The Computer Megathread

[Jerome]

Case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GQMHBI/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0WDSXV4TW3GYS4V7Z0W8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846
CPU: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i3-3220-Dual-Core-Processor-Cache/dp/B0093H8HXS/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1354065160&sr=1-3&keywords=intel+core+i3
Motherboard: http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel-Micro-Motherboards-GA-B75M-D3H/dp/B007R9CRGW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1354065187&sr=1-1&keywords=gigabyte+b75
GPU: http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-PCI-Express-Graphics-11201-17-20G/dp/B00A0HZOEA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1354065218&sr=1-1&keywords=sapphire+radeon+hd+7770
PSU: http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Supply-RS500-PCARD3-US/dp/B001G0WPLK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1354065271&sr=1-1&keywords=500+watt+power+supply
RAM: http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-1600MHz-KHX1600C9D3B1K2-4GX/dp/B003NWWM30/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1354065331&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=4gb+hyperx
Hard Drive: http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Cache-Desktop/dp/B00461G3MS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1354065372&sr=1-1&keywords=500gb+hard+drive
DVD Burner: http://www.amazon.com/Asus-24xDVD-RW-Serial-Internal-DRW-24B1ST/dp/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1354065479&sr=1-1&keywords=dvd+drive
Windows 7 (optional): http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=pd_sbs_e_1
Total: around $510*/around $610* (with OS) *prices fluctuate frequently on amazon

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[SpreadsPlague]

I might build a computer when I get older, just one question: you can get any part you want, regardless of the motherboard and things like that, right?

some things to think about are:

will your OS support the amount of RAM you want?
will your PSU deliver enough power?
is your CPU the right socket for your motherboard?
how much RAM can your motherboard hold? is it dual channel?
will your CPU or GPU bottleneck each other?
is your case cooling adequate?

etc etc

[DontCare4Free]

Not really. Things like the video card are (most of the time) completely compatible with every board, so long as it has an accompanying bus to suit the card. Otherwise, the Processor and the RAM are dependent on the motherboard's specifications. The power supply depends on all the components inside the unit.

Incorrect, RAM has, lately, been about as compatible as gfx cards. Sure, it has to be the right socket, but pretty much any new mobo nowadays uses DDR3 (which is the most common, and what you want). Clock speed isn't really an issue if you're buying the RAM in "once piece", it'll just downclock to whatever your mobo/CPU supports anyway. Actually, mobo/CPU compatibility would probably be the main gotcha when it comes to compatibility. Well, and making sure it all fits within the chassis, and getting a powerful enough PSU. Also, if you're going Intel on the CPU, I'd probably wait for Haswell to come out before I'd buy any new parts right now, since Haswell is supposed to use a new socket (meaning you'll have to get a new mobo too).

[lcyGamma]

I might build a computer when I get older, just one question: you can get any part you want, regardless of the motherboard and things like that, right?

SpreadsPlague summed it up pretty perfectly.

People often post their builds in this thread to guarantee everything they are buying will seamlessly come together. Even if you are confident in what you are doing it doesn't hurt to double check with a friend, I feel.

Really you should start with the motherboard are work from there. That way you can immediately establish what RAM to get, what CPU to get, what case to get, and can then move onto deciding the GPU, storage, and finally the PSU.

I wouldn't worry about cooling so much, stock coolers are usually fine unless you overclock. But in the event the heat does get a little extreme, you can always buy a different fan/heatsink.

[Maxwell23461]

what is the difference between ddr1 ddr2 and ddr3

[lcyGamma]

what is the difference between ddr1 ddr2 and ddr3

I'm pretty sure DDR3 uses less power, has better latency, and offers better performance to DDR2.

[DontCare4Free]

SpreadsPlague summed it up pretty perfectly.

People often post their builds in this thread to guarantee everything they are buying will seamlessly come together. Even if you are confident in what you are doing it doesn't hurt to double check with a friend, I feel.

Really you should start with the motherboard are work from there. That way you can immediately establish what RAM to get, what CPU to get, what case to get, and can then move onto deciding the GPU, storage, and finally the PSU.

I wouldn't worry about cooling so much, stock coolers are usually fine unless you overclock. But in the event the heat does get a little extreme, you can always buy a different fan/heatsink.

I'd actually say the opposite, start with the components you want to get that actually have a say in this (the CPU and, to some extent, the GPU). Then get a mobo that can handle that. Then check the amount of power it will draw, approximately, and get a PSU that is a bit more powerful than that. Then just get whatever RAM and storage you think you will need. Also, if the mobo/storage device you're buying doesn't support SATA you're doing something wrong. Same goes for if the mobo/RAM isn't DDR3.

what is the difference between ddr1 ddr2 and ddr3

Higher number at the end basically means that it's newer, and better in every way, which means that you should always go for the highest if you're buying a new computer. If you're upgrading an old build then go for whatever the mobo uses.

[Jacksaunt]

Ok so laptop screen is broken. I've opened the screen up and the problem lies around

this area. I'm getting lines over 90% of the screen that are past this part. It's an LED screen so I'm wondering if I can get a specific replacement part for this  and not a full screen. This area is a small segment that connects the power/input from the little power cable to the screen.

[SpreadsPlague]

why does the tape need to tell us it's transparent .. ?

[GEN.Fire Bird]

why does the tape need to tell us it's transparent .. ?

because china is stupid and lacks translators.

[Steve5452]

Ok so laptop screen is broken. I've opened the screen up and the problem lies around
this area. I'm getting lines over 90% of the screen that are past this part. It's an LED screen so I'm wondering if I can get a specific replacement part for this  and not a full screen. This area is a small segment that connects the power/input from the little power cable to the screen.

I have a laptop with a broken screen too, so I snapped it off and now I bring it to school and plug it into monitors.

swag

[Isjix]

I turned my x3 into an x4

[lcyGamma]

I have a laptop with a broken screen too, so I snapped it off and now I bring it to school and plug it into monitors.

I hope by "snapped" you mean unscrewed and disposed of appropriately.

You could pick up another screen for your laptop and screw it in, unless you've been a brute and torn it from the case. :U

[Steve5452]

I hope by "snapped" you mean unscrewed and disposed of appropriately.

You could pick up another screen for your laptop and screw it in, unless you've been a brute and torn it from the case. :U

Nope.
I took it and snapped it with my knee and it felt great.
I also took the weird see through plastic lenses out of the screen and I walk around my house as everything is displaced and I start tripping.

[lcyGamma]

lol