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This topic has moved here: Subject: Want to build a PC? PC Building Guide and FAQ of The Flood
  • Subject: Want to build a PC? PC Building Guide and FAQ of The Flood
Subject: Want to build a PC? PC Building Guide and FAQ of The Flood

OP.

Whilst I approve of the thread, I can see it getting cluttered later.

You should have made a group for added depth...somewhere where people can ask the admins without spamming the thread itself.

Also - *thread saved*.

  • 05.22.2012 5:41 AM PDT

Color The Sky
Lost In Las Vegas
Missed You

Remember all
The sadness and frustration
And let it go


Posted by: xtremetman85
What does gigahertz mean? What is a good amount of them.
How do I know what parts are good, what key specs should I look at for each part; mobo, pcu, etc?
Do I need a heatsink?
How do I know parts are compatible? (I just hope they are and have been lucky)
And where can I go to learn everything?

For CPUs, more than 3GHz is optimal for gaming.
RAM should be 4GB to 8GB, unless you're running massive memory-eating programs. CPU, already said above. Try and get a quad-core. For the hard drive, 1 terrabyte and 7200RPMs. The general sweet spot for power supplies is 600-700 watts, providing you're not running crossfire/SLI. Try and get at least a bronze-certified one. And there are no specs for the motherboard. Just make sure it's compatible with your other parts, and it has enough PCI slots for your purposes.
I don't know about AMD, but Intel CPUs come with a CPU cooler. You don't need an aftermarket one unless you plan on overclocking.
Make sure the CPU socket in the MOBO matches the CPU (IE LGA1155 CPU, LGA 1155 motherboard), make sure the motherboard supports how much RAM you are buying, make sure you've got the proper amount of pins in your RAM (standard is 240). Everything else is more or less compatible with anything.
I dunno, here, I guess, for know. I learned by building. And, getting advice from Jackie (OP).

  • 05.22.2012 5:49 AM PDT

I've got an old computer, which I'm in the process of upgrading.
I've only got one thing bothering me.

I Will be buying the GPU last, and In my old computer I have a 250W power supply.

I Can't find how much draw the motherboard, Ram, etc will take, should this be enough until I get a GPU?

[Edited on 05.22.2012 5:52 AM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 5:51 AM PDT

Color The Sky
Lost In Las Vegas
Missed You

Remember all
The sadness and frustration
And let it go


Posted by: AaronG67
I've got an old computer, which I'm in the process of upgrading.
I've only got one thing bothering me.

I Will be buying the GPU last, and In my old computer I have a 250W power supply.

I Can't find how much draw the motherboard, Ram, etc will take, should this be enough until I get a GPU?

Depends what GPU it is, but most likely, you'll need a new power supply, or your computer will be gasping for energy. Prebuilts are notorious for skimping out on the power supply.

  • 05.22.2012 5:53 AM PDT
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"This bandicoot will be my general, he will lead my Cortex Commandos to world domination...

This time, I shall reign TRIUMPHANT!"

-Dr. Cortex

Wait, so Sapphire, you're saying that I don't need a CPU cooler unless I'm overclocking? Every build that was ever handed to me I was told to get a cooler.

  • 05.22.2012 5:56 AM PDT

Color The Sky
Lost In Las Vegas
Missed You

Remember all
The sadness and frustration
And let it go


Posted by: halo3genius
Wait, so Sapphire, you're saying that I don't need a CPU cooler unless I'm overclocking? Every build that was ever handed to me I was told to get a cooler.

Nope. The stock Intel fan will do just fine.

  • 05.22.2012 5:57 AM PDT

Hey.


Posted by: AaronG67
I've got an old computer, which I'm in the process of upgrading.
I've only got one thing bothering me.

I Will be buying the GPU last, and In my old computer I have a 250W power supply.

I Can't find how much draw the motherboard, Ram, etc will take, should this be enough until I get a GPU?
250 is very low and scares me to be honest. Here's a nifty calculator to estimate what you need.

  • 05.22.2012 5:57 AM PDT
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"This bandicoot will be my general, he will lead my Cortex Commandos to world domination...

This time, I shall reign TRIUMPHANT!"

-Dr. Cortex

Well then, thanks for saving me $30.

Next question, what does the cache on a HDD do?

[Edited on 05.22.2012 6:01 AM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 5:57 AM PDT


Posted by: xSapphire

Posted by: AaronG67
I've got an old computer, which I'm in the process of upgrading.
I've only got one thing bothering me.

I Will be buying the GPU last, and In my old computer I have a 250W power supply.

I Can't find how much draw the motherboard, Ram, etc will take, should this be enough until I get a GPU?

Depends what GPU it is, but most likely, you'll need a new power supply, or your computer will be gasping for energy. Prebuilts are notorious for skimping out on the power supply.

Posted by: AaronG67
enough until I get a GPU?

I Know I'll need one when getting a GPU, The GPU I'm getting is around 450W
But, UNTIL I get a GPU, will the power supply last if I get everything else first?

  • 05.22.2012 6:02 AM PDT

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Posted by: Ghost 45
Can any of the more well-versed hardware guys give me some pointers on how to go about becoming well-versed in PC components/hardware myself? I'm really interested in computers, frequently game/use my own, and I know a small amount about them, but I don't have a very masterful understanding of software and hardware.

I browse tech forums and tech review sites. I frequent /g/ and Anandtech for my info.

  • 05.22.2012 6:03 AM PDT

Hello.

Join if you like Food.

Posted by: Verbatim
I wanna join him when we chew her out.


Posted by: Fogun 01

Posted by: Ghost 45
Can any of the more well-versed hardware guys give me some pointers on how to go about becoming well-versed in PC components/hardware myself? I'm really interested in computers, frequently game/use my own, and I know a small amount about them, but I don't have a very masterful understanding of software and hardware.

I browse tech forums and tech review sites. I frequent /g/ and Anandtech for my info.


/g/ is funny

[Edited on 05.22.2012 6:06 AM PDT]

  • 05.22.2012 6:05 AM PDT

Color The Sky
Lost In Las Vegas
Missed You

Remember all
The sadness and frustration
And let it go


Posted by: halo3genius
Next question, what does the cache on a HDD do?

Basically, it's on-board RAM.

  • 05.22.2012 6:06 AM PDT


Posted by: Kit Airwave

Posted by: AaronG67
I've got an old computer, which I'm in the process of upgrading.
I've only got one thing bothering me.

I Will be buying the GPU last, and In my old computer I have a 250W power supply.

I Can't find how much draw the motherboard, Ram, etc will take, should this be enough until I get a GPU?
250 is very low and scares me to be honest. Here's a nifty calculator to estimate what you need.
I Think I'll just buy a 750W before I Start running it then, thanks.

  • 05.22.2012 6:06 AM PDT

Hello.

Join if you like Food.

Posted by: Verbatim
I wanna join him when we chew her out.


Posted by: xSapphire

Posted by: halo3genius
Next question, what does the cache on a HDD do?

Basically, it's on-board RAM.


More like a miniature solid-state partition for the HDD, on-board ram would be more like the processor cache

  • 05.22.2012 6:07 AM PDT

Hello.

Join if you like Food.

Posted by: Verbatim
I wanna join him when we chew her out.


Posted by: AaronG67

Posted by: Kit Airwave

Posted by: AaronG67
I've got an old computer, which I'm in the process of upgrading.
I've only got one thing bothering me.

I Will be buying the GPU last, and In my old computer I have a 250W power supply.

I Can't find how much draw the motherboard, Ram, etc will take, should this be enough until I get a GPU?
250 is very low and scares me to be honest. Here's a nifty calculator to estimate what you need.
I Think I'll just buy a 750W before I Start running it then, thanks.


You don't need that much power for a single-card setup, 500-600 is plenty for pretty much any single-card setup

  • 05.22.2012 6:08 AM PDT

I haz no kewl and ossim sig


Posted by: AaronG67

Posted by: Kit Airwave

Posted by: AaronG67
I've got an old computer, which I'm in the process of upgrading.
I've only got one thing bothering me.

I Will be buying the GPU last, and In my old computer I have a 250W power supply.

I Can't find how much draw the motherboard, Ram, etc will take, should this be enough until I get a GPU?
250 is very low and scares me to be honest. Here's a nifty calculator to estimate what you need.
I Think I'll just buy a 750W before I Start running it then, thanks.

Just a note, unless you're going to SLI/CrossFire, 750w is way too overkill. Hell, even a GTX 680 could run on a 500w 80+ power supply.

Don't skimp on the PSU, but don't go overboard either. Just make sure it is at least 80+ Bronze by a respectable manufacturer (Seasonic, Antec, and Silverstone just to name a few).

  • 05.22.2012 6:11 AM PDT

Original Account-Sargeantomeg4-Intrepid Mythic Member-01/06/08 to 02/29/12

I built the PC I use now. It's a nice and loud "little" things, so many fans.

It's the heaviest computer I've ever owned.

  • 05.22.2012 6:11 AM PDT
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I like Cheese


Posted by: xbEaSt KiLlaHx

Posted by: thebig100
Hey OP!
What do you think of this build?
HDD:1TB(1,000GB)
Ram:8GB
Case:CM690 II
PSU:SeaSonix S1211 620 Bronze 620W
GPU:Nvidia 570 GTX
CPU:i5 2500k
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-268A-D3H
Should i get a higher PSU?

Looks good. You should also get a CPU cooler (I'd suggest Hyper 212+), and a DVD drive. The one you buy doesn't matter too much, unless you want to play blu-ray movies. But you definitely need one.

And what RAM are you getting? Can you post a link to it?

I'm not sure actually,I got thw configuration from /g/'s guide,I'm also adding a Disk drive just for OS and some programes,but all my games I'm downloading via Steam.
Could you recoomand me a ram brand and DVD Drives I'm going for Samsung i think.

  • 05.22.2012 6:14 AM PDT
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"This bandicoot will be my general, he will lead my Cortex Commandos to world domination...

This time, I shall reign TRIUMPHANT!"

-Dr. Cortex


Posted by: NH Chainsaw Edge

Posted by: xSapphire

Posted by: halo3genius
Next question, what does the cache on a HDD do?

Basically, it's on-board RAM.


More like a miniature solid-state partition for the HDD, on-board ram would be more like the processor cache


Thanks again.

  • 05.22.2012 6:14 AM PDT

Hello.

Join if you like Food.

Posted by: Verbatim
I wanna join him when we chew her out.

No problem.

  • 05.22.2012 7:23 AM PDT

FLOOD QUOTES!
Posted by: G3N3RAL R3VAN
The Flood....... if it doesn't go anywhere else, stick it her pooper
Posted by: xflox231
Idiots. I'm surrounded by idiots
Posted by: ferrrari
the flood, there a bunch of jerks, but there my jerks.

Does the ASUS P8Z77 WS Motherboard wirelessly connect to the internet? Or do I need a cable?

  • 05.22.2012 12:44 PM PDT

Hello.

Join if you like Food.

Posted by: Verbatim
I wanna join him when we chew her out.


Posted by: Ferrari DuDe856
Does the ASUS P8Z77 WS Motherboard wirelessly connect to the internet? Or do I need a cable?


It doesn't look like it has the wireless aerial things, but you can get a Wireless PCI for about 20 dollars or use a USB wireless dongle, generally for wireless, whichever side is least obstructed to the router is better, a wireless connection works better the less metal it has to go through.

Ethernet isn't bad though, you can get over 20 metre Ethernet cables, and they're usually cheaper too. Whichever works for you.

  • 05.22.2012 1:51 PM PDT
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"This bandicoot will be my general, he will lead my Cortex Commandos to world domination...

This time, I shall reign TRIUMPHANT!"

-Dr. Cortex

Oh crap, that reminds me, I need a wireless PCI for my build.

Any recommendations, or does it not matter? And yes, I have to use a PCI.

  • 05.22.2012 1:53 PM PDT

How long can I expect to wait for the recent generation of video cards to drop in price? I was thinking about getting the gtx680 but it's a bit over my budget right now.

Is it worth the wait? Can I get a graphics card that accomplish more or less the same thing that's much cheaper?

  • 05.22.2012 11:01 PM PDT