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Ever wonder exactly how to build a computer? Ever read the price guides and think to yourself, "If only I knew how!"? Now you can build one too by following this easy guide!  Introduction So you've decided to delve into the realm of computer building. That's great! There are several things to keep in mind though before you undertake this project. First and formost, try not to be intimidated by the cost of all the equipment you're handling. Many components take quite a bit of force to install properly, and many first timers are afraid of applying it. This then leads to components that are improperly installed and in the end causes the same problems you wanted to avoid. So don't let it affect you. This guide mentions which parts will require force to insert, so just watch out for it when you encounter it. This does not mean, however, that you should treat the parts carelessly. Handle everything with care, even when you have to apply large amounts of pressure. It is expensive stuff, after all. Second, is what we've all always heard about, and that's static electricity. Now, let me tell you, static can be a big problem. However, if you follow a few easy procedures any issues with it are easily resolved. First of all, try to always have one hand on your case when you're handling a circuit board. This will keep you grounded and negate static's effects. Second of all, only grab circuit boards by the sides, so that you make as little contact as possible with the actual circuitry. The less contact you make, the less chance you have of frying anything. Those are the two biggest issues I've encountered during first system builds; I hope this helps you on your way. |
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User Comments
#4 ask it in the forums! That's what they are there for and hopefully someone can answer your question.
#5 Yes, they are. lol
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RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. There are many configurations for a RAID setup, i.e. RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, etc...
Redundant: RAID 1 and higher duplicate data to all disks, therefore, if some data is corrupted or an entire disk crashes, a backup can be found easily.
Array: Two or more disks are used in any RAID setup.
Independent: Each disk operates without interrupting the other one. In "RAID 0", each disk can read or write half a file. This effectively doubles the speed of the hard disks, i.e. a RAID 0 array of two 7200 RPM hard drives is almost 14400 RPMs. In RAID 1, backups are able to be made instantaneously without affecting the performance of the other disks.
Disks: Usually Hard Disk Drives, but people have RAIDed up USB thumb drives, floppy disks, and even iPods.
RAID 0 is most common amongst gamers. It isn't redundant, meaning, if one drive crashes your whole array does. It allows for fast reading and writing of files. Each time data is stored to the logical disk that Windows (or whatever) sees, it is split into 'stripes' These stripes are just smaller fragments of the data, which are evenly distributed throughout the drives. This allows you to load game info faster (like textures, models, installation) and save information faster too (savegames, screenshots). There are many other hardware factors that may help or hurt the speed of your array, but most of the time general hard drive access is nearly doubled.
Until recently RAID was entirely controlled by hardware. Now, motherboards come with handy software controllers built in. IDE arrays use hard drives that are connected to the IDE ribbons in your computer. A better performance option is a SATA array, which uses a serial connection (looks like usb, firewire, or analog audio). SATA is generally faster. Your motherboard's manual probably has detailed instructions on setting up your RAID array. You will need the drivers that your motherboard came with to do so, because Windows isn't able to recognize all RAID Controllers upon installation. It can, however, recognize a non-bootable RAID array after installation.
For example, you may boot Windows from a standard IDE drive. If a SATA array is set up correctly, Windows can handle the controlling that your motherboard normally does. This will require a quick online search for drivers, as well as some RAID software.
Hope this is accurate and helps.
What can also be a pain is applying the thermal paste to your CPU with a card and a lintless cloth.
I found it was very important to READ THE MANUAL when building my own pc. :)
Good guide though.
When it comes to buying a PC designed to handle today's demanding computer games, there's good news and bad news.
Let's start with the unfortunate reality—the latest PC games require a fast processor, ample RAM, and a high-end video card. But despite popular belief, you don't need to take out a second mortgage on your home in order to afford one. And it is possible to save cash without sacrificing much performance.
Hard to believe? You can pick up a Dell Dimension 2400 or an Alienware Lightspeed PC for under $1200 (USD), both of which feature many of the components outlined in this article.
So consider this article a starting point for what to look for in an affordable gaming PC, component by component.
Piecing it together
There comes a point in every computer gamer's life when they decide to buy a whole new PC instead of upgrading an existing one.
Here's a look at the various components to shoot for when shopping for a reasonably-priced gaming PC:
Processor. A PC's processor is the brains of the machine. The rule of thumb is the higher the number, the better. Today, an Intel Pentium 4 chip running at 3.0 gigahertz (GHz) is a great start. You may see cheaper PCs with an Intel "Celeron" chip, but it doesn't process data fast enough to support high-end games. On the other hand, more expensive Pentium processors include Intel's "Extreme Edition" with industry jargon such as "hyper-threading" technology, but this will add more to the budget.
Alternatively, AMD's Athlon 64 processor is also a good choice. In fact, AMD's 64-bit platform extends the current x86 instruction set architecture and is often preferred by gamers for its fast performance and reliability; the Athlon 64 processor in particular is designed for applications that require multi-processor scalability and fast 3-D processing. Games certainly fit that bill. And AMD-based PCs may be slightly less expensive than Intel-based ones.
Memory. Like the processor, memory (or RAM) affects the speed and performance of your computer, and also makes it possible to run more than one program at once. Because the price of memory has dropped considerably over the years, chances are any new PC you purchase—even value-priced ones—will ship with 512 megabytes (MB) of RAM. If you look at the bottom of the box of new computer games, the minimum amount of RAM required is usually 128 MB (Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, The Suffering) or 256 MB (Thief: Deadly Shadows, Far Cry). So while 512 MB should be enough, 1 gigabyte (GB) is preferred. Also be sure you're buying a PC with DDR SD-RAM running at 333 megahertz (Mhz)—that is, higher-speed "Double Data Rate" memory that should cost about the same as regular system RAM.
Video card. One of the most important considerations when buying a new PC is its video card and the amount of video RAM (VRAM) on the card. The card will determine how fast and smooth those 3-D graphics in games render. It's easy to upgrade these over time, but you'll want to find a PC with a decent card already installed. Some recommendations include the Nvidia GeForce FX 5900 (and a few more from Nvidia), with 128 MB to 256 MB of onboard memory or the ATI Radeon 9600XT (and a few others from ATI) with 128 MB to 256 MB of RAM. Note This is considerably more than the 32 MB of VRAM required for many of today's PC games, such as True Crime: Streets of L.A. or the 64 MB of VRAM recommended for Battlefield: Vietnam.
Hard disk. Hard disk space has also come down in price over the past few years. The more you have, the more games, programs, and files you can store on your computer. Be sure to purchase a computer with at least 80 GB to 100 GB of hard disk space. An expansion pack such as Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots requires 750 MB of space, while an online role-playing game such as City of Heroes requires a minimum of 2 GB. To ensure the hard drive is a fast one, look for 7,200 RPMs (revolutions per minute) and 8 MB of cache.
Sound card and speakers. When it comes to audio, today's games may feature a number of bells and whistles—such as 7.1 surround sound that splits audio into seven different tracks, plus the bass via the subwoofer. But don't bother investing in one of these audio cards if you're counting your coins. A regular Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! or Sound Blaster Audigy card is all you need to deliver great-sounding music, voice, and effects in titles such as Halo: Combat Evolved or Star Wars: Battleground. Pass on the 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 surround sound set-up if you're watching your wallet, and instead choose a PC with a good set of 2.1 Klipsch speakers.
Disc drives. Many PC manufacturers sell desktop computers with DVD burners or multiple CD or DVD drives. However, all you need is a single drive configuration that plays DVDs and CDs, and records (or burns) onto CDs. These are referred to as a DVD/CD-R/RW combo drive. As for speed, expect a 16X DVD reader and 48X CD-R/RW drive to burn discs. So, unless you come across a good deal, forget about a DVD burner for the time being.
Monitor and chassis. Choosing one of those snazzy flat-panel monitors may save space on your desk, but it can really eat up one's budget. Therefore, even though they're big n' bulky, choose a 19" CRT monitor instead. Plus, while the thin LCD screens look attractive, often the refresh rates are not fast enough to render a game's graphics smoothly. Look for a rate of 75 Hz for a monitor up to 17 inches, and 85 Hz for a larger monitor. When it comes to your desktop computer's chassis, a mini-tower or mid-tower is fine, but be sure there are a couple of extra slots at the back (PCI or AGP) so you could add more components, if so desired.
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Other things to consider
• Aesthetics. Forget about aesthetic options such as specialized chasses with funky colors and tattoo designs—it'll add more to your bottom dollar
• Windows XP editions. Be sure to buy a PC with Windows XP Professional, as there are a handful of advantages for gamers. Or, if you want the most entertainment options including the ability to view photos, movies and more from your living room TV, check out the Windows Media Center Edition PCs.
• Network card. Any PC you buy today should have a decent network card installed to connect to the Internet or other PCs over a LAN (local area network). You may also request a 56K PCI data/fax modem, which shouldn't add much to the overall cost.
• Game controller. Game pads, joysticks, and steering wheels can be added any time, so don't include it in your budget. Besides, many PC gamers are quite happy with the keyboard and mouse combo!
• Ports. Buy a PC with many USB 2.0 ports (four is ideal; eight is better) and at least one FireWire port. You'll use them for mice, keyboards, printers, digital music players, Webcams, PDAs, scanners, and more! Try to buy a PC with a couple USB 2.0 ports at the front of the tower for easy access.
• Video card. If you're serious about gaming, expect to upgrade your video card every six months or so as new technologies debut.
Some PC manufacturers load up the computer with extra software such as ISP set-up software, anti-virus and firewall programs, and other freeware or shareware. This can congest your desktop and may affect the performance of your PC. If you can, tell the manufacturer you don't want anything but the operating system.
[i]Redundant Array of Independent (or inexpensive) Disks; a collection of storage disks with a controller (or controllers) to manage the storage of data on the disks.[/i]
www.sunrise.uk.com/glossary.html
Does anyone actually buy LAN cards anymore?
Really great article, and wish me luck because i've never built a machine in my life!
Also, good sound can really compensate for poor graphics if your on a shoestring budget.
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