Building my own PC: suggestions needed!

I am considering building my own PC as opposed to buying a mass-market brand name or ordering a custom machine. I can build one without the OS for under $400. That way, I can install any OS I want and don't have to deal with al the crap the names add to the machine. I can also buy a nice, big tower instead of having to put up with those stupid tiny cases.

I have heard that AMD Athlon processors don't play that well with many "pro" soundcards out there, but it would be cheaper than getting a Pentium 4. I have always believed that using the Intel chip would be hassle-free, but now, I am reading a lot about many DAW use AMD.

I also plan to buy a video card.

Any ideas, suggestions? I'm also trying to keep my costs low as possible.

 

It's been mentioned before, but Pricewatch is where I order lots of my stuff. For the CD Burner and RAM you can probably do better (depending on the model you want) by watching the SUnday paper for rebates at Office Depot and the like where they have been $10 or so after rebate and RAM the same.

I use an AMD 1Ghz chip with no problem at all. Of course I'm running the low end-- but very nice Turtle Beach Santa Cruz...so I don't know about the high end cards. I've also had good luck with NVIDIA video cards, but I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions.

 

Well, I also have the Santa Cruz, and don't plan to upgrade the card anytime soon, but I want to know that I could upgrade without hassle. I also plan to get an NVIDIA card, prbably a cheaper one.

 

I built my own computer using an AMD Athlon chip. I've noticed no issues with my M-Audio 24/96 Audiophile card. BTW, building your own is not only fun but you'll learn a great deal. Plus, you'll never again be nervous about screwing around with the thing as in adding a hard drive, etc. There are numerous sites that will walk you thru the process.

 

I built my machine about 6 months ago. I wanted quality, but went as cheap as possible, so I went for the Intel Celeron (Tualatin) based on the p3 core at 1.4 Ghz. Unlike the p4 celerons which are dogs, this chip has a backside cache. Although, you may be able to do a P4 now pretty cheap. I would definitely stay with Intel. I also have an Intel motherboard which has integrated sound and video. It got me up and running, and I know I can upgrade at a later date. Check newegg.com for good prices.

 

Grant, just remember that your time is worth money too. You might save a bit in the short run, but if you have any hardware or software problems that need debugging it could cost you *days*.

I've put together computers before, but it's been my experience that it was easier to do 10-15 years ago than now, when computers and their parts are so much more complicated. It is fun and illuminating, but it can also be incredibly frustrating. For my last two computers I've simply bit the bullet and bought packages (an HP and a Dell) with hardware and software already installed. You just plug it in and it does everything for you.

If you want to use your Santa Cruz, just get a package with the standard/cheapest sound card option and replace it later.

 

A lot of these rebates companies offer and a lot of dealers accept are scams. The odds of actually getting money back from them are slim to none.

 

Hi Grant,

Great Idea. I have built 3 PIII machines so far based on the Intel BX chipset.

Just about time to upgrade.

The only chipset I would consider at this time is the Intel 875P.
It is really revolutionary and will be around for a while.
It supports the next generation HDDs serial ATA. These hard drives rock and give SCSI a run for the money. It has lots of other cool stuff like 800MHZ front side buss for the memory - screaming. You can run PC 3200 or overclocked memory like PC 3800. It supports PIV and you can get a hyper threading one or got for the high end 3.2GH Wow! Man I am using PC133 with a PIII 933 and 512MB RAM.

I like Intel myself, yet lots of gamers like AMD. I build gamers machines even though I don't play games. It just gives you a good reliable longer life machine.

If getting a separate power supply I just bought a ATI 350W with a blue light on the fan for my wife's machine. The old power supply fried after ~3 years. Shoot I only paid $35 for the case with power supply.

I have the addtronics mid tower case with 4 front 5 1/4" drive slots and 3 more inside. They are all full and I wish I had at least 5-6 internal 5 1/4" drive bays and 5 front 5 1/4" bays.

I like the Nvida video cards, yet ATI has the Rampage that is pretty good.
I have been using the Creative sound card with the live drive, yet their are some new ones out there besides the Audigy.

I subscribe to Maximum PC to get the latest info. They always have great info on building your own. check out maximumpc.com for tips tricks and help while building - that's where I got answers when I built my 3.


Be sure to get 512MB of memory. Prices are going up and went up again today so if you get some from someone that has it in stock you may do better. It may come back down again around Oct.

Intel always has a sweet spot for processors around $170 each or you can get the $99 one and upgrade later when the 2.6GB is down to $170.

Western Digital hard drives are on sale for about 50 cents a GB. PC100 yet what a deal. 200GB for $129 or less.

Have fun -

 

Thanks! Actually, i've installed and switched out many PC innards including hard drives, so it is not scary to me. What IS scary to me is getting the right processor and mobo for audio work.

 

Let me know what you come up with. Until you mentioned it, I never considered that there might *be* conflicts between cpu and soundcard.

 

I have been building computers since the mid 80's. What you need to do is get a motherboard from one of the main stream motherboard makers. ASUS, MSI, Epox, Abit are a few that come to mind these days. I make only AMD setups these days and have no problems with compatibility. The past couple of years I have also been using MSI for the motherboards and Nvidia for the video. There are some good sites out there that are full of more info then one can take in. Up to date drivers and knowing how to adjust your bios settings takes care of issues one might have. Incorrect settings are what one has to watch out for and that is where conflicts arise.

http://www.tomshardware.com/

http://www.amdzone.com/

http://www.anandtech.com/index.html

http://www.amdmb.com/index.php

 

Grant,

Check out www.mwave.com. I have built many a computer, and this place has a great selection and price. Their web site is laid out better than most, and if you click on their "product catalog",http://www.mwave.com/mwave/Main.hmx?UID=&CID=&Back= you get the great list of stuff by catagory. They also have MB/CPU/RAM bundles that will get you started fairly cheaply.

Get the best you can afford of the above three and go from there.

(Gorts, if this "plug" is not allowed, have at it. I have no affiliation whatsoever with this place, I just buy a lot of stuff from them

 

I think this one would fall into the "helping members" category Jon.

 

Well guys, as it turned out, I just ordered the Pentium 4 2.4GHz Hyper-Treaded 800 MHz chip with a compatable Intel mobo with intergrated graphics and sound, RAID controller I also ordered an Antec case with a 350-watt power supply. This way, I can upgrade the video card as needed, and I already have my soundcard.

For the time being, I plan to use my existing 5400 RPM HD with Win98 but will possibly use the upgrade XP Pro instaled over Win2000 on a new HD.

Hopefully, i'll have the thing up and running by next Tuesday night.

Oops! I forgot to factor in the firewall and antivirus. Shouldn't I just be able to load up my existing Norton disc and download the updates?

Any suggestions on case fans? I gotta keep the innards cold!

 

Totally Cool!

Ok to reload all Norton stuff.
Remember that you can get a brand new XP OEM FULL Disk (not upgrade) for $99 or less whenever you buy a HDD at the same time.
A Western Digital HDD is only about $69 for 120GB. - but better to wait and get the serial ATA later. Anybody buying a HDD at the local frys or electronics store can buy the winXP disk for you at the same time. You can even get them (new winXP disk)on ebay with a dead HDD to meet the requirements for cheap.
Eventually you should do a fresh install (or now if you have the $$) of XP on a NTSF formatted drive. NTSF is better and faster and does not have the ~1gb video editing limit a fat 32 drive has.
Eventually when the prices come down you can get a serial ATA drive that will be as fast as a SCSI.

Great choice on the processor and MB. The 875p Intel chipset is soo GOOD!

 

I never heard of anyone being able to get an OEM Win XP with the purchase of an HD! Where???

Actually, I was looking at WinXP Professional, full version, but if I can get get away cheaper by simply loading it up over a fresh install of Win2000, wouldn't that be OK? But, hey, if I can actually get WinXP full version with an HD at any retail store, well, why not?

I'm only going to use my existing HD with Win98 until I can afford the new HD. The ATA drives can't be that much more than the usual drives available, can they? I'm goint to take a look.

 

Actually, it's the 865PE chipset. But I still hear good things about it. The shop owner highly recommended it too.

I could have easily gotten an Asus board but decided that I didn't want to take any chances and got an intel board as well.

She also said that I made a good decision to get Hyper-Thread technology because if configured correctly it can really zip!

 

If you go to Pricewatch and end up buying a motherboard, you have the RIGHT to purchase an OEM copy of XP home for somewhere around $65-85. Just make sure you buy the OEM CD AND LICENSE from the same person you buy/choose to buy the board from.

All suggestions on this thread are very good. I build machines on a daily basis. If you can be your own tech support, go for it.

No real reason to get XP PRO unless you plan to do humoungous things with networking. Chances are, you won't be doing that. I use XP PRO OEM and I've only used 8% of the operating system's resources and abilities.

Just a thought. BTW, MWAVE.com sells stuff fair and does complete mobo-packages with memory with or without testing and the board is sent to you STUFFED and ready for a case and PS. That saves me at least 30 minutes each time, and I'm the guy who does it constantly, so I can imagine how much time it could save the newbie home builder.

 

Thanks, Sckott.

I'm not worried about the time. I'm looking forward to this. I know thousands of people put their own systems together, it's no big thing, I guess, but many people are actually suprised that it can be done at home. I guess it goes to show how many people are mystified about computers. One month after I got my first computer years ago I was already installing things in it like it was nothing.

I will ask around about the OEM OS, since i've already ordered the mobo, chip, and case from a small local shop. I figure i'd give the business to the woman who took the time to help me out. After talking computers with her, she convinced me that she knew what she was talking about. Very important! So many computer people don't.

One place I went to said that they will only build AMD machines because all of the Pentium 4 boxes they used to build stopped working. They tried to tell me that Intel chips run hotter than AMD, and that Intel parts weren't good for gaming. They assumed I was a gamer. It turns out that Microsoft sued them for distributing illegal copies of their software last year. The reason their Intle machines malfunction is because they mount them into those translucent cases with no ventilation or fans. Needless to say, I walked out of there fast. Besides, it's a personal thing but I am partial to Intel, as i've had bad experiences with AMD in the past.

 

You should see the cases today. There's these cases you can get no-name that look and feel like a compact car, have handle-easy access to the inside, and the redundant cooling is absolutely SICK. They're going for cheap now. The front and back is very easy to get into, and the sides are completely transparent. Some come with fluorescent lighting! Absolutely snazzy!

I'm an AMD guy. Possibly will be until the end. Intel makes a great processor, and FP math seems to LOVE those processors and the performance these days are hard to beat. But Intel can also be pricey, especially for the newer chips. I stand behind Abit, Asus and on a budget, Shuttle.

I'd build a file server with an Intel chip any day though. They seem to love the long-term jobs better than AMD's, IMHO.

 

Glad you'll be up and running soon! Looks like you made some wise choices. It'll serve you well for years to come.

Antec cases are the bomb! That's what I have and I love it.

 

Well, it seems that my way of working and the things I do may give the Intel chip a slight advantage, then.

I've seen those newer computer cases. Some of them are even liquid-cooled! But, the ones this little shop I ran away from uses those black heavy plastic cases with no ventilation.

I'm guessing that someone told those idiots that Intel chips run cooler, and their gamer customers who want Pentium chips don't want to spend large amounts of money, so they go cheap on the cooling.

 

The whole idea was to build a machine that would last a few years. But, i'm now wondering if I should have gotten a 400-watt supply. I plan to have 1 serial port printer, 1 USB scanner, three-four disc drives including a floppy, and one soundcard and maybe a modem until I step up to cable. In other words, I plan to use the same stuff I am running now on my old seven-year-old Gateway 166.

 

No modern chip runs cool. One wrong move and you have a possible meltdown. The chip fan is very important. Grant, if you get a mo-bo combo, you're also going to get the cheapest cooler made. Make sure you get a retail fan for the appropriate die/chip mounting size. I do amazingly well with Orbs.They just never seem to knonk out.

Don't rely on the case so much. For modern hard drives, cooling is great. The case fans are more than appropriate. Put a few extra bucks into the processor fan. It ain't no big thing

 

Oh, lord. Yes, make sure you research your motherboards before buying and building. Ya don't wanna be without the extra USB ports when you buy a case or board. Many boards have 2-3 pairs of USBs' and the case supports 3-4 at times. Budget boards can have video, audio, network and modem ON BOARD. Make sure you have something more scaleable.