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Building a Own System (or Bare Bones System)
Hi,
I have been aiming to design my own hardware system for 4 years.
Last year I amplified that goal and almost started the project. I had made shopping cart lists of essential parts (cpu, gpu, motherboard, ram,hd, cooling,case, and the like).
Unfortunately, I got snagged for financial reasons and uncertainty on hardware compatibility of some of the components.
So I compromised by triple-booting ubuntu, windows 7 home prem, and mac os on a pre-existing imac. While the experimenting with multiple OSes was grand (and enjoyable), I am very unsatisfied with apple products (their babylike interface, heinously overpriced, locked-down OS, plus I just don't care for the apple company) and need to get a new setup.
My alternatives are:
- a high quality laptop (with some kind of multiple monitor configuration (the addons and software for that I have researched fairly well)
- a pre-built rig (almost certainly Dell)
- building my own Bare Bones System or From Scratch
Because of the enjoyment, learning, and personal (and possibly professional) rewards, not to mention that I think it's about time considering how long I've used computers and my considerable interest in them, IF the bare bones system worked (and I've heard of incompatibility problems) just as well or better than the two other options, I'd much rather do #3, building one from scratch.
So, aside from typically unhelpful tutorials and looking at system specs (like I so alphanumeric's, which looked quality in parts) not sure how to go about this, but this forum was incredibly informative for at least one thread, so I posted here.
Initial question(s) is what's the best way to have a very clear accessible bit of data (like a table of known (in)compatibilities with hardware components?
For example, many cpus won't work with certain motherboards, correct?
Will only certain ram work for certain motherboards?
How do you know which cooling system is powerful enough for givne cpu(s) and hd and other component heat?
This is a project that I value, and IF I can get affordable high-quality parts AND they al compatible and it works, will be rewarding. Additionally, DIY and desinging a system from scratch is very congruent to how I operate.
I have some minimums such as:
1 (ideally 1.5 tb) HD
6gb+ Kingston ram
Was eyeing Eyefinity graphics card (6 ports), but it's price seems a bit out of range.
NVIDIA gpu
Intel (ideally i7) cpu
I also realize that some companies (like dell) basically just assemble computers from different manufacturers making it like an assembled machine. However, the benefit to the bbs would be the reward of diy, technological learning, and customization, so this is obviously something I value, but buying parts and having them not work is probably the main impeding fear.
What's the best way to have crisply defined compatibility/incompatibilities with parts? Thanks a ton.
I guess ideal responses would be people who have experience successfully building their own bbs.
also, I am not too clear on a bare bones system and building one from scratch. Sounds like a BBS is in between building one from scratch and buying one pre-assembled.
How does one pick out some of the components (like a case or motherboard)? Aside from a few brands (like asus) that I like, some components I am uncertain on how to pick one out.
Learning more about the componens will probably be decisively informative.
RAM, CPU,and HD are components of which I am more familiar, so selecting those is simple. I'd prefer to build a system from scratch, but it sounds like a BBS takes care fo the case, cooling, power supply, and mother board (is that correct?)?
For example, let's say I decide on a motherboard (likely asus) that is compatible with an i7 that I select. how do I know which case and cooling and power systme will be compatible with that motherboard and cpu?
Or (a more detailed question) the asus P8H61-M motherboard Newegg.com - ASUS P8H61-M (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard says it has an audio chipset of Realtek ALC887. Does that mean that I will be set for audio (I won't need to get any other audio components?) Thanks a ton.
I've heard a lot about component incompatibilites (which was a deterrent to doing this project).
To avoid the obstacle of costs and incompatibilies, instead of buying all parts simultaneously (the way I incorrectly thought it had to be done), I plan to buy the motherboard, then another component or two, and then get the components over time (the gradual purchasing is primarily cost-related but also incrementally getting the parts is more appealing and doing so anchors the project because if I have a few of the parts (like motherboard and ram), then I have at least a core to build upon)
I realize this thread may be out of the scope of this forum. If so, I will simply repost it elsewhere.
Thanks!