Build Question

[redvette]

Hi gang

I want your opinions here. what would be the top 5 items you would have, in order to have a fast computer for most every thing from simple e-mailing, to media stuff, to what ever. What do you think makes up a fast computer. Ram, CPU's. HD's ???

Thanx and take care.......Gunny

[Jimmy0]

What kind of budget are we looking at?

[redvette]

Hi Jimmy

I was sort of wanting to stay away from prices for any one thing, just a idea of what you learned people would look at first, second, third and so on for performance. ram or CPU's or what ever.

Like a good set of matched Ram for instance, or a real good MOBO. When I get some good viewpoints this way then go into particuler pieces and what price budget. Just for starters my budget would probably be mid range, to upper level of a build. I want a lot of speed, that is my main objective.

Thanx and take care....Gunny

[Khalil]

This is how I look at it,
For a day to day machine:
1. Power Supply
2. CPU
3. Motherboard
4. Hard Drives
5. Video and sound capability.

For a gaming machine:
1. Power Supply
2. Video Card
3. Motherboard
4. Hard Drives
5. CPU

[redvette]

Hi khalil

Now that is what I was looking for. Good!!!! Surprised me at your first item, the power supply. I know with most things no juice no go. From some reading I have done it seems the norm for a PS is at least a 500W, and goes up from there depending on what you are running.

That really makes sense, I never thought of it in that way.I understand the higher the # on the CPU does not change much as far as speed. I guess if you went from a 1.2 to a 3.0 it would be a faster machine. Seems like I see for the norm on computers is a 2.6, 2.8

Now lets see some more.

Thanx.....Gunny

[Lespaul20]

Khalil has got the importance of the items in order. A power supply will not boost a systems performance but it's important for a quality and reliable built. As far a wattage, I depends on the specs of the system. You could go lower on the wattage if you don't have a high end gaming build. A dedicated video card is really the largest part in deciding a PSU. For the CPU, comparing clock speed is only reliable measurement between CPU of the same series and brand. Intel dug themselves in a hole using the clock speed as marketing and now have switched to model numbers. If you don't game, CPU and sufficient RAM and a decent HD will have the most effect on a systems speed. If you game, add a Video Card to that.

[redvette]

Hi lespaul

Great info too. thanx. I don't game but I do a lot with media, pictures, movies, etc. And who Knows i might tackel a game now and then, and I would want it to play properly. If I read you right you are saying getting a good CPU say at least a 3.0 for starters.

Thanx.......Gunny

[Drunner611]

Just remember that just because a CPU is running at 3ghz doesn't mean it's fast.

There is a big difference between a P4 at 3ghz and a C2Q at 3ghz. Even a C2D for that matter.

[Doom]

Redvette,

I'm still relatively new at this... so take my thoughts w/ a grain of salt. Plus, I like to throw ideas out that may make people think/comment. The key things for speed in my opinion are:

1. CPU - It's not just the speed though, but having at least a dual core. Quad core is also nice, but many applications today don't/can't take advantage of this. That will likely change in the future. Also, the cache is an important statistic to judge how well a CPU will run and handle lots of tasks.
2. RAM - More is better (up to as much as your system can handle though). For older computers, upgrading w/ more RAM is one of the easiest ways to boost performance.
3. GPU - If you're doing a lot w/ movies and pictures, this will be a big part of your system. When it comes to gaming, the GPU is essential.
4. Motherboard - I think many will disagree w/ me... but think of it like this. To ensure you have a 1000Mbps connection for e-mail, SATA connections for better device speed, the ability to support the best CPU's and GPU's... choosing the wrong motherboard can limit your system before you even begin to put it together.
5. Hard Drives

Now that I look back at the posts... I guess the only thing Khalil and I disagree on is RAM vs. Power Supply.

[redvette]

Hi Doom

Thanx for the addition to my posts, and you are right makes me think alright. I think there are so many things with a computer that we take for granted, we turn it on and if everything goes right ok but let some thing go wrong, and you know what hits the fan. And there are so many things that have to go right in order for your computer to come on like it should. I guess if you really think about it it is a wonder it does this properly so often.

I gather from all your learned posts, that you can never have enough Ram, and that you should have a big enough PS for now and for the future, (to a point) And most important do your research. Ask people that know these things, what their opinions are. And one thing I look at too is what some of the people do on these forums is post what they are using for their own computers. I know you can go to the extreme very easily, (overkill). The hardest thing I think there is too this is getting stuff that will work together. You can get one good thing and get another piece that will not be exactly compatible with the other part and not work right. And of course you have to keep your old wallet in mind too.

I hope there are more people that want to give their opinions here.

Thanx and take care......Gunny

[Katreat]

I dont really list what is most important, to me it is all about balance. Once you determine what the computer will be used for and set your budget you need to match all the parts so you keep things in balance. Parts need to be matched so they complement each other and quality is key. My re-occuring build is always a gamer and video card is the big ticket item, but it would be foolish to spend all your budget on the video card and match it with a low end processor, too little ram, or not enough power. So you keep things in balance to get a system that is competent and upgradable.

Kat

[redvette]

Hi Kat

That is exactly what I was meaning in my last post, just what you said keep everything in balance. But is there a good way to keep this balance.? I think this is one of those easier said then done.

Maybe that is what I was looking for when I put this post up here, a balance of parts. Not nec. what you would put the most importance on. How does one go about finding this balance, is there a formula of some sort. Has to be a better way then trial and error.

So the question is now how does one get this balance, in selecting parts for a computer, keeping in mind the old wallet.

Thanx and take care..........Gunny

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by redvette How does one go about finding this balance, is there a formula of some sort. Has to be a better way then trial and error. So the question is now how does one get this balance, in selecting parts for a computer, keeping in mind the old wallet.

Experience. The more you build, the more familiar you get with which parts work and which parts don't. You can't expect to know this if you've only built one or two computers...it comes from building a lot of computers. Eventually you get a feel for what combination of parts will give you a "balanced" build.

Cricket

[redvette]

Hi Cricket

Ok that is all well and good for some one that does a lot of this, but I am looking at me and probably about 90% of the people out there that you cannot include. I have built maybe 10 in a span of several years. Just how many do you think you would have to build to be that familiar with the balance between the parts, especially with so many changes and new things coming out all the time.

That is another challenge too, just keeping up with new parts and the advancements being made, new drivers, new programs, etc, it ges on and on. So how do you find that balance when things are changing on a daily basis.

So I am asking how do you do this.? I understand with what you said, but I cannot say I agree with it.

Thanx.........Gunny

[Cricket]

Okay, I think I know what you're getting at. But I cannot give you a definitive answer to your question. I don't keep up with the latest parts either but when I'm asked to build a computer for a certain budget I don't seem to have much trouble selecting parts for the build...I have a rough idea of the performance level of each part I select and just make sure everything is compatible.

One thing that helps is reading threads here at PC Mech daily. I don't build computers on a daily basis but being here on the forums everyday helps keep me familiar with what's out there, what works together well and possible/potential components to avoid.

So it's probably a combination of building experience and reading the threads here that help me with parts selection when I do build a new computer.

Cricket

[redvette]

Hi Cricket

Reading the treads on here is a big help, like I said too, looking at what some of the people here are using for their own computer helps too. Lot of people think this is bragging rights posting what you have in your computer, but I don't look at it that way.

I will have to pay more attention to what some of the posts say about particular parts they use. I find so many times that what the manufacturer says about a product, and what a person using it says, can be worlds apart. The manufacturer will say the moon is made out of cheese if you believe them, but all I want is a part that will do what they say.

I hope I get some more good opinions.

Thanx and take care.......Gunny