Ways to persuade my father to let me build a PC

[Deusxmachina]

I'd tell him if he wants to pay the 30 to have someone else put it together, he can. Otherwise, I'm putting it together because it's my money. And if I break something, it's on me. You can toss in "It's a good learning experience," if you want.

It's pretty hard to seriously hurt a computer part just putting the parts together. Just touch bare metal on the case every time before touching another component so you don't have any static, make sure the right 4-slot power cords are going where they're supposed to, and make sure the heatsink is properly seated on the CPU. Pretty much it.

I have a friend who never took the side off his computer. One time we put some lights in it together. And then swapped a video card. Now he can do a lot of that by himself.

Same friend didn't know how to change the oil on his car. I helped him change some brake lines and a belt and things. Next thing you know, he's telling me his car broke down in a different city, he limped it to his brother's house, and then changed the waterpump by himself.

You could also tell your dad you're going to put it together yourself but that he can, you know, help if he wants.

 

[oily_17]

As has been said already... what do you get for the £30, certainly nothing better than what the manufacture offers on the individual parts anyway.Therefore you lose nothing warranty wise by building it yourself.
You are not going to harm yourself doing it yourself... and it will also be a bit of experience for yourself (if no one gives you the chance to try something yourself, how would you ever learn anything).

But really, there is no sense telling lies..just own up, and tell your father that you would really really like to do this yourself, it is your money and you will have to pay for anything that goes wrong( dont worry you will be OK).
Building yourself will also help in future if anything needs upgrading, you will have this bit of knowledge behind you, and could save you money in future.

When I was younger, I wouldn't bother asking and just did things.

So did I ...and ended up like your username

 

[KBD]

yea, as Deusxmachina said it is difficult to mess up. Just take your time and be patient. Also, instead of just touching bare metal to kill static i recomend get one these anti-static wrist straps:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261001

I use these all the time when working with components, just strap it to an unpainted part of case or any other bare metal object, that way you wont fry anything for sure. In addition, i recomend following a guide for your first build, this one made by Zek is a good place to start:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=15268

You can also google "how to build a computer" and that will take you to literally dozens of guides. There are also helpful youtube videos that will show you things like how to install a CPU and so forth. Plus there are guides for installing individual components on the web. Remember, google is your friend so use it.

And you can always come to this forum for help if you get stuck, there are many knowledgeble folks here that can be very helpful.

 

[Lazzer408]

Does he understand the educational and self gratification value of building something for yourself? I remember years ago (many years) building my first computer. It was a 5x86. The first time I got Windows up and running I was excited. I had to learn how to find and install drivers and all that fun stuff. that was the begining of a very profitable life. So if it's about the money and the risk of you breaking something, tell him to consider your future.

 

[AKlass]

I would just order the parts and build it. My dad was hesitant about it at first but when the parts came, I put it together in front of him in 45 mins.

 

[Thrackan]

Eheh that so reminds me of the old days where I had to account for every new bit I bought. It's probably where I got the second-hand-stuff addiction from

Seriously, everyone has said it, but I'll reiterate just so your dad will know we're all thinking alike here:
- Assembly at a PC shop costs money.
- If anything happens to break, repairs at the shop might cost you money AGAIN.
- Local hardware shops are usually NOT good. They slack off, because it's not their system, plus, some of them hardly have any knowledge since they decided 5 years ago they were already experts.
- Being able to build and replace your own hardware saves time, drives to the shop (which your DAD has to do right?), frustration of not knowing what the problem is and when it's going to be fixed, and money.

Basically, even the most basic hardware knowledge, gained hands-on, can be a life/time/money saver.

 

[crazy pyro]

The shop's only a 10 minute walk away but I'm not gonna carry a 15kg PC there...
I'd be happy to repair it myself if it went wrong, my dad doesn't seem to mind me fixing stuff whenever it breaks, take my headset for example I took it apart to try and fix it, not entirely sure how to fix it still but meh.

 

[Thrackan]

Meh. if you can fix it, you can build it

 

[KBD]

Meh. if you can fix it, you can build it

i think he said he's not sure how to, lol. I think building a PC is easier than fixing something though but, of course, it depends on what needs to be fixed.

Anyway, i also like to add that having the confidence that you can build is also very, very important. If you think you can do it, you will be able to. I personally didnt have it right away, it took me time to convince myself that i could actually do it and i did. So just beleive in yourself.

 

[KainXS]

when I persuaded my mom for me to build my first pc when i was 11 , I compared the pc I could build for X price for the pc she could buy for the same price, and so we built a pc

 

[crazy pyro]

He thinks the £30 is good value though, even though I'd like to have my saturday afternoon taken up by building a PC, damn Ebuyer for not passing on the VAT cut ahead of time, then I could have built it on monday (Day off school)

 

[Deusxmachina]

Anyway, i also like to add that having the confidence that you can build is also very, very important. If you think you can do it, you will be able to. I personally didnt have it right away, it took me time to convince myself that i could actually do it and i did. So just beleive in yourself.

I don't know about "if you think you can do it, you will be able to do it." I might think I could run a 4-minute mile or whatever, but reality is going to set in if I try.

Point taken, though, yeah. Seems like computers, cars, what have you, most people could do at least basic stuff without too much trouble, but they're afraid to even pop the hood.

And speaking of breaking stuff, the money saved by not paying someone to hopefully put the PC together well will help pay for any part that somehow gets broken putting it together at home anyway.

Bottom line: build it yourself. Next thing you know you'll be rebuilding a car engine or fixing something on the house or welding something.

 

[human_error]

Overclockers.co.uk passed on the VAT cut ahead of time if ur desperate for the parts early, tbh 2.5% less vat is not that much but i guess every penny helps (or in this case 2.5p every £1.17 spent)

Overclockers can be more expensive on certain parts than ebuyer, but they have good customer service and very good selection of components.

 

[KBD]

I don't know about "if you think you can do it, you will be able to do it." I might think I could run a 4-minute mile or whatever, but reality is going to set in if I try.

you understand what i'm saying though, i'm talking about things that are actually doable. Its important to have one's mind in the right place before starting a project like this, thats all.

Overclockers.co.uk passed on the VAT cut ahead of time if ur desperate for the parts early, tbh 2.5% less vat is not that much but i guess every penny helps (or in this case 2.5p every £1.17 spent)

Overclockers can be more expensive on certain parts than ebuyer, but they have good customer service and very good selection of components.

I read some bad things on this forum about overclockers.uk posted by UK members. I obviously don’t have experience with them but perhaps someone from the UK can answer to this. I’m just posting it as a word of caution.

 

[crazy pyro]

haha, that's my reason for not going to OCuk since they're more expensive.
It's still a tenner since I'm spending around £500

 

[Lazzer408]

when I persuaded my mom for me to build my first pc when i was 11 , I compared the pc I could build for X price for the pc she could buy for the same price, and so we built a pc

That's a good point. Break it down into numbers for him. Show your Dad the bottom line. You can't beat the upgradability of a custom PC either.

 

[Thrackan]

you understand what i'm saying though, i'm talking about things that are actually doable. Its important to have one's mind in the right place before starting a project like this, thats all.



I read some bad things on this forum about overclockers.uk posted by UK members. I obviously don’t have experience with them but perhaps someone from the UK can answer to this. I’m just posting it as a word of caution.

Same goes for casemodding ofc. I'd never try to start a casemod or casebuild if I wasn't sure I could do it, but since I know it's possible, I didn't hesitate to start building my own case

 

[human_error]

I read some bad things on this forum about overclockers.uk posted by UK members. I obviously don’t have experience with them but perhaps someone from the UK can answer to this. I’m just posting it as a word of caution.

To be fair i've been using OCUK for a few years now and have nothing but good things to say about their customer service, especially more recently when i had a P6T mobo DOA i had a replacement within a couple days no problem.

Of course that isn't to say that people won't have problems with them, as with every company you get good and bad experiences (i can mention some bad experiences with ebuyer, but i'd say they are still a decent company and wouldn't want to put people off).

 

[KBD]

To be fair i've been using OCUK for a few years now and have nothing but good things to say about their customer service, especially more recently when i had a P6T mobo DOA i had a replacement within a couple days no problem.

Of course that isn't to say that people won't have problems with them, as with every company you get good and bad experiences (i can mention some bad experiences with ebuyer, but i'd say they are still a decent company and wouldn't want to put people off).

yes, i totally understand what you r saying. I just read way too many complaints and issues with this etailer on this forum from people that are in the UK. I just wanted to caution the OP, that was my only intention.

 

[crazy pyro]

I'd already been cautioned, it's called them sticking a tenner on top of the same price for everything off Ebuyer, it's my bank account cautioning me lol.

 

[newconroer]

Instead of all of you suggesting sneaky ways for him to deceive his father (over computers none the less..God at least come up with a better reason...), you should be thinking about the simple matter...

Did it not occur to anyone that 'his' isn't actually his unless he's eighteen? Unless the laws have changed, his possessions are his parents possessions, until they are no longer his guardians.

If he builds the system, his dad can walk in with a sledgehammer, smash it to pieces, and there isn't nothing that can be done.

So..rather than piss off his father, why doesn't he buy the parts, take it to the shop, let them install it.

The main thing here is that A) He's allowed to purchase the parts he wants!! B) His father gets it done the way he wants!!

It's called compromise, try some?

 

[crazy pyro]

I'm going to try and PERSUADE him, not going to just build it round at a mate's house. If he wants to take part in the build then I'll happily let him, as long as he lets me do it and only watches and doesn't try and take over since I'd like to you know, learn how to build it.

 

[CDdude55]

My Dad doesn't care, as long as its not coming out of his pocket.

Even tho he doesn't like when me and my Bro order to many parts wheres theirs boxes coming to the door on different days.

He watches me and my Bro open the boxes and start to assemble and what not.no biggie.

 

[ownage]

I'm going to try and PERSUADE him, not going to just build it round at a mate's house. If he wants to take part in the build then I'll happily let him, as long as he lets me do it and only watches and doesn't try and take over since I'd like to you know, learn how to build it.

1. Guys in hardware shops are mostly dumb arses. I have bad experiences with pre-builded pc's. I think most of us have.
2. Someday you have to learn to build your own computer. I don't see how your young age would be a problem. Besides that is simple. You almost can't make mistakes with cables etc, its all simple. Killing hardware is much harder then building a pc, even when your unexperienced.
3. If you make a new worklog thread I'm sure there are enough guys around here that are willing to guide you trough the process.

 

[CDdude55]

Building PC's are fun and easy

You shouldn't have a problem.