It came to me that some people are somewhat interested in PC Building here in Blocktopia. Although we don't necessarily offer much advice as individuals, I wanted to create this guide.
You may or may not need to build a new PC. Categories of computational power compared to needs will be discussed. There's home theater, NAS, online server, workstation, heavy/light gaming, rendering, Home Office, and many other types of PCs.
To be blunt: All operating systems will be open in discussion. PC isn't a Windows term. PC stands for personal computer, which is your personal device which you use at your discretion. With the upcoming release of XBox One and PS4 slightly better than PS3, it looks like this year might be a downfall for console games. Building a PC isn't necessary.
Components
That's a water-cooled desktop. You don't need that, of course. We'll start off at the basic parts.
There are two manufacturers of such components for x64 (Windows 64 bit) architecture. AMD and Intel. Your budget, along with which brand, will entirely dictate the majority of the build. AMD is argued to be for budget, while Intel is for best performance at high price.
Depending on your needs, it's best to choose the best choice. We don't work nor are we made of money, Uhtr5r.
Intel is relatively easy to sort, as the iX tells you which generation of the Ivy Bridges you are dealing with. After that, the series of numbers (and possibly letter at the end) tells you which model you are getting. You can't generalize Intel CPUs, so it's best to deal with each at price point for performance by reviewing the performance by benchmarks.
AMD's Bulldozer series is not quite a bulldozer in performance. Many of the Bulldozer CPUs are unlocked, meaning you can overclock as much as physics is willing to let you. I can't possibly imagine you readers have access to liquid nitrogen. The FX-X3XX series is current generation, as the 300s are newest and have better structure. The structure of CPUs will be discussed later.
The APU is best for those doing general computation. The have better integrated graphics than the Ivy Bridges in their structure, meaning you don't need to get a discrete graphics card. That's pretty much all to APU, as I know.
That's the quick write-up, of course! I can use another post to share resource links. I didn't include how to build the computer together in this post, because this is a quick write-up.
One very good organizer I must include in this first post is: PCPartPicker. PCPartPicker would usually find the cheapest parts and it is easy to organize your build.
Advanced Topics: Specific needs other than gaming, Linux distros, laptops, specifications that are not discussed in this post, programs, benchmarking, troubleshooting, or anything not mentioned in this post.
Thanks for reading this quick write-up. No recap for you if you skimmed through this post. I also don't know why there are duplicate spoilers. I didn't include allegorical references, because it's somewhat a silly to do so in a quick write-up. As always, PM me, ask in this thread, or use Google if you need additional help.
You may or may not need to build a new PC. Categories of computational power compared to needs will be discussed. There's home theater, NAS, online server, workstation, heavy/light gaming, rendering, Home Office, and many other types of PCs.
To be blunt: All operating systems will be open in discussion. PC isn't a Windows term. PC stands for personal computer, which is your personal device which you use at your discretion. With the upcoming release of XBox One and PS4 slightly better than PS3, it looks like this year might be a downfall for console games. Building a PC isn't necessary.
Components
That's a water-cooled desktop. You don't need that, of course. We'll start off at the basic parts.
There are two manufacturers of such components for x64 (Windows 64 bit) architecture. AMD and Intel. Your budget, along with which brand, will entirely dictate the majority of the build. AMD is argued to be for budget, while Intel is for best performance at high price.
-Current Generation-
- Intel Ivy Bridges (i3, i5, i7), suited for gaming and sometimes rendering
- AMD APU (A4, A6, A8, A10), suited for general computing and budget
- AMD Bulldozer Series (FX-X3XX), suited for budget or multi-threaded applications
-End List-
Depending on your needs, it's best to choose the best choice. We don't work nor are we made of money, Uhtr5r.
Intel is relatively easy to sort, as the iX tells you which generation of the Ivy Bridges you are dealing with. After that, the series of numbers (and possibly letter at the end) tells you which model you are getting. You can't generalize Intel CPUs, so it's best to deal with each at price point for performance by reviewing the performance by benchmarks.
AMD's Bulldozer series is not quite a bulldozer in performance. Many of the Bulldozer CPUs are unlocked, meaning you can overclock as much as physics is willing to let you. I can't possibly imagine you readers have access to liquid nitrogen. The FX-X3XX series is current generation, as the 300s are newest and have better structure. The structure of CPUs will be discussed later.
The APU is best for those doing general computation. The have better integrated graphics than the Ivy Bridges in their structure, meaning you don't need to get a discrete graphics card. That's pretty much all to APU, as I know.
As there are two different CPUs manufacturers, there are various types of MoBo-s. It does matter which manufacturer of the MoBo you get. There are faulty MoBo-s or poor performing ones, and even ones that will start a fire.
For Intel Ivy Bridge CPUs, the socket is the connection between your CPU and MoBo. There is Land Grid Array (LGA) 1150 [Haswell], 1155, and 2011. Then, there is Ball Grid Array. BGA means the CPU must be soldered on, and in very specific cases would you need such CPU type.
For AMD, we have two types of CPUs. The BullDozers and the APUs. The APUs currently use FM2 while all the BullDozers (FX Series) use AM3+.
Now we move onto the additional specifications of both types of MoBo-s, there are PCI slots, PCIe x1, x6, x8, and x16. Very rarely would you need to use PCI, PCIe x1, x6, and x8 slots. You only need to use those slots for Wireless Network Adapters, Sound Cards (if you are an audiophile), more In/Out ports, and other things. The x16 slots are used for video cards. You may use x8 slots for video cards, but that would require the computational power to be lowered.
There are SATA ports. It doesn't matter if it is SATA2 or SATA3. What matters is the manufacturer and the speed of the port (usually 3GP/s or 6GP/s). Some manufactures might cut the quality of the MoBo to save money. Usually, that would end up to be bad. Sometimes, if you have a discrete graphics cards long enough, some SATA ports will be blocked by other components.
You have the DIMM slots. DIMM refers to memory or Random Access Memory (no, not Daft Punk's song). The only difference in real world computation is DDR1 to DDR2. Other than that, we use DDR3 today. DDR4 is set to come in late summer, but DDR4 is going to be expensive when it comes out.
Sometimes, some MoBo-s will have other things. The things covered are what's most important.
For Intel Ivy Bridge CPUs, the socket is the connection between your CPU and MoBo. There is Land Grid Array (LGA) 1150 [Haswell], 1155, and 2011. Then, there is Ball Grid Array. BGA means the CPU must be soldered on, and in very specific cases would you need such CPU type.
For AMD, we have two types of CPUs. The BullDozers and the APUs. The APUs currently use FM2 while all the BullDozers (FX Series) use AM3+.
Now we move onto the additional specifications of both types of MoBo-s, there are PCI slots, PCIe x1, x6, x8, and x16. Very rarely would you need to use PCI, PCIe x1, x6, and x8 slots. You only need to use those slots for Wireless Network Adapters, Sound Cards (if you are an audiophile), more In/Out ports, and other things. The x16 slots are used for video cards. You may use x8 slots for video cards, but that would require the computational power to be lowered.
There are SATA ports. It doesn't matter if it is SATA2 or SATA3. What matters is the manufacturer and the speed of the port (usually 3GP/s or 6GP/s). Some manufactures might cut the quality of the MoBo to save money. Usually, that would end up to be bad. Sometimes, if you have a discrete graphics cards long enough, some SATA ports will be blocked by other components.
You have the DIMM slots. DIMM refers to memory or Random Access Memory (no, not Daft Punk's song). The only difference in real world computation is DDR1 to DDR2. Other than that, we use DDR3 today. DDR4 is set to come in late summer, but DDR4 is going to be expensive when it comes out.
Sometimes, some MoBo-s will have other things. The things covered are what's most important.
-Good MoBo Manufacturers-
- ASUS
- Biostar
- EVGA?
- Gigabyte
- MSI
- Zotac
-End List-
There are different kinds of RAM, but the most important one that would matter is 240 pin. Specifications usually don't matter, but you want to aim for CAS 9 latency, DDR3 speeds of 1333/1600 (or other speeds in special cases), and 1.5V.
There are way too many manufacturers to mention in this thread, but just look at reviews or ask around here to see if the RAM is good. Just like MoBo-s, even paying low prices will make you pay more than intended as RAM can even mess up your new build.
There are way too many manufacturers to mention in this thread, but just look at reviews or ask around here to see if the RAM is good. Just like MoBo-s, even paying low prices will make you pay more than intended as RAM can even mess up your new build.
There are Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Solid State Drives (SSD).
SSDs are for having program files (not personal files), faster operating system bootups, or a cache buffer for your HDD.
HDD specifications generally don't matter.
If you need help determining which SSD/HDD to get, ask around. There are, just like RAM, too many manufacturers here to mention.
SSDs are for having program files (not personal files), faster operating system bootups, or a cache buffer for your HDD.
HDD specifications generally don't matter.
If you need help determining which SSD/HDD to get, ask around. There are, just like RAM, too many manufacturers here to mention.
Formally called the GPU. Specifications is tricky, ask around to get help on GPUs. There are two chipset manufacturers: AMD and Nvidia.
-Current Generation-
- Nvidia GTX 500 Series
- Nvidia GTX 600 Series
- Nvidia GTX 700 Series (next week or so)
- AMD Radeon HD 77XX series
- AMD Radeon HD 78XX series
- AMD Radeon HD 79XX series
-End List-
So many manufacturers, so little space in this post. The best decision maker is Google. Usually use Google to search "600 Ti vs 7870, or 7970 vs 680". There's a lot of details to a GPU, but ask around to get direct help.
Never skimp on a PSU. Here is one list of recommendations. 500 watts is what you usually would need, unless if you want more HDDs/SSDs or a combination of GPUs.
Some good manufacturers of PSUs are Antec, Corsair, EVGA, and SeaSonic. PSUs aren't my well known area of expertise, but a quick Google search can tell you if the PSU is good quality.
Lastly, there are cases, optical drives (ODD), and various other parts.
Also, your case will limit your motherboard size. You can't have a micro-ATX case with a normal ATX sized MoBo. Such advanced specifications can be discussed later, or in a PM.
A lot of info, what a pain to read. You can always post a build here or ask around in a PM. Anyhow, let's move to computational needs.
- Home Office - Usually an APU will do fine.
- Home Theater PC (HTPC) - Here, an APU will do fine. Even the A4 APUs can playback at 1080p.
- Emulator - These computers are a bit tricky. Will require case to case examination.
- Audio/Video Workstation - You would need an additional computer to accompany the process of creation. Workstations aren't meant to create the project itself, but rather render the project.
- Light Gaming - APU or an FX-63XX. APUs call for extreme budgets (Less than 600USD, sorry UK/any other country!)
- Heavy Gaming - FX-6/8(3XX) or Intel line up. Case to case examination required.
- Audiophile Setup - Your MoBo's integrated sound card might not cut it. Generally for gamers and not music lovers, the MoBo's integrated sound card will do just fine.
- Alienware/Prebuilt Computers - Did you just waste your money?
- Laptops - Tricky, as laptops themselves are a broad topic. Case to case examination required.
That's the quick write-up, of course! I can use another post to share resource links. I didn't include how to build the computer together in this post, because this is a quick write-up.
One very good organizer I must include in this first post is: PCPartPicker. PCPartPicker would usually find the cheapest parts and it is easy to organize your build.
Advanced Topics: Specific needs other than gaming, Linux distros, laptops, specifications that are not discussed in this post, programs, benchmarking, troubleshooting, or anything not mentioned in this post.
Thanks for reading this quick write-up. No recap for you if you skimmed through this post. I also don't know why there are duplicate spoilers. I didn't include allegorical references, because it's somewhat a silly to do so in a quick write-up. As always, PM me, ask in this thread, or use Google if you need additional help.
