Building a computer

[Jubbly]

I found this site http://mythingsaboutcomputers.blogspot.com/
and was wondering if this guide is really everything I need to know about building my first computer?

[Griff]

Heh...

Building a computer is pretty easy once you know what you're doing, but it's not THAT easy!! 

Short version....

1. Decide what you want to do with the computer.
2. Find a chipset and Mobo that meet these needs.
3. Pick a processor (usually Intel or AMD, they are NOT compatible with each other. Consider that when picking a board.)
4. Pick RAM (type and size is decided by board, but it's pretty straight forward.)
5. PSU - I would recommend about 500 watt. Leaves room for future upgrades. DON'T GO CHEAP ON THIS PART!
6. Graphics card - depends on budget, gaming, design work, and such.
7. Hard Drive - Newer systems use SATA, older use a ribbin (the really thick one). There is SATA1 and SATA2. SATA2 is a lot faster, but they are compatible with each other.
8. Case - Find a nice quite one with good fans that will fit everything.

I think that's about it, besides from Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, and such. What really depends on what you want to do with it. Decide that, and then we go from there!

[patio]

The best thing to start with is a budget...

[squall_01]

Not really, its what kind of cpu and board and go from there.  Then match the funds and see......

[patio]

Not really, its what kind of cpu and board and go from there.  Then match the funds and see......

Wrong.
Dollars first...or how else would you decide on a CPU and board ? ?
Right now i can pick out a 7 hundred dollar board and a 5 hundred dollar CPU but if my budget is 8 hundred bucks where do i go from there ? ?
Get my point ? ?

[squall_01]

yes but thats not how I do it or done it at all.  I had fundws at least 1000 and I made a good pc with a few to spare.  The thing was that I had to change cpu and had one recommened and a board to go with it.  But after all the parts were gathered we removed the ones that werent needed and calculated.  Then we placed the order.

[patio]

You lost me...

[squall_01]

when I had built my gaming machine I went to my co advisor to make sure that I was doing it right and stuff and she said look at these boards and see which one you like.  I did and couldnt find it so I asked a friend of my dads and his work.  He said that the server was a good option and that the cpu I looked at would work.  Then I looked around and got heatsink and ram fans and speakers.  But most of it wasnt needed and more of a option.  I had some of that....  So we removed like surrond sound and such....  In the end I had three hundred left and had a good machine.

[x2543]

but it's all about the money, see, if you don't have the money, you can't get what you want.

And to see what you like out of what you can get, you have to have a target at how much you are willing to spend then go from there.

To look at CPU's and motherboards are all good and when you find one you like that you can't afford ... then 

[squall_01]

Your limiting you self alot then more so.  Its like okay I can get this 20 dollar external case cause I got an IDE drive and its cheap that I can use with it.  After a while its power pins break.

[mroilfield]

Squall,

Unless you have unlimited funds you have to start with a budget.

It would be pointless to find a MB and CPU that you like and spend $900 on them and then realize you only have $100 left to buy the rest. Face it no matter how much you like that MB and CPU they are worthless with out the rest of the components.

So first you figure out how much money you have. Then you find the MB and CPU that you like and that will fit into you budget while allowing you enough money to buy the rest.

In the end I had three hundred left and had a good machine.

If you had $300 left after your build that means you started with a set amount (a budget).

[quaxo]

And likewise with this statement:

I had fundws at least 1000 and I made a good pc with a few to spare.

There you go. You started with a budget of "at least 1000".

Unless you've got more money than you know what to do with, you need to decide how much you have to spend and what your needs and intentions for the computer are (games, internet, etc.). Once you have an idea of what money you have and what you want the computer for, only then should you begin shopping for parts.

[squall_01]

know I had at least that much that i could use.  The fact that I shad that much means that I removed some stuff an by luck of shopping around it cut cost.

[patio]

He's not gettin it Folks...

[squall_01]

not ever one follows the same path