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General discussion (archive)Alienware X51(22 posts)(22 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted December 14, 2013
Here's a bit of advice when choosing components for a DIY desktop PC.

1. Get a good cabinet.
Features you want: ease of assembly (thumbscrews, screwless drive bays, side-mounted or turnable drive bays), enough mounts for cooling fans, side door without screws, USB and audio ports front and back.
Features you don't want: Hinged front panel. Seriously, my cabinet has a hinged front panel which covers the entire front, and while it looks very pretty, having to open it every time I need to access either the DVD drive or the front USB ports, and having to keep it open when anything is plugged into the front USB ports, is extremely annoying.

2. Better a PSU which is slightly bigger than you need, than one which is slightly smaller. Remember, a few years down the road, you may want to upgrade some other components which may require more power. Better that you don't also need to upgrade the PSU at that time.

3. When looking at components, especially for cooling, try to look at the sound levels they produce. You don't necessarily need to only buy ultra-silent stuff, but if you ignore the sound levels completely, you risk ending up with a PC which sounds like an Airbus 380 when you turn it on.
Posted December 14, 2013
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AndyDivine79: Thanks for the tips. I'll look into building my own. I just hope I have the patients. The only work I have ever done on a pc was changing power suplies, videocards, and ram. Sounds like it could be rewarding though.
The word is patience. Patients suggests you'll be experimenting on people.

As for building it. If you make sure you've got compatible kit, it's as simple as square peg, round hole, logic. There are instructions about fitting chips water cooling etc. It's making sure you buy the right kit that is the problem.
Posted December 14, 2013
avatar
AndyDivine79: Thanks for the tips. I'll look into building my own. I just hope I have the patients. The only work I have ever done on a pc was changing power suplies, videocards, and ram. Sounds like it could be rewarding though.
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wpegg: The word is patience. Patients suggests you'll be experimenting on people.

As for building it. If you make sure you've got compatible kit, it's as simple as square peg, round hole, logic. There are instructions about fitting chips water cooling etc. It's making sure you buy the right kit that is the problem.
oops.... :P
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Wishbone: Here's a bit of advice when choosing components for a DIY desktop PC.

1. Get a good cabinet.
Features you want: ease of assembly (thumbscrews, screwless drive bays, side-mounted or turnable drive bays), enough mounts for cooling fans, side door without screws, USB and audio ports front and back.
Features you don't want: Hinged front panel. Seriously, my cabinet has a hinged front panel which covers the entire front, and while it looks very pretty, having to open it every time I need to access either the DVD drive or the front USB ports, and having to keep it open when anything is plugged into the front USB ports, is extremely annoying.

2. Better a PSU which is slightly bigger than you need, than one which is slightly smaller. Remember, a few years down the road, you may want to upgrade some other components which may require more power. Better that you don't also need to upgrade the PSU at that time.

3. When looking at components, especially for cooling, try to look at the sound levels they produce. You don't necessarily need to only buy ultra-silent stuff, but if you ignore the sound levels completely, you risk ending up with a PC which sounds like an Airbus 380 when you turn it on.
I know what you mean about noise levels. The last power supply I put in is very loud. I hardly use that pc for that reason.
Post edited December 14, 2013 by AndyDivine79
Posted December 14, 2013
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AndyDivine79: Thanks for the tips. I'll look into building my own. I just hope I have the patients. The only work I have ever done on a pc was changing power suplies, videocards, and ram. Sounds like it could be rewarding though.
avatar
wpegg: The word is patience. Patients suggests you'll be experimenting on people.

As for building it. If you make sure you've got compatible kit, it's as simple as square peg, round hole, logic. There are instructions about fitting chips water cooling etc. It's making sure you buy the right kit that is the problem.
Oops. :P I have been watching Theme Hospital let's plays. I'm probably going to pick it up later today. Not really into experimenting on people, at least not without their permission...
Posted December 14, 2013
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AndyDivine79: 3.0GHz (with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz)
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Wishbone: Whoa, I thought Turbo Boost died along with the 486 chip.

And yes, with Alienware, you end up paying a lot more for the hardware just because of the name.

If you really have cash to burn, you'll be better off building your own PC.
Id say one should always build the computer by oneself, whether there is money to burn or not. Always more bang for buck.

I doubt even steam machine will be changing this, but we'll how they will or wont be massproduced - it is however certain they will be making profit of those, as opposed to last gen consoles for example.
Posted December 14, 2013
You can make a very decent rig in that range for less. It's the monitor and peripherals that get you in the end! You can also shop around for better prebuilts, but once you make your own you won't ever consider that.

Looking around, I don't understand why cyperpowerpc and ibuypower default their graphics cards to the AMD r7 240 in their 'lowest price' range. That card is worse than the intel hd graphics and won't be able to run anything. The Nvidia GT's, they're just difficult to performance gauge. You'd be better off with a GTX. :)
Posted December 14, 2013
When choosing the PSU get one by a reputable company too. You don't want a cheapo one that'd take out half your computer when it blows. Spending more at the start will end up saving you since you'll also be able to reuse the PSU in your next build after that.

I'd only get a bigger PSU if there is a definite chance of an upgrade to sli/crossfire. Otherwise it is better to ensure you get the best quality PSU for your money and at that budget a more powerful PSU would eat into the budget a bit much.
Post edited December 14, 2013 by Zyzzyzus
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)Alienware X51(22 posts)(22 posts)
(22 posts)