A New PC or DIY PC

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Kelley

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Can someone tell me how to assemble my own DIY computer for recording. Or please give me a list of some good computers I can buy already assembled. I'm in kinda hurry to get started so your replies are welcome. I'm new to this stuff so explain it in Lamen's terms.
 
Building a machine from scratch can be a little scary and you may be reluctant to do so, but typing instruction on a build would be quite long. Basically if you refer to the website I listed in your other post and look at cases you will see whats in it....fans, Power supply, etc... When you get a new motherboard the manual will tell you in great detail where to plug in all the components such as hard drives, floppy, CD Rom, Memory, fans, CPU, etc...

You just need to take your time and triple check yourself.
 
Just make sure everything fits in the right slots and your fine.
 
No card plugging with power on.
No using cracked WinXP install CDs (they won't work)
Use a zap strap.
Inquire as to what components to use, BEFORE buying.
Check those components against the Windows hardware compat list.
Check those components with your sound card vendor.
Install all windows updates
Install latest drivers
Research and determine which cards are best in which slots, and which will/will not share IRQs.
Understand the need for premium heat sinks, heat transfer paste, and how to correctly apply it.
Understand case cooling, and power supplies that are sufficient to meet your needs and those of sound cards.
Understand why IDE RAID sucks, and why you avoid it.
Learn how to slip-stream a service pack into your \I386 directory to avoid corrupting your installed system.

No problem.

:D
 
I built a computer That I used for tracking on locations. It cost me $450 was faster then most $1200 pc's and never had a problem running ProTools. If you can follow directions you can build a pc.

newegg.com is ok for mailorder but shop around!

I learned how to build it from a book I got from the LIBRARY!!!!

The most overlooked resource ever.

my library has books on PRO TOOLS CUBASE AND ALMOST ANY OTHER PROGRAM YOU WOULD WANT TO USE!!!!!!

But even if you build it yourself Windows still sucks

OS X is the best
 
yeah, it's all over the web, there's thousands of "how to's" on system building, building is pretty easy, config microsuck in a different story...

yes, installing ram was scary at first, but i do it now like turning off a light switch, heat sinks can be hairy with AMD cpu's, still no biggie if you watch what your doing, the rest is just pluging in connectors really, and NOT attempting it backwards...

most connecters today only go one way, never force a connection if it refuses to fit properly, never, just look at the connector for the slot alingment tab, pretty easy...

make sure nothing is grounding the main board from the under side, like a left over or miss placed board post, or dragging/banging the board around in the case while installing the board screws, there's very tiny transistors all over main boards that can be brushed off it given a chance, believe me, compress air can blow the suckers off, have seen quite a few builders get in trouble there, and screwing up the bios config after it runs great on first boot of course :) heh...
 
www.buildyourowncomputer.net

Provides somewhat of a basic description of each step you will go through and each component you will need. Although it is kind of a PC storefront in disguise, it will teach you some things.

Read that, then go fill up your e-cart at newegg.com :-)
 
building PCs is getting real easy nowadays, but I recommend having someone who knows what's going on when you do it the first time. You never what's gonna happen.

AL
 
I was once making this computer for my friend, but it all together and started her up. The MOBO (motherboard) just had one long beep. ARG!!! turned it off and though I forgot to plug ram in, etc.

Anyway to make a long story short; I had too many screws holding the MOBO to the case, causing it to ground out. Took some screws out, now it's all good.

One more thing to consider:

Many computer stores (not best buy, etc) but stores that just sell computer's and computer accessories will often have a very good price on components. They also don't charge anything to make sure you have everything you need and are usually very helpful in this. I know many stores where you bring a list of what you want and they'll let you know if you are missing anything. Many places also assemble the computer for you for like $30 and give you a one year warranty!!

List of things you need
- Powersupply (more watts the better, check what your processor needs)
- CPU and Fan (you can buy them together although you almost always get a better fan if you buy them seperate. I really like cooler master, but I am sure there are more good fan companies)
- GOOD motherboard (don't skimp, just like you don't skimp on good pre's - it's the back bone of you system)
- 2 Hard drive's ( one for your Operating System and one for your audio. Make sure they fit, a scsi will not fit into to an IDE slot, etc)
- Cd Rom
- Floppy
- Case (different sizes, make sure you get and ATX if you have an ATX MOBO, mATX if you have an mATX MOBO, etc)
- Case fans (never needed them, more fans = more noise, but make sure you keep harddrives, etc cool)
- Ram (more = better)
- Sound card (if not built into mobo - only for general listening, this is apart from your recording sound card. Some people only have recording soundcard and disable onboard sound card)
- Video card ( if not built into mobo)
- Monitor
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Network card (high speed internet)
- modem (crawl speed internet)

I think that's all

;)
 
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You can certainly build a PC better suited for recording than buying some of the ones from Dell, Compaq or whatever. You can of course buy a ready made from a custom builder, I think the prices are to high...But you can have a look at what components they are using, many times available on thier sites.

I suggest surfing the recording forums around and learn from the posts. Here are some:

http://www.audioforums.com/

http://www.3daudioinc.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

http://www.recording.org/cgi-local/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi

http://www.musicgearnetwork.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

http://www.soniccontrol.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi

http://gearslutz.com/board/index.php3?

http://recpit.prosoundweb.com/index.php

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/

http://forum.nuendo.com/cgi-bin/nuendo.com/Ultimate.cgi


Hans,
www.hagen.nu
 
Ok I've listed the items I need in order to build my own pc, now I need to know what to start with. Which items should I buy first? What brand of empty tower do I need to get?
 
Buy everything at once. Nothing will help you without the rest.

Brand or tower?:rolleyes:

I dunno, I just buy it. Maybe buy the case in person, so you know that the screw are easy to get at, etc. Both side panels should come off. You really can't go wrong.
 
I think Antec is kind THE brand name for cases if you want a solid reliable one... i've got one and it's great.

but...a case is pretty much a case...is a case...is a case.

worry more about your motherboard...
 
What would be a good motherboard to buy for audio recording? Doesn't my case and motherboard need to be the same kind? What exactly is the CPU?
 
Your motherboard needs to have a slot for the processor you are going to use. (processor = Central Processor Unit = CPU).

So if you want a pentium you have to get a pentium motherboard. Make sure the motherboard is ATX size, then buy an ATX case. (ATX is the most common size)


Makes sense?
 
So in other words my CPU and motherboard must be the same kind. For example, pentium CPU's must have a pentium motherboard. Am I right? My next question is how big of a CPU do I need. I want to get good quality but don't wanna go broke.
 
Kelley said:
So in other words my CPU and motherboard must be the same kind. For example, pentium CPU's must have a pentium motherboard. Am I right? My next question is how big of a CPU do I need. I want to get good quality but don't wanna go broke.
Click to expand...

When I built my PC(about 1/2 yr ago) pentium 2.4Ghz was the best deal in my price range. Check www.newegg.com or www.pricewatch.com to find the right cpu to fit your budget.

To answer your questions:
1) yeah, make sure the motherboard is pentium 3 or 4 compatible, and the power supply can handle the CPU
2) I would say get "at least" P3 800Mhz, anything above 2.4Ghz is still pricy(when I last checked).

*note*

I really think you should get someone with experience building PCs when you do this. You don't sound too familiar with this stuff...

Al
 
Ditto getting some experienced help. Your questions indicate a complete level of newbie on building. Don't do your own dental work, either.

:D

This isn't meant to be a slam... just good advice. Your new machine should be a good tool for music and make you happy. The last thing you need is a buggy albatross around your neck.

For the record, I see nothing wrong with Dell machines, and recommend them to my clients who don't want a custom build. I cannot wholesale the parts for as cheap as Dell can build (with labor) and ship a machine. Yes, faster machines can be hand assembled. And for more money. Spend as much as you can afford, so you can hold onto the machine for the longest time.
 
I second on the recommendation on Dell. They are powerful and often offer good deals. Just do a clean reinstall of windows and you are good to go.

Al
 
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