What parts of a computer are essential when buying the parts to build one?

Question

I want to know what parts need to be there, so I don't forget anything when I put my computer together.

Answer 1

1. CPU: Processor with a heat sink and fan. Most "Retail" packaged CPUs come with them. AMD and Intel are the primary makers. This and the motherboard have to be your first items to consider. Everything else has to work with them. If not included, buy ones that are rated for the CPU.

2. Motherboard: ATX Form Factor is pretty much the standard. Must be compatible with the CPU and other components to be installed. Motherboards usually come with mounting hardware and cables to connect other components. Get a good one. The motherboard is not an item to be skimpy or cheap. Check the CPU makers websites for ones that are recommended for use with the cpu. I am fond of ASUS n-Force boards myself, but there are other good brands as well.

3. PSU: Power Supply Unit. ATX Form Factor. Another item which needs to be made of quality parts by a well-known, reputuable maker such as Antec, CoolerMaster, EnerMax, Fortron, Rosewill, Thermaltake or Zalman to name a few. Get one that has plenty of power; especially if you are shooting for a gaming machine (500 watts or better). They normally come with cables to connect to the internal components.

4. Case: The enclosure into which everything fits. Again, ATX Form Factor so that the motherboard and PSU can be properly mounted. Some come with power units and case fans preinstalled. Just be sure they are quality made if you buy one with them installed. Many of the better PSU makers also make cases and fans. Get one with plenty of space to work and room for future expansion. A mid- to full-tower case is recommended so that you have room to work when installing.

5. Video Card: Some motherboards come with integrated video circuitry. However, if you are a gamer or into graphic designing, go for the fastest and best quality that you can afford. The primary makers of the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) chips are AMD/ATI and NVIDIA. Other manufacturers actually assemble the final video cards and there are many brands to choose from.

6. Memory: See the motherboard's manual for the recommended memory modules and the number of slot connectors available for them. I would recommend 1 or 2 GBs of quality-made ones such brands as Buffalo, Corsair XMS, Crucial, OCZ, or Micron.

7. Hard Disk Drive(s): There are basically two types abundently available: EIDE/ATA or Serial ATA. The latter is the newer technology. Even though many show the same platten rotation speed (7,800 rmp), the SATAs usually have lower seek times. Check the motherboard specifications to determine what and how many are supported. Get one or more with adequate storage capacity to meet your needs.

8. Optical Drive(s): The newer computers use DVD drives that will also handle CDs. Some come with LightScribe technology which is used labeling the disk using the laser and are usually a bit more expensive. Get one that will both read from and write to the DVD/CD disks. In most cases, the faster the better.

9. Operating System: The software that makes everything (hopefully) work together. There are many, but the most common are for PCs are Windows XP or Vista and Linux. If you buy decide to go with Vista, do not even consider the Home Basic version. It is too limited for the money. Also, it is a good idea is to verify that the components that you buy are certified as being Vista compatible or have driver updates to make them so.

10. Keyboard: Get one that best suits your needs.

11. Mouse: I would recommend either one of the optical or laser mice. There are several good manufacturers. My favorite is Logitech.

12. Monitor: If you do not already have one, get one that is compatible with the video card and has the resolution and screen size that works best for you.

There are many other devices that can be added if and as needed: Network Interface Boards (NIC) for setting up networks (Many motherboards come with at least one integrated nic); 56K Modem (good for sending faxes or connecting to the internet if you do not have broadband access); routers; switches; and various others like USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Firewire devices and any cables or connectors needed for them.

Tools: In most instance about all that is needed are a couple of non-magnetic screwdrivers (mostly small to medium size Phillips head screwdrives are adequate), maybe an anti-static wrist band, thermal paste (It's the stuff you put between your CPU and your CPU cooler, to aid in the transfer of heat from the former to the latter), and a stable work table. Don't assemble computers on carpeting or near a static-electricity sources.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You need 1. a Case {form factor} 2. a PSU if your case didn't come with one 3. You need to choose your CPU 4. Mother Board that will be compatable with your cpu 5.You need ram that is compatable with your motherboard. 7.You need eithir and IDE or Sata Hard drive depending on your motherboard 6.You need a cpu heat sink+fan if you bought an OEM cpu (no fan) 7. A video card if your motherboard isnt intergraded These are your essentials. What i suggest is you read up on ESD....If you dont want to read than take my advice and buy an ESD strap and wear it on your wrist while the strap is attached to your computer case. Never touch components while your not grounded because you will discharge static and it may damage the part. When you handel thermal paste, be carefull not to get any on your hands...if you do wash it and make sure you leave no residue behind. Thermal paste or artic silver is highly toxic because of high elements of mercury. If your on a budget i would go AMD but if you got money i say Intel because their cpu's are just quality. As motherboards go....asus, intel, msi...all make good boards. It's easy to build a comp if you know what your doing... i suggest asking someone who built computers before to show you how. Thats how i learned, my dads friend aaron showed me in under a day. Only real difficult part i had was trying to install unbuntu on my hdd because at the time it would not recognize sata hdds. Still building a computer is much better than buying one at target.

Answer 3

Main board. CPU. CPU cooling fan. Power source (400 watts is usually enough.) Video card. Sound card. Hard drive. DVD player/burner. A 1G stick of ram (at least.)Printer - most now days have a built in scanner.

Make sure the main board has USB ports and an ethernet line if you want to use DSL for the Internet. That should all be standard on new main boards. You can get a USB card if necessary. You'll need a DSL modem if you go that route, they cost 30-40 dollars.

Go to a credible computer store, and they'll be able to tell you any further details you need, and sell you the case and other pieces. A guide book comes with the main board, and guides come with all hardware, so you should be okay there.

If you can put it together yourself, you can save well over 50% off retail cost.

Answer 4

Shopping list should include:

* Case with Power Supply (preferably 300 watts or more)
* Motherboard
* CPU(s) to fit the above motherboard
* RAM
* Hard Drive
* CD or DVD drive (might want to make it a burner)
* Floppy (although, you don't really need them, but they occasionally come in handy)
* Video Card
* Operating System

Make sure the motherboard has onboard LAN, SATA connections and 5.1 or 7.1 audio. If so, you should be all set to assemble. Double check that all components have appropriate cables. If not, you'll need to stop by the cable isle and get some cables. Also, make sure you have a LAN cable to plug it into your network.

If you still use dialup, then stop by the modem isle and pick up a modem card.

Note that if you buy a boxed CPU from AMD or Intel, they generally come with CPU fans, so you shouldn't need to buy one. You can, however, buy additional case fans if you want to have more airflow through the case.

Answer 5

Motherboard, cpu, cpu fan, ram, power supply, hard drive, -video card, sound card, and ethernet or modem cards- ( if not included on motherboard ), floppy and optical drives. Any neccessary cables that don't come with purchased components. Oh, yeah, and a case to put them in!

Answer 6

maybe a tiny little part called
T H E
M O T H E R B O A R D

!

Answer 7

it used to make sense to do that

just buy an eMachines or Powerspec, or if you like to get help and complain a lot, then get a Dell

Answer 8

http://www.build-your-own-cheap-computer.com/cheap-computer-part.html

Answer 9

All of them.