Build a new pc

ive just been told my old Time machine is goosed :'( so i thought, would it be hard to build a pc? but its a minefield out there, with all them different cases, mobos, Cpu's etc....
so i need some advice, im just after a good standard pc, what do i need?

my other 2 pcs are

Xp athlon 1.7
256 Dimm Memory
40 GB hard Drive
1.44 floppy
64Mb Geforce Mx400 graphics card
Creative SB live player 5.1 3081 sound card
and 56k internal modem.

pentium 3
256 Ram
40GB hard Drive
1.44 floppy
56K modem
no sound card

I dont want anything too fancy just a good standard to do a few word docs, spreadsheets, surf the net etc, prolly not play games any ideas? or point me in the right direction.

Thanx in advance

 

For what you want to do, Dell is probably the best value. For around $500 you can get a pretty decent computer and sometimes even a flat panel upgrade. I'd suggest you check out the deals on their webpage. www.dell.com

If you still want to build, www.newegg.com is a great place to get parts. majorgeeks.pricegrabber.com is also a good place to search for low prices.

 

i just want the satisfaction of building a pc, just to prove to myself i can do it, but im a bit stuck as to the bits and pieces i need. i dont need a monitor or keyboard, speakers, mouse etc, got them already, just the bits like mobo, ram, cache, cpu, heatsink fan, etc.....
to be honest i need a list of what to buy

 

Motherbored, CPU, CPU cooler , ram , video card , power supply, hard drive, case, and the little things cabiling etc....... if your ganna by online i recommind www.newegg.com

 

im in the UK, shipping cost may add up to make it a little more expensive.
Some mobo's come with the cpu and fan already connected dont they? would it say if this was the case?

 

Iv never heard of a mobo come with a CPU and heatsink but some supplyrs prolly do...

 

Ooooh, the mobo connected to the CPU

I found that some of the dealers listed on PriceGrabbers, (specifically MWave, I think) will mount a CPU to your Momboard prior to shipping.
MWave only does OEM CPU's however, so the cooling fan would also be an extra. But I think they offer that also.
I'm sure there are some others that do this as well.

 

Well if your not planning on gaming with the machine then you won't be needing a video card at all. On-board video would do just fine with what you want to do.

As far as CPU's? I would think at least 2ghz or better. AMD or Intel? That's your choice. Though I would go with a Retail package ( warranty ) as opposed to an OEM ( no warranty ). The difference in price is usually very little.

Motherboard...again your choice. On-board sound will suffice for what your wanting as well.

Memory....if you plan on running Windoze XP, I would suggest a minimum of 512 megs.

Cases....Just make sure there is ample room for everything you want to install & that it has enough locations for fans. Also if you connect & disconnect alot of USB or Firewire devices, look for front mounted connections. As far as the Power Supply goes, 300-350 watts would most likely be plenty.

You can most likely rob a few parts from your existing machine if cost is an issue. CD-ROM, keyboard & mouse, bla bla bla.

Putting together a new computer is alot of fun. Nothing like the feeling you get when ya hit the power button & it fires up for the first time. Other benefits are actually knowing what parts are in the box & knowing what they do, how they fit & no longer having that fear of actually opening the case when you have issues. Of course you don't have the support as you would with the big manufactuers, but you still have all of us kinds to help ya out when you need it. hehe Never under any circumstances be afraid to come here & ask questions. I have never seen anyone flamed for asking questions here.

Best of luck to yas.
Chris

 

Hi Nickson
Im in the UK and get most of my stuff from here
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/


If you give me some rough specs of what you want and a budget, id be happy to price you up a system on there

Just let me know,
any questions etc just ask and dont worry its not that hard to put a machine together and just think of the satisfaction