New Computer

[BobReeves]

I am no longer in the computer business but had my own shop for 5 years after being rifed out of corp America. I built a quality box with top of the line components and charged accordingly. I also provided the best service possible, my personal cell phone number.

The only reason I am still not in the computer business is because I also started another business at the same time and running two growing business was killing me.

Anyway, don't discount the local computer guy there are still a few of us that believe in customer satisfaction. Just be prepared to pay for it. If price is your main consideration buy a Dell you will get a good computer but you won't get the owners or even the service managers personal cell phone number.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( For 99.9% of the population I think a DELL, HP, Gateway, etc represents the best solution. )</font>

The best solution for the vast majority, absolutely right. Although I kinda question the "99.9%".

Regarding quality parts, the big guys routinely use motherboards manufactured by Biostar, MSI and many others. I like Dells and Gateways. We own LOTS of them. They make a very good "average" computer.

For my personal PC, I'll start with an ASUS board.

 

[JASTN70D]

The truth be told the "homemade PC" makes up over 60% of the market its even higher on servers. These usually go to business who have a much higher need for quick on site service. Also the parts that Dell Gateway and the like use are available to anyone and everyone. And if you look hard enough you can get the price to match them. If you look deep in to the Business you will see that the parts for the big boxes are made by companies like Intel and Super micro. And the OEM specks are the same.

 

[Dewave]

I agree, build your own. It amazes me what TBN'ers can build, pole barns, metal barns, welders, saw mills, wagons, log splitters, forks, personel cage, garages, ponds... etc. Why should a PC be any different. Trust me it's easier then one would think.

One thing I highly recommend is a quality monitor, be it LCD or CRT. Once you buy the PC you will never look at anything on it other the on/off button, but the monitor will have your constant attention, so you may as well have something pleasing to the eye. Also the monitor will most likely out last the PC so one should invest in a quality one.

I have 4 PC's, 2 are water cooled, one by Koolance, the other by a ford econoline heater core, a submersible water pump and lots of tubing. An AMD 2500XP overclocked to 3200XP specs and a 5800fx video card overclocked to 5950fx specs. Its just a hobby thats makes me some side money by either building for others or trouble shooting their systems.

EPOX motherboards are the most stable, ASUS would be my second choice. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Dew

 

[dieselsmoke1]

COOL!!!!!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I've just water cooled my first. Don't you just love the sound of "dead silence"!

I'd love to see the plumbing on the Econoline heater core /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif That AMD would be in a sweat real quick without it.

I'm ASUS then EPOX, but that's a good race.

 

[Dewave]

The ford econoline actually out cools the Koolance from Koolance.com. It was a project me and my son could work on. We power sanded all the paint off the case to give it a shiny metal industrial look, riveted on plexiglass on the side, the top and even on the power supply case. We also put in internal lights within case with hyper color round cables and a small black light. Also the tubing is clear with neon green fluid running thru it. Its a colorful sight to say the least.

I also run a 32 man Medal of Honor server called TOOL Clan. I do this in hopes of providing the kids with some form of entertainment and hopefully out of trouble. And plus the fact I love that game. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Dewave /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[BillyP]

This has nothing to do with water cooling but can you copy a DVD (like a movie rental) without having some kind of special program?

Also, do DVDs come in certain formats for certain things?

 

[Dewave]

In the old days (last year, lol) you could copy DVD's the easy way but nowadays it takes special software. You can still do it with a regular CD-RW with the right software. Do a google search on DVD copy for recent software,,, and yes DVD is standardized, at least in US and has specific standards, codes and formats. It's the codes within the format that makes it copy protected. The fun used to be breaking the code to write a hack/crack rendering the DVD unprotected... but I'd never do that. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[BobReeves]

Go here for all you want to know about copying DVD's

http://www.afterdawn.com/index-book.cfm

 

[BIGUN]

I agree building your own is the way to go if a person likes that sort of thing. I have been building quite a few for others and myself over the past several years. One thing that I would suggest for the first time builder is to have an experienced friend that can help you out if the machine doesn’t work after it is built. The thing about computers is you can do everything 99% right and that one detail you got wrong can leave you with an inoperative computer.

I have been using AMD processors exclusively, not that I think they are any better than Intel, but they are less expensive, and I want to support the only real competition to Intel. It will be a sad day for computer enthusiast if Intel has a monopoly and can set prices as they please for their processors. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

If you have to buy everything new including the OS and software you won’t save money over buying “ready made” but I still prefer it.