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How hard is building a computer?

S

SuperCell

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 24, 2005
Messages
314
I would really like to know what's involved in building a computer. How hard is it to do?

What are all the major components you will need before you start piecing it together?
 
building it is easy, choosing the components is the hard part.
Main components are the:
Processor/heatsink fan
motherboard
ram
video card
hard drive
case
powersupply.
 
WS6 said:
building it is easy, choosing the components is the hard part.
Main components are the:
Processor/heatsink fan
motherboard
ram
video card
hard drive
case
powersupply.
Click to expand...

So most of that stuff just snaps together? Is there any soldering or any type of major electrical work required?

Thanks.
 
Nope, lol. Very easy and fun if you ask me. It's like a puzzle, and keeping it neat and tidy is a challenge. Hardest part is installing the heatsink on the CPU, and that's not even a big deal, especially the way the CPUs and the heatsinks are designed now.
 
Nothing at all lol. Honestly, major companies (dell, HP, Alienware) are making money JUST because people don't understand HOW easy computers are to build.

Everything does *just* snap together. Graphics cards fit in the slots on the board, the processor sits in a socket, all power connections fit togehter (molexes) etc. Soldering is totally unneeded unless you're modding anything.
 
Usualy, the only tool's you'll need are a set of screwdrivers. Once you have everything screwed into the case, just about everything will only plug in one way, so no worries.

The only semi-complicated part is installing the processor itself...just be sure you remember to use thermal paste!

Follow the included instructions carefully and you'll be fine, and dont be afraid to come back here and ask for help :)
 
It's like solving a jigsaw puzzle, except the puzzle pieces are very expensive.

;)

I won't lie to you; if it's your first time, you should do a lot of reading and/or have an experienced builder watch over you, and you should be very, very careful. But if you follow the steps and don't try to fit a square peg in a round hole, you'll be fine.
 
Have you ever transfused a multipalpaton differentuon array? It's kinda like that.
 
WS6 said:
building it is easy, choosing the components is the hard part.
Main components are the:
Processor/heatsink fan
motherboard
ram
video card
hard drive
case
powersupply.
Click to expand...

&

Sound card
DVD-Rom drive
DVD +/- RW drive
case fans
hard drive cooling fans

plus required accessories:

keyboard, mouse, surge protector.
 
Actually putting the parts together is very easy. The only semi-difficult part is connecting alot of the little seemingly random things to the motherboard. Even for that, there's a manual with the motherboard that shows where everything goes. Like the guys above said, the hard part is just selecting what you want. Of course, you found the right forum to ask what parts you should buy, too. :) Everybody here is glad to help you find the right parts for you, so that's not even a concern either.
 
Guys thanks for the info. I will definitely be doing this sometime in the future, so I'll probably be asking some questions when that time comes. Thanks again...
 
I recommend this book. It will get you well on your way. At the very least after reading it, you will know what you don't yet understand. Make sense? ;)
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Arcygenical said:
Nothing at all lol. Honestly, major companies (dell, HP, Alienware) are making money JUST because people don't understand HOW easy computers are to build.
Click to expand...
Actually OEMs make money because it's cheaper to buy a (low end) system from them than it is to build your own due to the bulk pricing they get. Not to mention the special deals that Intel and MS undoubtedly offfer for exclusive buying. Now higher end systems (>$1500) gets cheaper to build as long as you do a bit of reasearch and comparative shopping.

Back on topic though, as long as you take the necessary precautions like static protection, and making sure the power is off before plugging things in, it's preety easy to build a computer. I built my first one at 12, also fried my frist computer at 12. Scredriveers suck. lol


Ryan
 
ScreamingBroccoli said:
Hardest part is installing the heatsink on the CPU, and that's not even a big deal, especially the way the CPUs and the heatsinks are designed now.
Click to expand...

QFT
 
Actually OEMs make money because it's cheaper to buy a (low end) system from them than it is to build your own due to the bulk pricing they get.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I forgot to mention I was talking about the gamer/home user market... not the corporate area :).
 
Heres a tip- ask around for free computers to learn on..... some people will give you thier slower one. If you have a digital camera take photos of the inside of the computer. Now slowly take it apart, and find the speed and specifications (64mb of pc100, celeron 466, for example). If it was a working computer, put it all back together and make it work again. If it didn't work, see if you can figure out WHY it didn't work (bad power supply or HD). Cheap thrift store computers or parts off craigslist are the best places to get "learner" computers. If you are using older computers, get Windows 98 so you will be compatable.
windows 2000 can support most of the older stuff (MB's, video cards. sound cards), and XP for the newer stuff. You would be using the 98 disc as a diagnostic tool.
gwarren007
 
454Casull said:
I won't lie to you; if it's your first time, you should do a lot of reading and/or have an experienced builder watch over you, and you should be very, very careful. But if you follow the steps and don't try to fit a square peg in a round hole, you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

QFT -- if a connector doesn't fit somewhere, then it almost certainly doesn't belong. If it *does* fit, then it belongs there unless there is another place it can also fit, in which case you guess, then after that fails look up the manual to find the difference between the two possible sockets for it :)

(Anyone else been asked where the joystick (old port) got plugged in, when there was only one possible place on the entire machine for it to go?)
 
454Casull said:
It's like solving a jigsaw puzzle, except the puzzle pieces are very expensive.

;)

I won't lie to you; if it's your first time, you should do a lot of reading and/or have an experienced builder watch over you, and you should be very, very careful. But if you follow the steps and don't try to fit a square peg in a round hole, you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

that is how i learned. i had 1 of my friends who had built computes before me help me build my first computer 5 years ago. after you build it, you'll want to add things later, and after a few times, you get real comfortable with working inside of your pc. but i do have to warn you, it is a very expensive hobby.

serbiaNem said:
Have you ever transfused a multipalpaton differentuon array? It's kinda like that.
Click to expand...

dont scare him like that :p
 
its as easy as spelling shwarzenneger

eh screw it,i cant spellthat
 
Don't forget to put the risers on the motherboard tray for the motherboard. I have known some new builders to screw the mobo straight to the tray. Other than that it is just fit the square piece in the square slot.

But like everyone said. Do some reading just to get yourself familiar with what might be involved. You will run into minor problems, but hey that is what the internet is for.

Good Luck!



 
Like everyone else said, it's pretty easy.

However, before taking on a whole new computer task I suggest upgrading the computer you have right now. My first computer was a Dell and I kept upgrading as I could, first started with memory, then added a new hard drive, then upgraded video card, sound card... anyways by the end I realized I practically knew how to build a PC... so I did
 
It took me 10 mins to built my system "See SiG" and another 30 mins to get it running windows, the net, games set up and stuff. Its very easy. But then my cables was all over the place haha. :p
 
Putting it together is the easy part.


Figuring out that you can't put your soundcard in slot 1 and your firewire card in slot 3 at the same time and expect Windows to work... that is the hard part. :)
 
Its pretty easy...just be sure to read all you can, and be grounded correctly before you start.
 
from someone who runs a small shop,

the hardest part is setting the system software up and keep it stable for people who aren't as knowledgeable as the builder, plugging the part in is easy, making windows recognize some of them isn't, like when some sata drivers just don't feel like making the hd appear during an xp installation :(
 
Close your eyes, feel the components, know the components, let them "speak to you" .

Assemble them in confidence. Failure is not an option. Make the rig perform .............build it and it will run Grasshopper :p
 
Take your time...and research everything and look for reviews on products you think you are interested in. And read the forums. :cool:
 
Yea man I built my own after suffering with my Mom's compaq for a year. It was actually easier than i expected. Only part that confused me is the USB connections to the mobo since they were all seperate pins, not the already ordered box type connector. You'll be happy with how long your own built pc lasts too and how well it runs compared to a OEM crap
 
I would suggest getting a motherboard that has been out for a few months, instead of one that is just released. MB drivers and bios's for the most part are a work in progress that takes quite a while. You most likely don't want to deal with that stuff for your first build. Intel branded motherboards would be the exception I guess, just based on thier rep (never owned one).
 
TheOmniscientCreator said:
Its pretty easy...just be sure to read all you can, and be grounded correctly before you start.
Click to expand...

grounded, u mean like if he did something bad to the computer? :p lol

*sarcasm at its best*
 
Basically if something fits, plug it in.

Soldering the CPU in place is really the only part which requires any skill.
 
jimmyb said:
Basically if something fits, plug it in.

Soldering the CPU in place is really the only part which requires any skill.
Click to expand...
Soldering??? What era are you from?
 
SuperCell said:
I would really like to know what's involved in building a computer. How hard is it to do?

What are all the major components you will need before you start piecing it together?
Click to expand...


Like others have stated,piecing it together is the easy part.Troubleshooting is an entirely different story for a FTB
 
just do it piece by piece. buy quality componets for your main parts. Motherboard, PSU, video card, and get a case that isn't complete crap and everything else you can skimp on pretty much without question and still get a quality build.

Keep your foundations quality though.
 
seriously what u could do is buy like a nice system from dell or gateway (i baught a gateway with a x2 4200+ and 2gigs of pc3200 ram) and just add a nice video card and psu, the comp in my sig costed under 1000$ with a lot of decent stuff
 
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