Build Or Buy A Computer?

[YoungAndRice]

someone recently told me you can build your own computer for a fraction of what it costs to buy one in LOS. do you think this is realistic for someone with only a minimal knowledge of computers? does anyone have experience in this area?

i have 50,000 baht to spend on a desktop computer (not including monitor). what can i build or buy outright for this amount? what do you suggest?

[monty]

I won't say it'll cost a fraction of what a brand name PC will cost, but you can put in exactly what you want, and as such save on things you don't want and splash on the rest!

I wouldn't advise to do it if you've never done it yourself though, it's not hard, but you do need the basics of how PC's and their common components are assembled, along with which parts go together.

Go to any component shop in the big IT malls (Pantip, TukCom Pattaya,...) and they will be happy to assist you with which parts go together, and then put it all together while you are watching, at no extra charge!!!

If you need a gaming rig, you'll better do a bit of research as with which graphics card you want to go... There's quite a few threads here with discussions and complete component lists of what our members have put together into what they find a perfect PC for their needs!

For the amount you state. you'll be able to whip together a very capable machine, which will handle any game on the market albeit not always at the highest resolutions.

One tip from me though, especially if you plan to use a decent graphics card, is go for a brand name PSU (power supply) and trash the Chinese one included with most cases. It'll save you a lot of grief. Decent brands are Enermax, Coolermaster available not in all shops, but several stock them (Busitek Pantip has a good selection). I have two high end 600 Watt Asus PSU's and am very happy with them...

[naka]

Unless you are really into this sort of thing ... which you are not,

then probably better to buy a brand name package e.g. HP, Acer etc.

That way you are more likely to get a balanced, compatible package.

Naka.

[ballbreaker]

I won't say it'll cost a fraction of what a brand name PC will cost, but you can put in exactly what you want, and as such save on things you don't want and splash on the rest!

I wouldn't advise to do it if you've never done it yourself though, it's not hard, but you do need the basics of how PC's and their common components are assembled, along with which parts go together.

Go to any component shop in the big IT malls (Pantip, TukCom Pattaya,...) and they will be happy to assist you with which parts go together, and then put it all together while you are watching, at no extra charge!!!

If you need a gaming rig, you'll better do a bit of research as with which graphics card you want to go... There's quite a few threads here with discussions and complete component lists of what our members have put together into what they find a perfect PC for their needs!

For the amount you state. you'll be able to whip together a very capable machine, which will handle any game on the market albeit not always at the highest resolutions.

One tip from me though, especially if you plan to use a decent graphics card, is go for a brand name PSU (power supply) and trash the Chinese one included with most cases. It'll save you a lot of grief. Decent brands are Enermax, Coolermaster available not in all shops, but several stock them (Busitek Pantip has a good selection). I have two high end 600 Watt Asus PSU's and am very happy with them...

I agree with all monty has said.

You can get good reading info from the following site. www.tomshardware.com

You can also find price info from this site. http://www.busitek.com/forms/pricelist.html

If I were you I would try and determine what you wanted in the system and not rely on a shop in Pantip because if you pick the wrong one you might get screwed.

If you post your computer use requirements myself and others I'm sure will give you recommendations.

[Flow]

I for one wouldn't recommend you put one together or have one assembled together by someone unless you're an expert. I had one assembled together at Seri Center. Nothing but trouble. It breaks down, then what... you got no option than to take it back to the shop from which you purchased it from and get some amateur look at it and often he doesn't know what he's doing... a nightmare. Stick to the brand name if you're clueless like me then if there is a problem you just take it back to a service center and get a pro to look at it.

I hear Dell is pretty good.

[JSixpack]

It would be much better to get a shop to build that computer for you using QUALITY components.

Read this thread for a similar discussion and much info:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=160557

[chiang mai]

George (Admin) recently put together a fairly impressive rig and posted all the details on TV - why not look it up?

[YoungAndRice]

I want to be able to run three 20inch 1600X1200 resolution monitors on it. i want to do some moderate gaming, but nothing extreme. i want it to be very fast and not noisy if possible.

[stumonster]

I want to be able to run three 20inch 1600X1200 resolution monitors on it. i want to do some moderate gaming, but nothing extreme.

mate , the above statement sounds like you are taking the piss.

3 20 inch LCD monitors with DVI - you should be going for a dual PCIe motherboard and matched 8600GT ( or better, maybe SLI motherboard ) video cards.

this is all doable within your 50K pricetag but you do need to match your components correctly and get a good case and power supply.

[YoungAndRice]

would it only be doable for 50k baht buying from a company like HP or Compaq, or would i have to put it together myself to make it under 50K??

Edited January 5, 2008 by YoungAndRice

[stumonster]

for 3 LCD screens you probably would not be able to buy a consumer PC that would do the job from HP, ACER or DELL.

the websites listed on this thread and the video card thread are the starting point to check out what is available and the prices , then take your list to a larger computer store/ parts assembler in pantip etc . Most of them do know how to configure the systems for normal operation - though a couple of years ago I bought a system with an AMD athelon CPU that had been misconfigured and the CPU underclocked.

[Guest Reimar]

for 3 LCD screens you probably would not be able to buy a consumer PC that would do the job from HP, ACER or DELL.

the websites listed on this thread and the video card thread are the starting point to check out what is available and the prices , then take your list to a larger computer store/ parts assembler in pantip etc . Most of them do know how to configure the systems for normal operation - though a couple of years ago I bought a system with an AMD athelon CPU that had been misconfigured and the CPU underclocked.

That's right!

What you need is frist at all an MB with SLI Ports to place 2 similar SLI PCI-X Cards and the Crads need to have each 2 Video Out Connector (a total of 4 connector with 2 Cards)!

3 LCD 20" 1600 x 1200 (there not Widescreens) cost already more than THB 30,000 plus 3 Graca FX 8600 GS another THB 14,000 and you already by more tyhan THB 44,000 and where ist the rest??

Better you start thinking again!! THB 50,000 isn't enough for that what you're looking for!

Have fun and luck!

Cheers!

[stumonster]

reimar,

he alread has the monitors - or they don't figure in his 50K - his original post said sans monitor

[jerry921]

I built my last two (or is it three?) computers from scratch. It's not hard, and its not easy. I wouldn't recommend it for the inexperienced.

I didn't learn all at once. At first I just did simple things like add a new hard drive or sound card or replace a failed CD rom drive. The big step was when I decided I had enough confidence to try brain surgery: replacing a motherboard in a working computer. That's still easier than building a system from scratch because you get to take the old (working) one apart and study how everything is plugged in as you go. The first time you want to be very slow and methodical. Try to figure out where everything will plug into the new motherboard before disconnecting anything or taking the old motherboard out and maybe take notes.

Being able to do that saves a bit of money, though not much, because you can reuse the case, hard drives, optical drives and (if you even want to bother) the floppy drive. Except for the hard drives none of that affects performance at all, so you can put in top-tier processor, memory and video card and come out priced about the same as a mid-tier Dell computer.

My last two computers needed bigger power supplies than the previous one had, so I bought a new case and power supply as well, and that was more challenging because things don't hook up quite the same and a new case can come with zero instructions, you have to be able to figure out which wire is the activity light and which is the reset button on your own.

The only thing I ever fried was an old floppy drive. I realized after I pulled the power connector off it that the drive just had pins sticking out for its power connector, no plastic thing around the pins to force you to put the connector on with the right orientation. And I had no idea which way was up. After a thorough examination I realized I was down to a coin flip. I hooked it up and turned on the power and the drive made this "rrrruuuuup rrrruuup" sound like it was desperately trying to spin backwards and that was that. That was a good while back, nowadays everything has keyed connectors.

If in spite of all of the above you decide to try, think about this first: Suppose you buy all the parts, hook them all together and then the big moment arrives when you power on for the first time -- and nothing happens. What will you do? Or suppose the only thing that happens is the computer beeps 5 times. Do you know how to figure out what that means?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

George (Admin) recently put together a fairly impressive rig and posted all the details on TV - why not look it up?

George is very computer savvy. The OP is not.

[JSixpack]

George (Admin) recently put together a fairly impressive rig and posted all the details on TV - why not look it up?

George is very computer savvy. The OP is not.

It's not necessary to be very computer savvy. The OP can copy out the specs and get a quotation from a shop to build same or similar if desired.

[simcity]

Young,

I start to built my own 7 year ago, Lots of shops in Pantip or Fortune can put it together for you, and test it!

wise to bring your own window for them to load !

After bit to you to add what you need.

If you not have idea about software, you need to find someone to add all you need !

I believe for quality / price, built your own is best

[crab]

I had a computer built for me recently by Jedi in Pantip. They specialise in overclocking and equipment for gamers. So they have a wide range of power units, boxes and coolers; and a decent level of expertise. Their prices were good - and outstanding for certain items. And they seem to have done a fine job of putting everything together. Recommendable. You should, of course, go to them prepared with a set of specs and some idea of prices gleaned from other shops.

Sadly, having just put this "screamer" together, I may be on the point of moving and end up having to store it. Bad timing.

[BlackArtemis]

If you don't have an understanding on how to build one, then most of us can assure you that you will not need to spend 50k Baht.

[siamesekitty]

Just echoing what the others have said..

If you have an understanding of the various components you would need, then just write them down and you can take this list to various shops at Pantip or Fortune to have them give you a quote. The prices for the total package can differ quite a bit, even for the same list of specifications. (They will know you're shopping around though; my bf was once asked how many shops he'd been to already!)

However, if you're not too experienced, I'd advise getting a brandname computer and start learning bit by bit as you have to upgrade/replace parts over the years. The shops can tell who's in the know and who's not, and it's possible they could build you a PC with inferior parts if they figure you won't know the difference.

[YoungAndRice]

i know that electronics are cheaper in the usa. should i buy things like the hard drive, processor, ram and power supply in the USA and bring it over in a suit case?

i am not a complete noob and i have no problem basic stuff like installing a new hard drive.

if you go to those in pantip, how do you know you are getting new equipment and not used?

[monty]

if you go to those in pantip, how do you know you are getting new equipment and not used?

Pretty much all hardware is sealed in anti static bags, and normally the shops will slice the bag with a cutter to be able to affix the warranty date sticker!

[YoungAndRice]

anyone have a link to this computer post by george?

[CTM]

i know that electronics are cheaper in the usa. should i buy things like the hard drive, processor, ram and power supply in the USA and bring it over in a suit case?

i am not a complete noob and i have no problem basic stuff like installing a new hard drive.

if you go to those in pantip, how do you know you are getting new equipment and not used?

I bought all my parts at one shop and had them assemble.

Not only did I get it built to my price vs performance preferences, it isn’t loaded with loads of useless crap/spamware software from a large manufacturer. And I have found after sales service to be better than I’ve experienced from the big name companies in Thailand.

Buying parts in the USA is tricky. What if you have a problem? No one in Thailand will help you, not even the manufacturer. It might be worth it for a hard drive, processor, and graphics card but power supply is out as electric is not compatible.

[Plus]

I seriusly doubt the OP would find a brand name computer for three monitors, and I doubt that your average down the soi computer shop can put it together either. I' d stick to Panthip for things like that, the gaming shop mentioned above sounds like a good place to start asking.

It also makes sense to bring high end stuff like video cards and processors from the US and have it assembled here with local power supply and DVD drives. You can look at availbility and prices online, bring something that is cheaper in the US but still available locally, otherwise you might run into compatibility issues.

[ukjackthai]

With a 50K budget I think the user needs can be fulfilled easily. I built up my first rig when I was 14 with parts off EBay. You need to run 3 Monitors off one computer huh? I suggest you buy a high end card with 2 DVI ports and a mainboard with GOOD integrated graphics which can support your desired resolution to save money. I also suggest a quad core/high end dual core CPU to assist those GPU's and all round performance. 2-3 GB RAM should be sufficient imo. All this will need a very high wattage PSU, and as other posters have mentioned none of that Chinese crap! 550-650W should be sufficient. I don't really know how much space you need in your HD but whatever it is get SATA. And if you have enough money left, go for liquid cooling. Stock cooling in a rig like that is not advisable.

[YoungAndRice]

when you say SLI you are talking about a brand name product from Nvidia?

[stumonster]

putting SLI into wikipedia produces

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalable_Link_Interface

[ariesram74]

someone recently told me you can build your own computer for a fraction of what it costs to buy one in LOS. do you think this is realistic for someone with only a minimal knowledge of computers? does anyone have experience in this area?

i have 50,000 baht to spend on a desktop computer (not including monitor). what can i build or buy outright for this amount? what do you suggest?

For 50,000 THB you can buy the best components and a 24" monitor.

[klikster]

I've had a number of computers built since I arrived here 12 years ago .. mostly Pantip, one by a buddy that he had assembled in Chiang Mai and sent via EMS .. latest from Fortune town. I have yet to have a problem with the shops.

The vendors in Pantip and Fortune town work together pretty well. If you want a component thy don't have, they will get it from another shop.

For a rig like you want, try the higher end shops .. as a couple of folks have mentioned. Find one where the guys speak pretty good english .. easy to do nowadays. It they can't, they will go grab and enlist someone who can speak english. I've also gotten some good tips by talking to Thai customers .. very helpful folks.

Give the shop a CD with the OS you want.

Is it worth building your own? I don't think so. I would worry about 3 things.

1 - Getting a good thermal connection between the CPU and heatsink.

2 - Knowing where to plug in all those darn wires

3 - Losing screws in all the nooks and crannies of the case.