first barebone build. questions.

primulas · 07-20-2008, 07:22 PM

Been wanting to put together a new system for quite a while. The Compaq(1ghz, 512ram) just isn't cutting it anymore...and i miss gaming.

I am looking to have a system for a fairly low cost with medium power. Some of the components i plan to add over time. A decent video card for example.

Here is the barebones kit i am currently looking at:
http://www.portatech.com/catalog/vie...=25351&O=26581

I am thinking of upgrading the mobo to the Intel DG35ECB. I would like to have the option of firewire if i need it in the future. Other then that i am planning on taking all of the "included in price" options and none of the extras. I can find the other components separately online cheaper.

My main question is i don't know alot about the cooling requirements. Should i be concerned about not taking any of there cooling or power supply upgrades?

The system won't be anything too fancy. 1 dvd-r combo drive. the hard drive. a video card <= $100. Probably start with 2gb ram.

thanks

-Prim

**Fox** · 07-21-2008, 06:36 AM

I wouldn't use an intel board... I think there are much better alternatives for the same price.

Honestly, looking at that site, I would say the components they're sticking you with are probably super low quality. The cooling unit you have as an upgrade, for example, has the same crappy clips as the stock intel cooling unit. At that price, it should have screws instead of plastic clips...

Also, the ram they have looks like it's pretty ghastly. I can't even comment on the brand of power supply because I've never heard of it.

Why not pick out the components individually yourself? You'd probably get a much better deal, and the quality will be much higher.

primulas · 07-21-2008, 09:16 AM

Well, being my first build. I am a bit hesitant to jumping into doing the motherboard and processor myself.

I wanted to stick with a barebones setup just because i have done most of the component stuff before at one time or another. I wasn't gonna take their ram. just, case, power supply, mobo, processor, and cooling unit. Is there any other barebones source you might recommend?

-prim

**simpswr** · 07-21-2008, 09:22 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category...Mini-Computers

**Fox** · 07-21-2008, 09:42 AM

Yep, there's really no advantage to buying a barebones custom machine unless it's preconfigured and at a discount.

But buying one with components as cheap as the ones in that parts list is like shooting yourself in the foot- any time you would have saved piecing it together would be spent troubleshooting whatever part has crapped out on you.

That newegg link is definitely on the right track to where you should be. Some of those even have respectable power supplies and only need a video card, processor, and hard drive to be complete.

07-20-2008, 07:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
primulas Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp sp2	first barebone build. questions. Been wanting to put together a new system for quite a while. The Compaq(1ghz, 512ram) just isn't cutting it anymore...and i miss gaming. I am looking to have a system for a fairly low cost with medium power. Some of the components i plan to add over time. A decent video card for example. Here is the barebones kit i am currently looking at: http://www.portatech.com/catalog/vie...=25351&O=26581 I am thinking of upgrading the mobo to the Intel DG35ECB. I would like to have the option of firewire if i need it in the future. Other then that i am planning on taking all of the "included in price" options and none of the extras. I can find the other components separately online cheaper. My main question is i don't know alot about the cooling requirements. Should i be concerned about not taking any of there cooling or power supply upgrades? The system won't be anything too fancy. 1 dvd-r combo drive. the hard drive. a video card <= $100. Probably start with 2gb ram. thanks -Prim

07-21-2008, 06:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Fox Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,735 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Re: first barebone build. questions. I wouldn't use an intel board... I think there are much better alternatives for the same price. Honestly, looking at that site, I would say the components they're sticking you with are probably super low quality. The cooling unit you have as an upgrade, for example, has the same crappy clips as the stock intel cooling unit. At that price, it should have screws instead of plastic clips... Also, the ram they have looks like it's pretty ghastly. I can't even comment on the brand of power supply because I've never heard of it. Why not pick out the components individually yourself? You'd probably get a much better deal, and the quality will be much higher. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

07-21-2008, 09:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
primulas Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp sp2	Re: first barebone build. questions. Well, being my first build. I am a bit hesitant to jumping into doing the motherboard and processor myself. I wanted to stick with a barebones setup just because i have done most of the component stuff before at one time or another. I wasn't gonna take their ram. just, case, power supply, mobo, processor, and cooling unit. Is there any other barebones source you might recommend? -prim

07-21-2008, 09:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
simpswr Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 4,122 OS: XP, Vista	Re: first barebone build. questions. http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category...Mini-Computers __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BIOS \| BenchTest \| Spyware Cleaning \| How to Post a Screen shot \| PC running slow

07-21-2008, 09:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
Fox Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,735 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Re: first barebone build. questions. Yep, there's really no advantage to buying a barebones custom machine unless it's preconfigured and at a discount. But buying one with components as cheap as the ones in that parts list is like shooting yourself in the foot- any time you would have saved piecing it together would be spent troubleshooting whatever part has crapped out on you. That newegg link is definitely on the right track to where you should be. Some of those even have respectable power supplies and only need a video card, processor, and hard drive to be complete. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!