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