Cheap Computers and Parts

A Few Important Notes Before We Begin:

Before we build that new computer, we should have a basic understanding of every component that's going to be installed. I will keep it basic so it doesn't overwhelm or confuse anyone. If you would like an in-depth technical description of a certain part, look it up on google!

When building your first computer, this process can be very intimidating and, at times, very confusing. It is true that building a computer is like piecing together a puzzle but keep in mind not every piece of hardware is compatible with each other. Just because you have a processor and a motherboard doesn't mean they will work with each other.

For example: If you purchased an AMD processor and a motherboard that supports an Intel processor, the two parts will simply not work together.. you can't even plug them into each other. You need an AMD motherboard. If you tried to put the AMD processor into the Intel motherboard, you will probably damage one or both components. Do not worry about this though, if you do accidentally purchase incompatible components, the visual difference in socket type and size should be completely obvious and you will notice it before you try to install them.

Another example: If you purchased an Intel processor and an Intel motherboard, if the motherboard doesn't support that specific processor socket type, it will become damaged if you try to force it in. Again, there are usually visual differences that indicate incompatible parts.

Note: When installing or upgrading any component, ALWAYS read the instructions for both the motherboard and the component before doing so.

Don't let all this scare you, we will help you avoid all this incompatible component confusion in our guide! Also, if you have no idea what we just talked about, don't worry it will all be explained in greater detail soon enough.

Components List:

- Computer Case
- Power Supply (if not included with the case)
- Case Fans (not always included with the case)
- CPU (Processor)
- CPU Fan / Heatsink / Liquid Cooling (Cooling for processor)
- Motherboard
- RAM Memory
- Floppy Drive (optional, almost obsolete technology)
- Multi-Card Reader
- Hard Drive
- CD/DVD-ROM Drives
- Video Card (sometimes built into the motherboard)
- Sound Card (sometimes built into the motherboard)
- Network Card (for networking and Cable/DSL use, usually built into motherboard)
- Monitor
- Speakers
- Keyboard & Mouse
- Operating System (Windows XP, Vista, Linux)
- Surge Protector/UPS (keep your computer safe during a power surge or lightning storm)
- Computer tool kit
- Antistatic Wrist Strap (sometimes included with a computer tool kit)

Computer Case:

This is the housing for all the internal components. Cases may look completely different but they all serve the same purpose; to contain all the internal parts.

When purchasing a case, there are a few things to look for. Make sure it's compatible with the motherboard you chose. This will be something like ATX or Micro ATX. We recommend a case with several CD-ROM and Hard Drive bays to allow yourself room for additional equipment if you choose to upgrade in the future.

Also, looking for a case that comes with at least one case fan isn't a bad idea either. This can usually save you some money. Sometimes the case comes with a power supply, always read user reviews to ensure the power supply is worth your time or if you have to purchase another one separately.

Power Supply:

If we want our computer to run, we need to give it power. The power supply allows us to do this.

Not all computer cases include a power supply. Please verify if the case you are purchasing includes one. We suggest a minimum of 300 watts however you may want to consider 350 – 400 watts or more depending on the amount of components you are including or adding in the future.

We recommend at least 700 watts for high-end gaming/production machines.

Case Fans:

Cooling is essential. The more ventilation your computer has, the better and longer it will run. You do not want any components overheating. Some cases include fans while others do not. We highly recommend that you have at least one case fan installed if not two.

When purchasing a case fan, read through the computer case manual or read the online description of the case on the web site to ensure you get the right size fan(s).

Note: these are not the fans for the processor!

CPU (Processor):

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is essentially the "brain" of the computer. It does exactly what the name implies, it processes data. Without the CPU, your computer will simply not work.

Before you purchase a motherboard, you must decide what type of processor you want. This will be either AMD or INTEL. Each type of processor has a certain socket type and is only compatible with a motherboard that supports that exact socket type. It sounds more confusing than it really is, trust me.

For example:

Processor:AMD Athlon 64 X2

CPU Socket Type:Socket AM2

This is an "AMD" brand processor, series Athlon 64 X2" . The socket type is really important here. This one is "Socket AM2" so now we have to find an AMD Motherboard that supports "Socket AM2" . Once again, it is really not as confusing as it sounds.

When buying a processor, also check to make sure it comes with a Heatsink. It will say something like "Heatsink and fan included" in the product description or specifications. Most processors today come with a heatsink and fan designed specifically for that processor but its good practice to make sure it comes with it anyway. The stock heatsink is just fine for your basic home office needs. If you plan on building a high-end gaming machine to overclock, you may want to consider an aftermarket heatsink.

Some people say AMD is better for gaming and Intel is better for multimedia while others say the exact opposite. If you are really interested in knowing which current processor outperforms it's counterpart, look up benchmark tests in google. When deciding AMD vs Intel for the average computer user, it's all just a matter of personal preference. Both are very good brands however AMD seems to be the more affordable option.

If you compare the two, try not to compare the speed or "operating frequencies" because between the two, it's somewhat misleading. Benchmark tests on an AMD Athlon 64 FX-51 with an operating frequency of 2.2GHz performed about the same if not better than an Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition with an operating frequency of 3.2GHz depending on the application.

If you feel uncomfortable deciding on a processor and finding a compatible motherboard, you can purchase Motherboard & Processor combo bundles so you know you are getting compatible hardware. Sometimes bundles are cheaper than buying each one separately.

What we recommend:

AMD: Athlon 64 X2 or Phenom Series

Intel: Celeron Dual Core, Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad

CPU Fan / Heatsink / Liquid Cooling:

This is one of the most important components of a PC system. The CPU Fan / Heatsink maintains the processor at the appropriate operating temperature. If not used or the incorrect heat sink is installed, there is a good chance your processor will overheat and become damaged in a relatively short period of time. These should always come with a fan attached.

For high-end gaming systems, sometimes a CPU Fan and Heatsink isn't enough and we have to upgrade to a Liquid Cooling System. We won't be covering liquid cooling in our guide.

Note: These almost always come with the processor but always verify before purchasing the processor. If your processor does not come with a heatsink, you will have to purchase an after market cooling device.

Motherboard:

The motherboard is the big circuit board you see everything plugged into. It allows all the components to work with each other, granted they are compatible of course.

You must consider several factors when choosing a motherboard. How many expansion slots does it have (PCI slots for sound cards, network cards, modems etc. and PCI-E slots for graphics cards) and how much RAM Memory will it support and what type?

Also consider the number of extra slots for future expansion. Your particular motherboard will determine which type of RAM and Hard Drive that must be used.

Again, if you are unsure about choosing the right motherboard and processor, consider purchasing a bundled package which includes a motherboard and compatible processor.

What we recommend:

* At least 2 slots for RAM Memory

* At least 2GB MAX RAM Memory Supported

* Dual Channel Support for RAM

* At least 2 PCI expansion slots

* At least 2 SATA connections (Serial ATA, type of connection for hard drives)

* At least 1 IDE connection (also known as Ultra ATA or PATA) if you want to add an older hard drive to your new system.

* OPTIONAL 1 Floppy (FDD - Floppy Disk Drive) Header for a floppy drive if needed

* Onboard audio and video if you don't plan on doing much gaming or use graphic intensive software.

* 1 PCI-E x16 (PCI Express) slot if you want a gaming video card or capture video/watch TV

* OPTIONAL 1 PCI-E x1 slot for future expansion

* Onboard LAN Network

* Several Rear USB 2.0 ports

* OPTIONAL USB headers for USB ports on the front of the case.

* OPTIONAL At least 1 Firewire (1394) port for other external hardware such as a digital camcorder

RAM Memory:

RAM (Random Access Memory) basically stores information that needs to be processed by the CPU. The more RAM you have, the less the processor has to read data from the hard drive.

The motherboard you purchase will determine what type of RAM will be used. You must purchase the type of RAM compatible with your motherboard or it will not fit or operate correctly. Your motherboard specifications will tell you the type it's compatible with.

For example:

Number of Memory Slots: 4x240pin

Memory Standard: DDR2 533 and DDR2 667 DIMMs

This means the motherboard has 4 RAM slots available, each slot supports a 240 pin stick of RAM and is compatible with "DDR2 533" and "DDR2 667" types of RAM. The "DDR2" is the type of RAM and the number "533" or "667" is the speed of the RAM and must be the same speed the motherboard supports.

We suggest a minimum of 2GB of RAM for the average computer user. If you plan on using graphic intensive software or gaming, we recommend at least 4GB of RAM and a 64-bit Operating System to support the extra RAM.

Floppy Drive:

This is a near obsolete technology and unless you have to access an old document on a floppy you saved years ago, you probably don't need one.

You can either get an Internal drive or an External USB Floppy Drive. Both are fairly inexpensive these days but we prefer the USB floppy drive. If you don't have any old floppies you need to access then I wouldn't purchase a floppy drive at all.

Multi-Card Reader:

If you have a digital camera and a memory card you store your pictures on, you can get a multi-card reader to easily transfer your pictures to your computer. You can get one internally or externally.

Hard Drive:

This is where everything is stored (database information, games, pictures, videos, operating system etc.) Just a few years ago, a 20 or 30GB hard drive was adequate space for most people. But today, the average hard drive is approximately 80-120GB!

If you play a lot of games we suggest a much larger hard drive.

When purchasing a hard drive, ensure it's internal and has the same type of interface connections your motherboard supports (SATA, IDE). Also please be sure the hard drive you are buying is for a PC and NOT a notebook.

If you are just going to use it for browsing the web or writing documents, we recommend at least 80GB SATA hard drive.

CD/DVD-ROM Drives:

If you need to physically load something onto a computer such as a program or a game that's on a CD or DVD, or back up data onto a DVD-R/W, you use this drive.

We recommend a DVD-R burner, even if you're just going to read CD's. The reason for purchasing a DVD-R Burner is simply because it does almost everything for you, for around the same price as a non-burning drive. It will read CDs, DVDs, it will also write to most CD/DVD-R/RW media. The only thing they won't read or write to is Blu-ray... but you can purchase a drive that reads/writes those too!

When purchasing a DVD-R Burner, it's always good to check out the product specifications to see what kind of media (CDs) it can support and at what speed it read/writes. Compare the speeds with newer, more expensive drives to determine if the drive you're looking at is old and slow or up-to-date.

Video Card:

Video Cards have a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) which is similar to a CPU but for graphics. Your motherboard may already include an integrated video card which is great for your basic needs. However, if you are an avid gamer or use some type of graphic intensive program such as a 3D modeling program, we recommend purchasing a video card with at least 256mb of memory.

On certain video cards, there is optional TV in and/or out connectors so you can capture video or display it on a TV. ATI and NVIDIA are the most popular video card manufactures today.

A PCI-E x16 (PCI-Express) 256mb compatible graphics card is recommended if you have an available PCI-E x16 slot on your motherboard if you want to play games. Also, if your motherboard supports PCI-Express v2.0, you should get a PCI-E v2.0 x16 video card. If you don't intend on playing games, then an onboard video card is all you need.

Note: If you want SLI or Crossfire capabilities, verify which one your motherboard supports before deciding on a card or vice versa.

Sound Card:

Your motherboard may already include an integrated sound card. However, if your motherboard does not include an integrated sound card, your onboard sound card stopped working properly or you just want better sound, you may want to purchase a sound card.

Note: when purchasing, ensure it is PCI or PCI-Express compatible and that your motherboard has the appropriate interface (slot: PCI or PCI-Express). You may need to purchase compatible speakers to receive the full effect of the sound card.

Unless you absolutely must have surround sound with the best sound, you can get away with using the onboard audio built into the motherboard.

Network Cards (Ethernet Adapter, LAN, NIC):

If you have a home network or a cable modem, then we highly recommend getting a motherboard with an onboard NIC (Network Interface Card).

If your motherboard doesn't come with an onboard NIC or you need a wireless NIC, ensure it is compatible with your motherboard or uses USB.

Monitor:

A few years ago, LCD monitors were very expensive and CRT monitors were the only way to go. But times have changed, prices have come down and LCD's are now the standard.

We recommend at least a 17" LCD monitor. These are fairly cheap now and you can probably get a nice 19" LCD Widescreen monitor for about the same price as a 17" LCD monitor!

Speakers:

If you want basic sound, a 2 piece speaker setup should be all you need. For a little extra money you can also get a sub woofer with them as well.

If you have a sound card that supports full surround sound and want to utilize it, then you should get speakers that support it.

Keyboard & Mouse:

Most keyboards come with PS/2 and/or USB compatible connectors. Nearly all motherboards are available with both types of connectors.

Operating System:

Every computer needs an operating system or it is simply one big paperweight. Since we are building a PC, we want Windows on it. Windows Vista is currently the most recent OS from Microsoft.

We can install other operating systems but anything other than Windows on a PC for the average user can get very complicated very quickly and since most of you reading this guide just want something simple that works, we're going to recommend sticking with Windows XP or Windows Vista for the time being.

Surge Protector/UPS:

These are essential and every computer and their external components (monitors, speakers etc) should be plugged into them.

Surge Protectors:

An inexpensive way to keep your computer safe from power surges and lightning storms. When buying one make sure it's a Surge Protector and not a power strip.

UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply ie. Battery Backup):

The UPS is a more expensive but safer alternative to surge protectors. Not only do they protect your computer like a surge protector, but they also provide a battery backup when the power goes out so you can safely save whatever you are working on and properly shut down the computer before you completely lose power.

Computer Tool Kit:

When building or working on a computer, usually you can get away with using tools out of a common household toolbox but every now and then you need a special tool designed for computers that you just don't have. These tool kits are usually inexpensive and you will probably thank yourself in the long run for purchasing one.

Antistatic Wrist Straps:

When doing anything to the inside of a computer, you should always ground yourself with an antistatic wrist strap. Computer circuitry is so sensitive, the slightest discharge of static electricity can damage or destroy a component. To prevent this, we wear an antistatic wrist strap around our wrist and hook it to the case.

These usually come with computer tool kits but if you did not purchase a tool kit or it did not come with one, you should still purchase one. They are fairly inexpensive.

Next Lesson:

If you didn't understand something, don't worry. We will cover it again as we go.

Let's continue on to the next lesson: Lesson 4: How to Find a Cheap Processor.