Bare-bones computer kit? or not?

I know about software but I know little about hardware except maybe installing a modem. Does anybody suggest me buying one of those bare-bones computer kits? They are not assembled but come with the parts. I would put it together myself. What about, if I didn't do that, would it be a smooth idea to buy all the parts separately and have tutorials on the web to help me out putting them together?

Thanks...

I built my machine... its not too hard, but its best to know what you're doing pretty much. My motherboard manual was really helpful actually. I'd suggest you buy some PC magazines, they normally contain useful info about hardware and home building...

Buying a kit sounds best for your first try, because it should come with a nice instruction set to help.

I have to agree with Chief, I was a hardware geek before turning to software and I have built all my own computers and multiple computers for freinds and family. It really isn't that hard to do as long as you follow the directions/manuals. Sometimes this documentation isn't that great but usually when you buy quality parts it is sufficent. It can be a fun saturday project, but if you haven't done it before it could take a little longer.

If you have any trouble maybe you could follow-up this thread and some of the guys could answer your questions.

Good luck with it,
Orbity

Sounds good to me. I'll keep yall updated.

Thanks...

It should be noted that nowadays building your own is not always the cheapest method. The PC sales arean is cutthroat and you can get some really good deals. Have a look around your local computer shops and the bigger dealers and compare the costs to doing it yourself. Often you will find that the only reason to do it yourself is if you are upgrading an older machine or for the learning experience.

Remember that the PC companies have the ability to buy in bulk directly from the manufacturers, thus the price per component goes down. Even though they do markup the PC price, as Banjo says if you shop around you can get a good deal. Many dealers will also let you pick and choose the components from a list, so you retain quite a bit of flexibility. Of course, the learning experience is always good.

It all depends what your reasoning is.

by the way it is advisable when ur aseembling a motherboard you know what you are doing, because i wrong cable i a wrong socket can blow up your motherboard and your dealer will never accept t give warranty for that......anyway iam a hardware geek also so if you need any help let me know :D

Its pretty hard to that to a modern motherboard. The only bits that can be confusing are:

The connectors for the power switch, case leds, etc.
The IDE connectors, which are electrically identical.
The PS/2 Mouse and Keyboard connectors.

In all cases gettings it wrong won't cause damage if, they just won't work.
The only thing that you can do to damage it is overclock your processor. Not all motherboards allow it and even when they do, you really have to go out of your way to do it.

My suggestion would be only to get a barebones if you have parts you can salvage from an older comp.

For example, when I next upgrade my computer I plan to get a barebones comp and take parts from the comp I'm using now. I plan to get a tower with a motherboard+cpu combo, ram, and a HD; and take the rest from my old comp.

As long as you get a tower with a motherboard+cpu the rest is rather simple. Any cards are obvious; pretty much if it fits in a slot, it'll work there. The only confusing stuff for people who haven't done it before is HD, cd-rom, and floppy drives; due to all the cables. Just use your old comp as a road map if you get lost.

Heh, I remember a 386 SX MB I bought one time, forgot the old rule on power connectors, black to black. I reversed them. The lousy thing never lived again, and no they wouldn't take it back either. I donated it to my comp sci teacher a few years later so she could have something to show her classes where all the pieces and parts were. The toughest thing, I think, today about getting them built is making sure to get the harddrive ribbons connected right. Still if you get them wrong all you have to do is shut down and flip them around.

edit/ Oh yeah, and for some unfathomable reason most DVD-Roms want to be the master on IDE2 and they almost always refuse to be the slave on IDE1 as well, but an internal zip drive doesn't mind being the slave on IDE1 at all. /edit

In my area there are several independent PC stores....If you buy all the parts and assemble it yourself it comes out to the same price if they were to assemble it for you.

And most of these indie shops will have all the brands and all the models. You pick and choose exactly what you want.

Also, don't forget the warranty. You may have a hard time after damaging a part yourself.

As for the national chains, it's hard to get service from them when things go wrong.

Man. I wish we had a parts store here in Mexico. I'd actually have my home PC up and running by now. I don't like changing out motherboards, but I can do it when necessary.

Instead I have a couple of Mexican techies poking at it with a stick. 2 weeks and counting... maybe the parts will arrive via donkey today. :-\

God I wish I were kidding.