Com-pu-ter?

[ital916]

Well it seems there is enough computer experts in the club for me to ask this question.

Im not a computer expert but it seems to buy a pre made desktop is crazy as they are so expensive for their respective performance. So if one was to learn to ropes of putting together a good computer what is needed, what should be looked out for and what the important and less important bits are.

So the components are:

CPU
Motherboard
Memory
Case
Power supplies
Hard drive
graphics card
fans
and all the associated cabling and stuff.

I have a monitor and keyboard and mouse and stuff

So what are the best brands and what is the important things to know?

Like a giant electrical jigsaw puzzle.....this com-pu-ter stuff

[Squiggles]

Get a mac.

[ital916]

Get a mac.

I have a power mac g4 sitting at home but am more inclined to the compnent pc as upgrading will be so much easier....upgrading a mac...ha.

[Squiggles]

I have a power mac g4 sitting at home but am more inclined to the compnent pc as upgrading will be so much easier....upgrading a mac...ha.

Get a decent mac.

[Hiflyer]

Well it seems there is enough computer experts in the club for me to ask this question.

Im not a computer expert but it seems to buy a pre made desktop is crazy as they are so expensive for their respective performance. So if one was to learn to ropes of putting together a good computer what is needed, what should be looked out for and what the important and less important bits are.

So the components are:

CPU
Motherboard
Memory
Case
Power supplies
Hard drive
graphics card
fans
and all the associated cabling and stuff.

I have a monitor and keyboard and mouse and stuff

So what are the best brands and what is the important things to know?

Like a giant electrical jigsaw puzzle.....this com-pu-ter stuff

Go to PB tech, their stuff is real good and affordable.
My flatmate built a desktop computer for 2.5k that's way better than 90% of everything else

[Slyer]

Apple takes the fun out of having a computer.
Feels good making it yourself.

Tell me what are you looking for in a PC and I can recommend.

[PirateJafa]

The problem with Macs is that you don't get to experience the pain of owning a real PC.

[Reckless]

I just built a grunty new 3d CAD computer. And after pricing all the bits for me to make it (I made all my previous ones) on Pricespy and other sites. A custom make by Computer lounge was only a fraction more (Playtech where close as well). So I went for the bought one to get the warranties etc. Look for an upgrade box price seeing as you have all the other gear!

BTW Trade me seems expensive for computers and components for some reason??

[ital916]

It is just a thought at the moment but I was thinking of a 3d cad computer to run pro engineer/solidworks/drafting programs as well as pro NC and manufacturing design programs.

A bit of gaming would be nice as well, enough grunt so that I dont need to upgrade for a while.

I dont know the difference between brands though i.e. why intel is better than amd or vice versa

[Ronin]

Well it seems there is enough computer experts in the club for me to ask this question.

Im not a computer expert but it seems to buy a pre made desktop is crazy as they are so expensive for their respective performance. So if one was to learn to ropes of putting together a good computer what is needed, what should be looked out for and what the important and less important bits are.

So the components are:

CPU
Motherboard
Memory
Case
Power supplies
Hard drive
graphics card
fans
and all the associated cabling and stuff.

I have a monitor and keyboard and mouse and stuff

So what are the best brands and what is the important things to know?

Like a giant electrical jigsaw puzzle.....this com-pu-ter stuff

What do you want to do with it?

[The Pastor]

decide on what processor you want, then choose the mobo then choose the video card, then choose the powersupply then get as much ram as you can afford.

[Squiggles]

i mean, srsly... how awesome is dis:

[Slyer]

It is just a thought at the moment but I was thinking of a 3d cad computer to run pro engineer/solidworks/drafting programs as well as pro NC and manufacturing design programs.

A bit of gaming would be nice as well, enough grunt so that I dont need to upgrade for a while.

I dont know the difference between brands though i.e. why intel is better than amd or vice versa

Definitely go Intel, they have nicer motherboards for a start and just all-round better in my experience.
Also, Macs use them.

[hutchy52]

macs have intel processors these days anyway, its basically a PC with OSX software, which you can run on PC's anyway, but at twice the price.

[jonbuoy]

The only problem with a home build is fault finding without spares if it doesn't boot, post or randomly crashes or reboots on you during use- you can take a guess as to whats causing it but the only real way to confirm is to swap parts. I wouldn't do it to save money - only do it if you are interested in putting together a system yourself. If this is your first build make sure you have access to a working PC at home for downloading driver updates and general google help.