Post by @orbitalmartian@polymaths.social
I am hoping to build a desktop PC and finally get away from my 5 laptops.
I am putting together a list of parts and the prices are making my eyes explode.
So, a few questions for the fine folks of the Fediverse.
What parts are ok to go second hand? (I know that storage is probably best to get new).
If the CPU I am looking at has a stock cooler, do I need to get a separate heatsink and fan cooler, or will the stock one be fine?
The case I'm looking at has 3 fans at the front and 1 at the back, do I need any more fans?
Thermal paste - what's the best one to get? Does it actually matter?
#AskFedi #PleaseBoost #PCBuild
EDIT: Forgot to say, this will be my first desktop PC and my first PC build, so all my knowledge thus far has come from LinusTechTips videos.
@orbitalmartian@polymaths.social probably get storage, power supplies and cooling fans new.
Everything else is probably OK second hand. Especially memory right now!
CPUs: I'm still working and gaming on an i7 gen 6 CPU which has been heavily used for 11 years now - I'm sure you can get a 8th or even 10th gen for a good price right now too.
Thermal paste: I'm sure some elite gamers are going to say there's a difference but honestly for most tasks as long as there's something it's fine - the worst you'll need to do is take the heatsink off and replace the paste. No big deal. Normally a heatsink will come with some anyway.
For the actual heatsink and cooler - if you're doing intensive stuff probably get a third party cooler, but generally stock coolers are OK.
3 fans is fine.
Forget everything Linus has taught you, he's an idiot. You're probably better off listening to Henry Cavill 😁
@paul And in terms of where to get second hand stuff. The only place that jumps straight to my mind is eBay, but is there anywhere else?
@orbitalmartian @paul I only check ebay, but fb marketplace could be a shout if you are already on the platform (I'd rather not).
I doubt vinted does PC parts, but it wouldn't surprise me at this point
@orbitalmartian @paul Also, I wouldn't say everything Linus says is useless, you can at least glean some familiarity with the steps involved in PC building
@daniel@masto.doserver.top @orbitalmartian@polymaths.social for the basic stuff Linus is fine, yeah, I was only playing 😄
I think there's that Luke guy on the channel. He seems to know what he's talking about. No idea if he builds stuff though.
@orbitalmartian@polymaths.social eBay, yeah probably.
Am I right in thinking you're in the UK? There's a company called Microdream who sell second hand gear. Typically they do rebuilt computers, but do sell components too. Microdream.co.uk
Or bargainhardware.co.uk, though they tend to be more server equipment than desktop.
@orbitalmartian when you get the cooler that comes with the CPU that's going to be fine, otherwise it wouldn't be bundled. Third party things might be a bit more quiet or better for overclocking, but rarely worth the price. Similar for thermal paste, expensive stuff might be measurably better, but you probably won't notice.
4 case fans seems like a lot, my case just has mesh near the CPU fan and that seems to be enough.
@orbitalmartian some online shops here have refurbished businesses PCs, those can be a good and cheap base
So, an update to this. I have actually found an old PC that I got three years ago (from my grandad's house when we cleared it out).
Granted this PC is a system from circa 2011.
So, I am going to be upgrading the computer with some more modern technology.
I wanted to upgrade the CPU from the Intel Core i5 processor (from ~2011) but it's an old AM3 motherboard. I thought, ok, get an AM4 motherboard, but that means I need to upgrade the RAM (in the system at the moment is 2 dimms of DDR3 - 16GB), and the GPU is a ~2009 model.
The things that will be staying in the system are the power supply, the 2tb HDD, and the case.
All the other parts, my parents, brother and grandparents are going to be getting me for Christmas.
Of course this new system is going to run Linux and will become my primary machine for absolutely everything.