How do you know what computer hardware is compadible with what?

Question

I'm going to build my own desktop, im a hardcore gamer so i want to make it pretty badass, i have about $1,500 but my question is say i buy an intel, does that mean i have to buy intel parts only? Im looking at an AMD motherboard, where would i look to see if it is compadible with a viedo card or memory, or if the processor will work with it .. Thanks a lot!!

Answer 1

If you are building it from the motherboard up, then print out the specs from the motherboard site, that will tell you exactly what processor, RAM, video card etc that it is 'compadile' with. :)

Answer 2

Greetings!

Intel is a processor and chip-set manufacture, all boards with socket LGA 775 are Intel processor boards, which means you can use a Intel processor, you have to match a processor with a socket. As long as your motherboard has the correct front side bus support for your processor you could use any motherboard manufacture. ( MSI,BFG,Intel,ASUS)


Ram is based on speed and type, the most common type of ram is DDR2 600-800MHz, when you choose your motherboard it will tell you the speed of the ram it can handle ( 800 seems to be the most common )

Video cards require the correct slot on the motherboard.

For example, if you wanted the NVIDIA Geforce 8800GTS it requires a PCI-E 16x slot. You will find the slots in your motherboard information.


To make this clear, if you buy a Intel socket motherboard, you HAVE TO USE a Intel processor, the same goes for AMD.
AMD and Intel processor both use the same ram and video slots.

Answer 3

You use an "AMD" board with an AMD cpu. As far as hardware is concerned it doesn't matter what cpu you are using. You get hardware that is compatible with the motherboard not the cpu. Look at specs for board and see what kind of ram, video card, hard drive, etc it supports. Games are dependant on 1--video card 2---ram 3--cpu, in that order so, with only $1500 to spend bear that in mind. Main thing is to base your system on a great motherboard as you can upgrade your cpu, ram and videocard easier than a board. A motherboard is the biggest pain to replace and you also have to reinstall your OS most of the time when you do.
High-end gaming rigs are very spendy. It cost me 2750 to build mine and I build and sell them for a living LOL. Nothing like flying thru Lost Planet in DX10 with everything set on high thou! Biggest thing about building a computer is designing it for whatever purpose it is being built for. For gaming you want a big fast video card and a PSU that can handle it, lots of fast Ram, a big core 2 duo or quad and a fast hard drive. I use 2 Raptors in a Raid0 and a 3rd SATAII drive for storage but that would eat up too much of your budget. A fast SATAII WD or Seagate will work fine.

Answer 4

No you don't have to use all intel parts but if you use Gateway or Apple parts, pretty much you are stuck with that name brand and parts. They are pretty specific which sucks.
Anyway,
For starters before you buy anything, do your research. A built computer costs close to 1700.00 and that's pretty good but depending on your time spent gaming, you may have to revise that amount.
There are several web sites you can go to for research. I gave you a link here. It will get you started.
You know if something is compatible by reading the literature with it. The label on the outside of the package will give you its specifications.
Because you are a gamer, you will need to make sure your video and sound card is top of the line, your Ram is sufficient to support that card, and your monitor is set to run on those graphics with that card.
visit some websites and check out Cnet.com and Computer Shopper for specific help. keep me posted as to what you finally put together and good luck

Answer 5

amd works with amd. and Intel works with Intel.
first decide what features you want,then pick out the motherboard.the motherboards manufacture will have the spec's on the board you selected which will tell you what processor's memory ect that are compatible with it.