| This is the step takes the most time and consideration. | | | | Celeron / AMD-Duron - These processors are a lot |
| Which parts do I buy? Which are best? | | | | cheaper than the Pentium 4 and |
| There are many good places to buy computer parts. | | | | AMD Athlon. Usually used in mid user systems, such |
| You can go to a computerretail store in your area. | | | | as word processing / surfingthe net / e-mail / gaming. |
| Although they often provide good warranties, you | | | | Cirix - Cheapest processors on the market. But are |
| willpay a little more than you would in other places. | | | | miles behind in performanceof Pentiums and AMDs. |
| Sometimes, a lot more. | | | | You will need to decide on what processor you need, |
| Case - There are two types of cases, Desktop and | | | | Also make sure yourmotherboard supports it. Always |
| Tower. Desktop cases are shortand fat (Which can fit | | | | make sure you buy a heatsink and fan to keep |
| under your monitor nicely.) And towers are tall and | | | | theprocessor cool. Warning, If your fan is not good |
| slimwhich are usually placed under the desk. Decided | | | | enough for your processor, thenyour processor is very |
| which one will fit in to yourenvironment best. | | | | likely to overheat and crash your computer. And in |
| There are two different forms of computer cases. AT | | | | thelong run damage your processor. |
| and ATX. you need to findout which one you need. | | | | Memory - Memory is a big part of your machine, |
| AT form cases are used for older computers, Pentium | | | | Check what your motherboard cantake. Buy the |
| 1and before. And ATX form cases are used for | | | | fastest memory your motherboard will take. Buy at |
| newer systems such as Pentium 2, 3, | | | | least 128mb,this is the bear minimum for these days. I |
| 4 and AMD Athlon etc. | | | | would recommend 256mb. |
| Motherboard - The motherboard is the central | | | | CD-ROM/DVD : Every computer needs a CD-ROM |
| component in the system. If youwant to upgrade your | | | | to load software. There are a fewdifferent types of |
| processor / Memory / Video card, you can only | | | | CD-ROM. You can buy one that can write data to a |
| upgrade ifyour motherboard supports it. It is always | | | | CD-ROM. Youcan also buy a CD-ROM which |
| worth planning a head, So buy thebest motherboard | | | | supports DVD. Check what speed the CD-ROM is. |
| you can afford. | | | | Usualspeed is 52x. |
| Before you select a motherboard consider the | | | | Hard Drive- When selecting a hard drive there are two |
| following. What processor you wantto use with it. | | | | things to consider, howbig is the capacity of the disk |
| What memory does it support. Has it got an AGP | | | | and how fast does it run. A 20gig drive will bemore |
| slot?? An AGPslot is used for special 3DFX graphic | | | | than enough for most users. Make sure the speed of |
| cards. What other expansion slots does ithave?? You | | | | the hard drive issupported on your motherboard, If it is |
| will need a minimum of 3 PCI slots. | | | | not supported then the hard drive willnot run at its |
| Hard drives run at special speeds. 33mhz, 66mhz, | | | | fastest speed, Consider a motherboard upgrade. |
| 100mhz and 133mhz, Check if themotherboard | | | | Video Card - There are loads of different video cards |
| supports the speed of your hard disk. If your hard | | | | on the market, whenselecting consider these points. |
| drive runs at | | | | Does it fix into an AGP or a PCI slot in |
| 100mhz and your motherboard only goes up to 66mhz, | | | | yourmotherboard?? AGP is a special video slot, so |
| then your hard disk willstill run but not at its fastest | | | | buy a video card with an AGP form, |
| speed. | | | | Also check your motherboard has an AGP slot. How |
| Motherboards come in two different forms. AT and | | | | much memory does the card have? |
| ATX, Make sure this formmatches the form of your | | | | And how fast does it run?? I would recommend |
| case. Make sure you get a manual with your | | | | getting a video card with at least |
| motherboard, | | | | 32mb of memory. |
| This manual will tell you how to configure your | | | | Sound Card - Just about every computer has sound, I |
| motherboard. | | | | would not recommend spendinga lot of money on a |
| Processor - There are many different processors out | | | | sound unless you want your computer to support |
| but these are the main ones. | | | | sur-roundsound. Check what slot the card plugs into |
| Pentium 4 / AMD-Athlon- This processor is the most | | | | and if your motherboard has one free. |
| expensive but the fastestaround. This processor is | | | | Keyboard & Mouse - There is no need for much |
| used in systems which need performance such | | | | info here. But beware there are twotypes of |
| asperformance gaming / servers / Web designing. | | | | connections for a keyboard and mice they are PS/2 |
| Current fastest processor speed is | | | | and USB, Make sureyour motherboard has available |
| 3200mhz 3.2ghz | | | | connections. |