Building a computer

[cashcow]

Thanks for all of the replies.

What would be a good quality laptop maker that is reliable and doesn't have batteries that catch on fire?

In general, I agree with the approach of buying a laptop with the specs you want/need upfront, and then using it but otherwise not messing with it. Other posters here who've mentioned the custom designs inherent in laptops are right: There are some general principles adopted by all the manufacturers but if different brands resemble each other under their skins it's probably more likely a consequence of using the same fab plant than any deliberate attempt to "standardise" things.

I've personally used both Dells and Toshiba laptops, with no complaints. For the type of specs I usually seek Dells were, until recently, quite a bit less expensive, but the gap is negligible now. I've had pretty good experiences with Dell after-sales support too, though Toshiba's might be as good if not better. You might also consider one of the new mini/netbook styles available, if screen size and resolution isn't critical to your use - they're dirt cheap! In fact, if I were in the market for a computer now, I'd probably get a netbook (there are many manufacturers doing these) for all my mobile/business use, and a desktop for more intensive stuff like gaming/image editing, etc. With these two purchases combined you'd probably spend the same or perhaps even less than a more "powerful" laptop alone.

For desktops, I always build my own. OEMs tend to put seals and other stuff which voids your warranty if you dare to peek inside (let alone upgrade any components). Since I don't care about anything more than individual components' warranties, I don't really want after-sales support for a desktop.

Ahem. In answer to your original question, you've no doubt seen the 'net littered with tutorials au-go-go. There are several on YouTube if you like to watch.

All the best!
CC

 

[CoffeeKing]

Thanks for all of the replies.

What would be a good quality laptop maker that is reliable and doesn't have batteries that catch on fire?

Cannot recommend NEC P9110, has all the bells and whistles but runs vista
and is starting to have problems ( CD wont play ) programs drop out,
and it seems the case nowadays that the OS is intergrated
so you don't get a disc anymore ( I didn't get one ) so I have no idea how to do a clean install again.
It's going back on Monday, still under warranty so they can fix the damn thing

On the other hand, Toshiba "Tecra A2" which has been going for 5 years now
hasn't missed a beat ( except for the LAN adapter ) only 1.4 mhz so it's a bit slower compared to todays laptops,
does me fine, runs everything I need and has XP pro OS

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

In general, I agree with the approach of buying a laptop with the specs you want/need upfront, and then using it but otherwise not messing with it. Other posters here who've mentioned the custom designs inherent in laptops are right: There are some general principles adopted by all the manufacturers but if different brands resemble each other under their skins it's probably more likely a consequence of using the same fab plant than any deliberate attempt to "standardise" things.

I've personally used both Dells and Toshiba laptops, with no complaints. For the type of specs I usually seek Dells were, until recently, quite a bit less expensive, but the gap is negligible now. I've had pretty good experiences with Dell after-sales support too, though Toshiba's might be as good if not better. You might also consider one of the new mini/netbook styles available, if screen size and resolution isn't critical to your use - they're dirt cheap! In fact, if I were in the market for a computer now, I'd probably get a netbook (there are many manufacturers doing these) for all my mobile/business use, and a desktop for more intensive stuff like gaming/image editing, etc. With these two purchases combined you'd probably spend the same or perhaps even less than a more "powerful" laptop alone.

For desktops, I always build my own. OEMs tend to put seals and other stuff which voids your warranty if you dare to peek inside (let alone upgrade any components). Since I don't care about anything more than individual components' warranties, I don't really want after-sales support for a desktop.

Ahem. In answer to your original question, you've no doubt seen the 'net littered with tutorials au-go-go. There are several on YouTube if you like to watch.

All the best!
CC

Thanks CC.

 

[nulla nulla]

In respect of laptops, I have had good experiences with IBM Thinkpads, originaly Thinkpad A21m, upgraded after 5 years to Thinkpad G41 and a recent purchase (18 months ago) Thinkpad R61. I choose the option packages carefully to avoid the need to change specifications later and I take the extended warranty. At such times there have been issues IBM have fixed them without any problems.

 

[happytown]

for those interested,

Upgrading and repairing PC's, 19th Ed, Scott Mueller (2010)
ISBN 9780789739542
1,177pp
includes instructional dvd

recommend it

Build the ultimate custom PC, A & K Kingsley-Hughes (2006)
ISBN 9780471760993
410pp

Build your own PC for dummies, Mark Chambers (2009)
ISBN 9780470196113
340pp

Building the perfect PC, BF & R Thompson, (2006)
ISBN 9780596526863
720pp

 

[OzWaveGuy]

You may also want to try looking at some of the online computer Auction sites. I've purchase all my PCs from DOLA in Canberra, strip them back, added/HDD/Video Cards/RAM/Sound Cards where needed.

You can pick them up at a very cheap price and they are tested before sold.

They also sell a wide range of notebook computers as well - again, they are tested. Some will have missing power supplies or dead batteries - which you will need replace at a cost$$

http://www.allbids.com.au/Category/?ID=1

There's probably a bunch of these online auction houses around Australia.

 

[young-gun]

Just wondering if anyone is confident enough to give me advice on my selection of parts to build my first computer from scratch? I've got a list if anyone has the time...

Cheers.

 

[waza1960]

post it up ..........I make my own computers and do so for other people

 

[young-gun]

post it up ..........I make my own computers and do so for other people

sweet, thanks waza!

Ill just put the whole code up, as I don't know how you distinguish parts, or what you need to know:

motherboard - asus s1155 micro atx p8h77 M Pro
Ram - DDR3 Corsair 1600 MHZ veng cl9 2x 4 gig
CPU - Intel S1155 i7 3770k 3.5 GHZ quad core
21.5"LG LCD LED monitor
Blu ray pioneer BDC 207 DBK 8xSATA dvd player
2TB Western digital 3.5" Sata 6GB cavier red hard drive
Case - thermaltake ATX V4 with 500w power supply.

The CPU has a built in graphics card I believe, and I'm not going to be going crazy on gaming.

What do ya think Waz? any feedback would be much appreciated...Given its my first time I'm not entirely sure it's all compatible, or that I have all bases covered.

Cheers.

 

[young-gun]

post it up ..........I make my own computers and do so for other people

PS I have tried to keep it to a budget of $900, and that's basically what dictated my selection of parts.

 

[IFocus]

PS I have tried to keep it to a budget of $900, and that's basically what dictated my selection of parts.

Did you try looking at http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/ I have built a couple now and had good results from looking through their stuff not sure if its been kept up to date

 

[So_Cynical]

The CPU has a built in graphics card I believe, and I'm not going to be going crazy on gaming.

What do ya think Waz? any feedback would be much appreciated...Given its my first time I'm not entirely sure it's all compatible, or that I have all bases covered.

Cheers.

A low end PCIx Graphics card for under $100 will free up system ram and CPU time...the video card will have its own processor and ram.

 

[Ferret]

Young-gun,

Have you considered getting a solid state harddrive (SSD)? They are all the rage following recent price drops.

You can get a quality Samsung 830 128GB SSD for less than $100. That’s big enough to load the operating system and all programs for most people, then use a conventional harddrive for all your data.

I'm about to put one in my 4 year old pc as an upgrade. They are meant to drastically reduce time for boot up and loading programs.

 

[waza1960]

motherboard - asus s1155 micro atx p8h77 M Pro
I personally prefer Gigtabyte boards (better quatlity IMO)
Ram - DDR3 Corsair 1600 MHZ veng cl9 2x 4 gig
RAM looks ok (Kingston is my preference though)
CPU - Intel S1155 i7 3770k 3.5 GHZ quad core
I usually go with AMD chips as they are generally better value for money
21.5"LG LCD LED monitor ok
Blu ray pioneer BDC 207 DBK 8xSATA dvd player
2TB Western digital 3.5" Sata 6GB cavier red hard drive
Think very seriously about getting a SSD drive (it makes a massive difference to speed)just a small one for the operating system as they are expensive and get the one above as well.
Case - thermaltake ATX V4 with 500w power supply.
Power supply maybe a little small but ok if your sure you won't add too much to your system 600w/650w would be better.
I get all my parts of umart or ebay ,austpcmarkets has a good website which helps you with compatability.

 

[waza1960]

A low end PCIx Graphics card for under $100 will free up system ram and CPU time...the video card will have its own processor and ram.

IMO in a budget system its not worth it onboard graphics are quite good.And RAM & CPU should be able to handle on board graphics easily + inefficient powerwise .

 

[captain black]

motherboard - asus s1155 micro atx p8h77 M Pro
Ram - DDR3 Corsair 1600 MHZ veng cl9 2x 4 gig
CPU - Intel S1155 i7 3770k 3.5 GHZ quad core
21.5"LG LCD LED monitor
Blu ray pioneer BDC 207 DBK 8xSATA dvd player
2TB Western digital 3.5" Sata 6GB cavier red hard drive
Case - thermaltake ATX V4 with 500w power supply.

If you're going to be using Windows then don't forget to factor in the cost of the OS, Windows 7 or 8.

 

[young-gun]

Young-gun,

Have you considered getting a solid state harddrive (SSD)? They are all the rage following recent price drops.

You can get a quality Samsung 830 128GB SSD for less than $100. That’s big enough to load the operating system and all programs for most people, then use a conventional harddrive for all your data.

I'm about to put one in my 4 year old pc as an upgrade. They are meant to drastically reduce time for boot up and loading programs.

Ferret, yes I was originally told that a SSD would be far superior, but given it is my first build my boss(the one who got me into doing it myself) thought it may not be necessary. Also given my budget, I thought it would blow out substantially getting an SSD. I didn't realise I could get a small cheapy to get the job done and have the Western digital for storage. How do you ensure that one does one thing and the other does the data?

A low end PCIx Graphics card for under $100 will free up system ram and CPU time...the video card will have its own processor and ram.

I looked into this but was told unless I was gaming that the one in the CPU should suffice, I'll look into it a bit more.

motherboard - asus s1155 micro atx p8h77 M Pro
I personally prefer Gigtabyte boards (better quatlity IMO)

I was actually tossing up between the two, would a gigabyte board of a similar price(around 140) be jsut as good if not better?

Ram - DDR3 Corsair 1600 MHZ veng cl9 2x 4 gig
RAM looks ok (Kingston is my preference though)

I was of the impression that ram is ram, didn't give it much thought.

CPU- Intel S1155 i7 3770k 3.5 GHZ quad core
I usually go with AMD chips as they are generally better value for money

I'll check them out, again my boss steered me in the direction of the i7 quad

21.5"LG LCD LED monitor ok

Monitors seem to all be similar, I think the above will be fine also.

Blu ray pioneer BDC 207 DBK 8xSATA dvd player

2TB Western digital 3.5" Sata 6GB cavier red hard drive
Think very seriously about getting a SSD drive (it makes a massive difference to speed)just a small one for the operating system as they are expensive and get the one above as well.

Do you agree with ferret, and believe a small samsung SSD would be ok? if it's under 100 it won't blow my budget too much...

Case - thermaltake ATX V4 with 500w power supply.
Power supply maybe a little small but ok if your sure you won't add too much to your system 600w/650w would be better.
I get all my parts of umart or ebay ,austpcmarkets has a good website which helps you with compatability.

I won't be adding much for now, maybe a graphics card down the track...power supplies seem quite expensive, but thought 500 will do for now, and it comes with the case.

IMO in a budget system its not worth it onboard graphics are quite good.And RAM & CPU should be able to handle on board graphics easily + inefficient powerwise .

Thanks for all the feedback! seems as though although on the right track I have a bit more research to do.

 

[young-gun]

If you're going to be using Windows then don't forget to factor in the cost of the OS, Windows 7 or 8.

I think it was only 40-50 from officeworks at the moment

 

[captain black]

I think it was only 40-50 from officeworks at the moment

I think that may be to upgrade from Windows 7. An OEM version is around $95-$100. (I'm a Linux user so someone more familiar with Windows might be able offer better advice )

 

[waza1960]

Do you agree with ferret, and believe a small samsung SSD would be ok? if it's under 100 it won't blow my budget too much...

YES and you should be able to save money if you go with a AMD chip

I was actually tossing up between the two, would a gigabyte board of a similar price(around 140) be jsut as good if not better?

Definitely IMO

.

How do you ensure that one does one thing and the other does the data?

There are a few ways the easiest for a newbie is to install the SSD first and install the operating System and then hook up the other one after that.
True RAM is RAM I just had a slight preference thats all.

If you're going to be using Windows then don't forget to factor in the cost of the OS, Windows 7 or 8.

There are cheaper alternatives