You will not believe how new I am to this.

[BlaiddDrwg]

I'm so new that I don't even know where to begin. Honestly, I've always been more of a software guy. The most I can do is install a harddrive or some RAM. How does one even get started in this?

[silverdemon]

read all threads on this forum :P

na seriously, first of all, welcome to the board,
second, just start somewhere, doesn't have to be very complicated for a first time...
paint your case, make a window, do some wire managemant, get some lights... if you do it one thing at the time it shouldn't be a problem

[Silenced_Coyote]

Sit back, think about some mod ideas/themes, but don't limit your imagination with fears of "I can't pull this off". Then figure out how you will achieve it. If you need help, we are here to help you.

Reading some guides/worklogs will help out too, especially if you have not clue on how to do something. It will get you to start thinking in modding terms. In a sense, apply how you got into software to modding.

http://www.mnpctech.com/CaseModTutorials.html

[Cevinzol]

Hi Welcome to the boards
First
If you've never built a machine, do that first.
Don't worry about modding until you have a little building under your belt.
Plan your build
- Choose you budget: if this is your first build you might trash components, expect it and plan accordingly
- Choose your components: Decide on CPU, then M/B that will take that CPU then work on the other components, etc.
- Deciding whether to air or water cool is a major decision. For a first build I would recomend Air cooling. Stay with stock parts at first. you can always change out heat sinks with after market ones later.

Once you succed in building the machine, then think about what you would like different about your machine. There are several levels of modding ranging from simple mods like re-painting, adding windows or lights to as complicated as scratchbuiling a case.

Good luck and keep us updated (*cough* with pictures *cough*)
:)