How To Build A Computer - Free Videos and Tutorials

Step One

Selecting your components

The first question that should be asked when you select a new system is "What am I going to use my computer for?"  You have a few different configurations to chose from and they are:

·          -Word applications, Photos/Pictures

·          -Gaming, Videos

·          -Music

·          -Internet/Networking

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Why are these systems different?

Word and photo applications require large amounts of memory, a mid-level Video Card, but you can save cash with a slower CPU.

Gaming and videos need a greater amount of memory and demand a more powerful Video Card. In this system you will want to spend more money on your CPU. Be careful though, a slower CPU with special capabilities will do the same as the newest and fastest which is also the most expensive. For example: a $200 1.8Ghz with MMX technology will keep pace with a $250 2.4 Ghz without MMX.

Music systems can be a little bit tricky to construct without having conflicts, hang-ups and lagging sound. The easiest decision is going to be your sound card. You will invest in one that best fits your needs. Although before buying your sound card look at what external devices you will be using with your audio programs. Sounds cards are designed around every need most typically used. With the rest of the system consider what music applications you will be using. There are some programs both on the user and composing end of music that are very high demanding on your graphics. I would suggest investing in an economical yet powerful to help keep resources free for your sound. You will need a generous amount of memory and a fairly powerful CPU I might even recommend shopping for a multimedia enhanced chip. These are CPU's that have integrated abilities to specially handle specific processes such as audio files.

Ahhh the Internet systems. Here you can benefit from putting your money anywhere you want. This is because Internet programs use many of the same resources we have already discussed. It seems as if ever Internet site out there is trying to have the flashiest and most eye-catching home page. Well this is all nice and makes internet surfing enjoyable even if it's just to pay your bills but all this drags down your system. To start with the more pictures, and animations on a web page the more you computer's CPU has to process as it comes in through and then it is ran through again so that it shows on your screen. Which leads me to my next point. With all that flashy stuff going on you don't want your video bogged down while you're just trying to click through the ads to watch your favorite Internet cartoon. A higher quality Video Card will drastically speed up your page loading and window swapping. Last but not least where is all this glue and glitter being stored while you're drooling with ooh and aw? Memory, memory, memory!! Spend a few dollars and get a couple sticks of RAM to keep up with your surfing style.