Puff Cigar Discussion Forums

Sigarz · 08-11-2009, 11:53 PM

Last summer I decided it would be more fun to build my own instead of buying one. without getting into the specs I found it wasnt as difficult as I once thought it would be. and as it now over a year old it is still fast and more powerful than most that I can buy premade today. plus I definitely wasn't going to put up with vista.

K Baz · 08-12-2009, 12:32 AM

| tried but it turns out I am handy with tape, knife and pen no so good with electronics and such

piperdown · 08-12-2009, 12:36 AM

Yep, used to build them for a previous employer since our tech budget was lousy. Saved so much money that while other departments had to wait 5 years between purchases we got new (kick a$$) computers every two years.
I figure between the office and home I must have put together at least 25 computers over about 6 years.

You're right. Building your own isn't that bad and you get exactly what you want. Usually a lot more powerful then top end stuff too!

blueeyedbum · 08-12-2009, 01:18 PM

I did one awhile ago when P4 technology was new. I put together a real nice destop for a lot less than a packaged unit would cost. Its too slow to run Vista but still runs nicely with XP and is very fast running Ubuntu. Probably the last destop I will own. i moved on to a newer Thinkpad, but I still use the desktop in my home office. The knowlecge I gained doing the build and Installing software and driver has been beneficial in the long term.

Sigarz · 08-12-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueeyedbum

I did one awhile ago when P4 technology was new. I put together a real nice destop for a lot less than a packaged unit would cost. Its too slow to run Vista but still runs nicely with XP and is very fast running Ubuntu. Probably the last destop I will own. i moved on to a newer Thinkpad, but I still use the desktop in my home office. The knowlecge I gained doing the build and Installing software and driver has been beneficial in the long term.

I agree I learned so much doing the build, probably quadrupled my pc knowledge, easily.

I have 2 HDDs installed one for XP the other for UBuntu. just started learning linux last year but its SOOOOO awesome!

Hot Stuff x · 08-13-2009, 01:08 AM

I always build my own, been doing it since the late 90's. I am my own tech support. :-D

Bigtotoro · 08-19-2009, 05:17 PM

Ditto. Built mine about a year ago. Cannibalized the power supply (which I have since replaced) and the memory from the old one. Its another one of those things that is due to be demystified for the general public. There is really not a whole lot to the assembly (although aligning and attaching the cpu is a bit nerve wracking). And you have to pay attention that the cpu/motherboard/memory will match up size wise. Other than that, its just attach and screw down. Most of the connectors will only fit one way, with the exception of your front panel connectors, but those are color coded in the install manual. And you get to save a bunch of money! Also, if you are a dork, like myself, this is fun to you.

Hot Stuff x · 08-19-2009, 10:52 PM

I will add this...if you want the cheapest computer you can get, you're better off buying a pre-built. No way you can compete with a giant computer company like Dell or HP on cost. However, if you want a mid-to-high end computer, you can do much better on cost/performance building your own.

Stench · 08-19-2009, 11:45 PM

Not being a tech person, I've been afraid to delve into this, but I recently upgraded my dual SLI video cards and hard drive on my Dell XPS myself. I'd like to build my own, just for the experience.

With the gaining popularity of laptops, do you think that building custom desktops will fall off?

I prefer my desktop, but we have a netbook that is really nice to use on the front porch while enjoying a cigar!

Memitim · 08-20-2009, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stench

Not being a tech person, I've been afraid to delve into this, but I recently upgraded my dual SLI video cards and hard drive on my Dell XPS myself. I'd like to build my own, just for the experience.

No need to be afraid of building your own. Even back in '96 when I built my first using parts that I scrounged off of the burgeoning eBay (the URL was actually a subdirectory on some other server at that time

) and from Best Buy, it wasn't that bad, although I did make a couple of mistakes. A combination sound card and modem for $20 sounds like a great deal until you find out that the modem disconnects whenever a sound plays. And don't get me started on the Matrox Impression that was supposed to be a Millenium and could only go up to 800x600 without crashing the computer...

These days, you can grab a barebones system that will guarantee that you have all compatible parts sent to you. That way you can get the experience of putting together your own rig without worrying about bum parts. Hell, if you've already swapped out video cards and hard drives, the only thing left is getting those tiny damned case panel wires connected to the motherboard correctly.

Just be careful; you start mucking around with building your own system and fixing your own problems and next thing you know you find yourself stuck in an IT career because it's all you know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stench

With the gaining popularity of laptops, do you think that building custom desktops will fall off?

Hell no! While I am looking to get a laptop soon, as sitting out back for an hour enjoying a cigar would go SO much better if I had my computer with me (and maybe get my web herf on

), my main will likely always be a desktop. I'm a gamer and a systems engineer so I need every bit of juice that I can have for my dollar. I don't foresee ever being able to get the same value out of a laptop for the coin as with a desktop, whether it be in raw horsepower of the CPU and video, capacity of RAM and storage, or usability in terms of the hands-on interface and peripherals such as display.

I do think that laptops will continue to become more popular since the vast majority of people with a computer shouldn't even have one, since all they really need is an Internet/multimedia appliance, but there will always be a whole lot of us who actually need a lot more than that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stench

I prefer my desktop, but we have a netbook that is really nice to use on the front porch while enjoying a cigar!

Amen to that! Now if only Central Florida weather didn't suck 24 hours a day for nine months out of the year....

stu929 · 08-20-2009, 01:25 AM

I used to build one from scratch every 18-24 month. Used to love playing PC games! That or I had to help out a family member.

The only real draw to a prebuilt system is the software package that it comes with but it you do your homework and shop around you can get a good deal on them as well. The biggest problem that I had when I built them myself was controlling the cost. I could find great deals but because I found such great deals I always had a tendency to want to upgrade to evern better equipment and before you know it costs are getting higher and higher.

Oh yeah and vista sucks by the way!

Steve

Hot Stuff x · 08-20-2009, 02:17 AM

I think I'm the only person around that likes Vista.

I'm running 64-bit Vista Ultimate with 8 GB of RAM. It's rock-solid.

veteranvmb · 08-20-2009, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot Stuff x

I think I'm the only person around that likes Vista.

I'm running 64-bit Vista Ultimate with 8 GB of RAM. It's rock-solid.

Ive still got some business people requesting windows 98 second edition. that was one of microsofts winners. I personally prefer xp pro, but one of my children who is heavy into gameing has been won over by the 64 bit vista, once he worked out compatibility kinks. He likes to design his own drivers, and at first his designs were unstable with vista, but vista had some updates and so did he to his software, now its incredible what his computer can do visually and sound wise.

Much regards Jerry