Basic computer guide from reading this guide, you should be introduced to what computer parts do and you should be able to know what you need in a computer. 1.First, let's take into account your needs. Never trust random ads you see on your screen/tv. These may look like a bargain but you may regret this decision further down the road. 2.We also need to take into account your budget. Chances are, if you have a low budget, you cannot afford an upper level computer. 3.Next, let's take into account features. The features can make all the difference in a computer. All in one computer, touchscreen, 4k HD, enhanced graphics, etc... Now, let's look at the science behind computer parts. Motherboard -The motherboard is a board where all your computer parts connect to. It is one of the most expensive parts on your computer. Northbridge -The northbridge is commonly referred to as the chipset. The Northbridge is located on your motherboard and handles fast traffic. The Northbridge is responsible for handling Graphics and Sound when no graphics card or integrated graphics is in your computer. Also, it does the same when you have no dedicated sound card. Southbridge -The southbridge handles your slower tasks. Unlike its cousin, the Northbridge, it usually has no heatsink to dissipate the heat. -Southbridge handles your peripheral devices. CPU -The CPU is also referred to as the processor/brains of your computer. It is located on your motherboard and is connected with small wires to your Northbridge and RAM. -Three main groups of manufacturers dominate the CPU business, AMD, Intel, and ARM. Intel will usually provide the best performance processors, but also come at a high cost. AMD performs a slight bit slower and are more affordable. ARM processors are for less powerful computer systems like tablets or microcomputers. Which one you choose is up to you. (AMD and Intel are really the only types of CPU manufacturers that make desktop and laptop CPUs.) -More cores=more threads handled at once Intel currently holds the patent for the technology called "hyperthreading" which allows threads to be combined and one core to do the work of many. -The more threads handled and the better the core performance is, the better. If you're benchmarking CPUs, then I recommend going to CPUboss.com for amazing reviews on most of the processors on the market today. -The CPU is usually the most expensive part of your computer -CPUs can sometimes be overclocked to run at a faster clock speed. Clock speed is measured in Hertz and the faster, usually the better. Storage Devices -Your files can be stored in one of many places, The cloud, a Hard Disc Drive, a Solid State Drive, and many more places. -Hard Disc Drives (HDDs) are the slowest technology and in the future will be obsolete. They are also the cheapest though. The standard speed for them is 7200 RPM in desktops and 5400 RPM in laptops. HDDs are fast, but if you want super fast boot up time on your operating system or games, you need a Solid State dribe. -Sold State Drives (SSDs) are one of the fastest storage devices. They are not bound by moving parts like HDDs which means that you can load files and programs many times faster than the fastest HDD. -When choosing an SSD, take into account its read and write speed. These tell you how fast your SSD can load. SSDs also last longer than HDDs. -You can also store files on the cloud which is slower because you're bound by your internet speed. Cloud storage is for access to files anywhere where there is internet connection. "Chromebooks" use a non windows operating system and rely heavily on the cloud. Power Supply -What would we do without power in our computers? the Power supply, commonly known as the PSU, is a machine that converts Alternating Current electricity to Direct Current for use by your computer. Alternating current is not usable by your computer because it alternates 60 times per second while direct current is constant. -You need enough wattage to power your computer. Always have more than enough wattage for your computer in the event you would like to add a new part. -Wattage is calculated by taking Amperage X voltage -NEVER OPEN UP A POWER SUPPLY! THIS IS DANGEROUS Graphics Card -A graphics card is basically a computer inside your computer dedicated completely to graphics. These require a massive amount of power so you may want to consider upgrading your PSU if you buy a power hungry card. -More expensive the card, usually the better if you follow that logic xD Sound card -Same concept as the graphics card except with sound -Better quality sound is received if one of these is used RAM -Random Access Memory -RAM is volatile storage (lost if power is lost) -RAM is fast storage for temporary files and the more RAM, the better. -RAM can be overclocked and you should also try to use the latest version if your motherboard allows it. Monitor -Select a good monitor that suits your needs! You will probably want to find one with a high definition. HD is considered 1920x1080 pixels. The more pixels on a small monitor, the better. -Consider a monitor's refresh rate. A slow refresh rate will cause eye strain and may have blurry images. -Tech savvy with a nice budget? 3d monitor :3 Keyboard -Find a keyboard that suits your needs. Language, key setup, hotkeys, fancy monitor :|, etc.. Mouse -Find a mouse that suits you. There are fancy mice that cost a lot because they're adjustable to specifically fit your hand. Wireless adapter -Moving your computer around a lot? you probably want a wireless adapter to go on your computer. -The current wireless standard is 802.11 N, but the fastest and latest is 802.11 AC. 802.11 AC on its optimal settings is faster than every data transfer method. -Staying in the same place/ethernet wired in your house? excellent! you're using one of the fastest data transfer methods to get your internet. -From personal experiences, you should find a highly rated wireless adapter, if you don't you will be like me dropping connection often! don't be like me! Operating System -Consider your preferences for your OS. -If you like a previous operating system, you can try to find it online from online vendors, but usually once an OS is retired, updates and support is stopped which opens up holes for hackers that can infect your computer and steal your data! -"UNIX" based operating systems (search online) are free to install but they will not have the support you get with a proprietary OS, but will have less security holes and unfortunately, less features. -Nice! Now that we know what each individual component does, let's move on. Computer brand does not matter, it's the software and hardware that comes with it and the support you get. -Always read the manual for the computer you buy to check warranty and limitations to it etc... Overclocking your CPU, opening up your PSU, and opening up your HDD will usually void your warranty. -Always read the reviews for parts. They may be bad and low quality even though they're cheap! -Know your budget! If you can't afford the new fast computer you want, attempt to find it overstock or refurbished. -Once you know technology, research more on it! Technology doubles every 18 months-2 years according to Moore's law! After reading all this, you should be able to research more and know what computer is for you! Gamers: Gamers usually want the best CPUs, graphics cards, and the fastest storage. Business: Business computers want redundancy and storage CAD: CAD users need advanced graphics capability, storage, and CPU power. Cryptocurrency mines: need everything... Find your needs and select the components you need in your computer! Post any recommended edits below! some parts were not included! recommend them below! Also, any questions, post below and somebody will answer it!
Wow this was actually really helpful in straightening out some of my definitions of computer parts. Your totally added to the tutorial list.
Step 1: Get a Nvidia GTX Titan Z for 3000 dollars. 2: Get an Intel Xeon 16 core processor for 2000 dollars. 3: Get 64 gigabytes of RAM. 4: Run any game imaginable at max settings. 5: Be happy about losing over 5000 dollars.
very informative on the jargon used on computer parts. but doesnt help with buying computers at all. very misleading title. also edit for the last section for " cryptocurrency mines" you do not need everything. a basic athlon class cpu is plenty enough. mining requires amd gpu power. amd uses open cl. nvidia uses cuda. nvidia and cpus. bad for mining. amd gpus good for mining.
It was meant to define the part so you can select it. Many people blindly buy computers and SEVERELY regret it from what I've seen on ECC, so I made this so that they can know what they're buying. There's no true way to write a guide to buying a computer because everybody has different purposes and budgets. You're supposed to be able to research more up on it. Also, some mines use CPUs, others use GPUs, etc... Also, use a cryptocurrency calculator xD I calculated on the calculator that I would lose money instead of gaining it. I think that an athlon would use more electricity than it would make coins.
i dont want to turn this into a mining conversation, so i wont. but to help people with something like computer part picking. i would recommend treating them like children. you can tell them what something does over and over, but if you dont explain it why they need it everything falls on deaf ears. like for example when you talk about the cpu. call it the brain. do they need a brain that can think alot or do they want "eyes" gpu.. so things look nice. but nice eyes dont do much when its a monkey brain running the show.. things like that can really help people understand it better.
A nitpicky edit or two: In the HDD section, you refer to a "Solid State dribe" In the summary, read the reviews: "They may be bad and low quality even though they're cheap!" Not a big surprise, I think you meant to put a not in there. Good things to note: The motherboard is one of the most important parts of your system. Because everything goes through it, if you get a low quality motherboard your entire system performance can suffer. I personally spend more time picking out a motherboard than any other part of my system. CPUs are fairly straightforward; while graphics cards can be just as daunting in sheer selection size, they narrow down much more based on price I want to spend. "Hyperthreading" is rarely understood well. It helps when running many applications, most/all of which will give down time for other applications to use the core. It can actually hurt performance in efficient, well threaded applications. Hyperthreading is great for home computer users, and the average business user, but video editing, and multithreaded scientific applications rarely gain anything and may sometimes have their performance hurt by Hyperthreading. You also say brand does not matter, but the brand determines the level of support you will get, and sometimes they still have proprietary hardware. Proprietary hardware is less common now than it used to be though.
Personally I stick with the AMD brand of cards I dislike NIVIDIA alot and they are lacking a lot compared to NIVIDIA
The last time there was mega proprietary hardware was like 30 years ago xD Also, It really doesn't matter what the brand is that much (for PC sellers, not hardware sellers), it depends on what's inside in my opinion. It's pretty hard for a computer to break (exception of laptop) and faulty hardware) If it breaks, pretty much all companies have at least a one year warranty.
Thank you very much for this! I don't plan on building a computer any time soon, but this has really helped me with my computer definitions as jason said earlier
