Build Your Own PC Build Your Own PC Arianto Gunawan Arianto Gunawan CS 147 CS 147 Fall 2004 Fall 2004
Build Your Own PCBuild Your Own PC
Arianto GunawanArianto Gunawan
CS 147CS 147
Fall 2004Fall 2004
Main ComponentsMain Components
CPU (Intel and AMD)CPU (Intel and AMD) Hard Drive (IDE and SCSI)Hard Drive (IDE and SCSI) MotherboardMotherboard MemoryMemory Power SupplyPower Supply Video CardVideo Card
Other componentsOther components
Computer caseComputer caseMonitorMonitorCD or DVD driveCD or DVD driveFloppy driveFloppy driveSpeakersSpeakers
Auxiliary ComponentsAuxiliary Components
Sound cardSound card PrinterPrinter Web camWeb cam Surround speakersSurround speakers USB Flash driveUSB Flash drive
First Step: Choosing the CPUFirst Step: Choosing the CPU
Intel or AMD?Intel or AMD? AMD is more cost effectiveAMD is more cost effective AMD takes less power consumptionAMD takes less power consumption Older AMD models are more sensitive to heatOlder AMD models are more sensitive to heat Intel processors are generally better for multitaskingIntel processors are generally better for multitasking
Business/General Use Business/General Use Performance, Intel vs. AMDPerformance, Intel vs. AMD
22ndnd Step: Choosing Motherboard Step: Choosing Motherboard
Each CPU has its own socketEach CPU has its own socket AMD Athlon XP = Socket AAMD Athlon XP = Socket A AMD Athlon 64 = Socket 754, 940, or 939AMD Athlon 64 = Socket 754, 940, or 939 AMD Sempron = Socket 754AMD Sempron = Socket 754 Intel Pentium 4 = Socket 775 or 478Intel Pentium 4 = Socket 775 or 478 Intel Celeron = Socket 775 or 478Intel Celeron = Socket 775 or 478
Be sure to get a motherboard that Be sure to get a motherboard that supports your CPU’s socketsupports your CPU’s socket
Choosing a Motherboard (cont’d)Choosing a Motherboard (cont’d)
Determine how much memory you are Determine how much memory you are going to buy, motherboards can support going to buy, motherboards can support memory ranging from 2GB to 4GBmemory ranging from 2GB to 4GB
Determine the type of your Video card, Determine the type of your Video card, some video cards requires PCI/PCI some video cards requires PCI/PCI express slot. But generally, most video express slot. But generally, most video cards requires an AGP slot.cards requires an AGP slot.
33rdrd Step: Adding Memory Step: Adding Memory
After choosing a motherboard, consult After choosing a motherboard, consult your motherboard’s manual to find out your motherboard’s manual to find out which memory type is supportedwhich memory type is supported
Good memory brands: Mushkin, Corsair, Good memory brands: Mushkin, Corsair, SamsungSamsung
Value memory brand: Kingston Value memory brand: Kingston
44thth Step: Choosing a Video Card Step: Choosing a Video Card
Depends on what type of computer you Depends on what type of computer you want to buildwant to build
For general purpose computer, a GeForce For general purpose computer, a GeForce MX card should be sufficient.MX card should be sufficient.
For multimedia and gaming, a GeForce For multimedia and gaming, a GeForce 6600 or ATi X700 should be enough6600 or ATi X700 should be enough
For extreme 3D gaming, a GeForce 6800 For extreme 3D gaming, a GeForce 6800 or ATi X800 is recommendedor ATi X800 is recommended
Video Card Power ConsumptionVideo Card Power Consumption
Video Card BenchmarkVideo Card Benchmark
Hard DriveHard Drive
IDE or SCSI?IDE or SCSI? IDE is a lot cheaperIDE is a lot cheaper SCSI is fasterSCSI is faster IDE drives generally has more storageIDE drives generally has more storage Unless you need speed, go with IDEUnless you need speed, go with IDE
MonitorMonitor
CRT or LCD?CRT or LCD? CRT is less expensiveCRT is less expensive CRT generally has higher refresh rateCRT generally has higher refresh rate LCD takes up less spaceLCD takes up less space LCD produces less heatLCD produces less heat LCD requires less powerLCD requires less power In the long run, LCD is more cost effectiveIn the long run, LCD is more cost effective
Power SupplyPower Supply
In general buying a 350W power supply is In general buying a 350W power supply is enough for most computersenough for most computers
But if you plan to build a multimedia But if you plan to build a multimedia computer, get a power supply with higher computer, get a power supply with higher power rating, preferably 400+Wpower rating, preferably 400+W
CPU Power ConsumptionCPU Power Consumption
Average Power ConsumptionsAverage Power Consumptions
ComponentComponent Average Power (W)Average Power (W)
Hard Drive (IDE)Hard Drive (IDE) 2828
Memory (128MB DDRx3)Memory (128MB DDRx3) 3030
DVD-ROMDVD-ROM 2020
MotherboardMotherboard 2525
FloppyFloppy 44
CD-RWCD-RW 1616
Other basic componentsOther basic components 3232
TotalTotal 155155
Where to Buy?Where to Buy?
Research firstResearch first Figure out the system you want to buyFigure out the system you want to buy www.tomshardware.comwww.tomshardware.com www.xbitlabs.comwww.xbitlabs.com www.anandtech.comwww.anandtech.com
Shop smartShop smart www.techbargains.comwww.techbargains.com www.pricewatch.comwww.pricewatch.com
ReferencesReferences
www.tomshardware.comwww.tomshardware.comwww.anandtech.comwww.anandtech.comwww.xbitlabs.comwww.xbitlabs.comwww.amd.comwww.amd.comwww.intel.comwww.intel.com