BOOT CAMP 436 (08/08/06)

Build your own Vista-Ready PC for around £200

Back in April 2004 we published the first in a series of four Boot Camp articles showing how to build a PC. As far as I’m aware it was the first time such a thing had been attempted by a national newspaper and it could all have gone horribly wrong, but we seem to have got away with it!

Hundreds of DT PCs were built -- one reader wrote to tell us that he built six of them for friends and family. So far (touch wood) we’ve only heard of a couple of problems, due to faulty hardware, and believe me Daily Telegraph readers are not slow to let us know when something goes wrong…

The prototype is in daily use and still going strong with its original Windows XP installation. Over the past couple of years it has been used as a test bench for countless items of hardware and a lot of flaky software, which says a lot for the system’s reliability. The only significant changes in that time has been a RAM upgrade, a second DVD drive and the addition of two graphics cards, for a dual monitor display.

Nevertheless, it is starting to show its age and occasionally feels a little sluggish when there are a lot of applications running. Wiping the disc and reinstalling Windows would almost certainly restore its vitality, but my guess is that like us, a lot of readers who built the DT Mk1 PC are getting itchy fingers, judging by the growing number of requests we’ve been getting recently to update the feature. They’re not just from those who built the first PC either; a significant number of newcomers have told us that they want to try their hand at building a computer but have found that one or two of the parts for the original machine are becoming hard to find and quite understandably they want to build something that is a little more up to date.

So be it and the Telegraph Mk2 PC was born but this time rather than simply update the previous machine we set ourselves a couple of tough design challenges. The first one was to come up with a ‘future proof’ PC that would be able to run the new Windows Vista operating system, due out next year. However, it wouldn’t be just Vista ‘capable’, that’s too easy, it had to be the Vista ‘Premium Ready’ specification, which places a number of stipulations on processor speed, RAM memory and graphics performance.

The second challenge was to keep the price down to less than the £330 it cost to assemble the Mk1. That wasn’t especially hard to do, computer components have been on a downward spiral for the past ten years, so to make it really difficult we set ourselves a target of £200! We almost made it. In fact if you strip out the VAT and shipping, or do some serious shopping around it can be done, just.

As before the price doesn’t include the cost of a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and so on, but most PC users will already have these items. You will also have to supply your own copy of Windows (2000, XP or above) but if you are on a tight budget or want to try something different there’s nothing to stop you installing a copy of the Windows Vista Beta test program or the Linux operating system, which is also free and in many user’s opinions, as good as, if not better than Windows. 

The point is for ‘around’ £200 you will be getting a PC that is capable of just about any task, outside of the most demanding high-end applications, and it should see you though to the next generation of Windows and PC software, and beyond. Above all there’s the immense feeling of satisfaction in building your own PC and watching it come to life the first time you switch it on. You will also be in the best possible position to update and upgrade your computer and sort out any problems, though hopefully it will prove as reliable as its predecessor.

So how difficult is it to build a computer? Our PC will comprise just seven components: a motherboard, CPU chip, two memory modules, hard disc drive, DVD-RW drive and a case with power supply, we’ll have full details next week. I would like to say that assembly is an entirely foolproof operation but there’s always someone out there ready to prove me wrong. However, the bottom line is that provided you own a Philips screwdriver, know which end to hold, and can follow a few simple instructions then you can definitely do it! It’s also perfectly safe and at no point will you be exposed to hazardous voltages as the mains power supply module is securely sealed.

With all of the parts in front of you (see also this week’s Top Tip) assembly need take no more than a couple of hours, say, half that if you’ve done it before, and It will be ready to use in the time it takes to install Windows. 

NEXT WEEK – Build your own PC, part 2

JARGON FILTER

DVD-RW DRIVE

DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder drive that can read and write DVDs and CDs 

MOTHERBOARD

The main printed circuit board inside a PC, with sockets for the processor chip, memory modules, expansion cards and connections for printer, mouse, keyboard and other peripherals

RAM

Random Access Memory, a computer's working memory, where programs store data and information when they are running

TOP TIP

Now would be a good time to make a few preparations for your DIY PC project.  It is important to have a well-lit workspace; a kitchen or dining room table is fine, though you should protect the surface as the case has some sharp edges. If you haven’t got a good strong overhead light then use a desk lamp, the interior of the case can get quite dark. The only tools you will need are a small or medium sized Philips screwdriver and possibly a small pair of pliers. I recommend magnetising the shaft of the screwdriver, to pick up the screws that fall inside the case (and they will…), and a pair of tweezers will come in handy for plugging in small connectors. 

---end---

© R. Maybury 2006, 0208

Part 2 3 4 5 6