Questions about building desktop computer from scratch!

[addas]

Hey Everyone!
I want to build a computer from scratch and I have some questions:

Question 1:
Does the shape of the case matter to fit the hardware like Main board, motherboard, or all cases produce to fit the hardware?

Question 2:
What are the hardware I should buy? I know RAM, Main Board, Motherboard, Fan, Power supply unit, Processor, Optical drive, Hard drive, Graphic Card is there any others? also please let me know what are the best? like RAM DDR3, 2 GB Graphics, Intel i7 processor, etc.

That's all!
Please give me some tips if you know!
Thanks!
addas

 

[Music Guy123]

Right, what is your budget? I can tell you roughly what I would recommend. Also, what are you going to be using the pc for?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Question 1:
Does the shape of the case matter to fit the hardware like Main board, motherboard, or all cases produce to fit the hardware?

Question 2:
What are the hardware I should buy? I know RAM, Main Board, Motherboard, Fan, Power supply unit, Processor, Optical drive, Hard drive, Graphic Card is there any others? also please let me know what are the best? like RAM DDR3, 2 GB Graphics, Intel i7 processor, etc.

Question 1: Yes, the shape of the case matters. The motherboard you choose must be able to fit in the case. An ATX motherboard will not fit in a micro ATX case, for instance. Decide on the motherboard, and then buy a case that is the right size for the motherboard.

Question 2: You need a CPU cooler, but most processors include a cooler. You may need additional case fans, depending on your work load and ambient temperatures. You might need a sound card in certain situations. You need a mouse and keyboard and possibly a modem.

To point you in the right direction, more information is needed:

In what country will you be buying the parts and what are your preferred sellers? Do they have web sites in English?

What is your budget?

Do you need ALL new parts, or will you be using some parts from an old PC?

What is the primary purpose of the PC? Writing a novel? Gaming? Processing images? Processing video? Recording music?

 

[addas]

My budget is $670 U.S Dollars, and I live in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (There are good resellers).
I will use it for gaming and programming.
I will use everything new!

So I will know the case by fitting the motherboard ONLY?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If your resellers have English language web sites, post a link to them.

You should probably first decide on whether you are going with Intel or AMD processors.

And then decide if you want an ATX motherboard or a micro ATX motherboard.

Once those 2 things are decided, you then choose a case and graphics card. Since you will be gaming, you could spend anywhere from 100 to 400 on the graphics card alone, depending on how serious you are about gaming.

Any ATX motherboard will fit in any ATX case. Any micro ATX motherboard will also fit in any ATX case. An ATX motherboard will NOT fit in a micro ATX case. Most people don't need an ATX motherboard, but you may want one simply because you prefer the larger ATX cases.

Here is a general idea, using an Intel processor:

Motherboard (Gigabyte or Asus): 140
Case: 75
RAM: 50 (8 GB of DDR 3; Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, G Skill)
Optical drive: 25
Hard drive: ?? 100 or more (Western Digital, Samsung, or Seagate)
Keyboard/mouse: 30
Power supply (Seasonic, Corsair, or Antec): 75
CPU cooler: included with CPU, but replaceable


That's 495 and excludes CPU, graphics card, operating system, and any additional fans you might need.

The prices are estimated based on what I can find in the USA. Prices in Saudi Arabia may be different?

Your total budget of 670 is pretty low if you need all of those parts.

You could cut the RAM back to 4 GB and save maybe 20 dollars.

You could buy a $200 Intel i5 processor, such as the 2400 or 2500. They include built in graphics. You could buy a separate graphics card later if you decide that the built-in graphics isn't good enough for your gaming. If you are a serious gamer, you will want a separate video card.

You could also cut back on the processor to a lower-level i5 and use the savings toward something else.

These are all just ideas for you to think about.

 

[Music Guy123]

$670 isn't a lot but this is what I would suggest:

CPU: Bulldozer quad core fx-4170 amazingly priced cpu.

GPU: AMD Radeon 6850

Those are both entry level for decent cpu work and gaming, both are very good value for money. The space on the gpu doesn't matter unless you have multiple screens. The thing is, I am in England and prices in dollars are hard and I have no clue of prices where you are. RAM wise, I'd go for 8GB or so, 1333mhz will be fast enough. Hard drive, WD caviar black if you can afford it! Seagate barracuda would probably be your next best bet. CPU cooler, I would use the standard one, you won't be able to o/c though. I can tell you now, you will never get an i7 into a budget like that I am afraid! I hope this helps!

Generally I don't like AMD as much but that is my opinion, they are better value for money. The problem is that outside the U.S., parts are a lot more expensive!

 

[DeaconFrost]

The case ins't a big deal, as they all conform to standards. If you get a case that can handle an ATX motherboard, you should be fine regardless of other hardware. The only other considerations are that it has enough drive bays and that any large video cards would fit. Research would give you these answers. If you want a great, low cost case, the HAF912 is it. I have three of them.

Then you want to pick your motherboard and processor...based on costs, needs, and features. Once you do that, you'll know what type of memory, video card, hard drives, etc you will need.

Once that is all finished, you then choose a PSU to power your system, and you are finished.

 

[Wishmaster]

The only time the case choice will matter (in regards to if the motherboard will fit) is if you are going with a extended board, EATX. So you will need to be sure the case supports that format.

But, thats probably not going to be a issue as those are usually at the high end of the tier eating up at least 1/2 your budget for a MOBO alone.

Almost all cases will support Micro and ATX form factors though.

 

[Music Guy123]

If you are looking for a case, I haven't checked compatibility but I think it is fine, the cooler master 690 mkII is a brilliant case for its price.

 

[addas]

Now,
I decided to buy half the computer and the other half next month (So my budget now is more than $670)
so now I will buy the case, motherboard*, power supply, and processor!
So now what you recommend me of these above?

What is EATX?

*I want a motherboard works with Intel i7 Processor

 

[Music Guy123]

I'd like to point out that you ought to put money into your gpu rather than your cpu if you are going to be gaming, an i7 is very expensive! So, how much have you got to spend on those four parts?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

EATX stands for extended ATX which means a larger mobo with additional features. This type of mobo is not one I would look at for a budget build.

 

[DeaconFrost]

EATX means Extended ATX...those boards are very rare for non-servers. You will likely stay with ATX or MicroATX.

You might want to consider something of the new Socket 2011 for processors...if they fit in your budget. If not, An i7 is still a great processor.

 

[Music Guy123]

The i7 3820 is a great cpu and is faster than the 2600. The only problem is that you can't get an unlocked version of it, which you can for the 2600 (the 2600k).

 

[juznut]

I think someone mentioned it before but keyboard/mouse + speakers.. You don't want a supercool computer with a ten dollar mouse that keeps jerking you around while gaming.. Speakers that produce good sound will add to your gaming experience.
Having a better hard drive for your OS will improve on all aspects of computing..
CPU .. I'd settle for an i5 .. Motherboard is important .. Need to decide what you want from your mobo..
Ram
4gb minimum I'd say ..
Video card .. Your choice. NVidia or ati... I hear the 680 is awesome..
Optical drive/s to load all your legally purchased games