Have you ever built a Computer and if so, what was it?

[msc545]

I build my own computers from parts, as I can get exactly what I want. I won't buy pre-built computers mostly because I wind up having to replace parts anyway, and they are poorly made and overpriced.

[andreasderjuengere]

As in:

plugging together pre-made components and screwing them into an empty (pre-made) carrier box? - No; that's pointless to me. I just order a new computer to my own specs and see what the IT guy suggests.

But at school we once made computer components (Schmitt trigger, ''gates'', and such) from diodes, resistors, transistors to make a primitive proto computer. What we meanwhile find in a laptop would have filled the entire school building :)

[Jersey2]

I think its good that kids make their own computers today even with premade parts. They learn how it works, they understand compatibility, they research and customize it, they decide on the pros and cons of cooling systems, they put on thermal paste, they configure the software, and its not just plug and play as it can have problems especially with the wiring/cabling a for the power.

[lightbulb27]

I did years back, it was Windows something 95 or 98. Actually worked lol. It's not that hard and I liked buying the parts I wanted.

I only buy older macbook pros now and run them as long as I can. I used to code both of these computers in another time and I prefer macs.

I'm surprised you can get the parts sine it's all made in...

[musicbrain5]

I’ve never built my own computer. I am not interested in computers, so I wouldn’t even know where to start.

[exitseven]

Take my Thursday night class.

[SaoirseS]

I built my desktop a few years ago. It’s a full tower with everything I want on it. Runs great!

[llorando]

Built a Phenom II X6 system using used parts. Wanted my first build to be built using used parts, that way the parts would be cheaper and wouldn't feel as much pain in my wallet if I accidently broke something. Planned on building another computer using new parts, but with the chip and graphics card shortage, ended up going with a pre-built as it didn't cost much more then a graphics card and I didn't want to wait. FYI not all pre-built's are over priced or poorly made, still have the $400 i5 system I picked up in 2013, Still works flawlessly after after 10 years of use, and that's after upgrading the graphics twice, maxing out the ram and upgrading to a SSD. Tho I will say, most big name pre-built's being sold now and with in the last few years, have proprietary power supplies and other parts, making them difficult and expensive to replace and upgrade. When I bought my current system, I made sure it only used non proprietary, off the shelf components.

[exitseven]

Yes, I teach a computer hardware course and have built computers for a class project. I usually use a combination of old computers and new guts.

[msc545]

What kind of processors, cooling, and GPU's do you like? I like Intel processors, AIO cooling, and Nvidia GPU's. I've used AMD processors a few times and the y are fast but also run too hot in my opinion.

[humanearth]

Do you teach them anything about MS-DOS, Linux Free BSD, Unix systems?

[exitseven]

@humanearth I do teach about DOS

[humanearth]

Sure have

I been building my own computers since Windows 3 and MS-DOS days.

But started out with one like this and it was all command line ms-dos

[UnknownSwede]

I've built one computer from scratch with new parts. Since then I've just upgraded it piece by piece over time. I still use the same case 12 years later.

[art84]

I upgraded mine with a hard drive and SSD Ram but wouldn't know how to built it with graphics card, power supply, etc? I buy my PCs prebuilt already as it's cheaper.

[Hardworkingguy]

My brother and I build the computer back in 1999 with a Pentium 3 processor. We went to a store that is no longer in existence called Fry's electronics to get all the parts

[Anonymous]

I see no point to it. I have only bought two laptops in the past 20 years and both are still working just fine.

[FilmGuy93]

No way man! I’ve never had the head for that kind of thing. Good for you that you can figure all that stuff out though.

[msc545]

It really is not complicated at all. Selecting the parts IS a bit technical, but after that, it's just an hour or two and you are done.

[msc545]

What I've taken to doing recently is carefully selecting the parts that I want and need for the specific tasks I'm going to use it for and then paying someone to actually assemble it. The assembly of the machine is not difficult and doesn't require any special skills or knowledge. Usually. It is the selection of the parts and the selection and loading of software that requires more advanced knowledge. Luckily I have that knowledge so I wind up with a machine I have designed specifically from myself that does everything I want it to do. It is the difference between designing a car which is difficult time consuming and assembling a car which is just time consuming and tedious. If you are the person who is designed the car and contracted for its assembling, you are getting something that is all yours.

[KrakenAttackin]

I have built a few desk tops, nothing too special.

[Jamie05rhs]

I custom-ordered one, but I didn't build it myself.

[tfan1]

Yes tower model from tiger direct barebones.

[Msputiton]

No but someone in my class has

[goaded]

No, but I upgraded my BBC micro to 32K.