Getting a new computer

I want to, but I'm scared I'll spend 1000 dollars on something and drill a hole through the motherboard


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

if you drill a hole through something, then either your way to strong, or your using a drill

which you shouldn't, as all you need is a screwdriver and your hands, as i said here:

 

I'm not upset with you in the least...Everyone should
have the right to ask for the help they want.

You just want suggestions on a prebuilt and these
people are harassing you into building one of your own.

It's retarded!

 

There are kinda helping me. I might do it. I might not build one. I just don't know



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Go spend your money on what you want...if you buy store
bought pre-built, there's always a phone number you can
call if something goes wrong.

There's so much more to building a pc than just snapping
the parts together...what if you get a bad stick of RAM?
Your board won't POST? You're not going to know how
to troubleshoot any problems...

I'll bet 90% of the people suggesting you build your own
have NEVER DONE IT THEMSELVES...

 

Okay listen. I was in your shoes before, and I was really worried that I was gonna break something. I even had one of the forum members here pick out the parts, because I was mostly worried that I was gonna get the parts on Christmas, and have none of them fit.

I am just going from my personal experience in saying, if you build it yourself, you can feel proud whenever you play games on that computer, since you're all like "dude I made this myself suck it alienware and the crappy Pavilion downstairs." (What I said, because I too was gonna buy Alienware, but I didn't and I am SO GLAD I didn't).

Moral of the story is, there are only a few screw involved, and unless if you are fighting your motherboard with a screwdriver, you won't break it. If it takes too much force to get something in, it probably isn't the right orientation. (RAM sticks are a little different; you have to exert a bit of force on them.)

Also Motovader, I am certain that just about everyone here that recommends building your own PC built theirs themselves.

To me, it sounds like you just had a bad experience with building a PC.

 

I think you don't really realize how simple it is. There are pre-defined spots and holes in computer cases for each part, and there are holes already drilled in the parts to fit in the case. All you have to do is line up the holes in the computer part with the holes of the case and put a screw through the hole. Then you just have to plug everything up, install an os, some drivers, and your computer is ready.

You don't have to do any cutting, drilling, measuring, fitting, none of that. It's just a matter of putting the parts in their respective spots in the case and screwing them in.

And you can get a way better computer for the same money if you build it yourself. There are plenty of friendly computer geniuses on here that I'm sure would be glad to help you out.
And I actually have some experience messing with old computers. Changing out parts and stuff, so I've been there, done that.

 

How dare you slander my name. I have rebuilt numerous desktops and laptops for family members, as well as built from scratch several systems for friends. It's easy.

 

Actually I lied. To build a PC you must learn 17 languages, master quantum physics, sacrifice 37 animals on the third Wednesday in January, and save the world with a toothbrush and a bag of jellybeans.

Just kidding that is a lie.

 

Any computer with a Quad core at 3ghz or up. Will play BeamNG nicely.


As everyone else said, building really isn't all that scary. I was scared crapless the first time I built one back in elementary school. I didn't have videos but my dad told me how to do it, and I did it myself. $1000 of my own money. That might as well been millions of dollars.


Those videos link above are nice. Computer components are not thin glass, they can bend a small amount and take a few drops alrightly. Obviously avoid anything totally unnecessary (its normal for a motherboard to bend some when you're putting parts in) and always follow Rule #1. Avoid static electricity. Instant death to some pieces.

RAM needs to be the right frequency, and plugged into the recommend sockets (says in the manual, if you are using 4 sticks, just plug them into the RAM slots, doesn't matter which one goes where). If the power cable from your PSU doesn't fit, then it doesn't go there.

That's really pretty much it. Videos are awesome, and your motherboard manual usually has everything you need to know.


If you are still scared, like I said above, anything with a Quadcore slightly higher end i-5 will do totally great (Considering Im running a 3570k and its great), Video card doesn't need to be the best, just midline will do perfectly. Remember any part in a computer is totally upgradible. PCs are really much cheaper then any other gaming platform (In the long run)

 

ssssssshhhhiiiiieeeeettttttttt hahahahahahahaha I just laughed so hard my dad in the other room asked what the hell I was doing..... my god

 

I got slightly bored of reading the "build it" vs "I don't want to" debate going on. If you don't want to then I guess that is fair enough but I do agree with the others that its the best choice. It is cheaper than buying a pre-built desktop which in turn is cheaper than a laptop (although when you look at low spec machines the price equals out for all 3 options).

If you are dead set on buying, I can't give too much advice as I don't keep up with that market anymore (I built my machine and have done for mates too) but stay away from alienware at all costs. They add a price markup over the nearest specced rivals yet have a reputation for poor build quality, poor consideration for the thermal requirements of parts (read as likely to overheat) and finally dell try to load up their own OEM drivers instead of NVidia or AMDs actual drivers (the drivers they upload are from NVidia or AMD but often up to a year behind in updates, fixable by installing the drivers manually from NVidia or AMD). Alienware are absolutely terrible and would be a waste of your $1500.

- - - Updated - - -

Only tool you will need is a Phillips screwdriver, not gonna drill a hole through a motherboard with that unless you really intended to

 

I don't know if there is something similar where you are, but here in the U.K. there's a company called cyberpower where you can spec a PC to your wish and they'll build it for you at a price that's not too far off what you'd spend if you self build.

If not, and you are seriously looking to build a PC yourself, it might not be a bad idea to see if you can get hold of a really old desktop (preferably working) just to dismantle and have a play with. For instance, take it apart completely and lay all the parts on a table, and then see if you can successfully put it back together and boot OK. I feel that if you are looking to spend a large amount of money on a PC to last you, it would be a lot better to have some practical experience with the parts of a PC, and some old desktop that is no longer useful is a pretty good way to get it IMO.

Also, one more thing to note, is beware of static. I know some people will tell you that the risk is minimal, but even a small zap is enough to kill a MB or graphics card

P.S. First post, I know, but I thought I should say something as doing your first ever self-build on a $1500 machine sounds a bit much to be honest.

 

What about connecting all the parts together?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The connections for all the parts are just plugs, and they pretty much always only connect to where they are supposed to go. However the issue comes if you forget to plug something in(e.g. CPU Fan, PC will start but not for very long), or something you ordered comes in broken.

With an old desktop you could always leave a part out* and see what the computer does. I can't off the top of my head think that you could cause any irreversible damage by doing that(correct me if I'm wrong, would be useful to know), and that way you'd get to recognise some of the symptoms of a failed build without seeing it happen to your brand new PC.

*Edit: Some things shouldn't be left out, the only things I can think of are heatsinks+fans/fan power(CPU, North/SouthBridge, Graphics Card)

 

It can be a bit confusing, but you're not gonna tear anything up if you plug something in wrong or leave something out.
So if you just take your time with that you'll be fine.

 

Just watch the 2nd video of the tutorials I posted. They show how to do it really well.

 

Look at the tutorials and decide for yourself, If it doesn't suit you and you decide to get a prebuilt, I'd suggest a company like Cyberpower.

 

cyberpower is almost as bad as alienware

 

The PC I just bought (see sig.) would only have been around £50-£60 less if I'd built it myself, and it's all components that I chose. No bloatware either. I'm not sure what the US(as you said $ I assume it's US) equivalent is or how good their service would be, but my experience with CyberPower was nothing but positive.