Building a Computer from scratch.?

Question

HI I am think about building a computer. Now I need a case and MOBO but I am worried like are all MOBOs match up to the slots in the case? Like you know cases have slots in the metal of them? Well do all motherboards fit in all cases? Then I need a PSU so they all fit in any cases? Then a CPU and I just need a CPU that just matches up to the socket on motherboard? Do the caches mean anything? Then do motherboards have different PINS for RAM? So get ram at any speed but just has right amount of pins? Then hard drive dosent matter. Then get video card with PCI-E X16 on a motherboard that has that. Is that really it? Do i need to mess with jumpers or anything? And BIOS? Then install WINDOWS XP? And thats it? What did I miss?

Yeah I am going to buy everything off of Newegg.com if possible. I love that site. So thanks about the case info.
I am thinking this, Would it work?

ATX gaming case
some kind of 650Watt or higher PSU
939 socket AMD Mobo
500GB 10,000 RPM 16MB cache Hard drive
A 7950GT graphics card
my 5.1 sound card in this computer
some kind of Disc Drive
Some kick *** fan
2GB of RAM of whatever the Mobo supports.
A 5200+ 939 Socket Processor or something near that.
Put it together and Install Windows Xp and configure BIOS? Right?

Answer 1

Nowadays mobo dun use jumpers, most of them at least. Everything can be changed from the Bios.

Boards have different sizes: AT, ATX, E-ATX, BTX, Baby-ATX etc. Typical mobo are in the ATX format. Cases usually supports AT/ATX boards, some supports BTX with modification/optional parts. So make sure the case you buy supports ur mobo.

The CPU and Sockets have to match. LGA775 -> Core2duo/quad, P4D, CelD
PGA478 -> P4A/B/C/E, Cel (older)
Socket 939 -> AMD Athlon x2, Athlon etc.
Cache memory are embedded SRAM on the CPU chip, they buffers instructions/data so that processing speeds up. The more cache, the faster you CPU processes data.

Check the mobo for the RAM it uses, DDR/DDR2. SDRAM boards are pretty much extinct. Most prob you will get a board for DDR2 which is the standard these days. Yes they have different pin counts so make sure you get the correct one.

Get a PCI-E card or 2 for SLI/Crossfire mode if you wanna be a hardcore gamer.

Like I said, no jumpers these days but dun mess with the Bios too much. Set everything up, install your OS and software. Only when you are sure of what you are doing and if the system is stable, then you may want to mess around overclocking.

Answer 2

lol. That's a lot questions.

Motherboards, PSUs, case should all follow the same form factor (e.g., ATX form factor).

Yes, get the same socket for cpu and motherboard so the cpu fits on the motherboard.

Cache size is important but only for tech people... Get a good CPU and don't worry about the cache.

RAM should be compatible with the motherboard. Check the specs for the motherboard to confirm type of RAM needed.

Depending upon the motherboard, if your motherboard has a sata port then get a sata hdd. If not, then get a regular ide hdd.

if you motherboard has pci-e x16 for video cards then get a pci-e video card.

You shouldn't need to mess with the jumpers. If you run into problems with the SATA HDD not being detected automatically then you need to enable that in the CMOS.

Installing WinXP is as easy as baking a cake.

Installing drivers for your motherboard after installing Windows might give you a headache but when you buy your motherboard you should have a driver disc with it. Just pop that sucker in and follow the instructions.

Can't think of any other things at the moment.

Answer 3

From your questions i don't think it's a good idea for you to built a pc from scratch. In order to do it, you at least should have a little bit of knowledge about pc hardwares but it seem to me that you don't. Building a PC is not very hard but you need to know what you're doing because you won't get Tech Support if something go wrong, and believe me it will. You also need to know it's a lot cheaper to get a brand new pc than building one. The total cost will be 1 to 2 times more expensive than a prebuilt pc. Wait a few more years to get some experience before attempt it. Or you can get a so called Barebone pc and start from there. If you have money you can have your pc custom-built for you, there plenty of places that can do that.

Answer 4

i built my own computer and it was very simple
and yes prettymuchg any motherboard fits any tower now

but when u screw in the motherboard don't screw it in all the way not tight not too lose otherwise u'll have problems also yes differnt motherboards do ave differnt memmory pis slots 128 pin. 184 pin but most of them has 184 pins also u may want to get ram at maybe 3200-3700 speed not any speed is always good it's best to get faster speed otherwise u'll end up wiht a pretty slow cheap comptuer thire are 3 differnt hardde slots too SCSI- S-ATA-and E-IDE (IDE) most motherboards support IDE and SATA
SATA is is now growing on every mainbaord u find cause it's faster than IDE SCSI is faster but mostly used in servers if u go with SATA u can get the raptor HDD's they're really realiable and very fast average drives speeds 7200 RPM raptors has 10k RPM on it i luv mine also planning on building another computer but u can add the raptor but if u do i suggest getting a secondart harddrive and mark it as slave and th raptor as master and install ur OS on the raptor u do need to mess with jumpers but only on harddrives and motherbaords jumpers i just left alon but u cna mess with them just read the manual jumpers control mostly the sound devices and ither outer devises but its best left alone

with the bios u just need to mess with is the CPU temp,DRive controls u wanna set the drives the cdrom at top to boot form first after u've installed windows then mark it as haddrive also pick ur harddrive u want to boot from best cpu if u want to add maybe an AMD 64 get any processor above 3400+ 3500+ is good or u can go higher with the cpus FX's are great for multi tasking cause they're dual core processors the graphics card i suggest u get any of the Geforce 7 serries u may need a hefty PSU of atleast 500 Watts or greater hope this helped out and good luck on building your computer

Answer 5

I applaud your desire to build your own PC -- it's a good way to ensure that you get exactly the kind of computer that you want. Quite frankly though, you sound like you're not technically ready for the challenge, and you cannot realistically expect to get a "how to" from Yahoo Answers. You need to do some basic reading. There are dozens of sites on the web that will answer every one of your questions (and many more that you don't know to ask).

Try:
http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/index.htm

http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/

and/or

http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/reports/article.php/3580681

...as starting points. It's not all that hard, but you will save yourself a ton of grief (and probably some money) by doing some research first.

Answer 6

You might look into a barebones computer.To build a computer you should already know the answers to these questions you ask.
With determination you can do most anything. Without some solid basic knowledge of even the little tricks of the trade. You are asking for a big headache, Little things can trip you up for days.

Good luck in everything you do

Answer 7

that is a lengthy answer question. in case you purchase a pc you'll spend more beneficial funds than in case you construct one your self. in spite of the undeniable fact that in case you construct one you do not have any manufacturers assure except the guaranty that incorporates the guy parts. you also could keep in mind that the price for a prebuilt pc incorporates all exertions. That stated there is allot to be stated for construction your own rig the $3000 that you're going to spend on the XPS will actual purchase you excellent-high quality parts. the guaranty that incorporates maximum parts is amazingly sturdy, so no longer to a lot hardship about there. It does take a honest quantity of technical information to construct a pc or perhaps more beneficial study in spite of the undeniable fact that there are a number of ideas-blowing guides on line. So once you've some effortless technical knowlodge and are gentle paying for parts for computers, there are a number of bonuses to construction your own and it may preclude some funds too.

Answer 8

Sir, if you can, find a web site that sells computer parts, then copy and paste each part that you need into a word document, item picture, price and the URL where it is at.

You build your computer in a document with pictures and price of every part! Aluminum case are the best because the help dissipate heat! Heat is a powerful enemy against electronics.
Inside the computer must be kept cool.

Computer Help Page

http://www.diskgenius.com/

http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm

http://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html

http://www.disk-image.net/products.htm

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

http://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html

http://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html

http://www.theosfiles.com/

http://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw

http://www.winternals.com/

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp

http://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm
Visit our Helpdesk for PC Bug Doctor
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PC Beginner software
http://www.pchell.com/support/limitedconnectivity.shtml
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
http://www.bootdisk.com/utility.htm
Chapter 1: Purchasing Components
Chapter 2: Component Overview
Chapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard
Chapter 4: Installing The Mainboard In The Case
Chapter 5: Installing Drives
Chapter 6: Connecting Components
Chapter 7: Installing AGP and PCI Cards
Chapter 8: Testing the System and Completing Assembly
Chapter 9: Installing Windows XP
Chapter 10: Configuring Windows XP
Chapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System (Linux And Windows XP)
Chapter 12: Home Video -- “So, You Want to Be the Next Steven Spielberg?”
Chapter 13: What’s Next?

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com
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http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/
http://www.free-pc-checkup.com/
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=Googlebspeed
http://pcperformancetools.com/recovermyfiles.htm

BUILD YOU OWN COMPUTER:
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www.newegg.com
www.monarchcomputers.com