New computer - first time builder

[Lanky123]

I think I understand the basic "put stuff in the slots, and if they don't fit don't force them" just the wiring looks more complicated.

Most wiring is foolproof - the shape of the sockets prevents anything from being plugged in anywhere it can cause damage. The motherboard manual should tell you what needs to be plugged in where.

One more point, are you factoring an operating system into this budget?

[Eddd]

Updated:
Antec 900 - Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case with 200m Top Fan w/o PSU - £70.37
4GB (2x2GB) Corsair DDR2 6400 2x256Mx64 non-ECC 2x240 DIMM unbuffered 5-5-5-18 64bit OS DHX - £57.56
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 SLACR, Kentsfield Core, Socket 775, 2.40 GHz 1066MHz 8MB Cache, Retail - £133.89
Samsung SH-S202N/BEBN 20x DVD±R, 16xDVD±DL, DVD+RW x8/-RW x6, PATA,Lightscribe, Black, OEM inc. Nero - £17.03
500 GB Western Digital WD5000AAKS Caviar SE16, SATA II, 7200 rpm, 16MB Cache, 8.9 ms - £53.92
520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU, ATX, EPS12V, whisper quiet, 5 year warranty - £65.55
Logitech G5 Laser Mouse, 2000dpi, USB 1.1/2.0, 7 Buttons, Black - £33.48
Cherry G85-23000GB-0 Stream Ultra Flat Multimedia Wired Keyboard, PS2/USB 1.1/2.0, Ivory - £13.63
20.1" Asus VW202SR, Black, Widescreen, 5 ms, 1680x1050, 3000:1, Speakers - £140.17
512MB BFG Tech 8800GTS OC, PCI-E 2.0, Mem 1940 MHz, GDDR3, GPU 675MHz, Streams 128, 2x DL DVI-I - £163.31
Abit IP-35, Dark Raider, iP35 Express, S 775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2 533/667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX - £67.79
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1* 64Bit 1Pk OEM (DVD) - £61.79
TOTAL: £833.17

Also, i plan to connect this system with a wireless network, do I need an arial or something attached to the computer?

Thanks

[Andy3536]

I think I understand the basic "put stuff in the slots, and if they don't fit don't force them" just the wiring looks more complicated. Maybe a step-by-step guide of how to build a computer would be useful?

Oops, hit thanks instead of quote

Anyway, as mentioned the HX520 modular would be the way to go, the most complicated thing about the wiring is getting it to look tidy once you've done

Basicly if you can plug somthing in it'll power it up.
There's manuals in everything you buy so i'd just be inclined to buy it all and ask if somthings troubling you.

edit* you can get wireless PCI cards or a USB dongle to connect to the internet.
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

[Lanky123]

Also, i plan to connect this system with a wireless network, do I need an arial or something attached to the computer?

You will need a wireless adapter. Not very many work well under vista though, so you'll need to be careful about which one you buy. I used this in vista 64 and it was fine for a while, but then started cutting out so I ended up using homeplugs instead - much more reliable, though more expensive.

[ikix]

Here are a few sites to help you get to grips with building

Build a PC
Build Your Own PC » PCMech
techPowerUp! :: How to build a computer (seems quite good)
How to Build a Computer: Getting Started
Building Your Own PC, Part 1: Know-How for Do-It-Yourselfers : Building A PC System - Tom's Hardware

generally you will understand how stuff works once you've got it placed out infornt of you and the manuals with the motherboard and CPU etc. will give you helpful directions.

[Eddd]

The router will only be around 15/20m away from the computer and through one wall so I think Asus WL-138g V2 54G Wireless PCI Adaptor will be fine.

[Eddd]

Here are a few sites to help you get to grips with building

Build a PC
Build Your Own PC » PCMech
techPowerUp! :: How to build a computer (seems quite good)
How to Build a Computer: Getting Started
Building Your Own PC, Part 1: Know-How for Do-It-Yourselfers : Building A PC System - Tom's Hardware

generally you will understand how stuff works once you've got it placed out infornt of you and the manuals with the motherboard and CPU etc. will give you helpful directions.

Thanks. Another question: how long would it take to put the computer together?

[ikix]

well the first time i had put one together it took me about 3-4 hours for the actual putting together (although that did involve lots of silly mistakes which added tons of pointless screwing and unscrewing) and then about 2 hours or so to get to the state of operating system installed and running

[dalex]

i've built a few now and this site helped me a lot initially
Build Your Own PC (Personal Computer)
allow 4 hrs for build and 4 hrs for windows and other programs to be installed
dont rush ,take it slowly , double check everything before powering up and wear a earthing strap.
best of luck
dave

[iranu]

ikix has linked to some good sites. The thing about your first build is to just take your time. Don't get all excited about the new shiny kit, be patient and methodical.

I would recommend reading the motherboard manual for the layout of the board so you can see where everything goes first. Install the cpu in the motherboard outside of the case then insert the ram as this is less fiddly than trying to do it with the board installed in the case especially if you have sausage fingers like me. It may help you to place all of the components on a large table and connect the wires up in order to familiarise yourself with the connections before installing in the case (especially for those fiddly front panel case wires). Once you know where everything is going then you can start putting things into the case. I usually do PSU first then motherboard, connect power and front panel, then hard drive (power and sata cable), dvd drives and lastly the graphics card cos it's big and bulky and gets in the way.

[Stormsinger]

My advice after two builds, read the motherboard manual first before you even think of putting stuff into the case, in fact before you even go further than a quick cursory check that nothing's damaged/missing from your delivery.

Putting the gfx card in last is a good bit of advice , even more so if you ever have to assemble a micro-atx system .

My first build took me about 3-4 hours to build, and the same to install OS and updates. Second build took me about the same time in the end, as once I installed it all in the box it shrieked on power up and I ended up disassembling, building it outside the box, and then back inside the box (and no clue why it shrieked at me, as it stopped it one a did the first reassemble). Longest part is the OS install/update. Although, I put my Vista on before SP1 was on the auto-update, so it might take a bit longer now as well.

As far as network connection, I got a pair of comtrend 200Mbps powerline plugs off ebay for £41 + delivery. Once I got them set back to factory default it was extremely easy to join the new machine into the network for internet access.

Forgot to say, if you have a friend who's built before, they're very handy to have access to once you've got the initial build done if you then have problems, either on a phone or on the net (that's what I did ), but I'm sure if you have any niggles, anyone on these forums will be more than happy to help.

[Eddd]

i've made 4 changes to the system i'm going to buy:
1. I've decided to change the graphics card to 512MB Gainward 8800GTS, Bliss, PCI-E 2.0, Mem 1940MHz, GDDR3, GPU 650MHz, Streams 128, 2x DL DVI-I because it's cheaper and it's in stock now. is this graphics card ok?
2. I've changed the DVD drive to SATA as I heard this is easier to install...
3. I've changed the monitor to 20" Samsung SM-2032BW Black Widescreen LCD, 1680x1050, 3000:1, 300 cd/m2, 2 ms because it has a DVI input.
4. I've changed the wireless adapter to the Dlink DWL-G510 54Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter because it's in stock, it also has a better range
Are these changes better?

[ikix]

1. There should be little difference in that card, the main thing is it is slightly underclocked compared to your previous one but you will easily be able to overclock it with , probably even to a higher spec than your previous card (and you have saved cash, woo!! )
2. Much better decision, not much use of PATA anymore, looks neater, is neater and allows for better airflow to cool everything in your case (not big chunky IDE/PATA cables sitting around)
3. My friend has this monitor and it is very nice, monitors are personal choices really as they can vary quite widely, just read reviews on them and have a look at others to make sure as this is what you will be staring at for the next few years
4. im not sure about this one, not because of what it is, but my knowledge of the area

[Eddd]

1. There should be little difference in that card, the main thing is it is slightly underclocked compared to your previous one but you will easily be able to overclock it with , probably even to a higher spec than your previous card (and you have saved cash, woo!! )
2. Much better decision, not much use of PATA anymore, looks neater, is neater and allows for better airflow to cool everything in your case (not big chunky IDE/PATA cables sitting around)
3. My friend has this monitor and it is very nice, monitors are personal choices really as they can vary quite widely, just read reviews on them and have a look at others to make sure as this is what you will be staring at for the next few years
4. im not sure about this one, not because of what it is, but my knowledge of the area

Thankyou ikix you've been a great help. I'm also unsure of the network card, as no cheap network card really stands out to me.

[ikix]

Thankyou ikix you've been a great help. I'm also unsure of the network card, as no cheap network card really stands out to me.

no problem, glad to help I see you have the G5 in the build, very nice mouse, have one myself and the weights are really quite a nice feature to have and you quickly find a setup of them that you like, the on-the-fly DPI setting is also really helpful when in games, for example switching to a lower sensitivity when sniping or a higher one when in a tank.

[Dreaming]

As for the wireless card, I can confirm the Abit PCI-Express x1 wireless card works flawlessly in Vista and with the ip35 boards .

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~£15

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