Building a computer is a great way to save some money, or get a better computer for the price. It allows you to make the computer exactly the way you want it, whether it needs to fit into a certain size, or perform specific tasks. In this instructable I hope to guide you through the selection process of all the parts needed to build a computer. For the actual build process, there are plenty of instructables. I may make one at a later date, but for now, this one is quite good...
As always suggestions on how to improve this instructable are always welcome
Also, here's a random site that I StumbleUpon'ed. It's pretty out-of-date, but it does have purty animations
As always suggestions on how to improve this instructable are always welcome
Also, here's a random site that I StumbleUpon'ed. It's pretty out-of-date, but it does have purty animations
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Signing UpStep 1: Decide what the computer needs to do
Put together a wish list of what you want the computer to do. If you want to run a specific program/game, find the system requirements and consider the 'recommended system specifications' the very minimum you can do.
You also need to decide whether this computer will be one where you build and let it sit at those specs or whether you will upgrade it over time. I prefer to choose parts that will enable easier/cheaper upgrading down the road.
Decide on a price point. If you name a price, you can probably build a computer at that price, although it might not be able to do all that you need/want it to do.
Decide on a timeline. If you have no need of the computer for the next several months, you can sign up for newegg's shell-shocker deals emails and wait for the deals on the parts that you want, as well as watching amazon, tigerdirect, ebay, overstock, and woot!. Generally the more time you have to wait for deals, the cheaper you can get a computer, although if you take too long you might run into issues with returns (newegg has a 30-60 day return policy for most items, after that your only option is to RMA a defective part for a working one from the manufacturer), etc.
You also need to decide whether this computer will be one where you build and let it sit at those specs or whether you will upgrade it over time. I prefer to choose parts that will enable easier/cheaper upgrading down the road.
Decide on a price point. If you name a price, you can probably build a computer at that price, although it might not be able to do all that you need/want it to do.
Decide on a timeline. If you have no need of the computer for the next several months, you can sign up for newegg's shell-shocker deals emails and wait for the deals on the parts that you want, as well as watching amazon, tigerdirect, ebay, overstock, and woot!. Generally the more time you have to wait for deals, the cheaper you can get a computer, although if you take too long you might run into issues with returns (newegg has a 30-60 day return policy for most items, after that your only option is to RMA a defective part for a working one from the manufacturer), etc.
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But then, one thing led to another. Today I received an Intel DQ965GF mobo and have an Intel P4 661 CPU on its way. Your guide confirmed that I’m on the right track in the right sequence, my first time at this. The biggest challenge was to match up a mATX mobo to the CPU via chipset (Intel site) and then confirm that the mobo was a 9.6" square micro-ATX form factor (not on Intel site)
If anyone knows a reference for this and all those letters following the core numbers of Intel’s main boards, that sure would be nice to know, thanks.
The D might mean Desktop Board, the GF might not stand for anything and just be an arbitrary combination of letters to differentiate between the boards, but I really don't know.
Sticking with matching up older Intel products, I found a good starting point for researching their CPU’s is WikipediA’s Comparison of Intel processors, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Intel_processors, and List of Intel microprocessors, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_microprocessors, (HUGE!), which offers links to other more specific detailed info, and then Your Source for Intel Product Information, http://ark.intel.com/Default.aspx, wherein you can cross reference products by code names found in WikipediA.
I also found some of Intel’s desktop boards are listed with form factors at http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyId=1125, but not older boards like the one I just purchased and nothing older than LGA775.
I built a gaming rig for $800 that would be around 2 grand pre built in the fall. I also got Windows 7 for free through my school. I love it.
Anyone with any knowledge about computers at all should build their own desktops. It's a great experience, and you save a lot of money.