Thank you for all your help! A Guy, that link was very interesting, the one where you can choose the parts yourself.... I am "computer savvy" in most aspects, I simply haven't had the required tools and income to become skilled in the hardware portion of computers, everything else I can do... Are you saying that it would be a better choice to build it on hardwood floors instead of carpeting? Makes sense to me.
Yes. You need to discharge static from your body, but NOT INTO YOUR COMPUTER. It WILL destroy something (I blew out a motherboard and CPU this way).
When I work on mine, I DO NOT wear rubber soled shoes (they insulate you, you need to be grounded), and I hook a static band to the case. You don't need the static band, you can just touch the case.
My problem isn't so much as recognizing the parts, it's figuring out where they go in the motherboard, does it matter? Or is it just wherever the cords fit?? Am I making this more complicated than what it really is?
More or less there is only one spot something will fit, and only one way. For instance, RAM usually will have 4-8 slots, but the sticks will only fit in ONE way. HOWEVER, you WILL need to read your mobo manual to know which slots to use first. Generally RAM is dual or triple channel (which means 2 or 3 sticks at a time), and they need to be put into slots 1 and 2 (and 3) to work correctly.
Does the case really effect the outcome of the computer that much or is it basically just visual? Apart from the number of drives that can be mounted. Is bigger better with cases? So I could fit more HDDs or does it really not matter? I guess I would only really need one HDD if I'm getting a new computer because it would most likely be a TB hard drive.
The case is both. You can buy a really nice looking case that has terrible cooling (which is generally rare) or a bad looking case with just fine cooling. I like a cool case (see my thread on it), but a boring one can be fully functional.
Size only matters if you have a LARGE video card (HD5770, 260GTX, etc), and want to put a lot of HDDs, CD drives, etc in it. I tend to only like the full tower cases, I am sick of small ones, too hard to work with. But it is a personal choice.
The case can make a difference with cooling though. If you get one that is fully enclosed with no fans, it will hold heat, which isn't good. You want one that comes with a few fans to move air at the very least.
That last link you provided, A Guy, is very useful indeed.... However I'm still not sure which parts are better than others.... Like.... I don't know the difference between
AMD, Sempron 140 2.7GHz, AM3, HT 1600MHz, 1MB L2 cache, 45W, 45nm, retail
and
AMD, Athlon II X2 215 Dual-Core 2.7GHz, Am3, HT 4000MHz, 1MB cache, 65W, 45nm, OEM
The second one costs more so I assume it's higher quality. But I don't like going by "if it costs more, it must be better"..... Could you help me figure out what those numbers REALLY mean? I understand that GHz is gigahertz, MHz is megahertz, and so on... But I'm not really sure what it means to have 4000MHz.... Do you know what I mean?
Well... As a general rule, yes.
The first CPU there is a single core, and the second is a dual core (the X2). 4000MHz is 4GHz (1000MHz to a GHz)
When you look at a processor, the clock speed actually matters less than they push. What you want to look for is a solid clock speed (3.5GHz for single core, 3GHz for dual, 2.5GHz for quad), with a good Front Side Bus (FSB), L1 L2 and L3 cache. These will all factor into your processor speed. If you intend to overclock (ever) make sure to get an unlocked CPU (which means you can increase the clock speed).
Also with cooling systems... Am I to believe that the higher quality parts I have, the higher quality cooling system I shall require? Are liquid cooling systems safe? I'm not sure how they work but can they spill or what? Can they possibly render computers useless if you... tip them on their sides? Or how does that work?
No. The high quality fans cost about the same as the low quality ones, but perform differently. The fans are determined by your case. If you case has mounts for 4 120MM fans, then you need 120mm fans. When you look at fans, look for high Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) and RPM. If you care about noise (I don't) then you want a low decibel fan (dBA).
Bearing type doesn't matter unless you have a purpose for it.
Liquid cooling is something I am considering, and yes it is safe if done right. However, a good base system for JUST CPU is around $250 to start.
If it spills, then yes it can ruin your computer (water is conductive). Tipping them SHOULD NOT spill them, but probably should be thrown around.....
And what if I buy a part that doesn't fit onto the motherboard? Like a cooling system, they're all different shapes and sizes, how do I decide whether or not it would fit and properly work? Measure my parts?
If you get a CPU cooler, you need to get one that is compatible with your CPU socket. You will find that on your CPU description (look for socket type) and just find a good cooler that matches it. If possible, you want an all copper heatsink with a nice fan.
For regular case fans, the size in millimeters is all you need. They are all cross compatible.
*^*I was looking at parts, and I noticed some of the network cards say "32 Bit" does this mean I would have to use a 32Bit OS to use this part?
I am not sure, but I don't think so.
Also, is thermal grease required when I have a decent cooling system?
YES YES YES. It is required for ANY cooling system. The reason for this is that the top of the CPU and the bottom of the CPU cooler (which touch together) are NOT completely smooth or flat. There are microscopic canyons, bumps, ridges, etc. The thermal grease is used to fill in JUST those valleys and ridges. That is why you use only a thin layer. Arctic Silver 5 is considered the best compound, and for about $5 you may as well get some. You DO NEED thermal paste though.
I came up with this combination for only 524$.... Would I be getting what I'm paying for?But more importantly, would these items work together with minimal hassle?
Basic Configuration
Not bad.
Your processor is good, but it is an AM3 socket, and your cooler is not. You will need to check that.
I would also get 4Gb of RAM, not 2.
For the graphics card, don't get a 220. Go with the 8800GTX, the 260GTX, or a 400 series. Or go ATI with a HD5770, 5870, etc. Don't get low profile.
You will probably want a bigger HDD, but that is a good one. You can always add more later.
I would also get a DVD burner if you don't have one (only about $50).
the network card is fine, but it is NOT wireless, it will need an ethernet cord.
~Lordbob
