Building a computer - what should you know?

[Tigra00]

I've seen a lot of these posts...There should probably be a sticky by now. :P

 

 

 

Anyways, I'm planning on building a computer soon because mine is pretty out-dated (2003?), and frankly, and the numbers and letters labeled on the box of a processor and whatnot mean pretty much NOTHING to me. I know the difference between 1.6 ghz and 3.0 ghz, of course, but there are many other important things in these apparently "secrets codes" of numbers and letters.

 

 

 

I was looking at processor options and saw a 3.0 ghz processor that was $1,500. I almost crapped myself. I thought "How the hell can that be?" when I had just saw a 3.0 ghz processor the day before for about $300. The difference? The mumbo-jumbo of numbers and letters that apparently somehow make it "better" or "worse" than the other thing. In this case?

 

 

 

Check it out:

 

 

 

$1,500 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115026

 

FSB - 1333mhz

 

L1 cache - 64KB+64KB

 

L2 cache - 2x4MB

 

 

 

$300 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115028

 

FSB - 1333mhz

 

L1 cache - 32KB+32KB

 

L2 cache - 4MB shared

 

 

 

See the difference? What the hell does THAT mean? Obviously, the cache's on the more expensive one are larger, but I was under the understanding that processors' uberness was gauged based on their ghz. And what in the world does FSB mean? They're the same, so yea...

 

 

 

I guess I'm kinda' clueless. When I looked around at first, I went by "more expensive is better" because that's usually how [cabbage] is in life, but that's a pretty ignorant stance, so I'm trying to learn so I don't get the wrong crap. Needless to say, no matter how uber a $1,500 processor is, I'm not buying it 'cause it's just too spendy. :P

 

 

 

Also, I'm curious about power supplies. How do I know how much to get? Why over do it if I don't need to?

 

 

 

Do certain motherboards not support certain other items like RAM, processors, etc? I'm taking it that they all pretty much work together, but again, I don't want to screw myself over.

 

 

 

Heatsinks...What should I look for? I'd rather not fry my processor...That would suck.

 

 

 

Cooling...Which is the way to go? Fans? Water-cooling? I must admit, water cooling looks like it'd be pretty nifty...No loud [wagon] fans for once would be nice...Thing is, I have no idea how THAT crap even works, and frankly, the idea of me - a complete novice - messing around with water and computer components is frightening, so...How about we talk fans, unless it's easier than I think? :lol:

 

 

 

Basically, I'm trying to make a rig that won't lag me to death while playing games. I'm so tired of lag that I'm about ready to throw my computer out the window. Getting 10 FPS on WoW (probably more WoW's fault than mine since I usually run 20-25 FPS) lately is just the last straw. I'd rather spend money than be annoyed endlessly. I know it's probably kinda' comical that you guys think I can put together my own computer without knowing much about them, but putting them together isn't the hard part. :P I've had to take mine apart and stick it back together many times from upgrades and whatnot, it's not too tough...Plus, there is always instructions! :lol:

 

 

 

Thanks for any help. I'm just about ready to dive off the cliff and start buying, so I just want to make sure I get it right. Remember - it's for gaming, and yes, I'll probably be sticking 4 gigs of RAM in it just to be safe. :lol:

 

 

 

Umm, yea...Groovy. ;)

[Faux]

Kentsfield = 4 cores

 

 

 

Conroe = 2 cores

 

 

 

Almost every consumer application doesn't really take advantage of 4 cores yet, so unless you want to futureproof and pay premium, buy the Conroe.

[Tigra00]

Kentsfield = 4 cores

 

 

 

Conroe = 2 cores

 

 

 

Almost every consumer application doesn't really take advantage of 4 cores yet, so unless you want to futureproof and pay premium, buy the Conroe.

 

 

 

I figured it was something like that, 'cause I heard they were comin' out with 4 core's last year or whatever. Or earlier this year, whichever it was.

 

 

 

Thanks for that, though. I'm sure the Kentsfield is uber fast, but not $1,500 fast. :P

 

 

 

And thanks for the added-in edit. That helped even more.

[Barihawk]

Let a company or computer store build it for you.

 

 

 

Trust me, I knew a lot more than you did when I started this rig, but it cost me 400 bucks at the end to make it actually work. Not worth it, have someone professional at least help you.

[Tigra00]

Let a company or computer store build it for you.

 

 

 

Trust me, I knew a lot more than you did when I started this rig, but it cost me 400 bucks at the end to make it actually work. Not worth it, have someone professional at least help you.

 

 

 

:uhh: How did you manage to wrack up $400 trying to make it work? Break somethin'? I'm just curious. :P

 

 

 

I always can get the local shop here to put it together for me, but I'm not sure if I will need it. There are many many tutorials with pictures, my own rather limited knowledge (it isn't THAT hard, a lot of stuff just snaps or screws in and is obvious where it goes) and of course, instructions! But yea, it's always an option. They'd probably do it for $80, lol.

[das1330]

really with a good compatible list of parts, building a computer is easy. If you don't already know, This series of videos will cover pretty much everything you need to do to build a computer. As far as the processor, the ghz wars are over. The focus is on efficiency now, not speed. As far as the processors listed, the more expensive one has an unlocked multiplier, a setting used to overclock the processor more easily, and 2 extra cores. Essentially its just 2 of the other processors you mentioned stuck on one chip with all the "limiters" taken out. Even then, that processor is a ripoff, however, as This processor is physically identical, in fact the processors are built on the same assembly line. The only difference is a software setting intel puts on the processor to create a product line. When overclocked, which is fairly easy with a good motherboard, that processor can perform within 1% of the performance of the other one...... for 1200$ less. As far as compatibility goes, just match up the part specs (ie ddr2 memory will only go on a ddr2 motherboard) and you should be fine.

 

 

 

As far as heatsinks, the current generation of processors runs MUCH cooler then the Pentium 4's did, so on stock settings or even a mild overclock, the stock heatsinks that come with the processor will do fine. As far as watercooling goes, unless your budget is at least ~3000$ or so, there is no reason you should need it. Like I said before, heat is NOT a major limiting factor right now, so unless your planning on overclocking the HELL out of your system, a 400$ watercooling system is not necessary.

 

 

 

Power supplies: power supplies are interesting. You can get them rated between 300 and 1600 watts, and yet for most systems a good stable brand of power supplies rated at 700 watts or so will do great. Again, unless you are planning on putting in multiple graphics cards, powering big RAID arrays, or are overclocking like crazy, anything over 700-800 watts os a waste.

 

 

 

FSB means front side bus, the connection system your processor uses to communicate with the rest of the computer. On processors without an unlocked multiplier, changing the FSB mhz rating is the only way to overclock the processor.

 

 

 

As far as picking out parts, Me and a few other people on this forum have some knowlage on what brands are reliable etc, so if you would give us a budget we could give you a list of good parts.

[Nadril]

I'm with snipersas here, give us a budget and we'll go wild. :P

 

 

 

If you don't give us a budget I"m sure most of us could easily spend upwards of $5,000 on something, haha.

[Doomster]

FSB = Frontside Bus, a measure of how fast the CPU commumicates with the motherboard (and RAM). FSB is 4x the actual CPU clock, as the Intel FSB uses quad data rate.

 

 

 

The new generation Core 2 - E6x50 models and some previous "extreme" models operate at the fastest current FSB - 1333 and require a motherbaord that sypports it, using one of the more recent chipsets.

 

 

 

FSB 1066 - Used by previous generation E6x00

 

 

 

FSB 800 - Used by the lower versions, E4x00 and E21x0

 

 

 

NB, the E21x0 series (2140, 2160) are badged as "Pentium" but are actually bottom end "Allendale" core 2s.

 

 

 

Most of the 800 FSB models are robust overclockers, and will handle a push to the next FSB level without needing extra volts or heroic cooling. Equally, motherboards capable of higher FSB can operate down to lower levels, so a 1333 FSB motherboard will support pretty much any LGA775 socket CPU you can find.

 

 

 

RAM - DDR2 (not sure if they are starting on DDR3 yet), current motherboards, certainly any beyond 800 FSB, will not support older DDR RAM.

 

 

 

One thing to be sure of with heatsinks, are they "front fix", attaching to the Intel standard mountings or "back fix", requiring their own mounting arragement fitted to the reverse of the motherboard - you don't want to have mounted the motherboard in the case and then discover a back fixing heatsink.

[Barihawk]

Let a company or computer store build it for you.

 

 

 

Trust me, I knew a lot more than you did when I started this rig, but it cost me 400 bucks at the end to make it actually work. Not worth it, have someone professional at least help you.

 

 

 

:uhh: How did you manage to wrack up $400 trying to make it work? Break somethin'? I'm just curious. :P

 

 

 

I always can get the local shop here to put it together for me, but I'm not sure if I will need it. There are many many tutorials with pictures, my own rather limited knowledge (it isn't THAT hard, a lot of stuff just snaps or screws in and is obvious where it goes) and of course, instructions! But yea, it's always an option. They'd probably do it for $80, lol.

 

 

 

I learned that American motherboards are not made to work with 230v power supplies.

 

 

 

It's worth it to buy the parts and let them build it. You still will save money.

[das1330]

I'm with snipersas here, give us a budget and we'll go wild. :P

 

 

 

If you don't give us a budget I"m sure most of us could easily spend upwards of $5,000 on something, haha.

 

 

 

5000$? try 14,000$ Here One thing we can both do well is spend money, level 99 money spending :lol:

[Tigra00]

Yea, I've seen a few DDR3's on Newegg, I believe.

 

 

 

My budget is probably $2,000, tops. I can't really make myself spend more than that without feeling like I'm wasting all my money on something. :P However, I am aware that graphic cards themselves can take up a huge chunk of that, so I could go a lil' over.

 

 

 

There is some stuff I'll be reusing...If I can, that is. I have a DVD drive I like, just bought for my computer, and my CD drive is fine...Floppy disk drive...Uhhh...I could reuse my mouse and keyboard, but they're gettin' raggity, probably get new ones, wireless KTHNX, tired of these wires, haha.

[das1330]

Yea, I've seen a few DDR3's on Newegg, I believe.

 

 

 

My budget is probably $2,000, tops. I can't really make myself spend more than that without feeling like I'm wasting all my money on something. :P However, I am aware that graphic cards themselves can take up a huge chunk of that, so I could go a lil' over.

 

 

 

There is some stuff I'll be reusing...If I can, that is. I have a DVD drive I like, just bought for my computer, and my CD drive is fine...Floppy disk drive...Uhhh...I could reuse my mouse and keyboard, but they're gettin' raggity, probably get new ones, wireless KTHNX, tired of these wires, haha.

 

 

 

so a new tower and keyboard/mouse then? do you need a monitor?

[Tigra00]

Yea, I've seen a few DDR3's on Newegg, I believe.

 

 

 

My budget is probably $2,000, tops. I can't really make myself spend more than that without feeling like I'm wasting all my money on something. :P However, I am aware that graphic cards themselves can take up a huge chunk of that, so I could go a lil' over.

 

 

 

There is some stuff I'll be reusing...If I can, that is. I have a DVD drive I like, just bought for my computer, and my CD drive is fine...Floppy disk drive...Uhhh...I could reuse my mouse and keyboard, but they're gettin' raggity, probably get new ones, wireless KTHNX, tired of these wires, haha.

 

 

 

so a new tower and keyboard/mouse then? do you need a monitor?

 

 

 

New tower, yea. Would rather not try to put a bunch of awesomeness into a Dell Dimension 2400's case. :P I don't NEED a monitor, but I may get one since I've seen a few that were pretty cheap. But really, I doubt I will. It's just an extra few hundred dollars that could be spent elsewhere. I have a 19" that works awesomely.

[das1330]

great then, gimmie a min, the price point of around 2000$ is a good one for gaming desktops.

[das1330]

Here you go, the best gaming computer on this side of 10,000$:

 

 

 

Case: Here

 

 

 

Hard drive: Here

 

 

 

Graphics card: Here

 

 

 

Power supply: Here

 

 

 

Memory (2 sets, for 4 gb): here

 

 

 

Motherboard: Here

 

 

 

Processor: Here

 

 

 

Windows vista: here

 

 

 

Heatsink: Here

 

 

 

now someone just offered me free food, so i have to go, but in an hour or so ill be back to explain all of these choices.

 

 

 

oh and keyboard/ mouse Here

[Tigra00]

Haha, I hear ya' on the free food.

 

 

 

Thanks for the help, it all looks pretty good, and I'm surprised, some of the stuff you picked out was stuff I was looking at getting. :P Namely the case, vid card, and memory.

 

 

 

I take it the onboard sound on that motherboard is sufficient? :P

[blade995]

I agree with the parts list that snipersas picked out. Everything is good but $200+ for a case? Thats a little crazy. The case is more personal preference so I can't decide for you. Just make sure you get a case with the features you need, a case with good cable management is a must, especially with your budget.

 

 

 

The hard drive is good but the Western Digital 500GB+ drives are faster than the smaller ones and are one of the fastest 7200rpm drives out. Plus 320GB would be too small for me, but thats just me.

[Tigra00]

I was thinking about a 500 gig hard drive aswell, but honestly, I doubt I'd use it! Even as a gamer, I have an 80 gig right now and it still isn't full. It's got only a few gigs left, but still. I have music and like 10 or so games on my computer, including WoW, which eats HD space like nothin'. So the 320 should be okay.

 

 

 

The grand total for that all is $2,145, by the way. Not bad. Could try to find a cheaper case, but eh. That one is okay too. Just have to make sure it's not a mid-tower because that graphics card won't fit in one comfortable, it's too long.

[Barihawk]

great then, gimmie a min, the price point of around 2000$ is a good one for gaming desktops.

 

 

 

I put together a very nice gaming computer for only $900. It may not have the absolute best parts, but it all works together very nicely.

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, and Tigra, get a cheap case. Mine is perfect and cost me $9.99.

[das1330]

really, case is a personal preference, but I put that one in primarily because of the good cooling and massive room for expansion. Its huge, and since it has 9 fan brackets, your parts will stay nice and cool. Even though you didnt ask for a monitor, This one would be good, and if you decide on new drives a pair of these would be good.

[Nadril]

I'm in agreement with most of what snipers posted. I would go for around a $100 case though, that one seems a little overboard.

 

 

 

Still some great parts there for a future proof machine.

 

 

 

edit: lol at that falcon site I managed to get a PC up to 17k. Dual 30" monitors hahaha.

[JoeDaStudd]

[hide=snipersas list of parts]

Here you go, the best gaming computer on this side of 10,000$:

 

 

 

Case: Here

 

 

 

Hard drive: Here

 

 

 

Graphics card: Here

 

 

 

Power supply: Here

 

 

 

Memory (2 sets, for 4 gb): here

 

 

 

Motherboard: Here

 

 

 

Processor: Here

 

 

 

Windows vista: here

 

 

 

Heatsink: Here

 

 

 

now someone just offered me free food, so i have to go, but in an hour or so ill be back to explain all of these choices.

 

 

 

oh and keyboard/ mouse Here

 

[/hide]

 

For the Case I would drop the $200 one and replace it with this or this , but cases are largely down to personally preference.

 

For the ram, why not replace it with this as you get the same cas, frequency and amount of ram, but in 2 slots instead of all 4 slots. PS the price is only $10 more.

 

Heatsink, I would replace it with this as you can attach up to 4 120mm fans to it if you decide to do massive OC'ing. Also its $20 cheaper.

 

You also forgot to get thermal paste, heres some brilliant thermal paste.

 

With the cash you save from buying a cheaper case and heatsink you can buy a bigger Harddrive.

[Tigra00]

Ah, thermal paste! That would have been bad to forget. I figured it'd come with the processor, but...Yea. Maybe not. :shock: Those other cases are nice too. I'll have to mix and match some stuff. I've kept the link to this thread so I can come back when I go to buy stuff. :P

[Nadril]

Some processors (IIRC) don't use thermal paste for their own heatsinks, I know mine doesn't. You do want it for the heatsink though.

 

 

 

 

 

I would deffinitly get a bigger hard drive, I have a 360GB HD and am fairly happy with it. With how big games are these days (easily 10gb+ each) you'll fill up something fast.

[Tigra00]

Some processors (IIRC) don't use thermal paste for their own heatsinks, I know mine doesn't. You do want it for the heatsink though.

 

 

 

 

 

I would deffinitly get a bigger hard drive, I have a 360GB HD and am fairly happy with it. With how big games are these days (easily 10gb+ each) you'll fill up something fast.

 

 

 

Yea, like I said though, I have an 80GB right now and it still isn't full. :P I have the 3 dawn of war games, company of heroes, GTA: SA, the sims 2...uhhh TORIBASH! :P I forget what else. Just a bunch of crap, plus all my music. I don't think I could use all of a 320GB. :shock: