Poll: Have you ever built your own computer?

[Kermi]

The last computer I built was done from parts only with the help of a friend, about 8 years ago. I then transferred it to a new case when the power supply died, and also upgraded it from time to time - added ram, changed out the video card, etc.

My last two computers have just been off the shelf at the store. I can't be bothered tinkering anymore.

 

[DanDeFool]

First computer I built went amazingly badly. Took me about a month of troubleshooting to figure out I had a bad memory stick. After I RMA'd it and got a new one, my computer still wouldn't run stable. I never found out for certain what the problem was, but I think it was a CPU bug which caused the system to become unstable when running with four sticks of memory (which I had). I took out a couple sticks, and it ran fine for a while.

I also had a Koolance external water cooling system, which worked really well. However, because I had wired it through another component in my system (I think it was a cathode lamp or something, the Koolance stopped getting power and shut off while my system was running. Unfortunately I was AFK at the time, so it sat like that for about two hours. When I came back, the processor die was thoroughly overheated, almost to the point of catching fire, my CPU water cooling block was burned, and the coolant in the block had started boiling and spraying out of the hoses all over my mobo and graphics card.

Fortunately, the only thing I lost from that debacle was the CPU block and the CPU itself. I was able to clean up the motherboard and the video card, but I never used the motherboard again. I imagine it still worked because the video card still worked. I wound up getting a new CPU/Mobo combo, which ran stable with all my memory in it. I made sure to plug my Koolance directly into the PSU instead of running it through another component, and I didn't have any more problems with it.

After a while, I gave that PC to my sister and built a new one. This time I decided to go with all aircooling instead, since it's simpler, doesn't require maintenance, and I never got around to learning anything about overclocking anyway.

I've been steadily upgrading my system since then, but I think I'm about a year away from retiring it and building a new system with more up-to-date hardware. When I do, I think I'm going to try to turn the old one into a mineral-oil cooled system, just to see if I can get it to work. I also had some crazy ideas about taking the cooling system out of an old mini-fridge and making a refrigerated mineral oil system. If that works, it'll be awesome.

 

[Ham_authority95]

Never. I don't know or care enough about computers to do it.

 

[hurfdurp]

I chose the customizable options from Dell .

 

[linwolf]

The one I have is prebuilt, but I have added and replaced parts on my own.

 

[Chainsauce]

Kind'a. The one I'm on right now is custom. But my dad helped me tons with building.

 

[strum4h]

always have. I never liked the prebuilt ones.

 

[Mymla]

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.

Pretty much this. I see absolutely no reason not to, it gives you a better computer for less money. And assembling one is about as hard as putting together furniture from IKEA.

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

Yep, built my first one aged 12. I'd been bugging my dad for ages for a computer, so he responded by buying all the component parts. Damn thing took me two weeks to get working properly, although when I did I was the proud owner of a 286 with 1Mb RAM and VGA graphics! Don't really build them from scratch any more, but I am responsible for maintaining the machines in the office where I work.

 

[Super Toast]

No, because I'm terrified I'll screw it up.

 

[Quaxar]

I'm basically home-admin. I have built all the computers here apart from mine (which I bought many years ago but upgraded several times), do the software stuff for them and do basically everything else technically higher than a toaster. So... yes.

 

[SushiJaguar]

Yeah, I recently built my own to be able to actually play Starcraft II without juddery frame rates and graphics like a blachmange(?) on a sea-green coloured carpet.

It was rewarding to know I built it myself and it was oddly engaging. I missed dinner twice trying to wring every fragment of power I could out of the poor pieces of fragile metal.

 

[Virus0015]

I bought one 3 years ago from alienware, because I thought it would be too complex to build my own, what a fool I was. In short I haven't technically built my own, but I have replaced every single component apart from the CD drive. I voted yes because as it stands I have assembled all the hardware in the PC.

 

[StBishop]

No, because I'm terrified I'll screw it up.

Don't be. It's easy. Anyone could do it.
If you're worried about compatability just goto the thread on this very website and order the parts suggested in one of the builds.

OT: I built my first at 12 with my brother, haven't owned one not built by either myself or him since. I'll be building a new one after christmas.

 

[Super Toast]

No, because I'm terrified I'll screw it up.

Don't be. It's easy. Anyone could do it.
If you're worried about compatability just goto the thread on this very website and order the parts suggested in one of the builds.

OT: I built my first at 12 with my brother, haven't owned one not built by either myself or him since. I'll be building a new one after christmas.

Thanks for the help. It'd be nice to play Crysis without any lag.

 

[dthvirus]

I'd love to learn, but alas, I have no money for a new computer anyway.

 

[TheScottishFella]

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.

It all depends on how much you are willing to spend. I have this great rig, that will last me for years to come but will cost a bit. If you want I can find the parts and send you the links, see what you think. There was dip in price for a great quad processor, but look at any computer stores nearby before venturing the internet. And you can always ask them for help they will tell you what you can get on the budget you have. Remember the internet isn't always a legit place.

 

[TheScottishFella]

First computer I built went amazingly badly. Took me about a month of troubleshooting to figure out I had a bad memory stick. After I RMA'd it and got a new one, my computer still wouldn't run stable. I never found out for certain what the problem was, but I think it was a CPU bug which caused the system to become unstable when running with four sticks of memory (which I had). I took out a couple sticks, and it ran fine for a while.

I also had a Koolance external water cooling system, which worked really well. However, because I had wired it through another component in my system (I think it was a cathode lamp or something, the Koolance stopped getting power and shut off while my system was running. Unfortunately I was AFK at the time, so it sat like that for about two hours. When I came back, the processor die was thoroughly overheated, almost to the point of catching fire, my CPU water cooling block was burned, and the coolant in the block had started boiling and spraying out of the hoses all over my mobo and graphics card.

Fortunately, the only thing I lost from that debacle was the CPU block and the CPU itself. I was able to clean up the motherboard and the video card, but I never used the motherboard again. I imagine it still worked because the video card still worked. I wound up getting a new CPU/Mobo combo, which ran stable with all my memory in it. I made sure to plug my Koolance directly into the PSU instead of running it through another component, and I didn't have any more problems with it.

After a while, I gave that PC to my sister and built a new one. This time I decided to go with all aircooling instead, since it's simpler, doesn't require maintenance, and I never got around to learning anything about overclocking anyway.

I've been steadily upgrading my system since then, but I think I'm about a year away from retiring it and building a new system with more up-to-date hardware. When I do, I think I'm going to try to turn the old one into a mineral-oil cooled system, just to see if I can get it to work. I also had some crazy ideas about taking the cooling system out of an old mini-fridge and making a refrigerated mineral oil system. If that works, it'll be awesome.

My case has built in fans, about 3 to prevent this sort of problem IT'S A HUGE ASS CASE.

Overheating and dust are your worst enemies I think.

 

[TheScottishFella]

No, because I'm terrified I'll screw it up.

you just have to follow the manual that comes with your motherboard. Personally when it comes to motherboards I think ASUS