PC Advice Needed
I'm not experienced at all when it comes to building a computer, but I know several people who are, so that's not the issue. The same people say that it is better to buy a pre-built PC than design my own due to 1) Warranties and 2) Part Compatibility.
So, I'm wondering whether or not this is true. I trust their experience with building computers, but I'm not quite sure that they're right in thinking that problems 1&2 mentioned above are so bad nowadays. |
The real question is, are you willing to get your hands dirty and follow instructions? It's not hard to put together your own PC these days, but you really need to follow a good guide the first time you do so. A lot of first-time builders do things like forget to put risers in the case (they raise the motherboard from against the back of the case, so it doesn't short out), or forget to put thermal paste between the processor and the heatsink (which causes your processor to overheat and possibly break).
For the most part though, building a modern computer is just plugging things into a slot. The slot will either be obvious, or there will be multiple of the same slot type, so you don't have to worry much about stuffing something in the wrong spot.
And of course, if you ever have any questions about building your own, you've already found a good place to ask for help.

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The biggest pro of pre-built PCs isn't "part compatibility" (which, frankly, you can ensure by doing a few minutes of research - CPU "a" fits in socket "b" and the MB uses RAM type/speed "c" - all of which tends to be listed in the specs anyway,) but having a single source for tech support and warranty part replacement. Even cost isn't necessarily a given.
Are you comfortable being your own support?
Think you can put your own together? (Not that hard - and there are sites, well, everywhere to walk you through it. General rule 1, if the part doesn't fit, turn it around. If it still doesn't, it doesn't go there.)
Besides, if you want good places to start - find any post by FatherXmas and go through his two builds in his signature. Parts lists handed right to you. I'm sure you can get others, too (still have the parts list from my current build as a newegg public wish list, f'rinstance.)
Hi folks!
I'm using a pretty old PC right now. It's held up extremely well over the years, but for the new games coming out (Dragon Age, ME 1&2, Fallout 3(Well, these are out already, but you get my point)), I'm looking to buy a new one, one that I hope will last me for at least 5 years.
I'm not experienced at all when it comes to building a computer, but I know several people who are, so that's not the issue. The same people say that it is better to buy a pre-built PC than design my own due to 1) Warranties and 2) Part Compatibility.
So, I'm wondering whether or not this is true. I trust their experience with building computers, but I'm not quite sure that they're right in thinking that problems 1&2 mentioned above are so bad nowadays.
Anyway, that's the type of advice I need.
Thanks, folks!