How long did it take you...

to build your first rig? I'm just curious because I'm wanting to build one and I'm just curious how long it took you your first time and what help did you have (figure it out by looking at an old computer, friend, video, etc.) Also how long would it take to just install Windows 7?

My last question is, now that you know everything how long does it take you now to build a rig. Thanks for the responses

about 3 hours on the first, now i can build one in about an hour. I like to take my time though so i usually get it up in running in about 2-3.

About 2 hours. Got mom to help me with a couple things though that required more than 2 hands. I know nothing really requires two hands when PC building, but I had a really hard time with the cpu heatsink.

Cool. Also how long do you guys keep your rigs. Do you have to replace them every few years or can you just upgrade the part that you want upgrading. I'm just curious because in another thread people kept talking about buying a completely new system ever few years. Thanks again.

My rig now took me 2 hours (Its my first custom built), and I have built several computers for my friends since then each at about 2 or so hours. Win7 installed pretty quickly. Dont remember it taking that long.Iantheone

Agreed. People were telling me it would take 20 min for Windows 7 to install. Felt more like 10.

When I finished, no calculable time had passed. In fact, my beard had gotten shorter.

Cool. Also how long do you guys keep your rigs. Do you have to replace them every few years or can you just upgrade the part that you want upgrading. I'm just curious because in another thread people kept talking about buying a completely new system ever few years. Thanks again.

christ4ever9889

I found myself hanging on to everything except for the graphics, I always upgrade that every two years before an overhaul.

About 2 hours, but I had seen and helped my dad do it several times before. Building a rig is like playing with expensive lego

to build? like 30min. and most of that was the time i spent freaking out if my cpu's cooler came with thermal paste or if i needed it.

which is funny considering my lastest piece my hd5850 took me 20min and 2 people to put in

to build your first rig? I'm just curious because I'm wanting to build one and I'm just curious how long it took you your first time and what help did you have (figure it out by looking at an old computer, friend, video, etc.) Also how long would it take to just install Windows 7?

My last question is, now that you know everything how long does it take you now to build a rig. Thanks for the responses

christ4ever9889

I built my first PC back in 1992. It took me an hour from opening the case to closing the case. The actual assembly took around maybe 45 minutes. I then spent another 10 minutes figuring out the LED lights/power switch/reset/turbo button.

Nowadays, it take me 30 minutes from start to finish if I'm in a hurry and not one of the PCs I assembled through the years have ever failed to post on the first try.

Cool. Also how long do you guys keep your rigs. Do you have to replace them every few years or can you just upgrade the part that you want upgrading. I'm just curious because in another thread people kept talking about buying a completely new system ever few years. Thanks again.

christ4ever9889

The most common mid-life upgrade is a new video card. Typical lifespan fo a gaming PC for me is 4-5 years. After I assemble a new PC, the old one gets handed down to either my family or relatives. The old PC gets used for another 4-5 years. That's the cycle I follow. Right now, the oldest PC I have is my DIY Athlon XP 1700+/GF4-Ti4200/768mb RAM/XP Home first assembled in the summer of 2001.

I usually take my time and savour it lol. Theres nothing like having all your shiny new hardware lined up waiting to be slotted into place. I quite enjoy it :)

And I upgrade whenever it needs upgrading lol. Built my current rig in feb 2008. Recently I just bought a new vid card (5850) and everything runs to the max on 1900x1200. Lovely :)

About 2 hours. Got mom to help me with a couple things though that required more than 2 hands. I know nothing really requires two hands when PC building, but I had a really hard time with the cpu heatsink.

RobboElRobbo