Now that we have our tools ready, and a list of things needed, it is time to make some decisions on what type of system that we want to build. This is probably the longest section, and for good reason. There is a lot to consider when buying the parts to build your new PC.
First, we are going to classify custom PC's into 3 separate categories. This will help you know what parts to spend more money on and a general guide for the type of machine you are wanting.
Second, we will tell you the best places to buy your computer parts, and to save the most amount of money in the process.
Third, we are going to list each individual part and a basic description of what it is. We will also list options available for each part.
And last on our list we will talk about which operating system will work best for your needs.
Which Type Of Computer?
Here is a list of computer types. The budgets listed will give you a ball park idea of how much you will need to spend.
Pick the one that will best suit your needs and follow the guidelines for selecting hardware for it:
Budget PC
The budget PC is good for a person or family that needs to surf the Web, check e-mail, and do some word processing. It will handle basic games and tasks. Generally the budget PC is comprised of some of the cheapest computer parts available, and will use onboard video and/or sound via the motherboard.
General Recommendations:
- AMD Sempron or Intel Celeron Processor
- 256MB - 512MB of RAM
- 40GB+ IDE or SATA Hard Drive
- Motherboard with onboard video and sound
- Inexpensive Case and 300+ watt Power Supply
- DVD / CD burner/drive combo
- Inexpensive 15" - 17" LCD Monitor
- Inexpensive Keyboard and Mouse
- Inexpensive Speakers
- Basic Inkjet Printer
Approximate Budget: $600 or less
Workstation
The workstation computer usually serves in a home office or business environment and runs software that requires more processing power and memory. Development tools for databases, Web design, photo editing, and sound engineering need the added resources to work efficiently. Setting up a comfortable and ergonomic environment is one of the most important aspects for the workstation machine, so you may want to splurge on wireless keyboards and mice. For video and sound editing applications it is usually wise to get as much RAM as you can afford, and that the motherboard will allow for.
General Recommendations:
- AMD Athlon or Pentium 4 Processor
- 512MB - 2GB of RAM
- 250GB+ SATA Hard Drive
- Motherboard that allows for adequate memory
- 256MB AGP or PCI Express Video Card
- Case and 400+ watt Power Supply
- DVD / CD burner/drive combo
- 17" - 19" LCD Monitor
- Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
- Inexpensive Speakers
- Inkjet or Laser Printer
Approximate Budget: $1200 or less
Gaming Machine
The gaming machine is used for playing the latest games that require high end video cards, the fastest processors, and large amounts of memory. The nice thing about building a gaming machine, is that you will be able to run about any software, and not have to worry about performance. Building a gaming machine with the latest hardware can be costly, but it is the price you will have to pay to be able to play the newest games on the market with the performance that you desire. A relatively new option is to buy two video cards and link them together. There are a couple of different video card manufacturers that support this capability. You also will want to get a lot of room for storage, so invest in a large hard drive.
General Recommendations:
- The latest AMD or Intel Dual Core based Processor
- 2GB of RAM +
- 500GB+ SATA Hard Drive
- Motherboard that allows for large amount of memory, video card linking, and overclocking
- 1 or 2 512MB AGP or PCI Express Video Card(s) that have the option to link with another card
- Full Tower Case and 600+ watt Power Supply
- Multiple DVD / CD burner/drive combo drives
- 19"+ LCD Monitor
- Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
- Satellite Speaker System with Subwoofer
- Inkjet or Laser Printer
Approximate Budget: $1500 or more
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