PC Building

Any advice on where to start? I know some basics, but I don't know enough about choosing what's right for me. Some basic questions like Intel vs. AMD, which is better, or is there really a difference? Just looking for a good starting place.

 

Derek,

Here's a couple of PC building guides you can check out...

Build Your Own PC and

The Complete System Building Guide.

I built my first PC last fall and really enjoyed it. Go for it, you won't regret it.

B

 

That question will start a great debate There are devotees of both. Historically, Intel had the branded systems for their base (Dell, HP, Gateway, etc), now, some of the branded systems are going over to AMD and making Intel compete. AMD have offered better prices to people buying processors for building (or small-medium sized business builders that could not get high volume prices).

Some points I would make would be that AMD usually offer "bang for bucks ". Intel systems I might see as reliable (somewhat predictable), made to be easy to set up (although setup is basically automatic now). Intel are used in most business environments, so basically it has to have a "get it done without problems" basis. AMD tend to offer things like overclockability for enthusiasts (again, historically). If you get an Intel CPU with an Intel motherboard it should be very stable and the basic drivers are included on the Windows CD (I am a little more adventurous than that ).

Don't skimp on the motherboard. It is the basis of the system more than the CPU.

For whichever parts you are looking for, put the model and "review" into a search engine, you should find that it has been tested amongst it's peers.

Matt

 

I found some suggestions and comments about current hardware for a first time builder:
http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/web/F49A365D7F3A1993CA2571A2002B3C9A

 

it really depends on how much you want to spend as well...

I had about 1500, and this is what I just got... I've almost got it all running.
chip - http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos_single_product_results.phtml?product_id=231175
Board - http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos_single_product_results.phtml?product_id=233419
Ram - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145015
HD - http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos_single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0213526
GFX - http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos_single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0237021
Case - http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos_single_product_results.phtml?product_id=227073
Power supply - http://www.microcenter.com/byos/byos_single_product_results.phtml?product_id=234013

I also got a 350 gig external firewire drive a few months ago, so the size of the 10,000 rpm drive wasn't an issue. I already had all the peripherals, so this is all I needed to purchase. I think I made some good choices, and all in all I spent 1,450 on everything after tax. I think the prices have increased slightly since then... but I think it's a pretty good setup for the price. *shrug* It's been a few years though.

 

The first question you should ask your self is...what am I going to use this sytem for most of the time??? Gaming or surfing and e mail . this should give you direction as to what you will need to buy as far as hardware goes as well as cost. Gaming rigs have higher end video cards / memory which can get pricey but if your going for the surf / email thing then you wont need to concern your self with more high end equipment and save some serious $$$$$. Just food for thought

FIREDANCER

 

yes, that too. I use it for gaming and animation/sound editing.