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Geek Culture / buying a custom computer

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evil stuff
21
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Posted: 4th May 2005 10:33
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I want to make a custom computer with a dual boot of windows and linux. so far, the only site I could find that makes custom computers and might do the dual boot is www.pugetsystems.com . is that place real? any sugestions of sites would be nice

may the code be with you
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Richard Davey
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Posted: 4th May 2005 10:43
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Why not just build it yourself and then install Linux and Windows? Unless it was some monster water cooled system (or a laptop!) I'd not buy a PC again, will always build them from scratch - you get exactly what you want inside it then and it's cheaper.

Two Worlds and in Between
Hot Metal and Methedrine
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evil stuff
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Posted: 4th May 2005 10:51
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well, i'm going into 8th grade, so no credit card, and also I don't have as much free time as I would like to have. But, if i get one from puget, I could mod it more like get fans from thinkgeek. but building one my self my dad said could be a hobbie I could start on

may the code be with you
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Neofish
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Posted: 4th May 2005 10:53
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I have a similar problem, I don't have much time (till end of GCSEs) or money, so computers build really slowly..however I plan to earn a lot over the holidays and get the project a lot further (I'm also saving up for another laptop, second hand )

"OC192...that's like the speed of light"
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Richard Davey
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Posted: 4th May 2005 11:02
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Quote: "so no credit card"


Then how would you buy the system from Puget?

Seriously though, think about building your own - it doesn't take long, you can nearly always buy all the parts locally without having to order over the 'net and it's actually dead easy to do. Once you build your first PC you'll suddenly think "wtf? I used to PAY people to do that?!!" and you can still throw in those thinkgeek fans if you want

Two Worlds and in Between
Hot Metal and Methedrine
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evil stuff
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Posted: 4th May 2005 11:03
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yah, I'm using a t21 ibm thinkpad, running linux from external hd. actually the cobination for what I wanted on puget was only $1800.
(dad bought my sister a hunk of crap (aka dell) for 2200)

may the code be with you
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Sephnroth
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Posted: 4th May 2005 11:04
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build it yourself and get it for <= 1000 ^^

[07:16:59-pm] « Sephnroth » you were dreaming about lee...
[07:17:13-pm] « Mouse » stfu
[07:17:22-pm] « Mouse » he was hanging himself lol
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evil stuff
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Posted: 4th May 2005 11:06
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sorry eat'n ice cream, the only thing I would say is holding me back from building my oun is connecting everything right to the mother board and attaching the fans to the power supply. any guids?

may the code be with you
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kkzgreen
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Posted: 4th May 2005 11:28
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It's easy. You'll figure it out very quickly. Open the PC you've got now and see what it looks like on the inside. Then, when you reboot, notice the screen when it's displaying your drives and you'll figure out all the primary/secondary master/slave stuff.

Good luck. (BTW I'm in 9th grade)
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hyrichter
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Posted: 4th May 2005 12:15
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The time issue you talk about with building a custom computer is nonsense. I can put an entire system together in about 20-30 mins, and have WinXP installed within an hour from the time I first open the boxes. Nowadays, it's pretty hard to screw up too bad putting your computer together. You can only plug the motherboard power in one way, the memory only goes in one way, most of your plugs are color-coded, etc. It's way too easy.

I've never bought a pre-built computer and don't ever plan on doing so. Just seeing other people's prebuilt computers was enough to scare me clean away from it.


Do not click the red button
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evil stuff
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Posted: 4th May 2005 12:25
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yah, I saw this one site that made it really simple, however, the software is the problem because if something bad happens during the linux install, well, I'm screwed . But, if it's new, fast, and has a fast hd, it should work fine

may the code be with you
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Sephnroth
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Posted: 4th May 2005 12:33
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That was a bit naive hyrichter - I wouldnt expect him to put together a system in 20 minutes even if we can. You have to remember a motherboard is actually a complex peice of circuitry - we are just used to looking at it.
If someone isnt used to that it can be a pretty daunting thing with all its sockets, jumpers and chips. I have been building computers for years and I still tend to end up looking at the mother board manual to remind myself where the hell I plug in those hdd and power lights :p

Evil Stuff:

When you're building a computer for the first time it can be quite an event. Its ok if it takes you a few hours to do. Research your parts so you know what is the -best- for YOU to get before you buy. Search google for reviews on peices. A simple search for motherboard review will return alot of results, and as you get a general idea of whats around you can refine your search you reviews on specific models.

NEVER trust just one review, always look up 2 or 3 to get the big picture. When you have your peices all with you in your house, your first destination is the motherboard manual. It will (should!) contain a diagram of the motherboard, lable bits and tell you what goes where. From this you can begin to build your machine. I advise asking your dad to sit down with you and do it with you - my first machine I sat down years ago with my dad and we built it together (he didnt know a thing about building computers at the time either ) and its a good way to do your first one, certainly no shame in it.

Plenty of tutorials can be found online too, google is your friend.

In the end, building your own machine is always a profitable idea. Its cheaper than a packaged pc and generally more powerful. You also get the kinda thrill/whatever of being able to hand pick your own parts and then telling everyone this is a machine you built I know some people who buy packaged pc's purposfully though, willing to pay for the conviance of having it ready to go when it arrives because they just arnt interested in building computers.

Thats fair enough. But my machine is better than theirs and cost half the amount

[07:16:59-pm] « Sephnroth » you were dreaming about lee...
[07:17:13-pm] « Mouse » stfu
[07:17:22-pm] « Mouse » he was hanging himself lol
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hyrichter
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Posted: 4th May 2005 13:06
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I certainly wouldn't expect it to only take him 20 mins either being his first computer, but it shouldn't take very long anyway. Computers are a lot easier to put together now than about 8 or 9 years ago. Back then you could plug your CPU into the socket any way, plus you had two power-cords to the MB, which if you plugged in backwards would fry your board.

If you're from the US, I'd suggest looking on newegg for parts. Their site has about the best prices and you can read customer reviews on their products.

One note about motherboards and serial ATA. If you buy a SATA hard-drive and motherboard, you may find that when you go to install Windows it doesn't show that you have a hard-drive. What you may have to do is go to another computer and build a floppy disk from the motherboard driver CD that has the drivers for your SATA hard-drive. Some motherboards it may work to start with, but that's what I had to do with mine.

And also, you'll have just as good or better warranty if you buy all the parts. Most motherboards and CPUs have a least a one year warranty (some are 3 years) Oh, and make sure you get an Athlon processer. You get a lot more processor for the money than with Intel.

Quote: "I have been building computers for years and I still tend to end up looking at the mother board manual to remind myself where the hell I plug in those hdd and power lights"

Yep, same here, though most of the good boards will have them labelled. Also with the good boards you almost never have to move any jumpers; you can do it all from the BIOS menu.


Do not click the red button
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BadMonkey91
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Posted: 4th May 2005 13:34
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I'd say build your own. It's cheaper, can be a nice learning tool, and your system will be better for the money. For the dual OS try a program called partition magic http://www.soft32.com/download_151.html <--free trial.

but seriously, putting a computer together requires knowledge, so get someone's help from around there. You can simply touch a part and ruin it, if you dont wanna waste money, learn to do it first.

Tips for the N00b builder;


-wear anti-static wrist bands connected to the compy's chassis at all times
-touch something metal before handling parts
-most pc parts run on 5VDC, and a stupid static shock (ESD, electro static discharge) can easily be 3000V, so dont **** around
-Set parts on non-static surfaces
-Dont use magnetized tools, them bizatches can frock shat up
-Dont work on the PC while it's on or plugged in (if you were thinkin' bout it stop before you hurt yourself)
-Never open a moniter. That will kill you dead!
-If you have long hair, beware, it conducts electricity.
-Make sure installed parts are firmly inserted, slight offsets or crooked-ness can cause shorts and fry that mo

Edited 1million times for your satisfaction!
Badmonkey91@hotmail.com
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evil stuff
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Posted: 4th May 2005 13:39
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Thanks hyrichter and Sephnroth for the good ideas, right now i'm waiting for my dad to choose between my building it or the company build it. either way it will be great. One of the reasons I'm being carefull is that I want to get a ASUS P5GD2 Premium Mainboard
(Wireless Edition)
If any one is going to add anything, I will be gone tomorrow and will be back 5pm (east coast time usa) so I'll read it then.

may the code be with you
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evil stuff
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Posted: 4th May 2005 13:46
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*guy working on computer with no static protection and for some reason gas tank gets involved* ZAAP! "Son of a **" **EXPLOSION**

may the code be with you
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