Monday, March 3, 2008

Episode 4: Building Your Own System

-Introduction - Mike is back!

-Why build your own system?

-Determine what kind of system to build based on what you'll be using it for.

-Motherboards - could buy a general one for about $60 but for gaming can go up to hundreds of dollars.

-Processors - AMD vs Intel?
Core techniology put Intel ahead of the game and probably best bet.

-Which processor family, Celeron, Dual Core, Quad Core?

-Pay attention to onboard cache for processor.

-Make sure processor socket matches up with motherboard.

-Cases - the more you pay the better protection you'll get. Also more inputs such as USB and front panel audio

-Power Supply, some cases come with power supplies. For gaming or high video usage, get 500W and up. You're playing it safe with 400W for general use, any less might be a problem in the future.

-Antec, Coolermaster, Thermaltake are all good power supply companies. Can buy at www.newegg.com

-The more components in your machine is a factor in the lilfe of your power supply.

-RAM - difference between RAM and hard drive space.

-Mike clears up what all the numbers/labels mean in RAM
(DDR, pc4200,etc..)

-Buy as much as you can afford for RAM to help your system performance.

-Make sure socket on motherboard for RAM is same as RAM you are buying.

-Hard Drives: Two sizes 2.5 in for laptops 3.5" for desktops.

-Two types, IDE and SATA. IDE is 80pin fat ribbon, SATA is thin newer adapter.

-Most motherboards these days come with SATA connections.

-Only a few major players in the HD market.

-CD DVD Drives - Lightscribe - Most are SATA now.

-Add on components: Video cards, TV tuner cards, and card readers.

-Onboard Video vs add-on Video card. ATI and Nvidia are the two major players in the video cards market.

-For games need to get an upgraded video card.

-TV tuner cards not HD inputs yet.

-Camera card readers, fit in place where 3.5" floppy drives go.

-Operating systems: XP or Vista?

-Buy parts cheap at www.newegg.com

-Have fun!


Subscribe to the Podnutz podcast here!

No comments: