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Introduction to. Building Your Own Computer. Shopping List. Hardware: Case/Chassis Power Supply Motherboard Processor Processor heatsink/Cooling fan Memory Hard drive CD/DVD-ROM drive Video/graphics card. Tools:
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Introduction to Building Your Own Computer
Shopping List • Hardware: • Case/Chassis • Power Supply • Motherboard • Processor • Processor heatsink/Cooling fan • Memory • Hard drive • CD/DVD-ROM drive • Video/graphics card • Tools: • Phillips-head screwdriver (preferably magnetic, in case you drop screws) • Flashlight • Accessories: • Heatsink Thermal Compound • Software: • Operating System • Hardware drivers
Computer Case/Chassis • What to look for: • Size • Big fans • Expandability • And… coolness!
Power Supply • What to look for: • Watts When installing: - Make sure it’s running at the American power standard of 120V
Motherboard • What to look for: • CPU brand supported (AMD or Intel) • CPU socket type • Type of memory supported
Motherboard (part 2) • More to look for: • USB ports • Network port(s) • Sound ports • Firewire
Processor • What to look for: • Brand - MUST match motherboard • Socket type - MUST match mobo • Speed (measured in frequency, Hz) • Number of cores (dual- and quad-core are faster) • L2 cache (just know that bigger is better) Intel Core 2 Duo Speed/Frequency: 3.0GHz Socket Type: LGA 775 L2 cache: 4M shared
Processor Heatsink + Fan • What to look for: • Fits your CPU’s socket type • Size
Thermal Compound • What to look for: • Meant only to go between CPUs and heatsinks When using: - You only need a tiny amount! Don’t get it on other motherboard electronics.
Memory • What to look for: • Type MUST match your motherboard • Capacity (ex: 1 GB) • Speed (ex: DDR2 800) • If your motherboard supports dual-channel, buy in twos
Hard Drive • What to look for: • Capacity • Speed (RPM) Seagate Barracuda Capacity: 750GB Speed: 7200 RPM
CD/DVD-ROM Drive • What to look for: • Works with DVDs • Burning/recording capabilities • Speed (ex.: 20X)
Video/Graphics Card • What to look for: • ATI or NVIDIA • Bigger numbers… • Core clock • Stream processors • Memory size • Memory interface • DirectX 10 support? • PRICE $$$ One of the best on the market: NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTX, 575 MHz, 128 stream processors, 768MB, 384-bit… $450+!
Other Stuff You Might Need Keyboard and Mouse Monitor Sound Card Speakers
And don’t forget… You need install disks for an operating system… Plus any device drivers!