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The Best Computer is the One You Build Yourself

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:11:54 +0000

One of the best ways of getting the computer that suits your specific needs is to build your own. Additionally, building your own computer allows you to create a simple-to-upgrade machine that can operate effectively for many years. It is relatively easy to do, but it does require a little bit of knowledge to find, purchase, and assemble all of the right parts. Whether your are building your own or upgrading a component, it is important to understand what you need and the minimum requirements to build a computer.

CPU. You will need a Central Processing Unit (CPU). There are only two brands of CPU: AMD and Intel. The type of processor that you want will be a factor in determining what motherboard to purchase. Specifically, you will want to know the brand, the series model, the socket type and the wattage required.

Memory. Every computer requires memory. Today, memory can be found in DDR2 and DDR3 versions. The DDR3 is newer and faster and the version that most new motherboards are built to handle. It is important to know what type of memory your motherboard is compatible with.

Graphics. Some motherboards come with graphics chips already in them, others do not. These will require a dedicated graphics card and the motherboard will come with a slot dedicated to handling graphics cards.

Motherboard. The motherboard is the base upon which the above three components will be added. Though it may come with an onboard graphics processor. A motherboard comes in different sizes, known as form factors. Different form factors work in different computer cases.

Hard Drive. Today, there are two speeds associated with Hard Drive Disks. 3.0 Gb/s and 6.0 Gb/s. Your motherboard will work with either, though it can only get the speed benefits of the 6.0 if it is designed for it.

Case. All computers and their various components require a case to house them safely. Cases come in a variety of sizes and are geared towards housing particular types of motherboards. The case specifications will include the form factors of motherboards that it can house.

A few items are still needed to round out a complete computer. A power supply unit will be necessary. This must produce enough power for your components. The main area to watch for is the graphics cards. They typically state a minimum wattage requirement.

Power Supply Integral to Every Computer Build

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:18:58 +0000

The power supply unit (PSU) is an integral part of any computer build. Without it, your components cannot run. Also, it is important to buy a quality product because if a PSU unit fails it can take out a lot of other components.

Wattage output is the prime factor in determining which PSU to purchase. All of your components require certain amount of power to function. Too little can cause boot failures or other systems to run incorrectly. The component that requires the most power is usually the graphics card if it is not integrated with the motherboard. Often graphics cards will list the amount of wattage that they require. With more and more graphics cards being made that can be paired with other graphics cards (called SLI or CrossFireX), a powerful PSU is becoming more important, especially if you plan on buying one and upgrading to two graphics cards in the future. If the computer is using a motherboard’s on-board or integrated graphics, then the CPU will take priority for needing power.

Planning is also key to purchasing the right PSU. If you are building a budget pc with older or less powerful parts, then you will not need the high wattage output found in some PSUs. A lower wattage PSU will fit the bill and consume less energy. However, if you plan on upgrading your other components for higher end games or better performance then you will end up with more power-hungry components. Having a PSU with a higher wattage output will allow you to upgrade components as you go without having to worry about needing an entirely new power supply.

Choosing a Motherboard

admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:20:06 +0000

The motherboard of your computer is the centerpiece for your Memory, CPU, and your Graphics card. Your choice of motherboard will depend upon the types of the above components you are using. A bad choice can hold your computer back. A good choice will allow for upgrades into the future. It is also important to choose the above components first (making sure that they all work together) and then finding a motherboard that will work with the components.

The first thing you should note about your motherboard is the CPU socket type. CPU are made to work with a particular type of socket. If your board does not use that socket, no amount of force will ever make the CPU and the motherboard work together and your new pc will not work.

The types of memory supported is also important. DDR2 and DDR3 are the two types found today, with DDR2 the older and slower form of the two types. The motherboard will list what types it is compatible with. It will also list the data rates of the memory that it is compatible with.

Graphics are a necessary component and some motherboards will come with on-board graphics cards while others will not. Additionally, it is important to note how many and what type of graphics cards the motherboard will support. The on board graphics will work well for simple applications and computing, however games will benefit a great deal by the addition of a graphics card. It is important to figure out what type of graphics card you will need and then make sure that the motherboard will support it.

Lastly, motherboards support certain types of USB connections and SATA connections. The new USB form is 3.0 and the new SATA interfaces (for connecting to HDDs) is 6.0Gb/s. If you are using an HDD that uses 6.0Gb/s, then you will want a motherboard that can use it at that speed, otherwise the motherboard will be limited to SATA 3.0Gb/s.

In summation, it is very important that you first understand what you need when looking at motherboards. If you are looking for a budget pc, then the older models will work fine and there are still plenty of older components on the market. If you are looking for something with upgradeable potential, then there are lots of good choices too.

Guide to Computer Cases

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:21:38 +0000

Choosing the right case is very important when building a pc or if you are upgrading to a nicer case. Cases come in a variety of sizes and forms and certain components may fit and certain components may not. Some cases are made with high end gaming in mind, others with ease of accessibility and others for people who like to take their computers to LAN parties. Understanding how to make sure your components will fit before you purchase a case will save a lot of trouble and time.

Cases come in a variety of sizes ranging from mini-towers to full towers. The first thing to make note of however, is the type of motherboards that it is compatible with. Motherboards are generally either m-ATX (Micro ATX), ATX, or e-ATX (Extended ATX). However, there are some variations in naming. Some larger e-ATX motherboards are called XL ATX. Each case will be compatible with certain types of motherboards. Larger cases will be compatible with ATX or e-ATX and smaller may just be compatible with m-ATX or both m-ATX and ATX.

Space inside is also important. Non-integrated graphics cards are getting larger and cases made for high-end gaming are increasing their size too. It is always important to check the size of the graphics card and making sure that it will fit in your case. Also, the amount of 5.25″ external slots and 3.5″internal slots are important. If you plan on using a lot of storage and want more 3.5″ internal slots for your HDDs then you will probably want a bigger case. The 5.25″ external slots are used for things like optical drives. Again, the amount you need will depend more on what you need now and the plans you have for your computer.

Fans are also a big part of cases. If you plan on using your high-end components to the max, more fans are key. If you plan on having a basic or budget computers, fans will still be necessary, just not as many. The cooler the components the smoother they run. Good airflow and a good fan is important in a case, and the option to upgrade to more fans is something that should be kept in mind.