Building custom pc - where to start?

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eviljoker7075

New Member
Hey everyone! I was recently looking at the Alienware brand of PC's. I can see they are very good, but I got thinking that it would be cheaper to build my own, so that is what I am planning on doing! I do have some experience in this, but some issues I will need some help with. I was planning on doing it bit by bit, so first buy a new case and transfer all the stuff in my current one into that, and then gradually replace each bit at a time.

What I need to know is:
a) Is that an acceptable way of doing it?
b) Is this a good community to be part of to offer me assistance/advice on the best products and compatibility issues?

Thanks for reading! Look forward to being part of this site!

Kev
 
This is a very good community to be a part of of.
1) It is cheaper to build it yourselft
2) Probably be smarter if you upgraded all at once, not bit by bit
3) Your case may night be compatible with your old mobo which goes back to *2
4) Alienware way expensive! If you really can't build your own go to a place like Ibuypower.com.
5) What is your budget and what do you plan on doing with they system?
 
mmm, well the problem is I am not sure how high I can go, and that is why I was thinking of doing it bit by bit, so when I get enough for the next component I can go ahead and buy it.

As for what I plan on doing, basically everything. Playing games, doing work (MS office basically! lol), listening to music, recording/editing/mixing music and creating websites - basically everything!

I'm a bit of a 'geek' and like gadgets and to be a bit flashy, I know that shouldn't really make a difference, but still...

Where should I start?
 
well im gettign a Alienware m5550 for Gaming and music production....
i woulod get a Intel Macbook... but then i cant play games, and i never used a Mac befor....

m5550

Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5600 1.83GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Display: Alienware® m5550 15.4" WideXGA 1280 x 800 LCD - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 512MB
System Drive: 80GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo w/Software MPEG2 Decoder
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB Nvidia GeForce Go 6600
Sound Card: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
 
soundopp. said:
well im gettign a Alienware m5550 for Gaming and music production....
i woulod get a Intel Macbook... but then i cant play games, and i never used a Mac befor....

m5550

Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5600 1.83GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Display: Alienware® m5550 15.4" WideXGA 1280 x 800 LCD - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 512MB
System Drive: 80GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo w/Software MPEG2 Decoder
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB Nvidia GeForce Go 6600
Sound Card: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Click to expand...

Don't go with that. As I have already stated they are expensive, also he said he was going build his pc.
 
It would be better to do it in all one wack, starting with a case would be fine but the board-CPU-ram-video card it would be better to get in one buy, things change so fast now if you got it part by part over a period of time something will come out that you wished you had got instead
 
Right, so what if I was to break it down into stages? I realise getting everything in one go is the best option, but would it be possible to break it up into maybe 3 different stages, such as case & motherboard, then graphics etc?

What possible problems could this run into, aside from the new release issue?
 
Little more info goes a long way :)

eviljoker7075 said:
Right, so what if I was to break it down into stages? I realise getting everything in one go is the best option, but would it be possible to break it up into maybe 3 different stages, such as case & motherboard, then graphics etc?

What possible problems could this run into, aside from the new release issue?
Click to expand...

Going with a new case and motherboard 1st would be the best option. Motherboards are the main thing requiring a new install of windows whereas a new CPU or Video card should not. But buying a new motherboard may mean you could need a new CPU and new Ram as well depending on what type of motherboard it is. With so many new things out it's getting harder to mix and match with older tech. What are you currently using/running? Do you have DDR ram or DDR2 currently? What is your initial budget? Because there are several builds I've seen on here for $750 and less for a new Core 2 Duo with a nice graphics card and the whole shibang. :D
 
ok, so, maybe it would be a better option to find all the components I want before hand, find the cost then save up to buy it all at once? That way I can guarantee full compatibility.

Then, when I have my money together I can check for any updated products? Good plan or not?

As for budget, I'd say I'll look to get the better stuff and calculate how much it costs, as I'm saving up for it anyway I might aswell make it good!

Next question then, what components will I actually need? I know it's a bit of a dumb, newbie, question, but I'm not 100% totally sure what all the different individual parts are that I need...
 
You will need:
Processor
Motherboard
Memory (RAM)
Hard drive
Video Card
Optical Drive
Case
Power supply
Operating System
Sound Card (Optional)
 
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