What else do I need to build my computer

RAM memory
Hard drive(s)
sound card*
AGP graphics card*
monitor
AMD Athalon XP processor
Speakers

*the motherboard probably has integrated sound and/or graphics, but you'll get better performance upgrading to 'real' components. Onboard stuff has improved over the last year or two though.
 
That's pretty close to my old motherboard, not too bad.
The onboard sound is pretty decent but mine stopped working after about 6 months , had to get an Audigy.
Really all you need from this point is a video card (heres a decent one) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1819505&Sku=P450-7818
A hard drive http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=864919 I recommend Seagate over Maxtor , etc..
Next , do you plan to burn CD's , want to burn DVD's ? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=4
Theres all manner of choices depending on what you want to do.
It's got onboard LAN so you dont need a lan card. You do however need ram... here's two gig's worth http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1717669&Sku=C13-5104 PT
I think that's pretty much it , you could go witrh a newer moboard that has PCIe on it , if your really into video , all of what I showed you can be upgraded to higher end stuff , just depends on how much you want to spend and what your needs/wants are.

Good luck :thumbup:
 
Yep, I forgot the accessory drives - whatever you want/need. DVD, CD, floppy, re-writers. I recommend one CD/DVD player and one CD/DVD recorder. You can duplicate CDs much faster that way, writing from one drive to the other. Floppy drive, not too many folks use those any more. I don't trust a floppy as far as I can throw it, the floppy disks cost as much or more than CDs, and a single CD can hold as much data as 500 floppy disks.

One suggestion, I noticed the motherboard has a front side bus (FSB) rating of 400. Personally, I'd look for one that's at least 800. Just depends on the performance you need from the machine.

Also, as rebeltf mentioned, the newest high-end graphics cards are PCIe. That motherboard won't be compatible. Again, just depends on your needs.

Another nifty accessory, the multi-reader ports. Plug in any sort of memory cards from your camera, PDA, whatever. You can alway add things like that later too - that case you've selected has plenty of room.

Also, I'd buy an auxillary fan to go on the processor. then you can buy the processor in an OEM package and save $$. Don't forget the Arctic Silver Paste.

-Bob
 
Bob W said:
One suggestion, I noticed the motherboard has a front side bus (FSB) rating of 400. Personally, I'd look for one that's at least 800. Just depends on the performance you need from the machine.

-Bob
Click to expand...


Maybe I should go with something else. I want to build a computer but don't know what to look for.
 
Maybe I should go with something else. I want to build a computer but don't know what to look for.
Click to expand...
I was up on things last year after researching components for a low-end backup machine and a high-end primary computer. I've not kept up so I can't help much more than I already have.

Start by considering what you need a computer for. Photo editing/multimedia? Music recording and mixing? High-end gaming? Word processing and office tasks? Internet browsing?

Then set a budget. Building the backup computer I spend about $400 on new components and canabolized older components too. For the high-end machine, I never did build it, but I was prepared to spend $2000 on components.

Here's a brief run-down of how I would go about choosing components:

First step, choose a processor best suited for your needs.
Then:
- a motherboard that supports that processor.
- RAM memory that's compatible with the motherboard.
- graphics card that's compatible with the motherboard
- hard drive(s) (they're mostly all compatible)
- sound card (if needed) and speakers (they're mostly all compatible)
- CD/DVD/floppy drives (mostly all are compatible)
- after figuring how many watts of power for the selected equipment above, select a case and power supply
- monitor
- keyboard/mouse/etc

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
I'm sure others will provide links to guides with recommended parts to fit a budget constraint. So I'll just mention some tools you'll want around putting it all together when it comes time.

A screwdriver will probably be a must unless you get ahold of a case that uses thumbscrews or other tooless approaches. I like having both an electric screw driver (really just a drill with screwdriver bits) and a normal screw driver (SAK cybertool in my case) since sometimes one can fit where another can't.

Pliers would be good to have as well. Sometimes you need to detach connectors for LEDs and those are a bit small to get a good grip on with fingers.

Wire ties will be a must, as will something to trim down the excess tail. Nail clippers work well for the latter since they're small and can easily bite into the plastic. Sometimes the power supply provides a bag of wire ties for you, but not always and you can buy packs containing ties of different colors to color code wires to speed things up when trying to figure out what's hooked up to what later on.

Finally, some thermal compound is a good idea. It's basically silver paste that makes the connection between the cpu and motherboard conduct better. You only need a small amount though, so it's worth checking if any friends that are into computers have any you can borrow. Otherwise you'll want to spring for a small tube of it.
 
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