If you could give 1 piece of advice...?

[jpierce55]

Consider what is most important to you (graphics card for gaming, processor, audio) and buy what is best for that application.

 

[TechnicalFreak]

Don't buy anything you actually don't need..

 

[magibeg]

Don't build it on carpet.

 

[mrw1986]

Let the Geek Squad build it.

EDIT: I want to keep my post count where it is, LGA775 FTW!

 

[NinkobEi]

Let the Geek Squad build it.

EDIT: I want to keep my post count where it is, LGA775 FTW!

"Let" the Geek Squad build it? sure, if you feel like dropping another $200 on your PC.

 

[Adeel_ssj4]

Shop around

 

[IggSter]

Slowly slowly, catchy monkey...best advice I've ever had tbh

 

[mrw1986]

"Let" the Geek Squad build it? sure, if you feel like dropping another $200 on your PC.

$200, what Geek Squad are you talking about? They'd charge $500 easily for that!

 

[gerrynicol]

chances of a discharge are slim, ground your self by touching the power supply housing.

BTW even the smallest of static charges(what it takes to create a "spark") is around 500 volts,
so yes, ground yourself, I personally never go into my rig without protection.

 

[EnglishLion]

Make sure to buy the components that fit your needs e.g. a monster quad core system is rubbish as a HTPC because it will need screaming fans and drain loads of power even when idle and there's no point having an uber GPU if you just surf the net and do the ocassional word doc!

 

[OzzmanFloyd120]

Replace the cpu grease that's on the HS with AC5

 

[FatForester]

Don't post threads like this on TPU. On a serious note .....


Welcome to TPU. The BIGGEST most overlooked mistake of any new system builder is that they tend to overlook the 2 major components. Motherboard and power supply.

Exactly what I was going to say.

 

[Bundy]

Make sure you have a spare computer ready in case you need to post questions on TPU

 

[OzzmanFloyd120]

Make sure you have a spare computer ready in case you need to post questions on TPU

That's a good one too.

 

[Kei]

Build your system for what you NEED not for what everyone else wants...

K

 

[psyko12]

Don't force it in when it won't fit, Have patience don't rush things or it may end up in smoke... Check to make sure the 4 pin mobo power is plugged in.

 

[mlee49]

Read up on as much as possible! Take you time to get familar with the project before you start! And of course sell your outdated computer parts in the FS thread!

 

[Mussels]

buy a real PSU.

and for gods sake, dont put blingy flashy offensive lights in - they are a waste of power and scream 'nooooooob made me, NOOOOOOOOOOOOB'

 

[EnergyFX]

The best advice I ever received:

Every problem has an elegant solution.

 

[OzzmanFloyd120]

buy a real PSU.

and for gods sake, dont put blingy flashy offensive lights in - they are a waste of power and scream 'nooooooob made me, NOOOOOOOOOOOOB'

Agreed, same thing with guitar hero stickers, the only stickers that should be on your PC are case badges.

 

[p_o_s_pc]

Don't post threads like this on TPU. On a serious note .....


Welcome to TPU. The BIGGEST most overlooked mistake of any new system builder is that they tend to overlook the 2 major components. Motherboard and power supply.

i am with JR here DON'T overlook the PSU.If you do you can have anything from a unstable system-killed parts or sometimes fire.if you cheap out on the board you can have a unstable system that can be slow and not last long maybe even kill hardware because of poor voltage regulation

 

[p_o_s_pc]

buy a real PSU.

and for gods sake, dont put blingy flashy offensive lights in - they are a waste of power and scream 'nooooooob made me, NOOOOOOOOOOOOB'

does that mean no sound reactive CCFls?

 

[OzzmanFloyd120]

I take back my former advice.
SHOP AROUND! Newegg doesn't ALWAYS have the best deals. I saved almost $100 on my PC by shopping around.

 

[davidfox]

i am with JR here DON'T overlook the PSU.If you do you can have anything from a unstable system-killed parts or sometimes fire.if you cheap out on the board you can have a unstable system that can be slow and not last long maybe even kill hardware because of poor voltage regulation

So what defines "cheap out" on a MB? My combo is gonna be an Antec Basiq 500W PSU and a Gigabyte GA-P35 DS3L board... Its not an expensive board, only gonna be runnin 8800gt, e8400 cpu n 4gb ram, all factory speed. The amount of info im gettin about having a good PSU is freakin me out people!! With those specs, is 500W enough??

 

[farlex85]

So what defines "cheap out" on a MB? My combo is gonna be an Antec Basiq 500W PSU and a Gigabyte GA-P35 DS3L board... Its not an expensive board, only gonna be runnin 8800gt, e8400 cpu n 4gb ram, all factory speed. The amount of info im gettin about having a good PSU is freakin me out people!! With those specs, is 500W enough??

500 watts is enough, capacitor quality and amps on the 12v rail is more important. I think antec is solid, although I've read otherwise sometimes. And quality of parts and chipset for mb. Gigabyte makes solid boards with good capacitors and good bios options. And the p35 is a good chipset. Just don't get an ecs.