How to buy a processor, motherboard, cooling system for a first time computer builder?

Question

I just purchased a 500W TT PS and I would like to buy a motherboard/processor. I want an AMD dual core ($$ is an issue), but I don't know what to buy or what to look for when I do. Ideally I would like to have 2 GB of memory and a 256 video card. What should I be looking for and how do I determine what cooling systems I'll need? Any help would be great.

Answer 1

The first thing you need to do is decide on a processor. Once you decide on the processor you want you can then decide what type board you want. Motherboards & processor compatability is done by socket size. Example- AMD Sempron 2800 + processor is a socket 754, so you would need to find a motherboard that supports a socket 754.

Next you will need to decide how much ram you want to buy. After choosing the motherboard you need to see what type ram it will support. * look at the spects, and then you can order the ram.

All on line web sites that sell motherboards post the spects so you will know what it will support.

A good place to shop on line or just view the products is ..

http://www.newegg.com/

Answer 2

Usually a video card is not as coupled as other core components, by that I meant it is not as dependant on what others are, so PCI-Express or AGP is all that you had to worry about as far as getting it to work, people will advise you the exact model when it became clear what performance you want.

Now that's out the way, the mobo-CPU-RAM equation; there were long time ago you have less specs to read and they should work together nevertheless and only difference is what built-in and what not, but that time is long gone. Mobo-CPU-RAM should be bought together and have seller making sure they work together, that is so for uninitiated first timer.

In a moderate desktop usage a separate cooling system is not needed. It's for running too hot for serious gamers. Moderate gamers need no such.