Custom build.

[Jahova]

Hello there. My current laptop has terrible spec and is very old. I have been wanting to upgrade for years now but I have never really wanted to because PCWorld and shops like that rip you off to be honest and also the online places that say they custom build PC's for you, also seem to charge alot.

But anyway, I have thought about custom building before and I have seen youtube videos on how to do it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPOsVb_5-S8) - This seems easy enough. I also have past (basic) knowledge, I once opened up two computers and took the graphics card out of one and put it into the other and I also know which part is which inside of the PC.

The problem is, I would be well, afraid of custom building a PC. I'm unsure of all the connector wires and putting the things in the right place. So anyway, let me continue..

I have seen another thread, thanks to Mentor (http://www.habboxforum.com/showthread.php?t=580527) and I looked at the parts and thought I could make some adjustments to that, to make it 'futureproof' or top spec, if you know what I'm saying.

So anyway, thanks to Mentor for already suggesting most of the components for a custom build, I would like to ask if these following components are all suitable to build a custom PC. Also, if you could please notify me of any missing parts then that would be great, also the OS would be Windows XP 64bit, until Windows 7 is released.

--------------------------------------------------

Case ## $20.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150289

Processor ## £200.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164047

Processor cooler ## £7.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126790

Motherboard ## £46.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/160927

DVD-RW ## £16.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126226

PSU (120mm) ## £37.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150596

Hard drive ## £34.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161104

Card reader ## £10.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/136392

GPU (Graphics Card) ## £40.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161559

Case fan (220mm) ## £9.00 ##
http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/Akasa-220mm-AK-F2230SM-CB-Crystal-frame-&-rotor-5-Blue-LED-Fan_6320.html

Case fan (120mm) ## £7.00 ##
http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/Akasa-120mm-Crystal-Blue-frame-&-rotor-w-4-Blue-LED-Fan_1786.html

Memory (RAM x2) ## £75.00 ##
http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/Kingston-HyperX-4GB-2x2048MB-PC2-8500-1066MHz-CAS5-DDR2-Dual-Channel-Kit_8725.html

## TOTAL £501 (without P+P) ##

Monitor (20" Samsung, Same as TV) ## £120.01 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158373

Can't afford monitor at the moment, but suggestions would also be nice. Thanks for looking, all constructive comments receive a +REP.

[N!ck]

Is your budget £500 for the base unit? Do you need a card reader? Do you need it to include things like a mouse and keyboard?

What will the computer be used for? Gaming or just general media, internet and work use?

[Jahova]

Card reader would be nice for my phone and stuff like that. £501 is my current bank status, maybe £20 more as I babysat last night.

It's for general use, no hardcore gaming but maybe the odd FPS such as COD4. Mouse and keyboard may not be needed but if they are, I can purchase somthing cheap from somewhere else.

I think so far it looks good, as long as it's compatible with each thing. The hard part will be setting it up, to be honest.

Edit: Also, I was hoping to OC the processor by 20% or whatever, I heard the black edition ships with a program to easily overclock your processor. Are the two fans enough?

[N!ck]

A decent all-round system capable of the occasional game.

http://uploadpicz.com/images/MJ4VYC9.png

I'm partial to a larger hard drive though.

[Jahova]

Looks good, but sorry to be a pain but if you could take a look at my system and tell me if I would HAVE to change anything, or is it all compatible and all there?

Edit: Also, would you think I would need some thermal paste, or should it come with the heatsink / fan?
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/165340

[N!ck]

No, your system is fine. If you want the occasional game then i'd up the graphics card a little and if you do want to overclock get a better motherboard.

Take a look at the one I posted, I think it suits your needs more. The cooler will come with a thermal compound, but if you want some better stuff get some arctic silver.

[Technologic]

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

They build it for you, they are cheap, they're good.

[Jahova]

Hey nick. Sorry if it seems if I am ignoring your advice. To be honest I'd rather the system I posted because I just want to do my own thing.

About the motherboard, could you maybe recommend me an AMD motherboard that would be more suitable for processor overclocking. Regards.

Edit: This look any better? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152752

[Mentor]

I have about a much experience with building totally from scratch as you, but i noticed you upped the processor to one that uses socket AM3. It may be fine as the motherboards mention supporting socket AM2+ (so maybe am3 as well) but you may wana check that out.

Otherwise you'll probably want an socket AM3 Motherboard
http://www.ebuyer.com/cat/Motherboards-AMD/subcat/Socket-AM3-AMD
(if you don't need too though i wouldn't as they all seem to be painfully expensive)

+ you can upgrade your hdd to a 500gb http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164274 for about £3 extra which is good value going by the gig :)

Also, make sure you included an Operating system in your estimates, as you'll want something along the lines of vista 64 to make use of all that ram. If your at uni/some colleges, check to see if they are registered with the MSDNAA scheme as you can get operating systems off that for free.

Other than that, your temping me to add some of this stuff to my planned spec :p Also great find on the 22" fan, i'll definatly be adding that to my build :)

[N!ck]

AM3 CPUs are generally compatible with AM2+ sockets so that shouldn't be an issue.

That motherboard would probably better, but I don't know much AMD motherboards and chipsets. You may as well take advantage of getting an ATX motherboard as your case supports it and ATX boards are longer than m-ATX so have more expansion sockets.

[Jahova]

LAG DOUBLE POST SORRY.

[Jahova]

I have about a much experience with building totally from scratch as you, but i noticed you upped the processor to one that uses socket AM3. It may be fine as the motherboards mention supporting socket AM2+ (so maybe am3 as well) but you may wana check that out.

Otherwise you'll probably want an socket AM3 Motherboard
http://www.ebuyer.com/cat/Motherboards-AMD/subcat/Socket-AM3-AMD
(if you don't need too though i wouldn't as they all seem to be painfully expensive)

+ you can upgrade your hdd to a 500gb http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164274 for about £3 extra which is good value going by the gig :)

Also, make sure you included an Operating system in your estimates, as you'll want something along the lines of vista 64 to make use of all that ram. If your at uni/some colleges, check to see if they are registered with the MSDNAA scheme as you can get operating systems off that for free.

Other than that, your temping me to add some of this stuff to my planned spec :p Also great find on the 22" fan, i'll definatly be adding that to my build :)

Thanks for the find, I added that instead of the seagate one.


AM3 CPUs are generally compatible with AM2+ sockets so that shouldn't be an issue.

That motherboard would probably better, but I don't know much AMD motherboards and chipsets. You may as well take advantage of getting an ATX motherboard as your case supports it and ATX boards are longer than m-ATX so have more expansion sockets.
I won't need the expansion sockets, I'm a newbie at computers, tbh.

Edit: Also, what would I need for wireless networking, like you know, connecting to my wireless internet connection.

[Jahova]

Sorry for the triple post but this information is necassary.
Hey, I have now finalized my specs. I have been told I need a wireless PCI card to get wireless working, which shouldn't be a problem. So anyway, here are the final specs and costs;
http://uploadpicz.com/images/ET5IZYD.png

Any final suggestions?

[Zokoli]

I'm thinking of building my own build as well Tom, possibly XP?
I have used some of your items and swapped them around.
I'll ask my dad when I see him next saturday about the Case Fans - Unless you can help me out?
It's my birthday next month, don't expect much money - looking about 100 quid, and I'm also getting a job - 2 nights a week - So I guess I'll have to save up?

Please look at this for me? :eusa_whis

##Cases#

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130304 - 15.99
OR
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150289 - 19.99

##PSU [Power Supply Unit]##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/155819 - 17.99

##Processor & Processor Cooler##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164197 - 34.50
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126790 - 6.27

##Motherboard##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148094 - 39.99

##DVD-RW##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126226 - 15.29

##Hardrive##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161104 - 33.58

##RAM##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/64182 x2 - 12.51

#############
Total - 192.63

P.S - I added the 19.99 case, not the first one. :eusa_clap

[Jahova]

I'm not really the expert but it seems to be a faily basic and low-spec machine. If you take a look at my updated build, I built it to last, if you see what I mean, with pretty decent spec components.

2GB RAM is decent but why not up it to 4GB?
Also, the processor is quite outdated, maybe try an intel dual core or even quad core. Pentium is classed as the much lower end of the market.

[Zokoli]

Yeah I was going for the lowest/cheapest but also not crappest I could get.
let me have a look.:]

[benno123]

I'm thinking of building my own build as well Tom, possibly XP?
I have used some of your items and swapped them around.
I'll ask my dad when I see him next saturday about the Case Fans - Unless you can help me out?
It's my birthday next month, don't expect much money - looking about 100 quid, and I'm also getting a job - 2 nights a week - So I guess I'll have to save up?

Please look at this for me? :eusa_whis

##Cases#

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130304 - 15.99
OR
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150289 - 19.99

##PSU [Power Supply Unit]##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/155819 - 17.99

##Processor & Processor Cooler##
http://www.ebuyer.c (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164197)
om/product/164197 (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164197) - 34.50
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126790 - 6.27

##Motherboard##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148094 - 39.99

##DVD-RW##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126226 - 15.29

##Hardrive##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161104 - 33.58

##RAM##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/64182 x2 - 12.51

#############
Total - 192.63

P.S - I added the 19.99 case, not the first one. :eusa_clap
That's all incompatible. The cpu is socket 478 while the motherboard is a socket 775mb. Won't work. And Pentium 4's are so old! lol

@ tomspit, it looks good, but the graphics card is fairly low end. I'd consider upgrading to something a bit better. And also, why are you getting a 6 pound (sorry, i'm australian and don't have the pound button) fan/ heatsink with the cpu? That's a real waste of money because it won't be any better than the stock heatsink that comes with it. I'd also steer clear of a green drive because it's probably only 5400rpm. Try looking for a 7200rpm one. Maybe western digital blue or black? And I'd suggest getting a proper am3 motherboard too.

[Recursion]

I'm thinking of building my own build as well Tom, possibly XP?
I have used some of your items and swapped them around.
I'll ask my dad when I see him next saturday about the Case Fans - Unless you can help me out?
It's my birthday next month, don't expect much money - looking about 100 quid, and I'm also getting a job - 2 nights a week - So I guess I'll have to save up?

Please look at this for me? :eusa_whis

##Cases#

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130304 - 15.99
OR
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150289 - 19.99

##PSU [Power Supply Unit]##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/155819 - 17.99

##Processor & Processor Cooler##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164197 - 34.50
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126790 - 6.27

##Motherboard##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148094 - 39.99

##DVD-RW##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126226 - 15.29

##Hardrive##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161104 - 33.58

##RAM##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/64182 x2 - 12.51

#############
Total - 192.63

P.S - I added the 19.99 case, not the first one. :eusa_clap


That's all incompatible. The cpu is socket 478 while the motherboard is a socket 775mb. Won't work. And Pentium 4's are so old! lol

He speaks the truth ^^

That build wouldn't work even if you did want to go with it, its all totally incompatible LOL

[Jahova]

Graphics card is low-end because I do no gaming. As long as it's HDMI then that's all I want, really. Also, I swapped the HDD for this; http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159390. A few pounds more but higher speed should be worth it.

Finally, do I need to buy the HDD's cables or will they come with it? That's all I want to know before I am finally ready.

[Recursion]

HDD cables, like the SATA ones will come with the motherboard, power will come with the PSU.

[N!ck]

Graphics card is low-end because I do no gaming. As long as it's HDMI then that's all I want, really. Also, I swapped the HDD for this; http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159390. A few pounds more but higher speed should be worth it.

Finally, do I need to buy the HDD's cables or will they come with it? That's all I want to know before I am finally ready.

The Samsung was probably a better drive.

Motherboard comes with loads of cables.

[Jahova]

The Samsung was probably a better drive.

Motherboard comes with loads of cables.
Ok Thanks. I added this one instead because it's got a faster RPM and also, there's nothing wrong with the make, is there?

[redtom]

I haven't read the whole thread so not really sure if this has been posted but why 8gb of ram if you’re not a hard core gamer? 4gb is more than enough plus if you get 4gb you have £40 quid extra towards a monitor.

[Jahova]

No, I'm buying 4GB RAM. I was just saying that I had room for 2 more 2GB sticks, so I could easily upgrade in the future.

[Jahova]

Sorry for the double post, but this is needed information!
I've seen mixed reviews for the motherboard someone else recommended to me so I need some more suggestions. I'd like it to be HDMI and to support AMD X4 processors.

Anyway, here is the MOBO I currently have on my list;
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152752

And here is another I have found, this one is an ATX but it has less storage ports apparently;
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145753

Thanks for the read.

[N!ck]

I'd go with the second one.

[Jahova]

Ok, thanks Nick!
Edit: About the CPU cooler, can someone else recommend me another if it isn't that good. I want to be able to overclock my CPU by quite a bit.

Any suggestions?

[Recursion]

Ok, thanks Nick!
Edit: About the CPU cooler, can someone else recommend me another if it isn't that good. I want to be able to overclock my CPU by quite a bit.

Any suggestions?

If it will support whatever socket the CPU you've chosen, then I would say the OCZ Vendetta 2 (supports most sockets), http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Fans,+Heatsinks,+Coolers/CPU+Coolers/OCZ+Vendetta+2+CPU+Fan+(Socket+754,+939,+940,+AM2, +LGA775)+?productId=31337

I managed to get my Q6600 from 2.4 to 3.6 :]

[Jahova]

Sounds good, I think it will fit as my MOBO is AM2+.

[Mentor]

I'd go with the second one.

Out of interest, whats your reasoning for selecting the second one? They both seem about the same price, and have a similar amount of connectors exposed? The second swaps one of the satas to an esata but other than that they seem pretty similar except for size?

[N!ck]

Out of interest, whats your reasoning for selecting the second one? They both seem about the same price, and have a similar amount of connectors exposed? The second swaps one of the satas to an esata but other than that they seem pretty similar except for size?

It has more PCI/PCI-E ports which is useful for me considering i've used them all on my m-ATX motherboard. I don't use external drives, only internal so an e-sata is not really any use to me. On the odd occasion that I do use them USB is adequate and I wouldn't have probably bought a more expensive e-sata version anyway. Most sata ports can be used as e-sata anyway.

The m-ATX board has a more cramped layout, while this doesn't really make a difference it's just nice to have room.

[Mentor]

It has more PCI/PCI-E ports which is useful for me considering i've used them all on my m-ATX motherboard. I don't use external drives, only internal so an e-sata is not really any use to me. On the odd occasion that I do use them USB is adequate and I wouldn't have probably bought a more expensive e-sata version anyway. Most sata ports can be used as e-sata anyway.

The m-ATX board has a more cramped layout, while this doesn't really make a difference it's just nice to have room.
AH, ok that makes more sense, i loaded links in wrong order so though you were advising the smaller board over the ATX (which i was planning to build my next system using :P)
Thought there was something wrong with the mobo i hadn't noticed :p

[Jahova]

I think I have now worked out everything. I will be buying the components from three different suppliers, Amazon, eBuyer and Overclockers. Any other suggestions, feel free to post and comment. Regards
##########################################
Case ## £20.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150289

Processor ## £200.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164047

Motherboard ## £52.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145753

DVD-RW ## £16.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151999

PSU (600W) ## £63.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/115010

Hard drive (500GB) ## £40.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164274

GPU (Graphics Card) ## £40.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161559

##########################################
### Total of eBuyer: £436.00 (INC P+P) ###
##########################################

[!] UPGRADED COOLER TO OVERCLOCK PROCESSOR
Processor cooler ## £24.00 ##
http://www.amazon.co.uk/K%C3%BChler-CPU-OCZ-Vendetta-Sockel/dp/B00168ZE7E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1243177153&sr=8-1

########################################
########################################
########################################

Case fan (220mm) ## £9.00 ##
http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/Akasa-220mm-AK-F2230SM-CB-Crystal-frame-&-rotor-5-Blue-LED-Fan_6320.html

Case fan (120mm) ## £7.00 ##
http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/Akasa-120mm-Crystal-Blue-frame-&-rotor-w-4-Blue-LED-Fan_1786.html

Memory (RAM) ## £43.00 ##
http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/Kingston-HyperX-4GB-2x2048MB-PC2-8500-1066MHz-CAS5-DDR2-Dual-Channel-Kit_8725.html

##########################################
## Total of Overclock £67.04 (INC P+P) ###
##########################################

#[!]# GRAND TOTAL: >£520

[Recursion]

I don't know much about AMD CPUs but the CPU is AM3 and the Mobo AM2+, im not sure if that means AM2+ is compatible with AM2 onwards or if its an actual socket type LOL.

[Mentor]

I think I have now worked out everything. I will be buying the components from three different suppliers, Amazon, eBuyer and Overclockers. Any other suggestions, feel free to post and comment. Regards
##########################################
Case ## £20.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150289

Processor ## £200.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164047

Motherboard ## £52.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145753

DVD-RW ## £16.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/151999

PSU (600W) ## £63.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/115010

Hard drive (500GB) ## £40.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164274

GPU (Graphics Card) ## £40.00 ##
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161559

##########################################
### Total of eBuyer: £436.00 (INC P+P) ###
##########################################

[!] UPGRADED COOLER TO OVERCLOCK PROCESSOR
Processor cooler ## £24.00 ##
http://www.amazon.co.uk/K%C3%BChler-CPU-OCZ-Vendetta-Sockel/dp/B00168ZE7E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1243177153&sr=8-1

########################################
########################################
########################################

Case fan (220mm) ## £9.00 ##
http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/Akasa-220mm-AK-F2230SM-CB-Crystal-frame-&-rotor-5-Blue-LED-Fan_6320.html

Case fan (120mm) ## £7.00 ##
http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/Akasa-120mm-Crystal-Blue-frame-&-rotor-w-4-Blue-LED-Fan_1786.html

Memory (RAM) ## £43.00 ##
http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/Kingston-HyperX-4GB-2x2048MB-PC2-8500-1066MHz-CAS5-DDR2-Dual-Channel-Kit_8725.html

##########################################
## Total of Overclock £67.04 (INC P+P) ###
##########################################

#[!]# GRAND TOTAL: >£520

Looking good. You even came up with the same psu i was considering upgrading to early:p Also the 1066mhz ram is a good find as its about the same price as the 800mhz ones :p

Only thing to comment is you may wana consider upgrading the gfx card to ' HD4670 PCS edition', there £60 so £20 more than the other card, but scores almost twice as high in benchmarks.

Other than that, im pretty tempted just to steal your build spec's :p

[Jahova]

An extra £20 is another £20 to save up. I'm already £20 over my budget and I need a monitor - I'll have to use my 32" TV for a while, I guess.

[benno123]

I would still seriously consider the am3 motherboard.
And I'd also be looking at a hdd like this one
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124228

Also a pioneer dvd drive. Much better and quieter than the lg one
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/149321

And unless you're doing some pretty heavy overclocking, the 1066mhz ram probably isn't necessary, but you can keep it if you really want it. And I know you've said that you don't want to do any gaming but I can't get over what a low end card you've put in it! Especially since most overclocking is done for gaming.
Oh and btw the phenom II black edition cpu's do come with overclocking software, but i'd strongly reccommend doing it through the bios and not in windows at all.

[N!ck]

I would still seriously consider the am3 motherboard.
And I'd also be looking at a hdd like this one
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124228

Also a pioneer dvd drive. Much better and quieter than the lg one
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/149321

And unless you're doing some pretty heavy overclocking, the 1066mhz ram probably isn't necessary, but you can keep it if you really want it.

And I know you've said that you don't want to do any gaming but I can't get over what a low end card you've put in it! Especially since most overclocking is done for gaming.

How can you recommend a Western Digital HDD of a Samsung :S. The LG drive is fine, I have one and it's quiet and never mucked up.

[benno123]

How can you recommend a Western Digital HDD of a Samsung :S. The LG drive is fine, I have one and it's quiet and never mucked up.
The Samsung one is slower than the WD one. It may not use as much power but it's sacrificing speed.

[Recursion]

The Samsung one is slower than the WD one. It may not use as much power but it's sacrificing speed.

To be honest, will he even notice the difference?

[N!ck]

The Samsung one is slower than the WD one. It may not use as much power but it's sacrificing speed.

It actually performs very similarly, which is amazing as it only uses a 5400rpm spindle speed. http://www.harddrivebenchmark.net/high_end_drives.html the samsung gets 547 and a WD5000AAKS2 (possible a revised model of the WD5000AAKS you posted?) gets 559.

[Jahova]

It's fine, nothing needs to be changed now. I may think about that graphics card, that's all.