What makes a PC?

[CoryKer]

It's been carried out over a couple posts that I'm building a PC soon, and it will be the first computer I've put together myself.

Now, could anyone tell me all the components I need? I mean everything - power supplies, fans... the whole shebang.

Sorry if I sound childish, or ignorant. Truth be told, I am. You're the only ones who can help me! Save me! Save me now!

-Cory Ker

[Xeroid]

Motherboard
Processor
CPU Cooler
Memory

Video Card
Sound Card
Fax-Modem
Network Card

Hard Drive
CD-Rom or CD/RW
Floppy Drive
Zip Drive
DVD

Computer Case
Case Fan
Drive Bay Fan
Slot Fan
Case Power Supply

Mouse
Keyboard
Speakers
Monitor

Windows Operating System
Business Software

Some possible things. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Mike

[This message has been edited by Xeroid (edited 07-12-2001).]

[Brangwen]

CoryKer:

A fairly comprehensive list has been provided by Xeroid. But you may still feel in the dark, not having a clue as to what type of what component to procure for your system.

I built (assembled the parts to) my first computer a few years ago. I began by looking at other computers that are sold already assembled, with the components listed, from vendor sites on the Internet.

Right off the bat, you must determine: "what is the computer going to be used for?" For example, my present computer is used for my business needs (word processing, spreadsheets, printing letters, faxing documents), sending and receiving e-mail and Internet site access, and some gaming (golf, mostly and chess). Some computers are built to do mostly business applications, as I've described. Other folks are high-powered gamers who desire and require speed and very high quality graphics to run their gaming applications. I fall a bit in between the two extremes.

What you intend to use your computer for will dictate what types of components should be put inside of it. As an aside, many computer users enjoy (myself included) "tweaking" their components to get every iota of performance out of every component. This activity is generally referred to as "overclocking" the components. There is a forum here dedicated to overclocking, aka oc'ing. A good example of oc'ing is adjusting (tweaking) a processor (CPU) by adjusting hardware or software (or both) to run the CPU faster than it was designed to run. In effect, this is the consumer trying (and usually succeeding) to get his/her processor to run at the rate of a more expensive CPU and paying less. OC'ing a computer to see how much performance one can get out of it is analogous, in my opinion, to building hot rods during the '50s or '60s. It can be cost effective and enjoyable to computer hobbyists, myself included! Of course, there are risks involved, like ruining components and voiding warranties! But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Another source of info regarding particular components and getting an idea of what they and the entire system can accomplish is by watching an info-mercial on a TV shopping network, e.g., QVC. You may see an ad for a complete system, with (for example) a Intel Pentium Four processor (or an AMD Athlon processor) [Intel and AMD are probably the biggest competitors in the consumer market today], a certain amount of memory (SDRAM, DDR or Rambus, depending on the system), a video or graphics card (to translate data to your monitor), a DVD or CDRW component - to watch movies on your computer or to store and retrieve (audio, video or textual) data from compact discs (CDs) or DVDs. You'll hear about a hard drive. Emphasized here will be the amount of data the hard drive can hold (measured nowadays in gigabytes) and the speed of the hard drive, i.e., how fast (in RPMs) it spins, which can influence to a very high degree how fast one can write data to the computer or retrieve it. You'll hear the spokesperson describe a monitor and its capabilities (usually in terms of viewable screen size, e.g., 15", 17", 19", 21") and in terms of resolution, i.e., dpi (dots per inch) - how crisp or clear the image you see on the monitor is. This ties in with the graphics or video card in the system. Finally, a salesperson on a TV selling show will discuss the included (or extra) external peripherals like scanners, printers, speakers with which to listen to music / movies, Internet connection devices known as modems. Watch a few of these programs and look at several Internet vending sites that sell complete systems. Familiarize yourself with the necessary or desired components.

Then visit this site and, with the purpose of your computer in mind, decide on how powerful a system you want or need. This will nail down how powerful a processor (CPU) to purchase. Do you want an Intel brand or AMD brand? Ask opinions here. After deciding on your CPU, choose the motherboard or mainboard. This is the board on which your CPU will plug in. What kind of board will you want? (In the vernacular motherboard is generally referred to as a "mobo"). The "mobo" will partially depend on whether you chose an Intel or an AMD CPU, the speed (measured in MHz) of the CPU, and the type of physical memory you intend to run your system with (SDRAM, DDR, Rambus, etc.) Again, there are tons of opinions and reviews all throughout this site. Other factors will also impact your "mobo" choice: perceived reliability, number of slots (and type: PCI, ISA, AGP) for components like internal modems, soundcards, video cards and so on that will reside or plug into your mobo as well. You'll also need to keep your CPU cool by utilizing a heatsink assembly which includes a fan. The CPU is interfaced (plugged in) to the mobo, and a heat conductive device (heatsink) sits atop the CPU core or die, and a fan is attached to the heatsink which blows air onto (generally) the heatsink, thereby cooling the CPU. This, you will learn, is necessary with most if not all of today's processors. Heatsink and fan assemblies are generally referred to as HSF or HS/F.

After choosing a motherboard, CPU, HS/F and memory, you'll want to choose a computer case. Cases are usually, though not always, sold with power supply units (PSUs). Many builders buy the PSU separately: most probably do not. The amount of power (Watts) required (200W - 450W) will depend on your internal components. For example, an AMD processor requires (generally speaking) a 300W PSU, whereas an Intel (generally) requires a 250W PSU. The computer case should be roomy so as to make it easy to work in. Opinions galore exists in these pages as to the pros and cons of dozens of cases and features. Other case considerations are the number of bays (for holding HDDs, CDROM drives, DVD drives, etc.) you may need or desire for future expansion, <u>and</u> ventilation and fans to keep the internal components running at a safe temperature.

Next, you'll choose a hard drive or hard drives (HDDs) on which to store your programs and data, from audio to text and everything in between. You'll need a CDROM drive, or CDRW / DVD as mentioned above. Many programs are only available on media that utilize these devices.

As previously mentioned, you'll likely want sound for music, etc. You'll need a sound card (unless the mobo you chose has "onboard" or built in or "integrated" audio) as well as speakers. Again, opinions abound at this site about this as well. Then choose a graphics or video card: opinions abound here on all these things. Then monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, modem, etc. Make a list of all the compoinents you'll need by watching infomercials, reading preassembled system vendor sites, etc. Then begin to choose your components and do the research.

I'm afraid this response is very long and rambling, and likely confusing. I hope not too much so... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif One thing I can be clear on: once you've assembled your system and power it up AND IT WORKS, you'll get a grand feeling of accomplishment.

When you have questions, no matter how seemingly simple, ask at this site. You'll get plenty of help along the way from SysOpt members. Most of us began as true novices. And have fun!

Good luck.

Brangwen http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif


[This message has been edited by Brangwen (edited 07-13-2001).]

[Roy]

The bare essentials ~

Case w/ Power Supply
Motherboard
Processor w/ cooler
Memory
Floppy Disk Drive
CD-ROM Drive
Hard Disk Drive
Video Card (if not on mainboard)
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
Operating System Software

Typical Enhancements ~

Sound Card (if not on mainboard)
Speakers
Modem

[Dove19983]

I know there are many websites out there that tell you how to build computers.
www.buildpc.net (http://www.buildpc.net)
Pretty clean (Not Many ads/ Junk) and gives A little info about each. Although I'm pretty sure Brangwen gave you enough.
The site is a little old so it might not be up to date.

[gfunkmartin]

I find that sharkyextreme has a good site, and they have a guide for building a computer too.
The URL is http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/guides/build_computer/
probably the best thing to do would be to use both the info from the forum, and from all sites to get the most info that you can. My best advice is to make sure you buy good quality components

[hallam2003]

before i say anything else, i just want to give props to Brangwen for that amazing show of knowledge. While most of us have that knowledge, few of us would take the time to write that much, and BTW, it was perfectl;y clear to me. I think I'm gonna cry...

Anyway, i think the other guys have covered the esentials. Just an Idea, you can search around here for posts about this subjects, it'll help. Also, People here are more than willing to help you out, whether it be an opinion on a part, or telling you not to touch that because it'll fry.

I also recommend looking at some on-line venders (www.newegg.com, www.mwave.com, (http://www.mwave.com,) www.axiontech.com, (http://www.axiontech.com,) etc.) and just read through some of the parts specs, when you find thing you don't know what they mean, ask here, or look it up. This will also help you find out how much this is goiung to cost you.

Have fun.

E-mail me at evanhallam1@hotmail.com
and don't worry, i don't have a life


Hallam

[Psycho Logical]

These sites should help.

The PC Buyer's Guide (http://www.pcguide.com/buy/index.htm)

Installation and Assembly Procedure Guide (http://www.pcguide.com/proc/index.htm)

Building Your Own Computer From Scratch (http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/buildit1.html)

Windows Hardware Compatibility List (http://www.microsoft.com/hcl/)

[Richard_Cranium72]

The most important question -&gt;

" what is the computer going to be used for?"

Decide that, figure your budget, then we'll wrestle with each other telling you the best stuff to get http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

DrVette

[justy]

Brangwen,

That should nearly be added to the sites FAQ's page.

Well done, a good job. A novice will come away with valuable information.

All the best, Justy.

[Sixpac]

I would say from my experience, my computer is used most for Email and mulitmedia.. such as playing 3D games and also play Mp3 and videos.

sixpac &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

[CoryKer]

Wow, that was a freaking clear explanation. It was like encyclopaedia style, with everything relating to everything else. Though I'm not so ignorant as I don't know what a CD drive does, I do appreciate the help.


The most important question -&gt;

" what is the computer going to be used for?"

Decide that, figure your budget, then we'll wrestle with each other telling you the best stuff to get


Well, here is the rundown of what I'll use this box for:

-Image editing, with Photoshop and Fireworks
-Sound editing, DDClip Pro, maybe ProTools, Cubase...
-Games (hey, I've been using Macs for years, I'll play any game I can get my hands on)
-Word Processing, Spreadsheets... for homework...ugh
-3D rendering (just messing around, nothing serious)
-The usual garbage, AIM, ICQ, IRC, Internet, E-mail

I pretty much know the stuff I want when it comes to big stuff. I want a Tbird @ 1.4 GHz, 266 MHz FSB, DDR... 512 MB DDR RAM (probably PC2100, 2400 if I can afford it)... GeForce 2 MX or GTS...CD-RW, DVD... If I can afford it, a GameTheater XL... 40 GB, 7200 RPM drive... 17" monitor, with a res of like, at least 1280 X 1024... I don't really need a modem, only a Network card (I have cable). I'll probably get a mid-size tower, plain-jane grey or beige (cause I'm painting it). Also, I'll be installing Win2K (I've used Win2K, never crashed it, and WinME... ugh, that drives me nuts whenever I use it)

Jesus, I need how many fans? Man, goodbye silent Macs.

Budget? Well, I'll just have to take a look in my bank account at the end of the summer and see http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

-Cory Ker

[Brangwen]

Dove: Thanks for the compliments. You too, Hallam! (My finger is crying from typing!)

Psycho Logical, I have not looked at the links you posted but the titles appear promising. Good job.

Brangwen http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Imperion1]

For image editing, I'd go with at least a 19" monitor and the GeForce2 GTS.

Also what motherboard?

You won't see a noticeable difference between PC2100 or PC2400, except maybe on the new palomino cpu.

Have fun with this system when its built.

[CoryKer]

I'm not talking like, image-editing for a living here, just casual photo touch-ups and images for a couple websites, stuff like that.

I'll probably go with the GTS, but I think all I need is the 17". If I can afford the 19", I'll get it, but I won't be too upset if I can only get a 17".

Motherboard? I don't know. Which one should I get?

-Cory Ker

[preludexl]

i suggest you read anandtech's website. they have a lot of info on parts and who has them for the lowest price.

[preludexl]

oh yeah, you might want to comparison shop using mysimon.com and pricewatch.com as well.

[Imperion1]

Since your getting DDR ram, the Abit KG7 is a good choice.
I have the Epox EP-8k7a, its DDR, and don't have any problems with it.
But the KG7 will be alot easier for you to set up since its jumperless.
Not too sure about the price for the KG7, last I heard it was supposed to be cheaper than the Abit KT7A, but its not. At least not on pricewatch.
The 8k7a starts around $120.

[Chiguy]

If you want to, you can get a Dummies book (Building a PC for Dummies). This is how I learned. Of course, you can learn just as easily from websites.

[CoryKer]

Alright, well, I'm probably getting a specific job starting next week. Here are the numbers - all in Canadian funds, of course.

I'd be working 35 hours a week, at $6.85/hour. This means about $240 a week. By the end of the summer, that's about $1500. That's not including tips (the job is in a pizza place). The job would extend through the school year as well, and I would probably get about 21 hours a week or something. At 21 hours a week, by Christmas, I end up with about $2100, plus $1500 from the summer. so that's like $3600. Add Christmas money to that, and I've got plenty for a new computer. Of course, with spending, I expect that to drop to about $2800, give or take.

Just so you Americans can get an idea, that's about $1800 US.

Wow. I wonder what will be state of the art by Christmas 2001. And cost $1800.

Plus, even those this is a fairly PC-heavy forum, I should note that the family is getting a new "Quicksilver" G4 at the end of the month. That new computer smell should tide me over till a new PC.

-Cory Ker