Technology Guide to Building Your Own PC
Building a new personal computer requires many parts, including the case, motherboard, processor, memory, drives and any other desired components. However, with the right information in hand, selecting components and building a PC is not difficult.
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Intel vs. AMD
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The first choice you must make is which brand processor you plan to use. Intel processors are a popular choice. American Micro Devices (AMD) price their processors to compete against Intel and are therefore somewhat cheaper. Also, note that while some single-core processors still exist on the market, dual- and quad-core processors have largely replaced them. Unless improving an older computer to save on money, choose a multi-core processor.
Buying Parts
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Start with the processor you want and then buy a compatible motherboard. Buy at least 2 gigabytes of memory compatible with that motherboard, such as double-data rate 2 (DDR2) or DDR3. Purchase at least one hard drive with ample storage space (terabyte drives were being more common as of mid-2010) and a DVD drive. Besides these parts, you also need a power supply and a case. Be sure that the case is the correct size for your motherboard. Some motherboards come with on-board graphics and do not require a video card, but gamers and multimedia enthusiasts will want to buy a separate card for better graphics.
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Building
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Always build a computer on a flat, clean surface away from static electricity sources. Install the motherboard, processor, and memory. Install drives and the power supply, and then attach power connectors and IDE or SATA cables to the drives. Close the case, connect monitor, mouse, and keyboard, and install the operating system.
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