This article is intended to teach novice persons how to build a basic personal computer. The techniques and applications used below will save you money and help you custom build your computer just the way you want it. Computers are plentiful and most definitely an assets. Unfortunately, many conventional ready made computers come with unnecessary applications, software, programs and advertisements you don’t want or need. So, cut out the middle man, unnecessary cost and build your exclusive one of a kind PC and get exactly what you want and have fun doing it.
I will provide significant information and required components which are easily upgradeable along with general specifications which are currently being used.
NOTE: Please remember there are a myriad of quality manufacturers, components, and specifications to choose from. This is what makes this article fun, you can choose what you want and need to create your personal masterpiece. Moreover, this article should be used as a basic foundation.
I will list each item in the order purchased to simplify. All items can be found at most local computer outlets, depots or any reputable computer establishment. Online computer stores are a great resource as well. However, you will pay extra for shipping, handling and any additional cost provisions.
1. Computer Cases/ Computer Towers (price range $30-$300)
This is where the Power Supply, Motherboard, Hard-drive, Video Card and other devices are stored. Purchase an “ATX” case; this is the modern day shape and layout of PC motherboards. Get creative; cases now come in all shapes, designs and colors such as acrylic and even clear to show off your internal power.
2. Motherboard (price range $30-300)
This is the main circuit board of a computer. It contains the connectors for attaching boards and peripheral devices. Purchase either an AMD or Intel “ATX” motherboard. There are others but these two boards are the most popular. Common board manufacturers are ASUS, Gigabyte and ABIT just two name a few. Make sure the motherboard you choose has the following specs: 2600MHZ, 6 to 8 USB 2.0 ports, 4 memory slots, memory standard of DDR2 1066 and 2-PCI express slots 2.0.
3. Central Processing Unit/Processor (price range $25-600)
The CPU is the brains of the computer; this is where most calculations take place. When purchasing your processor make sure the Heat-sink and fan is included. Also, ensure the processor matches the motherboard specifications (if you have an AMD motherboard you need an AMD Processor). The same procedure works for Intel boards and processors as well.
4. Random Access Memory (RAM) (price range $25-100)
The most common type of memory used. RAM allows you to access previous information stored on your computer. Ram is readily available at most if not all computer stores. Purchase a minimum stick of 1GB of DDR2 1066 Ram for your computer. Remember your motherboard above requires a memory standard of DDR2, 1066. Therefore, your RAM must meet your motherboard specifications.
5. Power supply (price range $25-150)
This component supplies power to the computer which converts AC current to DC current. Make sure you purchase an “ATX” power supply with two fans and a minimum of 500 watts.
6. Hard-Drive (price range $25-100)
This mechanism reads, writes and stores data on a hard disk. A 500GB hard-drive is more than enough storage space. Make sure your HD has a minimum of 7200 RPM, 16MB cache and a SATA interface of 3.0gb/s. There are several excellent hard-drive manufactures to choose from.
7. Video Card (price range $40-$150)
The video card is the responsible for producing visual output from your computer. Virtually all programs produce visual output. Therefore, purchase an all-in-one PCI Express 2.0 x 16 card with the minimum specs: Core clock: 700MHz, Memory Clock: 1800MHz, DirectX: DirectX 10, DVI: 2 and TV-Out: HDTV / S-Video Out
8. Card Reader/Writer (price range $25-$50)
A plug-and-play device used to read, copy and backup data from portable flash memory cards that are used in a wide variety of consumer electronics products. Floppy drives are a thing of the past and Flash memory drives are in. Purchase a 3.5" All-in-one USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader with USB 2.0 interface port. Ensure it is supports the following media: Compact Flash, Memory Stick, Multi Media Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), SmartMedia, and XD.
9. CD/DVD Burner (price range $25-$75)
This enables you to write data to a CD or DVD. Purchase a 20X DVD±R DVD Burner 3.5” SATA model. The burner should meet the following specs and supports the following media : DVD-ROM Access Time: 160ms , CD-ROM Access Time: 140ms, Cache 2MB, DVD+R 20X, DVD+RW 8X, DVD-R 20X and DVD-RW 6X.
10. CD/DVD drive (price range $25-$75)
This drive is completely optional. This will allow you to burn a DVD or CD to another media (DVD/CD) instantaneously. The specification will match your CD/DVD burner above.
11. LCD Monitor (price range $120-$200)
The LCD display takes up less desk space and much lighter than conventional CRT monitors. Purchase a 17” 5ms LCD monitor with the following specs: Resolution: 1280 x 1024, Viewing Angle: 160°(H) / 160°(V), Pixel Pitch: 0.264mm, Display Colors: 16.7 million, Brightness: 300 cd/m2 and Contrast ratio: 700:1.
12. Keyboard, Speakers and Mouse (price range $100- 150)
These three items combined should cost no more than $150. Purchase a USB keyboard and mouse unless you want a wireless mouse. Purchase a decent set of computer speakers with volume control. You can purchase a sound card instead of speakers but remember you are creating your masterpiece. Besides your music, movies and videos will sound so much better.
13. Operating systems (prices range $70-$210)
This is the most important program that runs on a computer. All computers must have an operating system to run other programs. You get to chose between Windows, Macintosh and Linux as your system of choose.
That is it, you have accomplished all action task required to assemble you master piece. Now a little research is involved on your part. Locate a reputable computer business with valid certified credentials. Please take your time on this segment. Ask around town to see who has good reputable timely service. Once you here a business name three or four times normally that’s a good sign. Once satisfied find out the total cost, turn around time of assembly and installation of the operating system. Once you are satisfied take all of your components to have them professionally installed. Write down all serial and/or part numbers of all equipment to include the key code on your operating system. Once your masterpiece is ready have the business open the side of your computer to verify all components and don’t forget to get your operating system disk back. A good business will start and run the computer for you on pickup to verify the system is working correctly.
John W.
http://www.3000assets.com
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