I would like to build a computer but am stupid when it comes to building computers. (Dummys Guide Please)?

Question

I am interested in building a computer to play games on. I am looking pretty much for something that can run games like World of Warcraft. I am not too worried about price, as long as it doesn't go astronomical.

I would like a list of parts that I should look into getting and how exactly they are used and go together. I can do the basic putting together, meaning I can add ram, video cards, etc.

Anyway, what should I buy, what does it do, how does it go together.

Answer 1

You will need a case and power supply (which has it's own fan), a motherboard, and processor, a harddrive, probably an optical drive (a dvd or cd player), Ram, another fan (really a third fan as the processor should have one, which may already be attached), a power cable and video and sound cards. Then other peripherals – monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse, etc.

All the internal components plug either directly, or through ribbon cables into the motherboard.

You need a case and a power supply. You can buy these separately or together. It may not be a big enough difference in price to buy them separately, but you will have greater flexibility in which you get. This is not where I'd spend my greatest amount of time picking things out. If you get these separately, you will screw the power supply into the back top part of the case and then attach it as appropriate for the motherboard you buy.

You need a motherboard that will attach (screw down) inside the case. The motherboard may or may not have the processor attached (if you really don't know what you're doing, get one with it attached as a kit). The important thing about the motherboard is that you need to make sure your other components are compatible with it. Certain types of motherboards will take certain types of Ram, etc. You should be able to ask this and get a quick answer wherever you buy your computer parts.

For the processor, you will want to get a good one that has both a good processing speed, and also a larger cache (space that temporary memory is stored in and accessed quickly from). AMD processors are just as good if not better than their Intel counterparts and are often a lot cheaper (for comparable capabilities).

You will need at least one harddrive. It is getting more and more popular to buy multiple drives, but of course you only need one. You could get one with only 100 GB (100 billion bytes), which nowadays are becoming the low end ones. If you're not talking about really building a high end computer, this should do, at least for awhile. It attaches to the motherboard via the large flat ribbon cable. Then you also have the little cable that attaches next to the ribbon cable for power (this should be obvious as there are only the two places to attach cables to the HD one of which is substantially larger than the other).

Something you may want to consider with your harddrive choice is RPM's. Standard is still around 5200 to 7800 RPM's, but a nicer one, that will process information faster, will run around 10,000. If money's no object, get at least a 250 GB harddrive with 10K RPM's. If you need more space later, you can either add a second internal, or buy an external drive, and store your non-program files there (pictures, word documents, etc).

For Ram, you really need to get as much as you can for games, as they take up more and more ram, and of course Windows Vista is a bear. Get at least two GB's of ram, though if you want your computer to really play games well (now and in the future) consider getting 4 gb. Ram is sold in dimm's (what you call the rectangular sticks or ram) and make sure it is compatible with the motherboard that you buy (for instance it will be called PC3200 or PC100, or something similar). Your computer will allow you to install up to a maximum number of dimm's and a maximum amount of ram based on the motherboard. You will see the rectangle slots that ram snaps easily into and there may be 2 to 6 (though probably between 2 and 4) slots for you to put different dimms into. And regardless of how much you try and put into it, the motherboard may only be able to utilize 4 gb maximum, so don't overdo it.

If you were asking which was the cheapest computer you could get, I'd tell you something different, but since you want to build a specific gaming computer, you don't want to buy a motherboard that has all of its components "on-board". That means that everything is pre-attached by the manufacturer. This usually means that the components are lower end. For a gaming computer, you will want a better video card for sure, and possibly a better sound card (though this isn't as important). For the video card, get at a minimum 256 MB of dedicated video memory (the video card you buy will have 256 MB on the outside of the box). You may get a good deal on 512 or better, but if not, wait a year or two until the games really require this much, and then trade up. Your video and sound cards should both snap a connection on the motherboard and then have an end of them that sticks out of the back of the computer to plug things into (the monitor, and speakers (unless your speakers are built into the monitor).

For the optical drive, decide what you want. If you get a dvd player, it will play cd’s. At this point in the new millennium, I’d say there’s no point in not getting a DVD-RW (RW stands for Re-writeable as opposed to just DVD-R meaning you can only write to each DVD one time). DVD-RW’s will also burn (write to) CD’s. They have DVD’s with Lite-Scribe technology that means you can make the DVD player will burn a label onto the top of the DVD player for you so that it will look somewhat professional. Your optical drive will also have cables that attach from the Motherboard to the back of the drive.

You of course will need an operating system of some kind, Windows Vista is probably the most recommendable right now. Its not any more expensive than XP and if you are starting from scratch, you might as well get the latest technology.

If you hooked everything up right, and have power, you will be able to just insert the Vista CD and it should auto run (the motherboard has two basic systems known as CMOS and BIOS that will get you up to the point that will allow you to beginning loading windows.). Then it will help you take it through the set-up process.

if you want a modem or network connection, you will need separate cards for these and they will also snap into the motherboard. Unless you know you have a specific use for a modem, of course there's no reason to get one. If you want a wireless network, you will need to have a wireless network card installed on your computer, and then a wireless router, which will plug into the wall where you have Internet connection. You will then use the software that comes with the router to tell your computer how to connect (using the setup info that also comes with router).

Answer 2

what karz said is true the first build is quite challenging when i built my first computer i forgot to order a heat sink and a CUP fan so i couldn't use it and even though I double checked i still got the wrong ram

What I suggest you do being such a newbie (no disrespect intended) is buy a descent tower already constructed like a walmart or circuit city(running XP you should be able to get one for around $500) so you don't have to worry about not getting the right parts or ordering the wrong ram.

plus this way is a little cheaper cuz there usualy built in bulk and the operating systems come with them so you don't have to pay extra in shipping and in extra cost of the operating system.

then find out what kind of ram it has and buy some more and get a good (doesn't need to be the best) video card and a sound card if you want a sound system and then install them yourself that way you get use to what you need and how to install it

another thing to do to make it a little more personal is find a nice case (make sure it holds the motherboard you have) and then transfer all the components to the new tower

its best to take baby steps to avoid major problems

Answer 3

Consider this set up or tweak it as you wish:
http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/guide-200706.ars/3

First build is quite challenging. But just follow the motherboard manual carefully and you won't get lost. You can also test your build halfway through. Even without FDD, HDD, CD/DVD drive and just onboard video if available, your "half baked" PC should be able to power ON, POST and open BIOS menu. If OK, complete your PC. After installing OS, immediately install the chipset drivers and drivers of all onboard devices like LAN, VGA, souncard, etc. Also install the drivers of devices you are putting on the PCI slots or on the USB ports. Then install your favorite softwares. Worked flawlessly in all my 7 builds.

Answer 4

here you go

http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/