit from newegg or FRY...
  • PSI-KILLERPSI-KILLER Needs help
    Well respected companies definitly. But you couldn't buy all you parts from one vendor. You would have to deal with a few suppliers. I think I even saw that in the earlier threads. Some have better prices then others on certain products. Multiple shipments, multiple invoices. I will admit, the last computer I built was a Pentium I 100 mhz so it has been a few/many years for me.

    OH GOD THIS FEELS GOOD!! CAN'T WAIT TO PLAY HL2.


    4/14/2005 2:43:52 PM Processing Assembly completed. Proceeding to QC.

    4/14/2005 11:59:17 AM Processing Materials required gathered. Proceeding to assembly line.

    4/11/2005 3:38:12 PM Processing Credit Card Approved

    4/9/2005 12:07:24 PM Processing Order Received/Processing

    4/9/2005 12:42:12 AM Submitted Order Submitted by Customer
  • MTMT Ranger
    If you don't want to mess around with attaching a processor, heatsink, and fan to a motherboard, or you just want free copies of Far Cry and Half-Life 2, you can't go wrong with Monarch Computer's motherboard combos. If you want to put everything else together I suggest Newegg.com or Zipzoomfly.com. Zipzoomfly has free shipping, though there is a $10 processing charge for shipments to Hawaii and Alaska.


    Are there any free wallpaper changers that anyone can recommend. I found one once that did the job well enough, but after a while my computer stopped working and didn't start up again until I removed a stick of RAM. It's probably unrelated, but I've just got my computer up and running after months of waiting, and I'd rather not install something that was new on a PC before it got screwed up. I'm paranoid like that.

    (I don't know what the program was, but I'll know it when I see it.)
  • The Cabl3 GuyThe Cabl3 Guy Elite Ranger
    I once asked Sanfam this an his answer was [URL=http://forums.firstones.com/showthread.php?postid=122452#post122452]LINK[/URL]
  • MTMT Ranger
    Ah yes, that was it. I suppose if it's working for other people, though, it should be fine.
Sign In or Register to comment.