<div dir="ltr"><div>>>>My local Goodwill permanently closed their refurb computer section. I</div>tried to order a replacement power supply from Amazon, but the claimed<br>compatibility list was wrong. Not sure which vendors to publish "right"<br>info. So I will likely need to build something in the near future.<div><<<</div><div><br></div><div>As far as PSU compatibility, size is the most frequent problem (ie, it's got to fit inside the case). Next I would say "power quality" can be problematic, but try to stick with 80+ bronze level or better as a baseline. Next, non-modular cables can be too big to fit in small cases, so you might need a modular PSU. Otherwise, the only major problem at the present time is low supply of quality PSUs, and that's largely COVID-related as I understand it. As far as "right info" the only solution I know is to become knowledgeable yourself, and asking questions like these is a good place to start. Also start watching YouTubes about PC Building. Tons of info out there nowadays. <br><div><br></div><div>>>>I can see an opportunity for</div>ALE. You could publish a "Build Your Own Box" guide that would save<br>folks a lot of time, money, and frustration.</div><div><<<</div><div><br></div><div><div>I guess my thought here is that if you want to build a desktop box, Linux compatibility is no longer a large problem. If you need some oddball device, like say a video capture card or some unknown brand of a device, you might have to do some research, but Linux supports a surprising number of oddball devices currently. As far as motherboards, CPUs, memory and drives, I think you're mostly good unless you buy too much of an off brand name. And even then, it will probably work if it's older than, say, 6 months or a year.</div><div><br></div><div>There are lots of BYOBox guides currently. Even the YouTube channels that discuss Windows builds would probably work about as well for Linux. I mentioned one YouTuber I follow named Pauls Hardware. Here's a link to his list of saved parts lists on <a href="http://pcpartpicker.com">pcpartpicker.com</a>: </div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://pcpartpicker.com/user/paulshardware/saved">https://pcpartpicker.com/user/paulshardware/saved</a><br></div><div><br></div><div>Pauls Hardware provides one or two parts lists every month. He'll usually also do a sponsored build every month as well.</div><div><br></div><div>Here's a little older (May 2017) build guide from Bitwit (he starts with an ad, so begin at about 1:00 into the video): <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhX0fOUYd8Q">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhX0fOUYd8Q</a></div><div><br></div><div>There are tons of YouTube content providers who cover PC building, Linux and related topics. Let me know if you need more references on these.</div><div><br></div><div>I would definitely recommend <a href="http://pcpartpicker.com">pcpartpicker.com</a> for testing out your build list for compatibility. Get used to using the filters.</div><div><br></div><div>YouTubers instructional videos on building PCs provide tons of information going back many years. You can find the recent builds using recent hardware and see how they put it together and handle everything from cable management to DIMM conflicts with CPU fans. My favorite builders are Pauls Hardware, Bitwit, JayzTwoCents, LinusTechTips to name only a few. There are also boutique builders who build heavily modded and custom PCs. Look for JPModified and MadMods. Or just search YouTube for PC modding. There are too many to name.</div><div><br></div><div>Check out <a href="http://pcpartpicker.com">pcpartpicker.com</a>, build a parts list, then share a link with ALE before you buy, and I'm sure you'll get lots of feedback! :-D</div></div><div><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 3:51 PM Leam Hall via Ale <<a href="mailto:ale@ale.org">ale@ale.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">My local Goodwill permanently closed their refurb computer section. I <br>
tried to order a replacement power supply from Amazon, but the claimed <br>
compatibility list was wrong. Not sure which vendors to publish "right" <br>
info. So I will likely need to build something in the near future.<br>
<br>
In reading the comments you all have made, I can see an opportunity for <br>
ALE. You could publish a "Build Your Own Box" guide that would save <br>
folks a lot of time, money, and frustration.<br>
<br>
The Wiki seems like it could be updated, is this something that would work?<br>
<br>
Leam<br>
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