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Hello TL,
Now, granted that I've been playing video games on computers since Commander Keen and Lemmings were the top games, I stlil don't have a knowledgable grasp on computer parts/specs/updates. I've been a person who just buys a top notch PC from Alienware and call it good for a couple years.
My current PC specs:
Alienware
Duo Core 3.0 ghz CPU
2GB Ram
5 year old NVIDIA graphics card (this is how much of a "noob" I am. I have done no research into the matter of my current computer specs. I just buy a built PC and run with it).
Factors into building this PC:
Used for ultra quality gaming (Skyrim, Battlefield 3, Guild Wars 2, Starcraft etc.)
Unlimited resources
1 entire month off of work
I'm 24 years old and I work at IBM. Oddly enough, the IBM parts I work with don't relate much to PCs but I have a good idea on how to install the parts. The issue I have with picking out parts is:
-How can I be sure that my parts will all be compatible in the end? Exampe: Whether I go with AMD or Intel for my CPU, how can I be sure that it will work with which motherboard?
-How do I know I have everything I want? (USB ports, Ethernet port, 7.1 Surround sound ports, keyboard/mouse ports, and maybe even a second or third monitor port)
-In the longrun, will I be able to easily upgrade parts individually when mine become old/outdated with new parts?
-How many labour hours should I plan on, once I have all of my parts ready?
-Any benefit I should be looking into about overclocking? Or any expert concise explanation about the benefits of overclocking?
-With 90% of my focus on games for this PC, which part(s) are going to show the best increase in game quality? CPU, grapihcs card, RAM etc.? Another way to put it, which parts can I get away with above average quality and which parts should I get the newest, highest rated, most expensive parts?
-I personally believe Newegg.com is safe, reliable and has the best prices. But, what do you think?
So, this blog, to sum it up, is mostly dealing with my issue of picking the parts. I'm doing a little research here and there but I want to kick it into full gear. Assume I am brand new with computers (because that's how I feel). I have a novice understanding of todays components and I would really like multiple expert opinions. I'm currently using Wiki, youtube, random blogs for step by step processes but they rarely have Q&As.
I plan on keeping this up to date with my progress, eventually with pictures in the end =D
--Doublespeak
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On September 30 2011 18:51 DoublespeakUS wrote:
-How can I be sure that my parts will all be compatible in the end? Exampe: Whether I go with AMD or Intel for my CPU, how can I be sure that it will work with which motherboard?
Motherboards and CPUs are compatible based on what they call "sockets." Whether you pick your motherboard first or CPU first, you'll use one to find the other. For instance, Intel has a socket called LGA1366, and AMD has AM3. You'll look for processors with the same socket type listed.
Motherboards will also take certain types of memory. This is listed on the product page, and you'll use that information to pick your memory.
On September 30 2011 18:51 DoublespeakUS wrote:
-How do I know I have everything I want? (USB ports, Ethernet port, 7.1 Surround sound ports, keyboard/mouse ports, and maybe even a second or third monitor port)
This will be easily listed on the motherboard's page on whichever site you happen to purchase from. Take this page for example: link
Clicking on the "Details" tab will show all the relevant information that you'll want to consider when purchasing a motherboard. How many USB ports it has, what kind of memory it supports, how many PCI-E ports, SATA ports, and it will list any other features of the motherboard.
On September 30 2011 18:51 DoublespeakUS wrote:
-In the longrun, will I be able to easily upgrade parts individually when mine become old/outdated with new parts?
This depends on the sockets mentioned above. Some will have longer lifespans than others, and some are already no longer being supported. You won't have to worry about issues in upgrading your memory (only maybe if you change motherboards) or graphics cards(s), and changing or adding hard drives or other optical drives won't matter either.
The only issue will be whether you're going to want to add a faster CPU in the future or choose a different motherboard. Realistically, by the time you feel your computer is inadequate, the only thing you're going to really have to do is either by a faster CPU of the same socket configuration, or buy both a motherboard and CPU together and add the rest of your current components.
Personally, I've migrated the same hard drives, burner, PSU, and sound card to multiple new systems.
On September 30 2011 18:51 DoublespeakUS wrote:
-How many labour hours should I plan on, once I have all of my parts ready?
This will depend on many things. Some people get really anal about their cable routing for neatness and a clean look. It also helps airflow. This will take time and trial and error to route things properly and safely so you're not damaging components.
People would generally quote around an hour and 30 minutes to have it built and up and running. For a first timer, and expecting a few snags along the way, you'll be looking at somewhere around two hours most likely.
I can personally do everything in about 30 minutes, and then I'll go back ensure everything is secured properly, every cable is routed the way I want it, and then start installing the operating system.
On September 30 2011 18:51 DoublespeakUS wrote:
-Any benefit I should be looking into about overclocking? Or any expert concise explanation about the benefits of overclocking?
The benefit to overclocking is that you get more out of what you're paying for. People will buy cheap or middle of the road CPUs and push them to the higher-end speeds of their counter-parts. You can also overclock graphics cards and memory.
Overclocking increases the heat output of your components and reduces their lifespan. You'll have to spend more money on cooling to ensure that you don't irreparably damage your components, which is still possible anyways.
The gain is fairly negligible, in my opinion, and not worth the cost or risk against simply buying the faster and more expensive components; especially for a first timer. There are so many technical details and ways of doing things that it might just be too much for you to try.
On September 30 2011 18:51 DoublespeakUS wrote:
-With 90% of my focus on games for this PC, which part(s) are going to show the best increase in game quality? CPU, grapihcs card, RAM etc.? Another way to put it, which parts can I get away with above average quality and which parts should I get the newest, highest rated, most expensive parts?
It's not a simple answer. Some games are CPU-intensive, others are GPU-intensive. And since you're researching, I'm sure you're going to come across several benchmarks for CPUs and GPUs. Simply take note of their test computer and look at the frame rate differences.
You'll probably end up seeing something like, X graphics card is $600 and gets you 150fps in one game, and the same companies $300 card gets 125fps. Is 25fps worth an extra $300? Obviously comparison from game to game is going to be quite different, but very rarely do you need to go for the absolute high-end components of any kind.
On September 30 2011 18:51 DoublespeakUS wrote:
-I personally believe Newegg.com is safe, reliable and has the best prices. But, what do you think?
Being you're in the US, Newegg is your best bet. Other people from the states will also use Fry's or a Microcenter if local to them.
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Wow thank you for the fast and very informative response.
But, it brings up another point about cooling. I know a fan will come with the power supply but will fans come on the chassis as well? Are fans for the case something that will need to be bought seperate? And will all cases be easily compatible with the fans (is it easy to install fans in most chassis?)
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Cases will all have locations to place fans. Some will have more locations than others, and some will include fans for some or all for the locations. Frankly, any mid to high-end case from the top brands will have generally three fan locations (or more) and will come with the fans.
For instance:
This one has four locations and comes with three 120mm fans, and one 200mm fan.
This one has five locations and comes with three fans, but you'll have to buy two fans separately to use the optional locations.
Some people will choose to upgrade the fans to higher CFM, or more silent options, but it's really up to you. The generic fans that come with the case will be more than adequate and picking a solid and reputable case will do you just fine.
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Ok. I think I'm ready to start shopping! I'm oddly excited about this part.
I am a little hesistant to buy though and I plan on buying my parts in about 2 weeks considering I'm comfortable with my setup and that I have all the knowledge I can.
Any common errors and mistakes that you can think of that I would want to avoid? A few things I'm hesistant about are buying a part that isn't compatible with what I want or thinking I have all my parts and then when I begin to build realize that I forgot something.
What types of things can I do to prevent damage to my parts while building? I have ESD shoes and wrist straps (thanks to work I already wear them everday). I have a basic know how on how to handle the parts properly. But how aobut installing them? If I connect something wrong, screw a part in incorrectly how easily reversable are things like that?
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On September 30 2011 22:25 DoublespeakUS wrote:
Any common errors and mistakes that you can think of that I would want to avoid? A few things I'm hesistant about are buying a part that isn't compatible with what I want or thinking I have all my parts and then when I begin to build realize that I forgot something.
With 2 weeks of researching you probably won't have any problems with compatibility. Just read up on hardware review sites and check out the category lists on newegg to make sure you aren't forgetting anything.
On September 30 2011 22:25 DoublespeakUS wrote:
What types of things can I do to prevent damage to my parts while building? I have ESD shoes and wrist straps (thanks to work I already wear them everday). I have a basic know how on how to handle the parts properly. But how aobut installing them? If I connect something wrong, screw a part in incorrectly how easily reversable are things like that?
ESD shouldn't be a problem if you use common sense. In modern PCs it's really hard to screw up installation; you basically have to attack the computer during installation to break anything. I once managed to break my motherboard by tearing off a capacitor with a pair of pliers though (you had to be there).
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You can't install a component incorrectly unless you are forcing it in, in which case you'll break both the component you're trying to install and the component on the receiving end. All the components fit only one way.
There's many video guides to get you accustomed with the process before you actually start such as this one: + Show Spoiler +
The hardest part of installation is the front panel header and the CPU heatsink.
The harddrive and optical drive will come in a static bag with no manual or cable or anything else so don't be concerned about this as the retail components such as the motherboard and power supply will provide the necessary cables to hook up these drives. The only thing is if you are getting an SSD along with an optical drive and HDD, you may need a third SATA cable as many of the lower-end motherboards only provide two SATA cables. But I'm sure this shouldn't be a problem since SATA cables are quite abundant, especially if you work at IBM.
The most common errors in buying / building a configuration is:
1) You purchase your entire configuration BEFORE asking for other people's opinions on it. Most first time builders and even veteran builders will have wasted a lot of money on subpar components.
2) You plugged in the 24pin ATX power cable to the motherboard but you forgot to plug in the 4 or 4+4pin EPS power cable to the motherboard which powers your CPU.
3) You plug your monitor into the motherboard's video output instead of the discrete graphics card's output, in which case you'll get no signal. You want to plug your monitor into the discrete graphics card's DVI or HDMI or DP port, not the motherboard's.
4) Front panel headers, confusing for most people. Just read the manual... there is no danger in plugging these in wrong (I'm talking about the ON/OFF switch, RESET switch, and HDD Activity LED). Worse case scenario is that your LED doesn't work, in which case you flip it around or your PC doesn't turn on, in which case your header is in the wrong spot so read the manual again.
No one has mentioned this but you want to build on Intel's Sandybridge (LGA 1155) platform (pick H61 or H67 along with a non-K suffix proecssor if you won't be overclocking, Z68 or P67 with a core i5 2500k or core i7 2600k if you will be overclocking). Going with AMD is a disastrous mistake as their processors are five years old in performance.
Teamliquid also has a technical support forum here: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/index.php?show_part=46 and there's a computer build resource thread that you can read and where others such as myself give advice on configurations other people come up with and make a configuration for those who ask: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=137554
Please do research on the selection of your components through proefssional reviews from www.jonnyguru.com , www.hardwaresecrets.com, www.anandtech.com , www.xbitlabs.com , etc. Do not base your purchasing decision on etailer customer reviews. Basically every component matters except for the optical drive.
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EPT
