The Serenes Forest Computer Builder Guide

[IntegerZero]

Welcome to the Serenes Forest Computer Building Guide. Here we give you suggestions on builds varying from simple and light, to computers that will make the local nerd jealous, with price ranges all around the spectrum. We will do a number of things with this topic, such as comparing products and brands with each other and perhaps give out benchmarks, and of course showing different computer builds. Also any questions regarding compatibility between parts and suggestions are more then welcome. With that said let's begin!

NOTE: Most prices will come from Newegg. (From me at least.) Newegg is arguably the best electronic retailer period.

First off there will be an explanation of CPUs (Computer Processing Unit) and GPUs (Graphic Processing Unit). I'm sure everyone knows the basics, but I'll being going more in-depth into each brand, pointing out pros and cons.

Intel & AMD

Here we have the sole two mainstream CPU manufacturers. Each has their own place in the market and they do overlap, however just mostly in the middle ranges. Intel clock or clock is generally faster than most AMDs. This is true, however that performenece comes at a premium price. Take for example the lastest 6 core Phenom II and Core-i7. The Phenom (Code Name: Thuban) costs a mere ~$200 US while Intel's lovely i7 is pushing close to the thousand dollar benchmark. Woah, I'd say. Saying that, both have their pros an cons. Intels are powerful and run great, but if you're building a entry level gaming rig or even some tiers lower, AMD is the way to go.

Intel families include: Atom, Core 2 duo (Quad), Core i-3 (i-5 and i-7)

AMD families include: Sempron, Anthlon II, Phenom II

NOTE: Servers processors are not included, but can be used. They are EXPENSIVE however.

nVidia & ATI

And here is the GPU side of things. Both brands compete head to head and every market, low and high, and most of the time the best brand changes hands. Currently ATI holds the title. However, that does not mean nVidia isn't a solid choice. But first I have to explain all those wonky numbers. First off, the easier ATI. All ATI are branded in four numbers (XXXX). The first number represents the generation (5XXX). The second determines the class the GPU resides in (58XX).

The third represents whether it is Stock, Overclocked, or Under clocked (5870). The last number is unused to my knowledge. Take the 5870. It is the 5th generation high end gaming GPU that is OC'd (Overclocked). nVidia is a little more complex. They use numbers as well, but after 9800, they go down to the 200 series. They also use letters. Then numbers represent the same thing as ATI, so no need to repeat (Minus the third number), but the letters determine the clock. A GS is a lower end model (420 GS), a GX is a OC'd model ( 460 GX), while GTX is "Super OC'd" (480 GTX). No letters mean stock.

I could go into more detail about processors and video cards, but that would delve into some serious technical details. I've written the above so you can get a faint grasp on CPUs and GPUs. Other parts of a computer generally are fairly simple.

Computer Builds

NOTE: The names will be links to posts that contain the build in question. I do this so that they can be easily updated without much hassle.

The Budget PC

-This is for someone where money is a serious concern. It will run, do Internet, and basic other tasks.

IntegerZero: Look Below.

The Average Consumer

- The Average consumers PC. This build is similar to going into Best Buy and buying the average PC. Thing is, you pay less.

The Entry Level Gaming Rig

- The Entry Rig. This is for someone who wants to be able to play more modern games at respectable FPS. This is where you start paying premiums for good parts.

The Mid Level Gaming Rig

- The Average gaming rig. Better than the entry, but not as good as the high end. Non gamers should not need to buy a computer above this point.

The High End Gaming Rig

- This is the highest end gaming rig. You want to show off and you're willing to pay for it. This will smoke entire rooms full of computers buy itself.

The "I use money as toilet paper rig"

-Money is not an issue. You want more than what the high end gaming rig does. You don't care. You want the best of the best, and nothing less.

How's that? I will be placing the Budget PC up soon as I finish it and look it over. Anyone is welcome to post their own builds. Give it a name and price, and I'll put it in the proper place. Also questions may fire away at this point.

The Budget Build

The goal: Build a low end PC that will not threaten your bank account.

Overview: The Budget PC is for people who honestly just want a computer to run, do some word documents, watch some basic videos (NOT HD), and get on the internet. Budget PCs will have serious issues playing HD video and will outright not be able to play most games. That said, let us begin.

Processor

Ah the processor, always the most difficult choice in getting a new computer. The computer's mind, so to speak. My recommendations is to get a dual core AMD, due to the excellent price. 60 dollars is unbeatable for it's price range, and I don't recommend anything less than dual cores on desktops. They are an option however.

My choice is an AMD Anthlon II x2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103903 ($60)

Motherboard

Next up is the motherboard. Since this is a budget PC, you're going to want the Mobo handle everything you can, since you are keeping the price a minimum. You'tre not getting a Video Card, so Onboard and you're still gonna want to have some options. This is where the price usually jumps around. However, I'm keeping things cheap, so this mobo is staying affordable.

The Foxconn A76ML-K will do nicely. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186166 ($50: ON SALE)

This board offers plenty of updatability (Minus Ram), include some nice features.

Power Supply

Thankfully since the computer is low end, power supplies are cheap and plentiful. I'd recommend 500 watts for long term, but less is perfectly ok. Power supplies constantly go on sale, so finding a cheap solid one is simple.

Antec 430: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034 ($45)

RAM

This is pretty simple after the Mobo is picked out. I strongly recommend the G-Skill brand. 2 gigs at $40 US is a steal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098 ($40)

Hard Drive

Unfortunantly, when keeping things cheap, Hard Drive space is usually the first to suffer. But a 250 Gigs Cavier Blue will suffice. $45

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136161 ($45)

Disc Drive

No computer is complete without one. You can get a lot for about ($20). No need to dive into this.

The Case

It's gotta go in something. Gigabyte Case for ($25). Cheap and easy. It will also allow for some expandability room if you choose to get a Video Card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233061

The damages: $315 US dollars. If remains affordable, especially considering that it will give some good performance. You can defiantly go down to even as low as $250 if you really want.

On a note, Prebuilt's make an excellent case against custom builds, due to manufacturers getting the parts cheaper. At this level, it is best to shop around. Prebuilt's can go below the $200 mark, so think wisely!

Edited February 1, 2011 by Nightmare

[Excellen Browning]

Being a veteran guide writer, I really really really want to discourage people from posting a largely incomplete guide.

Moving on, I think you're misrepresenting AMD & Intel. To kick off, AMD processors are bad by no means and Intel processors are not necessarily better or faster in any price category that isn't top end aka $250+. Now that I'm on to top end, intel top end processors need the special 1366 socket. This translates into being forced to buy what is often a $200+ motherboard and three sticks of RAM if you want to make of the triple channel memory lanes. All adding onto the costs. To continue on, this extra processor power is not very likely to be used. The only commonly used application where this kind of processing power is useful, that I can now think of, would be in encoding HD video. In terms of gaming performance and stuff, a $1000 intel CPU will simply deliver the same performance a $200 AMD will give you.

Regarding giving names for AMD, you got it wrong. The first number indeed represents the generation aka general architecture. The second one represents which chip within that architecture is being used, and the third doesn't stand for the clock it got, but which version of the chip. Per example in one series the 5870 has X amount of calculating units and certain clocks to come with them, and the 5850 has less calculating units and lower clocks, but they're both based on the Cypress chip.

Regarding nomenclature for NIVIDIA, it's largely the same but more confusing. You have the old XXXX series and the newer XXX series. GS, GT and GTX don't by ANY means represent clocks. GS means that it's suited for general, mainstream use. GT means that it's mid end, aka not bad for gaming but not great either, and finally GTX is reserved for high to top end performance cards. Again, it has NOTHING to do with clock speeds or whatever.

Choosing a certain type of processor also means having to choose a certain type of motherboard, which series of CPU's goes into what socket type? Not to mention, AMD motherboards are confusing as hell. How important is RAM in regards to general performance of your system? Is having a soundcard a good idea? Why not add a multimedia PC build? What price range does each build fall into?

[IntegerZero]

Being a veteran guide writer, I really really really want to discourage people from posting a largely incomplete guide.

Moving on, I think you're misrepresenting AMD & Intel. To kick off, AMD processors are bad by no means and Intel processors are not necessarily better or faster in any price category that isn't top end aka $250+. Now that I'm on to top end, intel top end processors need the special 1366 socket. This translates into being forced to buy what is often a $200+ motherboard and three sticks of RAM if you want to make of the triple channel memory lanes. All adding onto the costs. To continue on, this extra processor power is not very likely to be used. The only commonly used application where this kind of processing power is useful, that I can now think of, would be in encoding HD video. In terms of gaming performance and stuff, a $1000 intel CPU will simply deliver the same performance a $200 AMD will give you.

Regarding giving names for AMD, you got it wrong. The first number indeed represents the generation aka general architecture. The second one represents which chip within that architecture is being used, and the third doesn't stand for the clock it got, but which version of the chip. Per example in one series the 5870 has X amount of calculating units and certain clocks to come with them, and the 5850 has less calculating units and lower clocks, but they're both based on the Cypress chip.

Regarding nomenclature for NIVIDIA, it's largely the same but more confusing. You have the old XXXX series and the newer XXX series. GS, GT and GTX don't by ANY means represent clocks. GS means that it's suited for general, mainstream use. GT means that it's mid end, aka not bad for gaming but not great either, and finally GTX is reserved for high to top end performance cards. Again, it has NOTHING to do with clock speeds or whatever.

Choosing a certain type of processor also means having to choose a certain type of motherboard, which series of CPU's goes into what socket type? Not to mention, AMD motherboards are confusing as hell. How important is RAM in regards to general performance of your system? Is having a soundcard a good idea? Why not add a multimedia PC build? What price range does each build fall into?

I realize that there are lots of problems regarding what I've typed up. I am far from a super experienced computer builder. I wish for people to assist in making this guide as complete as I possibly can, while keeping it informative and simple. If you can offer any additional input, it would be more than appreciated. I want this to be a community project. Also, I will place all your info on opening post soon regarding the GPUs, if it's ok with you. There are lots of holes, but I would like to cover them all, given time.

Also the multimedia PC would fall along the lines of the average consumer to entry level gaming rig. I will put prices once i get a better grasp of them. And I will eventually add things for wireless cards, sound cards, and raid cards, and other things that escape my mind at the moment.

By the way, how are AMD motherboards confusing? Is it due to the AM2, AM2+, and AM3 Architecture?

[Excellen Browning]

A multimedia PC does in no way at all fall between average consumer and entry level gaming. A normal consumer-level PC has somewhat decent processoing power, and either an IGP or a low end GPU and otherwise also low end material. A multimedia PC is something that has good overall performance. It has a good CPU and a mid range GPU to accompany it and usually has extras like USB3 or a sound card. An entry level gaming rig focuses entirely on the GPU, getting a CPU that's only fast enough to not bottleneck that GPU, ditto for everything else.

AMD motherboards are confusing in that you can choose from a helluva lot of them. There's the 480X CrossFire, 740G, 760G, 770, 784G, 790X, 790FX, 790GX, 870, 880G, 890FX and 890GX types of motherboards to choose from in the AM3 range alone.

Going on, there should be a mention of formfactors for motherboards, PSU's and cases. And considering laptops are much more popular than desktops these days there should be a laptop section.