PC Building: Week 12 - Benchmarking

It's been 11 months since I officially started this project on my DofE blog, but I realised that I never got around to testing my PC! Here are the benchmark statistics from it:

PC Building: Week 11 - SATA Cables and IDE Converter

This week, I did some research, and came up with a solution about how to access my files off my old IDE hard drive from my 2005 Dell Dimension 3000, which I recently disassembled as I don't use it any more.

PC Building Week 10 - Changing Default Installation and User Profile Location

This week, I did some registry editing in order to move my user profile and default installation directory to my secondary 1TB Hard Drive.

PC Building: Week 9 - Operating System Installation

This week, I decided to install my operating system onto my PC, which was a lot harder than it looks, due to my lack of a disc drive connected to my PC. First, I created an Ubuntu Live USB, so that I could at least use my computer to find a solution to my problem. Then I began to search for a solution, which I found in the form of a boot USB. At first I tried to do this straight from the Windows 8.1 iso that I had downloaded, but as this failed time, and time again, I decided to create one from the Windows 7 boot disc that I had from my old PC, but this, too failed. I had one final idea - to connect up my DVD drive in place of my main hard drive temporarily (since I only had 2 of the 3 SATA cables I needed) and install a temporary copy of Windows 7 onto the SSD. Once the Windows 7 installation was complete, I installed one program - Daemon Tools, a virtual disk drive application that I could then use to mount the Windows 8.1 iso. I then ran the installer on it, to install Windows 8.1 onto my PC. Quite a long winded approach, but the only way that I could think to do it without the SATA cable I needed for my disk drive.

This has been a Behind the Team post from Thomas (The Stacinator). Bye for now!

PC Building: Week 8 - Troubleshooting

The majority of this week, I spent troubleshooting why my PC doesn't boot to BIOS, removing each component in turn and seeing if it would boot. Finally, I came across the source of my problems: last week, I plugged the fans into both the PSU and the motherboard, as there is a fan header on the motherboard, but this is apparently not the way you are meant to do things! Either you connect the fans to one, or the other, but not both! I decided to connect it to the PSU, as although I am sacrificing control, the fans spin faster, meaning my PC will run cooler.

This has been a Behind the Team post from Thomas (The Stacinator). Bye for now!

PC Building: Week 7 - Building Part II - Non-Required Components

This week, I installed the last few critical components into my machine (my HDD, SSD and CPU cooling fan), and added the rest of the components to the motherboard to produce a machine that I hope will boot.

PC Building: Week 6 - Building Part I - Core Components

This week, I began to put my components together in the case to create a bootable machine. I attached the basic components (CPU and RAM) to the motherboard, connected the PSU and mounted both items into the case.

PC Building: Week 5 - Last Minute Changes and Ordering

After a discussion about cooling with my Dad, I have decided to replace the stock CPU cooler, I have decided to buy a Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO, as reviews state that this will give my components a longer life, and the system will run cooler and quieter. I also decided to change my mouse, keyboard and headset for a bundle, as they were cheaper, and matched better together.

I also received the case for Christmas, and have gained enough money to order my components from various sources. All in all, it cost just over £900. 

Merry Belated Christmas (again), and Happy Belated New Year!

This has been a Behind the Team post from Thomas (The Stacinator). Bye for now!

PC Building: Week 4 - Completed Price Comparisons

This week, I completed my price comparisons for the Non-Required Peripherals, meaning that I was ready to start buying my components next week, with my money from Christmas.

Merry Belated (or early) Christmas Everyone!!

PC Building: Week 3 - Price Comparisons

This week, I performed price comparisons on all of my components to find the best possible deal for the item I want. I managed to get a price for all of my required parts, and have pasted them below.

PC Building: Week 2 - Finalised Component List

This week, I decided which specific components I wanted, balancing price and quality evenly:

PC Building: Week 1 - Researching Components

Over 3 months, I planned, built and tested a computer from parts as part of the skills section of my Duke of Edinburgh's award.

This week I did some research, and found that I require these parts in order for it to work.