Introduction to

Shopping ListTools:• Phillips-head screwdriver (preferably magnetic, in case you drop screws)• Flashlight

Hardware:• Case/Chassis• Power Supply• Motherboard• Processor• Processor heatsink/Cooling fan• Memory• Hard drive• CD/DVD-ROM drive• Video/graphics card

Accessories:• Heatsink Thermal Compound

Software:• Operating System• Hardware drivers

Computer Case/Chassis

What to look for:• Size• Big fans• Expandability

And… coolness!

Power Supply

What to look for:• Watts

When installing:- Make sure it’s running at the American power standard of 120V

Motherboard

What to look for:• CPU brand supported (AMD or Intel)• CPU socket type• Type of memory supported

Motherboard (part 2)

More to look for:• USB ports• Network port(s)• Sound ports• Firewire

Processor

Intel Core 2 DuoSpeed/Frequency: 3.0GHzSocket Type: LGA 775L2 cache: 4M shared

What to look for:• Brand - MUST match motherboard• Socket type - MUST match mobo• Speed (measured in frequency, Hz)• Number of cores (dual- and quad-core are faster)• L2 cache (just know that bigger is better)

Processor Heatsink + Fan

What to look for:• Fits your CPU’s socket type• Size

Thermal Compound

What to look for:• Meant only to go between CPUs and heatsinks

When using: - You only need a tiny amount! Don’t get it on other motherboard electronics.

Memory

What to look for:• Type MUST match your motherboard• Capacity (ex: 1 GB)• Speed (ex: DDR2 800)• If your motherboard supports dual-channel, buy in twos

Hard Drive

What to look for:• Capacity• Speed (RPM)

Seagate BarracudaCapacity: 750GBSpeed: 7200 RPM

CD/DVD-ROM Drive

What to look for:• Works with DVDs• Burning/recording capabilities• Speed (ex.: 20X)

Video/Graphics Card

What to look for:• ATI or NVIDIA• Bigger numbers…

• Core clock• Stream processors• Memory size• Memory interface

• DirectX 10 support?• PRICE $$$

One of the best on the market:NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTX, 575 MHz, 128 stream processors, 768MB, 384-bit… $450+!

Other Stuff You Might Need

Keyboard and Mouse

Monitor

Sound Card

Speakers

And don’t forget…

Plus any device drivers!

You need install disks for an operating system…