Questions.

[RyanBlandin]

When you build a computer hows do all the wires go into place? Do they just plug or snap in or something or do you have to do something special?

Is it worth it building your own computer?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by RyanBlandin When you build a computer hows do all the wires go into place? Do they just plug or snap in or something or do you have to do something special?

They just plug or snap in to their respective pins or sockets, nothing special.

Originally Posted by RyanBlandin Is it worth it building your own computer?

That depends...if you're building your own to save money you'll find that you really don't save money if you're building a budget box (you can get a budget DELL or Gateway cheaper) but if you're building a higher end computer you can actually put one together for less than what the name brands charge for their high end stuff.

If you're building your own because you want to have control over what goes into your computer, then it's worth it. Plus you don't get all the extra rubbish software like you get with name brand computers...you install what you want on your computer.

I built my first computer back in 1997 and I haven't bought a name brand computer since. I've built a little over 100 computers to date and 8 of those were for myself and my wife. Did I do it to save money? No, I did it because I could control what went into each computer and I had the satisfaction of building them myself. There's nothing like the feeling you get when you successfully complete your first build and it powers up and runs like it should.

A side benefit of building your own computer is you get pretty good at troubleshooting and fixing computers too. I've never taken any of my home built computers to a computer shop for repairs...any time something went wrong I was able to troubleshoot and fix the problem myself.

Cricket

[Minpin]

Sorry for the mild hijack but instead of creating a whole new thread I felt it would be appropriate to post in this thread. I was watching some videos of people building computers and one guy put his fingers in this little device to de-static himself. Do I need one of those? How important is static electricity while building the computer? Do I need to buy thermal paste or is that shipped with the CPU? And one last question. When I first boot up my new system and I get past BIOS and you go to the desktop of XP. How do I get to the internet from there? On all my previous systems they were pre-built and were pre-loaded in IE. So I am a little confused as to how to get on the internet when there isn't anything like that pre-loaded. Thanks

[Alaron]

Minpin, you do need to create your own thread for these questions. We find it easier to let each person have one to themselves.

_Moderator_

That said, I'll give you some brief answers. If you have additional questions, start a new thread please.

Static is an issue for some, depends on the environment (dry air). Wristbands are cheap, couldn't hurt to pick one up. Thermal paste is on the bottom of the heatsink you get with a Retail CPU. IE comes with XP, once your system is running and your network card drivers installed, XP should get you online automatically. We can help you troubleshoot if it doesnt when the time comes.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Minpin Sorry for the mild hijack but instead of creating a whole new thread I felt it would be appropriate to post in this thread. I was watching some videos of people building computers and one guy put his fingers in this little device to de-static himself. Do I need one of those? How important is static electricity while building the computer? Do I need to buy thermal paste or is that shipped with the CPU? And one last question. When I first boot up my new system and I get past BIOS and you go to the desktop of XP. How do I get to the internet from there? On all my previous systems they were pre-built and were pre-loaded in IE. So I am a little confused as to how to get on the internet when there isn't anything like that pre-loaded. Thanks

With this many questions you really do need to start your own thread.

Cricket

[RyanBlandin]

I just have a few more questions.

Do you need a floppy disk drive? Or can use just have CD-ROM Drives?

What's the best operation system for a computer that will be doing a lot of gaming?

Can you use a magnet to extract dropped screws or will that screw with the hardware?

Also 750 GB and 7200 RPM Hard Drive is better than a 150GB and 10000 RPM Hard Drive right?

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by RyanBlandin I just have a few more questions. Do you need a floppy disk drive? Or can use just have CD-ROM Drives? What's the best operation system for a computer that will be doing a lot of gaming? Can you use a magnet to extract dropped screws or will that screw with the hardware? Also 750 GB and 7200 RPM Hard Drive is better than a 150GB and 10000 RPM Hard Drive right?

You don't need a floppy drive usually. I personally don't have one, and still haven't found the need for one. If you ever do find the need, you can just pick one up, they're cheep enough.

Newer games are starting to take advantage of dx10, and if you want that, you need both a video card that can handle it, and vista. I believe that there has been a few tests done that show that performance is still a bit better with xp though.

I wouldn't use a magnet, but if your screw driver is slightly magnatized, that will work. Or just use your fingers, or turn it upside down and let the screw fall out.

With those drives, it depends on what size you want and need. If you need a lot, then the 750gb would be better. As for speeds, there's not much of a noticable difference between the 10000 and 7200.

[hitchface]

I'm not so sure on the magnet thing. Not much save a CRT monitor will get hamstringed by a magnet nowadays. Hard drives ave some of the most powerful magnets built into them.