Want to know more about PC's?

[Snitch]

This was a post I did a while back for my old clan forum, I will now be updating this WEEKLY. This is aimed at people from the UK and Europe though I will add other online shops etc. for the US.



Hardware

First step's to computer bliss is buying your hardware for either upgrading or creating your PC.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk
http://www.microdirect.co.uk
http://www.scan.co.uk
http://www.ebuyer.co.uk
http://www.novatech.co.uk

Before you buy any hardware I suggest price comparing everything with these trusted stores. I saved over £50 by price comparing which you can put towards a better piece of kit etc.

I also advise review sites

http://www.bit-tech.net
http://www.techspot.com
http://www.legitreviews.com

Hardware discussion can be found on

http://www.overclockers.co.uk
http://www.xstremehardware.co.uk

(The last link I'm a member/reviewee for)


People I know always want to know when building a PC is "What's the best kit out there and how does mine compare?"

The list below is the best hardware for public PC's
(This is excluding CASE, MONITOR, PERIPHERAL'S, HARDRIVES and COOLING)


Processor - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CP-140-IN
Motherboard - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MB-208-AS
RAM - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-118-CS
Graphics Card - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-035-BG
PSU - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-029-EN

(Updated 06/12/06)

IMPORTANT

However don't think that your hardware which your considering on getting is crap. These are the extremes of hardware, some of these just look plain silly in an ordinairy case.

PSU

The main point to remember when buying any hardware is that WILL YOUR PSU handle it. A PSU (Power supply unit) is integral to your hardware, if it comes under pressure and somehow combusts, (it's been known to happen,) then it will take some of those precious pieces of hardware with it. So don't skimp on it you tightwads.

PSU for cheap to mid systems - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-005-EN
Psu for mid to high systems - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-021-EN
Psu for extreme systems - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...-029-EN&tool=3

RAM

In common usage, the term RAM is synonymous with main memory, the memory available to programs. For example, a computer with 8M RAM has approximately 8 million bytes of memory that programs can use.
Ofcourse when wanting to build a computer nowadays you want around 1GB of RAM.

You might want to pay for 2GB of RAM but the extra gig doesn't do much for your gaming performance and should only be bought if your a photo-editing nut.

There are 2 types of RAM-
DDR
DDR2

You don't need to know the anatomy of the DIMM, so I'll keep it simple. DDR has faster speeds but cannot hold the same ammount of bandwidth as DDR2. The choice nowadays is DDR2 unless your willing to cash out on last years processor which only supports DDR.

DDR (Cheap) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-045-CS
DDR (Mid) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-005-GL
DDR (Expensive) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-005-GS


DDR2 (Cheap) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-081-CR
DDR2 (Mid) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-111-CS
DDR2 (Expensive) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-119-CS

There are more Expensive and cheaper versions but they would be way beyond anyone's price range apart from Mr. Gates.

CPU

CPU is probably is the main powerhouse in your computer. Don't skimp on your CPU and try to go multi core if at all possible. Theres always the debate with AMD and Intel of which is the better to buy. Usually most people would agree on AMD but when Intel released it's Core 2 technology people were shocked at how incredibly good it was and how far it would overclock.

CPU (Cheap) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CP-126-IN
CPU (Mid) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CP-128-IN
Cpu (Expensive) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CP-139-IN

Snitch

[lag]

Good guide, I like.

[Snitch]

Weirdly enough since December computer technology hasnt changed that much.

Snitch

[Fuzz]

http://www.newegg.com/ for anyone in the US. fast shipping, good prices.

[paska]

Lol, i readed that post somewhere else :S

[Snitch]

Erm I doubt it somehow unless you were in the Genuine Killers clan UK or it has been stolen. If you do not belong to them then your either bullshitting or it's been copied from me.

Snitch

[lag]

http://www.newegg.com/ for anyone in the US. fast shipping, good prices.

http://tigerdirect.com/ FTW

[Fuzz]

http://tigerdirect.com/ FTW

Never tried them, maybe next time i order something i'll check them out.

[WoWLegend]

Cool, parts are great for people who have cash, but overclocking computers still arent necessary if the user still cant figure out what a mob is.

I.E. Id rather know how to use a computer than have one that owns others.

[Snitch]

Nyarf, bump.

Snitch