Comments on: How to build your own computer https://gregladen.com/blog/2017/08/09/how-to-build-your-own-computer/ Thu, 02 Nov 2017 02:58:24 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.6 By: Tina Machia https://gregladen.com/blog/2017/08/09/how-to-build-your-own-computer/#comment-551711 Thu, 02 Nov 2017 02:58:24 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=24367#comment-551711 Hello, Greg, I built my own pc over seven years ago and the memory is over half full, I was wondering what I should add for more RAM.
Currently, I have PNY XLR8 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model MD6144KD3-1600-X8.
I’d like to add a TB if possible, but I have no idea of what to replace them with. The above is no longer available at Newegg where I purchased all of the parts to build it.

Thank you in advance,
Tina Machia

]]> By: Greg Laden https://gregladen.com/blog/2017/08/09/how-to-build-your-own-computer/#comment-454422 Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:26:22 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=24367#comment-454422 jl: Sorry, didn’t see your question.

processor 203.88
mobo 112.48
cooling fan 29.99
ram 138.99
power supplyh 34.99
blue tooth 5.99
ethernet 36.81
Total no case: 563.13
Case: 130
total with case: 693.13

]]> By: Thomas Rogers https://gregladen.com/blog/2017/08/09/how-to-build-your-own-computer/#comment-454421 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 03:00:41 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=24367#comment-454421 I am not a good candidate for building my own PC, though I’m an avid gamer. My last three PCs have been built by a boutique called IBuyPower PC. I got to pick my own parts with assistance by their software so no picking parts that won’t work together.

All I’ve had to do since purchasing is upgrade the GPU. I got lucky and grabbed a 1080ti when they first arrived. Now, it’s like pulling teeth to find one on sale, and then they’re at very inflated prices.

]]> By: jl https://gregladen.com/blog/2017/08/09/how-to-build-your-own-computer/#comment-454420 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:00:16 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=24367#comment-454420 What was the cost of the build for the box only (no kbd,dsp,mouse, etc.), adding the price of the case you mentioned that you are considering purchasing?

]]> By: Ens Josh https://gregladen.com/blog/2017/08/09/how-to-build-your-own-computer/#comment-454419 Mon, 14 Aug 2017 10:18:41 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=24367#comment-454419 “My intention was to build a computer that would be able to crunch large amounts of data quickly … “

So, you did not have a graphics card? Some number crunching software uses the cores in the graphics card to speed up processing. Do you have any experience of that or did you consider the pros/cons of using a graphics card?

]]> By: Greg Laden https://gregladen.com/blog/2017/08/09/how-to-build-your-own-computer/#comment-454418 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 12:44:33 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=24367#comment-454418 My GPU fan is perfectly quiet, in that it does not exist. I don’t have a GPU, and won’t need it unless I go above two monitors, most likely. This allows me to use way less power, have the smaller power supply, less noise, etc.

My current CPU fan is whiny and varies in its speed constantly.

Regarding the memory, I hope to not have this problem, but I think the key thing is the amount, speed, and configuration on the chip of the chipettes.

If, however, this turns out to be some sort of scam … changing the configuration on chips so people have to re-purchase memory (selling off the oldmemory I assume) than I will take that up as a cause, as I’ve taken memory up as a cause in the past, and do a lot more financial damage to the chip companies than they end up doing to me!

So if you are the chip company that made the above referenced chip you better get some more in stock soon!

]]> By: Wow https://gregladen.com/blog/2017/08/09/how-to-build-your-own-computer/#comment-454417 Fri, 11 Aug 2017 23:33:20 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=24367#comment-454417 The design of the larger 120mm fans really don’t actually make them much quieter than the 90mm ones, and most fan connections are just simple signals, I don’t know of any montherboards that use PWM except for the CPU and *sometimes* one of the case fans.

If the PSU has fan speed control for its own cooling fan, it will say so. Many of the “Quiet” label ones have this. They do the fan control themselves.

So for the M/B, check it has PWM (fan control), and for the PSU check its specs too. Most quiet PSUs do control themselves.

The worst culprit for sound nowadays is the GPU fan. If you don’tplay much in the way of games, either use the built-in graphics (generally good enough to play games of a quality of a AAA title 10-15 years ago) or get a passive one (which would be a min spec of non-FPS type games today).

I really can’t say much more than that. There are too many variables. Just look at what you want carefully. The specs usually have a lot more than you’d expect. Google for the user manual for M/B and read it first. That will tell you what you can select in the BIOS.

]]> By: MikeN https://gregladen.com/blog/2017/08/09/how-to-build-your-own-computer/#comment-454416 Fri, 11 Aug 2017 21:28:26 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=24367#comment-454416 Would you get bigger and noisier cooling? Don’t the fans all use sensors now? Plus a bigger fan should be quieter as it has more airflow, so less speed.

]]> By: Wow https://gregladen.com/blog/2017/08/09/how-to-build-your-own-computer/#comment-454415 Fri, 11 Aug 2017 18:13:56 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=24367#comment-454415 If it runs,then fine. But if it’s barely enough, then you’ll find upgrades (even adding memory: about 10W per stick) could throw it out as soon as the CPU spools up.

Getting one much bigger than you need is a waste and it has bigger and noisier cooling, but it’s not *bad* per se, just wasteful.

And as long as it works, then “too small” is fine. There’s not much way any more to tell what amperage your ATX connection is drawing, and that’s mostly where you get problems with the PSU.

]]> By: MikeN https://gregladen.com/blog/2017/08/09/how-to-build-your-own-computer/#comment-454414 Fri, 11 Aug 2017 17:21:14 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/?p=24367#comment-454414 #8, looks like I got bad info back then. I don’t remember if I switched out a high power supply or a low one or just bought a low when when building a computer. Hoping it’s the latter.

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