How to Build Your Own Computer

RAHEN · #1 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 02:47 PM

Before I go ahead with posting "How to Build your own computer" I must give the explanation of the components involved in making it...

Components Explained:

Computer Cases:
OVERVIEW

Your computer case has multiple functions. It houses all the various components that make up your computer, and it usually comes with the power supply that supplies electricity to your computer system. Don't overlook the importance of the computer case, look for a sturdy, well-built model, that gives you ample room to work in and enough power to suit your needs. Look for a computer case with the power supply on top as this is a more efficient way of keeping heat (a major computer killer) out of the case.If aesthetics is a factor, their are lots of cases being marketed that are downright funky, just make sure that you don't compromise the interior for the exterior.

WHAT IS AN ATX CASE?

First off, make sure your case IS one. It will make your life much simpler. An ATX Factor case orients the motherboard so that more room is available for component expansion.It also places the parts that produce the most heat, namely the memory and CPU next to the power supply for better cooling. You'll also need an ATX case to take advantage of the advanced power management features found in todays computers. Basically all computers sold today are of the ATX variety. AT cases are only available as surplus, sold to Do-It-Yourself bargain hunters, or used as Bait-and-Switch fodder to help unscrupulous dealers push a more expensive system. All cases sold at BuildYourOwnComputer.Net are of the ATX variety.

CASE STYLES

TOWER This is a HUGE case, and is usually only reserved for the most demanding applications, such as a server, these monsters have room for more than a half dozen disk drives.

MID-TOWER This is by far the most popular choice for the Build-It-Yourselfer. It stands upright and usually has about Four [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...] and Six [Only Registered and Activated Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...]-just right for most people.

MINI-TOWER For those who don't need extensive expansion and have size needs. this model is a popular choice.

DESKTOP Once the most popular style it's overly bulky look and limited expansion capability have caused it to lose favor to the more hidable towers.

BAYS

There are two kinds of bays. Those with Front Panel Access and those without.
Front Panel Access bays are for devices using removable media (E.G. CD-Rom Drives, Floppy Drives, Zip Drives ETC...)They have an opening at the front of the case to be able to slide in or out a disk. An Internal Bay has no front panel access and is built just below the bays with Front Panel Access. This Bay is primarily used for the computers Hard Disk Drive.

POWER SUPPLIES

Usually bundled together with the computer case, your Power Supply keeps your computer running. It is important that your computer recieves sufficient power, and equally important that the power is high quality and non-variable. Variation in the electrical current can cause equipment failures and data corruption. Most cases come with power supplies that have between 150 and 300 watts of power. A 300 watts power supply is major overkill as most pc's can mosey along on 150 watts without breaking a sweat.

Important Note: MANY COMPUTER CASES HAVE 110/220 VOLTAGE SELECTABLE POWER SUPPLIES ALLOWING THEM TO BE USED IN MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. MAKE SURE THIS TAB (LOCATED ON THE BACK OF YOUR CASE) IS SET CORRECTLY, IF IT IS NOT THEN EITHER YOU COMPUTER WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY OR WORSE GET FRIED!!!

OTHER STUFF

You'll need a surge protector to keep your computer safe from power spikes, This is a necessary piece of equipment, it's also relatively cheap so their is no real reason not to get one. As an added bonus these surge protectors also double as outlet strips, giving you the extra outlets you are sure to need when setting up your computer. If a sudden power outage would cause an irretrievable loss of information than an Uninterruptible Power Supply, known as a UPS (no relation to our favorite package delivery company) is also a neccessity. This is essentially a big battery that kicks in when you lose power, allowing you to save your work, and shut your computer down till you get your juice back.

RAHEN · #2 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 03:02 PM

GETTING STARTED

The Motherboard is the most important component in your computer system. It is the backbone that supports all the other computer components. Choosing the right motherboard will be the difference between allowing your components to work at their maximum capacity or significantly slowing them down.

As far as Motherboards go you're getting off easy. The trend towards further integration is continuing, this means more and more components are now bundled into the motherboard. Right now a consumer can get a decent Motherboard that integrates all video, sound ,and modem, functions. This makes for a cheaper and more efficient system. The tradeoff however is that most integrated components are only meant for basic use and are not as powerful as some of the stand alone versions. If you are a serious graphics or audio user, (I.E. Gamer, Musician, Video Editor ETC...) steer clear of the integrated components and get the Graphics and Sound Card that will suit your purpose.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

ATX

Just about all Motherboards today are of the ATX variety. Make sure yours is.

PROCESSOR
Make sure you get the right Motherboard for the processor you are going to install onto it. There are four classes of processor in use today,Socket 370, Slot 1, Slot A and Socket A. There are other older formats that are in use today but we are discussing current components and what is currently being Manufactured and Marketed today. In these Sockets you'll place either an AMD or INTEL Processor. More about that in the CPU section.
MOTHERBOARD SPEED
Motherboards can currently run at speeds of 100MHz with newer boards running at higher speeds. Get the fastest one you can afford, as everything on the Motherboard can only operate as fast as the Motherboard itself.

MEMORY Motherboards today use Memory modules called DIMMS. DIMMS are normally PC100 (That means they run at 100MHz), but PC133's (That logically means that they run at 133MHz)are becoming more and more prevalent , but are a bit more expensive. Make sure when you buy a PC133 DIMMS your Motherboard can accommodate it, otherwise it will only run at the lowest speed it is capable of running. (Probably 100MHz). Newer AMD systems run on a faster and more expensive version of memory known as DDR SDRAM Newer Intel systems have what is known as RDRAM. These guys are FAST! but (and here's the rub) EXPENSIVE!, if your daddy's rich and your ma is good looking I say go for it. The rest of us poor schmucks will just have to mosey along.

BUS TYPE

A Bus on a computer is sort of a pipeline your Motherboard uses to transfer information between the processor and the computers other components as quickly as it can. This being said, Not all Busses were created equal. (If you want to get racy you can say that they have different "Bus" sizes)

The ISA Bus
The ISA Bus is the Granddaddy of Busses and was Introduced by IBM in the mid-eighties. Back then it was considered cutting edge (1984 was about a thousand years ago in computer years however). Today it is considered a teeter-tottering relic that just likes to get in the way of everything. You can recognize the ISA slots because they are the longest slots on your Motherboard. It will probably be on your Motherboard and you probably WILL have to wrangle with it some down the road as it tries to hog your system resources. There will probably be two ISA slots on your Motherboard, try to give them as much respect as possible and stay away from them.

The PCI Bus
The PCI bus is today's standard, and for good reason. Cards that are used in them are smaller, faster, less resource hungry and (gasp!) cheaper than those meant for ISA slots. They are situated next to the ISA slots on the Motherboard. Almost all computer cards (excepting Graphics cards which use an AGP slot) manufactured today are of the PCI variety. If you have an old ISA sound or modem card lying around and you want to save a buck or two then by all means use it, just be prepared to do some IRQjuggling.
The AGP Bus
AGP is a bus that was manufactured strictly for High-Speed Graphics. The AGP slot is even smaller than the PCI slot and usually sits by itself next to the PCI slots. Motherboards today include an AGP slot.High end users want to make sure that their motherboard can accomodate 2x and 4x AGP cards. (2x and 4x are EVEN FASTER forms of AGP allowing for much much higher splatter rates in shoot em up games.)

PLUG AND PLAY

Your Motherboard has it. All Motherboards with PCI slots have to be Plug and Play compatible (PNP). Plug and Play is a format that allows a peripheral to be automatically detected by the system which then installs the necessary drivers.

CHIPSET

Use a High quality Chipset, From a reputable manufacturer. Let me take this opportunity to further stress; your computer will only be as fast as your Motherboard will let it be. If you have to splurge on one thing, make it the Motherboard. Also, make sure that if Technical support is needed you are able to obtain it.

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