Considering first time build...some questions from a noob

[theallseeingeye]

Hey Y'all

I'm considering building my first gaming PC. I had a top-of-the-line 16gb RAM i7 Retina MacBook Pro with a 2GB nvidia card and 512 SSD that got stolen last year and replaced with a mid-range model (cash flow restrictions at the time). I had a Windows 7 partition on that first Mac which I booted into and played through Steam onto my LED TV.

So now I want to keep gaming and was thinking of building a dedicated gaming rig to plug into my TV as the new rMBP doesn't have the flashy nVidia Gfx.

Thinking of a budget of 8-10K

First question: Am I being stupid in building a rig and should I just buy a ready-made machine?

Second Question: Considering my budget, would I get a better performing machine if I go the DIY route?

Third Question: How hard could it be? (I'm rather adept with a screw driver and a set of pliers)

Thanks peeps.

[Bodhi]

Hey Y'all

I'm considering building my first gaming PC. I had a top-of-the-line 16gb RAM i7 Retina MacBook Pro with a 2GB nvidia card and 512 SSD that got stolen last year and replaced with a mid-range model (cash flow restrictions at the time). I had a Windows 7 partition on that first Mac which I booted into and played through Steam onto my LED TV.

So now I want to keep gaming and was thinking of building a dedicated gaming rig to plug into my TV as the new rMBP doesn't have the flashy nVidia Gfx.

Thinking of a budget of 8-10K

First question: Am I being stupid in building a rig and should I just buy a ready-made machine?

Second Question: Considering my budget, would I get a better performing machine if I go the DIY route?

Third Question: How hard could it be? (I'm rather adept with a screw driver and a set of pliers)

Thanks peeps.

Definitely DIY, will work out cheaper and its way more fun, use this 10k budget build http://www.nag.co.za/2015/01/14/syst...000-to-r10000/

[theallseeingeye]

Thanks dude!

- - - - - - - - - - Double Post Merged - - - - - - - - - -

Will track Joker down and quiz him on specifics. Shot!

[matt]

You should talk to The Joker

He's helped lots of people round here with custom builds

[Ike_009]

I would recommend building your own rig, It's so much more satisfying than buying one at a premium. If you have any questions with the build feel free to ask.

[ArchieChoke]

Hey Y'all

I'm considering building my first gaming PC. I had a top-of-the-line 16gb RAM i7 Retina MacBook Pro with a 2GB nvidia card and 512 SSD that got stolen last year and replaced with a mid-range model (cash flow restrictions at the time). I had a Windows 7 partition on that first Mac which I booted into and played through Steam onto my LED TV.

So now I want to keep gaming and was thinking of building a dedicated gaming rig to plug into my TV as the new rMBP doesn't have the flashy nVidia Gfx.

Thinking of a budget of 8-10K

First question: Am I being stupid in building a rig and should I just buy a ready-made machine?

Second Question: Considering my budget, would I get a better performing machine if I go the DIY route?

Third Question: How hard could it be? (I'm rather adept with a screw driver and a set of pliers)

Thanks peeps.

1. No you are not stupid for building your own, usually when you buy ready made, you find problems. (e.g. IEEE 1394 not plugged in, so front panel audio no work)

3. It's easy as hell, but here is the catch, if you are excited, things could get excited. Build the machine like your building it for a customer, take you time, make a clean working area. I find I am too excited about new parts and do half jobs. So do the whole testing of everything before putting it into the case( If you have a good area to work on).

[PsychoFish]

Also, to save frustration, install cpu and a single memory module first. Boot from a cd with some basic test utilities on and test it. Swap the memory module, repeat tests until all memory modules are tested. Then install all memory modules and test. Then install the rest of the peripherals, test. Then install OS

[Cronus086]

Also, to save frustration, install cpu and a single memory module first. Boot from a cd with some basic test utilities on and test it. Swap the memory module, repeat tests until all memory modules are tested. Then install all memory modules and test. Then install the rest of the peripherals, test. Then install OS

... and test?

[Bodhi]

And don't freak out when you try to POST for the 1st time and absolutely nothing happens

[PsychoFish]

Yes, test test test. Test until you know EVERYTHING is working 100%.

For me OS install is :

- Base OS
- Service Packs
- Security Updates
- Drivers
- Check Windows Updates/Security updates again
- Run a benchmark, save the benchmark results
- Image the HDD and/or create a Create a system repair disc
- Install your basic apps
- Benchmark again...is your performance the same or worse? If worse, uninstall the most likely culprit, rerun benchmark, repeat. Confirm you are running latest version(s) of the culprit(s), re-install them, rerun benchmark, compare results. Then either deal with it or remove.