Building a comp as a graduation gift from my grand parents...

Hi,

I am a graduating senior and I am getting a computer from my grand parents as a graduatuation gift. I was want to build it from scratch myself. I saw this website in an issue of computer magazine. I want this system to not only perform great but look perfect as well. to match my personallity.
I would like some help on best priced omponents, and help finding some well priced computer case mods and such. I have 1300 to spend on the whole get up. so any infor would be greatly appreciated. and if you suggest a home made custom Modded computer case I would also need to know what equipment I would need... and upgrade ability of parts would be nice....Thanks alot.

Well, with a budget of $1300, you can buy a pre-built system, no problem. I would recommend you do that; spend the whole load on the computer, minus mods. After that, add your mods as time and money permits.

Word of advice, if you want to completely mod the box, it might be better for you to find a plain jane ATX case and build from there. The pre-modded cases are fine, but very impersonal. If you want to mod it to your tastes and personality, it's usually better to start off with a clean canvas, so to speak.

As for modding the case, first you should determine how it would mimic your personality. Are you dark and brooding? Mysterious? Bubbly and friendly? Once you figure that out, it will be easy to choose paint colours, lights, window shapes, etc.

If you are looking to do it all yourself, kudos. There are only two pieces of advice I can really give.

1. Always wear your safety goggles, for cutting, painting, soldering and any other mod related activity. It;s better to look like a nerd while you are modding, than to look like a blinded freak your whole life.

2. Take your time. It;s not a race. It's not a competition. Keeping that in mind, it's easier to produce quality work. If you rush, most likely you'll screw up. That isn't a slag on you. It's just the way it is. For example, my most recent project, I am building an acrylic front piece, and the first attempt went great until the final cut. I rushed it, and the acrylic snapped in two. Now, just imagine if it's your side panel and you cut too far, or miscalculate, or mismeasure. Oops to the panel. Now you'll have to pay for a replacement, so take your time and enjoy it.

Remember that if you have limited experience with power tools, point number 2 will also allow you to become familiar with your tools. Don't be afraid to try new things, but try them out on scrap first.

I hope this helps.

Good advice fishies, I agree with the idea to by a new computer and mod it yourself, but it is not neccassarily your personality that determines your mod. sometimes people do mods that do not reflect their personlities at all. But it should definitely have a theme. And by the way, can a mod move this to the new "Rookie Nook"?

thanks for the advice how do you move it?

you dont :) mods can move the thread
"can a MOD move this to the new "Rookie Nook"?"

oh ok....oh and my brother said you can like mod PS2's into a competer system as well...I think that would be cool any advice on doing that with out screwing up my PS2?

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Originally Posted by MattMan

oh ok....oh and my brother said you can like mod PS2's into a competer system as well...I think that would be cool any advice on doing that with out screwing up my PS2?

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My advice to you is not to mod it,

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Good advice fishies, I agree with the idea to by a new computer and mod it yourself, but it is not neccassarily your personality that determines your mod.

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Agreed, but he did say he wanted it to reflect his personality, no?

I just figure, when a new member asks for specifics, we should give them what they ask for. :D

what do you mean by modding PS2 into a computer? like putting a computer into PS2 case? or use PS2 as a computer? for your computer, do you need mouse/keyboard, monitor, OS, speakers, etc..?

Oh ya, sorry I missed that.

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Originally Posted by jonopaul01

Oh ya, sorry I missed that.

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no worries

I guess I may be a little biased, but I personally think its better to build your own system - you always seem to get screwed on something when you go premade...but I guess that could just stem from the fact that until the first computer I built when I was 14 or 15, I was stuck with stuff from the likes of Packard Bell :( Anyway, I think a decent system can be had for $1000 plus case and mods....all prices are at newegg unless otherwise noted...

Asus A8V Deluxe - $120 (zipzoomfly.com)
Athlon64 3000+ boxed - $146
1GB Corsair ValueSelect pc3200 ram - $87
MSI GeForce 6600GT - $200
Seagate 120gb 7200rpm SATA HD - $97
Sony Dual Layer DVD-burner - $56
Logitech cordless keyboard/mouse - $58 (zipzoomfly.com)
19" samsung CRT monitor - $180 (frys electronics - don't buy a crt online)
Windows XP Home OEM - $94
The pride and satisfaction of building your own machine - priceless

Total - $1038

Left for your choice of case and modding supplies - $262

You figure a nice case is $150, you still have $110 left over for lights, fans, plexi, paint, etc. Now if you wanted to do a full-on complete case makeover like CrimsonSky, etc do, that might be a different story...

Honestly, I think that's a pretty good deal on a nice system. Can you get a prebuilt system for cheaper? Of course, but then you lose some of this upgradability and they always seem to skimp on at least 1 thing (that and the coolness factor of building your own system is a plus). Better deals on the parts I listed can be found, and hell, you could go with some cheaper hardware if you felt like it as well. By no means, am I saying, "This is what you should get. Do this or else." I'm simply offering an alternative suggestion to you in response to those who say you should get a premade system. Do you have to listen to me? Hell no, its your money afterall. And also, I don't know what your current financial situation is, but don't be afraid to throw a little extra of your own cash in the whole deal if you can - it never hurts :)

This is just my $0.02, that's all. If you don't like my advice, please give me my $0.02 back; I'm a little short on cash right now :)

thanks that sounds good...my brother built his own comp and it turned out great so I think I might do that

and to the question back with the PS2..I was talking abotu putting the PS2 into my computer

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Originally Posted by MattMan

thanks that sounds good...my brother built his own comp and it turned out great so I think I might do that

and to the question back with the PS2..I was talking abotu putting the PS2 into my computer

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Gettin the PS2 into the case should be fairly simple, provided your case has ample space to position the console whichever way you want. Even wiring up some external controller ports on the case shouldn't be too much of a problem. The only thing I see would be the PS2's output signal. I know they have an adapter to use a computer monitor with it in that Linux kit that they put out, or used to - I'm not into PS2 at all so I don't know - but I don't know if that works for games too or what. Would be interesting to look at. And then you'd have to rig up a switch for your monitor to go between the PS2 and computer - most likely easy to use a kvm switch for that, but IMO hardly worth it.

But hey, if you really want a PS2 in your case and think you can pull it off, I say go for it. Sometimes people do things that really aren't worth it but are way cool anyway :)

Interesting...
You might want to look into a decent laptop honestly.

If you've already got a nice main rig, a thin and light laptop like the Asus featherweight might be a good choice...

Just a suggestion.
7

I don't have a main computer to take with me I am using my brother's laptop he got for his graduation present a couple years ago....so I really need a main rig...either I can get the laptop and build amain rig myself or I can get my grandparents to pay for the main rig...

Siege has a real good point.

I would add to that by saying that you could sacrifice on one component to have another component that's better. (i.e., smaller hard drive or less ram for a better vid card.)

You can always upgrade later.

It would be pretty sweet if you pull off the PS2 thing and make it look awesomely cool in the process. If you decide to build a pc make sure you start a worklog so everyone can see your progress.

I will try too...I have a few ideas for soem cool modsbut I think they are to advanced for me to start on but I would liek to try if you would help me along the way

BTW I love your comp idea Rachel

Aww... thank you. I can help. Everyone here can help too. I have recieved alot of help from the people on these forums so far. They give me too many good ideas. :) Nothing can be too advanced if you work hard at it.

thanks...well posted a forum on Q & A sectin check it out please and make any comments you would like thank you

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Originally Posted by Rachel

Aww... thank you. I can help. Everyone here can help too. I have recieved alot of help from the people on these forums so far. They give me too many good ideas. :) Nothing can be too advanced if you work hard at it.

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Not true. Have you ever tried to build a particle accelerator? Not an easy feat. I'm still trying to teach the particles to drive standard.

Nice. :)

All kidding aside, just get the computer. Get what you want, and then think about modding it. It's easier to mod a machine when you know what the components are and how they fit.

ok sounds good to me thanks..I probably wont get my parts until May. Though maybe I can talk them into letting me order it and start working on it now sence I am building it myself instead of buy it pre-built.

Make sure that when you construct your case/ pick out your parts that everything will fit nicely in the case. Also make sure all your parts are compatable. One thing to keep in mind is wire management. If I could do one thing differently on the first computer I ever built, then I would have done something about all the wires. Paul had me make cardboard models of all the components I was using in Project AVP. It really does help because you can tell where to put everything and how big your case needs to be before you get all your parts. I'm still waiting on some of my parts. If I didn't make the models then I wouldn't know how big my case needed to be. And then I wouldn't be cutting it out tonight. If you do decide to make models keep in consideration the thickness of the cardboard you use.

ok thanks for the advice. to bad I have to wait another month.

That isn't too bad. It gives you time to think on it. You could start buying your mdding supplies (a fan here, sleeving, paint, some LEDs there, whatever)

At least you aren't in my situation....

My main machine died, and I decided to build a new one, complete with modded case. I knew if I bought it all at once, I'd never mod it. I'd be using it too much.

Now, I'm sitting on 1/3 of my case 'built.' I ran into a snag with exhaust, and had to rethink a good part of my case. It requires me to build an extra frame on top of the one panel, and build the machine up. It'll lk good, but my 4U rackmount has now become an enormous almost 8U box. I don't even know where I'll put it now.

yeah...that would be good,

my grand parents want me to send them an e-mail with the parts I want and how much they cost and from where...and sence I have never done this before I don't know what to get... all I know is I want it fast enough to be able to play at least some star wars battle fronts or something...

and I have some old cases here do you think new parts would fit into an old case?

My dad works for Alabama power and he can get old cases easy for free, and this would help me have more money to modd the case...maybe I should take some pics and post them so you can say YAY or NAY...

Thanks guys for all of the help and advice BTW... I don't feel so bad for knowing so little :P

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Originally Posted by fishies

That isn't too bad. It gives you time to think on it. You could start buying your mdding supplies (a fan here, sleeving, paint, some LEDs there, whatever)

At least you aren't in my situation....

My main machine died, and I decided to build a new one, complete with modded case. I knew if I bought it all at once, I'd never mod it. I'd be using it too much.

Now, I'm sitting on 1/3 of my case 'built.' I ran into a snag with exhaust, and had to rethink a good part of my case. It requires me to build an extra frame on top of the one panel, and build the machine up. It'll lk good, but my 4U rackmount has now become an enormous almost 8U box. I don't even know where I'll put it now.

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I've got a similar situation fishies. My main machine died too and I decided to build a nice sweet new rig for the first time in a few years. I decided to buy it all at once though, since I just couldn't stand that stupid dual p2/450 machine I was forced to work on :) in a couple weeks I should *hopefully* be able to purchase my watercooling equipment which will make me mod the case instead of play doom3 all night :) We'll see how that one turns out....(all the pretty 3d graphics have my attention right now...went from a geforce4mx on an athlon 1.2ghz to a gf6800gt on an a64 3500+ :) )

MattMan, time to plan is always good. As you think of ideas for what you want your case and computer to be, you'll most surely change your mind more than a few times. Definately draw, make cardboard models, use 3d software if you have it available...the more of that type of thing you do, you will make sure your project is doable. There's nothing worse than getting into a project and finding that there is no way it will work the way you wanted it to.

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Originally Posted by MattMan

yeah...that would be good,

my grand parents want me to send them an e-mail with the parts I want and how much they cost and from where...and sence I have never done this before I don't know what to get... all I know is I want it fast enough to be able to play at least some star wars battle fronts or something...

and I have some old cases here do you think new parts would fit into an old case?

My dad works for Alabama power and he can get old cases easy for free, and this would help me have more money to modd the case...maybe I should take some pics and post them so you can say YAY or NAY...

Thanks guys for all of the help and advice BTW... I don't feel so bad for knowing so little :P

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Well it really depends on how old the case is, but generally, YES YES and YES. I love old cases. I keep them from meeting miserable deaths in the dumpster at work. even though most of the ones I get are mising side panels and/or front bezels I still take them. I see the potential in them (that, and its very hard to get a decent sized plain case these days). If you can get them for free, take them. If you can't use them, screw it, toss em. No harm in checking it out. Basically as long as its a good sized ATX case, with a new PSU you oughta be good to go.

ATX case? what is that...I know I know major newb. oh well

AT Form factor Link
ATX Form Factor Link

Hope that helps.

Thanks that helps...anything else I need to look for in a case?

what is it you want? Do you want a BIG case? A mini case? Desktop, mid-tower, rackmount, pedestal, cube? Once you figure that out, the rest is easy peasy.

I really don't knwo what is the difference, I know of a tower and one that lays down didn't know there were more styles than that

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Originally Posted by MattMan

I really don't knwo what is the difference, I know of a tower and one that lays down didn't know there were more styles than that

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Well there is tower and desktop, yes. But also, towers come in a whole lot of different sizes. Anything from very small to very tall, skinny to fat, shallow to deep. I personally recommend getting the biggest you find. Height is nice for multiple drives and just keeping everything separated and clean, depth is nice for keeping things organized, and width...well, wider is better :) Definately though, if you get an old case, you will want to get a new power supply. Hope that helps.