Poll: Have you ever built your own computer?

[TheScottishFella]

Well on Sunday I helped build a computer, because I will be building many more in my future. And it wasn't that complicated as long as you have the manuals on hand, everything will be fine. Now the computer I built is a real serious machine that's going to kick some DX 11 games ass.

So my question is have you ever built a computer? And how did it go did you find it rewarding? did you enjoy finding top end things for discounted prices?

I would tell you the specs but for the life of me I can't remember.

 

[BonsaiK]

I built my last three computers because I was poor. In fact, I've still got parts from the first computer I built inside my current one so technically it's the same computer in a way.

It's an annoying job though, I've got a little more money now than I did last time I needed a new PC so next time I think I'll pay for the privilege of someone else having to do all that shit.

 

[Vie]

My current computer was built from scratch a couple of years back and steadily improved since.

Was actually rather fun, fiddly and cut up my hands with the first case I used - old P3 server case. But the core componants are now getting old - mostly the memory and the motherboard - so I'll probably be building another one soon.

 

[Danzaivar]

Every computer since I was 14. Built...4 of my friends computers as well. And 2 or 3 for the family.

It's incredibly rewarding and you save a LOT of money. My current one cost £500 to build and the equivalent in shops was about £1100. Must have saved people about £1400 by now...

 

[LandoCristo]

Yep, running on it now. I took an elective at school that covered basic assembly and parts, but I still think I could have done better for my money on this one.

 

[Claptrap]

After i found out that building is cheaper then buying, I've allways done it.

Right now i'm useing one i made 4 years ago with alot of upgrades too it.

 

[Fetzenfisch]

Not only mine but more than a few for other people too. But i am not into it anymore for...6 years? so i guess i wont be that good at anymore.

 

[swenson]

Built my first (the one I'm posting from, actually!) earlier this summer. It's a fairly cheap build (about $800, including OS, but not including a monitor), but works just fine for my needs--it can easily play any game I've ever tried on it. The most recent game I've tried is Mass Effect 2, and it worked just fine. So I think it'll be fine for a while at least.

To anybody who wants to build one but hasn't yet, go for it if you have the money! And don't think you have to spend thousands of dollars. Google "$500 gaming computer" and you can find all sorts of builds that are pretty cheap, some even cheaper than that, that can still play modern games. Actually putting together a computer, now, that's the easy part. An online guide to get you through some of the trickier bits can be helpful, but for the most part, all you need is a screwdriver. Wiring is the only really difficult part, and for me I think that was mostly just because the manual for my power supply was completely useless. (still got the case lights hooked up right on my first try, though!)

 

[Hateren47]

I have build/rebuild quite a few computers by now and I find it very rewarding as I either get a cheaper computer for myself or get compensated for just doing my hobby.

The last computer I build was a Phenom II x4 3.4 GHz (I forget the serial) with a HD5870 and 8 GB RAM on a budget mainboard (ASrock I think) and 2x1TB HDD for a former co-workers sons confirmation present.

The next PC I'm building is a office-class PC with full HD capabilities for my mother so she can get her ass of her XP laptop and actually use her computer. I'm thinking Phenom II x2 with a HD5550 or HD5430(depending on how much she wants to spend) on a budget board with 4 GB RAM and 500GB HDD. I want to go a little overboard on the hardware so she and her boyfriend (that sounds fucking odd compared to how old they are. In danish the translation is "dearest") won't have to update hardware any time soon.

When I build for others I let them pick the case themselves and that's usually it. I'm not a AMD fanboy per se, but I just can't justify the cost of Intel and Nvidia for home systems. If they really want products from those companies I will build it but I always advise against it.

 

[Jaythulhu]

I've built all of my machines from my 486dx2 thru to my current one. The only PC i've had that I didn't build was the 1st one I got as a kid, a 386.

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

Have I ever built my own computer? Ha! A better question for me would be "Have you ever not built your own computer?", and the answer to that would be no. I've been assembling my PCs since the 486/DX2 was reasonably state of the art.

 

[Korey Von Doom]

Other, currently building a PC, just waiting on some money.

 

[nelsonr100]

Build my own and ones for my friends. Saves so much money!

 

[Outright Villainy]

Well I've never had a gaming pc before, I only started pc gaming last year. When I get some money, first thing I'm doing is building a computer. I'll need a lot of help though, I'm pretty clueless about good parts/good prices/compatibility/putting it all together.