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[miauw62]

So yeah. I'm 14 years old and I killed my laptop trough a tragic power button accident. (Well, the OS is dead).

So my parents offered to buy me a new computer. I'd have to chip in, obviously. So I tought that, maybe, I could build my own computer and save some money get a better computer for the same price.

So yeah. How hard is it?

[lordcooper]

If you can put lego blocks together and watch videos then you can build a PC.  Most things only fit in the place they're meant to go.

There really aren't many ways you can mess up as long as you make sure you're earthed and paranoid about careful with the CPU.

[Sonlirain]

Well since most things are standarized nowdays i'd say its not that hard since everything usually fits with everything (unless you buy a totally outdated motherboard without the needed ports for a new graphics card).

The only thing that i might see as tricky would probably be the power supply because i think you'd need to know the output and the power required by whatever you crammedi nto the motherboard.


Note however that i'm no specialist and almost managed to fry my PC when replacing a damaged CD-Rom 6 years ago.

All in all i think you could do it without any large derp moments if you followed some instructions from the net concerning "what cable goes where" and made sure you have the proper motherboard for whatever other hardware you're buying (a old motherboard won't support new RAM and graphics cards for example).

[lordcooper]

If you need help choosing components, feel free to ask for help either here or at www.reddit.com/r/buildapc.  It'll help if you have a rough idea of the budget.

[Remuthra]

It's actually quite easy, with a little technical knowhow. Just find the right components and plug things into other things.

[Knight of Fools]

Anybody can put together if they put a modicum of effort into it. Just don't be stupid, be careful with touching the CPU, and don't ever, ever try to force things. If you're super paranoid, you can ground yourself to prevent electrical shocks on the hardware. The hardest part is finding all the parts, making sure you're getting a decent deal and checking if they fit together. Once you get them, it's like a school project that requires a lot of patience to finish.

Never used it myself, but that subreddit isn't a bad place for parts advice.

[weenog]

Assembly is super easy.  The lego block analogy was apt.  Easy enough that I used to carry and swap hard drives around (before the advent of ubiquitous USB sticks) because I felt it was less of a pain in the ass than burning discs.  Two hands and a screwdriver is all you need, and in the case of quick release clips, you don't even need the screwdriver.

Choosing components with optimal performance for the tasks you want, within your budget, and compatible with each other, that can be a little bit trickier.  Try making a list of what you want to be able to do with this computer, arranged in order of highest to lowest priority, and submit it to any gadget geek friends you have, or to this forum, or both.  Be sure to include the budget you have in mind, and any hardware you have that might still be usable in the new rig.

Do not turn this wish list over to anyone who sells the hardware, unless it's a personal friend who is in no position to sell to you.  The worst place you can turn for honest advice is to someone who is likely to profit from your ignorance.

[Mephisto]

Building is overrated, unless you want the best of the best or you just like to do so. Seeing as your parents are helping foot the bill, I'll assume "best of the best" is out of the question.

My coworkers and I had a discussion similar to this a few weeks ago. There's a magical price point of ~$600 (assuming US) where it's worth it to just go buy a pre-built computer. You save on time, you've got a warranty, and you  can still upgrade it piecemeal when you need something more.

The parts cost less? If you game, it's probably not worth your time. More? Might as well build your own and save a few bucks.