Understanding the hardware of PCs.

Freakazoid

Hi, Id like to apologize ahead of time for the long post but would appreciate any help you all could give.:)
(also, sorry if this is the wrong section)

A few years back my cousin built the current computer Im using. In about 4 months Ill have enough money to build another one, this time thought I want to try building it myself (for gaming.) The problem is, I lack any real knowlede of computer hardware. While I understand what each part pretty much does, I dont understand the specs or how to tell what is compatible with what. The main game Ill be playing is World of Warcraft, I may pick up games like F.E.A.R. and Age of Empires III as well.

To give you an idea of what my problem is, heres a few questions.

-What is the difference between PCIex1 and PCIex16?
-Whats the difference between a single core and dual core processor?
-How fast should be fast enough for a CPU, 2.2GHz, 2.4GHz? (WoWs min. req. is 800MHz)

Things like that.

When looking at a mother board, what should I be looking for? I understand it needs to be compatible with my CPU, video card etc. but is that all? When I look at the specs there are a lot of things that I assume shouldnt just be over looked.

Things like:
Number of DDR Slots 4x 184pin DDR
DDR Standard DDR 400 (PC 3200)
Maximum Memory Supported 4GB
Dual Channel Supported Yes

and

Storage Devices
PATA 2 x ATA100 up to 4 Devices
PATA RAID RAID 0/1
SATA 3Gb/s 4
SATA RAID RAID 0/1

confuse me and make we wanna give up. I cant seem to find a site with enough information to give me a start on learning how to do this. Not just understanding the motherboard but all the hardware. I have the time, I have the patience, I just dont have any luck with finding sites that can help me understand it. Do any of you know what sites I could use? Sites that dont automaticly assume I know the difference between a PCI, PCIe or AGP graphics card.

Again, Id appreciate any help you all could provide. Thanks.

TempestSabre

Wiki is good for this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_Access_Memory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_motherboard

SeanW

The first thing you need to know is the classification of components in your assembly.

One of them, ATX, covers the Power Supply, Case and Motherboard/Mainboard. There is a new standard coming on stream called BTX but you don't really have to worry about that for now. Avoid m-ATX (micro ATX) as the boards tend to be physically smaller and have for example fewer expansion slots.

Next we move on to the processor. Intel Core2Duo is said to be a very powerful processor so you'll most likely want that, however AMD kit is going really cheap these days so you could get a sweet AM2/Socket 393 Athlon 64 X2 for a bargain. Have a look at the processors section of Komplett.ie . Single core simply means that the chip has one processor on it, dual core means it has two. Your choice of processor will dictate your selection of mainboard, as each board is designed for the specific architecture of a particular processor range. Check that the board supports the type of processor you want to put in it, no point in trying to put a Core2Duo or Athlon 64 X2 onto a board that doesn't support it.

As a rule most boards these days come with on-board sound, LAN, USB, many have have firewire etc, so there's usually no need to buy soundcards, LAN cards or USB controllers seperately, unless you have unusual requirements, such as you're an audiophile and want the best possible sound, plan to use the PC as a gateway or connect it to 2 networks, have more than 8 USB devices or someting else like that.

PCIex1 means a card or mainboard slot that contains or uses one lane of PCI Express. Physically these connections are very small.
PCIex16 means a card or mainboard connection that uses or provides 16 lanes of PCI Express. Most modern boards come with one of these, which you'll need as the main technology for good graphics cards is PCI-Ex-16.
Be wary though that while many boards have plenty of PCI-Ex slots of various capacities, most add-in cards these days are still bog standard PCI. If you plan on expanding your machine with a bunch of peripheral cards, such as TV Tuners, dial up modem, choose the mainboard that has the most PCI slots for the processor architecture you choose.

Also, what processor architechture you choose will impact on what memory standard you have to go with, for example with Socket 939, you simply use PC-3200. For AM2 or new Intel, you'll need some kind of double rate memory, DDR2, PC2-5400 or something suchlike. Check the specs of the board you intend to buy for the type of RAM it needs. The other stuff you mentioned about RAM is simply what the board supports.

P-ATA, ATA 100 etc are all references to IDE architecture.

This works by providing a 40 IDE pin port on the mainboard, into which an IDE cable will allow 2 devices to run in Master/Slave arrangemenent. You connect 2 devices (CD/DVD drives or Hard Drives) to the IDE cable and the cable into the mainboard IDE port.

So when they say PATA 2 x ATA100 up to 4 Devices that means the board (or PCI controller) will allow you to add 4 IDE drives in master/slave configuration through 2 IDE ports.

PATA RAID RAID 0/1 Simply means that if you have 2 identical hard drives on one IDE ribbon, you can turn them into a single Raid drive, you don't need to worry about this because you probably won't be doing that, you merely have the option to do so.

SATA is a newer drive controller architecture, Serial ATA, completely different to IDE. Also SATA-2, which is twice as fast but physically identical to SATA. With this, there's no master and slave cable setup, each SATA(2) device is plugged straight into the mainboard. So if the board specs say 4 SATA, that means there are 4 SATA ports on the board.

Sites that dont automaticly assume I know the difference between a PCI, PCIe or AGP graphics card.

That's a very fundamental detail. PCI was used for graphics cards about 10 years ago, it was superceeded by AGP (Advanced Graphics Port), that technology is now nearing obsolecence. You should tend towards PCI Express 16 graphics cards and a matching mainboards. The only people who buy PCI graphics cards today are the eejits who buy a low-grade DELL and then wonder why they can't play CSS or Far Cry at max settings.

The actual assembly isn't all that hard, it's like a high tech jigsaw puzzle. Read the manuals, figure out what fits into what and away you go.

Finally, I'd reccommend putting together a proposed shopping list and putting it here in this thread for constructive criticism. These guys know their stuff.

PogMoThoin

SeanW wrote:

Finally, I'd reccommend putting together a proposed shopping list and putting it here in this thread for constructive criticism. These guys know their stuff.

:rolleyes: Or give us a budget & your basic needs & we'll put something together

BlackWizard

Nice reply SeanW

Id advise you to go shopping youself and come back to the boards with the
build list. Going shopping for tech gear is 1000000000^999 times more fun than going
shopping for food or clothes.

Any ideas on where you are going to go shopping?

Freakazoid

The first thing you need to know is the classification of components in your assembly.

One of them, ATX, covers the Power Supply, Case and Motherboard/Mainboard. There is a new standard coming on stream called BTX but you don't really have to worry about that for now. Avoid m-ATX (micro ATX) as the boards tend to be physically smaller and have for example fewer expansion slots.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but does this mean only a ATX Power Supply will work with a ATX Mobo? Or does this mean ATX mobos are restricted to certain CPUs and Video Cards? If not, whats the importance of knowing?

Next we move on to the processor. Intel Core2Duo is said to be a very powerful processor so you'll most likely want that, however AMD kit is going really cheap these days so you could get a sweet AM2/Socket 393 Athlon 64 X2 for a bargain. Have a look at the processors section of Komplett.ie . Single core simply means that the chip has one processor on it, dual core means it has two.

What company should I look at for a CPU best suited for gaming? From what I've read, a lot of people seem to favor AMD for gaming and Intel for things like video editing etc.

Be wary though that while many boards have plenty of PCI-Ex slots of various capacities, most add-in cards these days are still bog standard PCI. If you plan on expanding your machine with a bunch of peripheral cards, such as TV Tuners, dial up modem, choose the mainboard that has the most PCI slots for the processor architecture you choose.

I just grabbed a random mobo spec to help with my question, so Im not asking about this one specificaly. I just seem to have the most trouble understanding the mobo. I just want to see if I've got this right,so here is a screenshot:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/Fr34k4z01cl/untitled.jpg
RED: Is this where it tells me the type of Video Cards it supports, and the number of slots for each? So, does this mean I have room for 2 PCIe x16 Video Cards and 2 add-in cards? (since you mentioned the majority are PCI)
BLUE: This is simply telling me what socket and CPU it is compatible with, correct?
YELLOW: I'm assuming this is how I tell whether or not my Hard Drive fits this mobo. You already told me that "PATA RAID RAID 0/1" only matters if I'm using 2 HDs, so I assume I only need to focus on the specs I highlighted in green?
PURPLE: Number of DDR Slots, this is just letting me know how many (of what type of) RAM slots are available? I dont know what the other 3 are.

Or give us a budget & your basic needs & we'll put something together

My budget is $1,000.00, I already have a mouse, keyboard, and monitor. I want the PC to be built for gaming, games like World of Warcraft, Age of Empires III, and maybe F.E.A.R.. I'd also like if it had a CD burner. I know you probaly can't build anything really spectacular with only $1,000.00 but would still like to see what is possible.

The thing is, I won't have the money for another 4 months. From what I understand, prices change constantly. Does that mean if I compiled the list of hardware I planned on buying now, I would be able to purchase better parts for the same amount when the time comes?

Again, I'm sorry for making such long posts but I really need the help. I also appreciate you all taking the time to read them and respond. Thanks a helluva lot!

TomCo

Freakazoid wrote:

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but does this mean only a ATX Power Supply will work with a ATX Mobo? Or does this mean ATX mobos are restricted to certain CPUs and Video Cards? If not, whats the importance of knowing?

Virually all motherboards are ATX, this shouldnt even factor into the equation.

Freakazoid wrote:

What company should I look at for a CPU best suited for gaming? From what I've read, a lot of people seem to favor AMD for gaming and Intel for things like video editing etc.

Things change, Intel Core 2 Duo aka Conroe, is the gaming processor to go for now.

Freakazoid wrote:

I just grabbed a random mobo spec to help with my question, so Im not asking about this one specificaly. I just seem to have the most trouble understanding the mobo. I just want to see if I've got this right,so here is a screenshot:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/Fr34k4z01cl/untitled.jpg
RED: Is this where it tells me the type of Video Cards it supports, and the number of slots for each? So, does this mean I have room for 2 PCIe x16 Video Cards and 2 add-in cards? (since you mentioned the majority are PCI)
BLUE: This is simply telling me what socket and CPU it is compatible with, correct?
YELLOW: I'm assuming this is how I tell whether or not my Hard Drive fits this mobo. You already told me that "PATA RAID RAID 0/1" only matters if I'm using 2 HDs, so I assume I only need to focus on the specs I highlighted in green?
PURPLE: Number of DDR Slots, this is just letting me know how many (of what type of) RAM slots are available? I dont know what the other 3 are.

PCI is for things like sound cards, tv tuners, and network cards
PCIe X1 will be the future standard for the above
PCIe X16 is for video cards

Blue: Yes

Sata is the newer standard, SataII devices are backwards compatable with SataI slots and vice versa.

Purple: This tells you how many ram slots you have and the highest speed ram that can go in those slots. DDR is for AMD 939 and DDR2 is for Intel and AMD AM2. PC3200 operates at 400mhz so its aka DDR 400.

Freakazoid wrote:

My budget is $1,000.00, I already have a mouse, keyboard, and monitor. I want the PC to be built for gaming, games like World of Warcraft, Age of Empires III, and maybe F.E.A.R.. I'd also like if it had a CD burner. I know you probaly can't build anything really spectacular with only $1,000.00 but would still like to see what is possible.

Actually you can.

Freakazoid wrote:

The thing is, I won't have the money for another 4 months. From what I understand, prices change constantly. Does that mean if I compiled the list of hardware I planned on buying now, I would be able to purchase better parts for the same amount when the time comes?

Yes

SeanW

Don't worry about the case standard too much, pretty much all power supplies are ATX and that's almost universal, most cases like you'd buy from Komplett or wherever are also ATX. Some of the cases also support variations such as Micro ATX etc.

The only thing you really need to watch out for is that you don't buy an m-ATX board for a case that doesn't support it.

As for your pic, the blue describes the processor the board will take. Architecture Socket 939, and it covers all the Athlon 64. Good so far.

Purple is the memory the board will take. 4 slots for 184 pin memory sticks. DDR Standard: PC3200, DDR 400. So when you're buying memory, say from Komplett you'd simply select from THAT range of memory. 4GB limit on that board, not unusual.

Red: expansion slots. This board has SLi, which means you can run 2 graphics cards as 1 if you wanted to for more graphics power. So you have 2 PCI EX16 slots to facilitate that, of course if you didn't want to use SLi you could always use one of the PCI Express 16 slots for another PCI Express card. Board aslo has 2 PCI slots which you'd use very quickly if you went mental adding components, and 2 PCI Express 1 slots which for the moment are nearly useless.

Yellow and Green: spot on: the board has 4 SATA ports and allows 4 IDE devices over 2 IDE ports, RAID is one of those things where if you don't know what it is you can safely forget about it.

You say you don't have the money for another 4 months, that makes things different because things do change rapidly, someone comes out with a new standard or innovation and the game changes completely. For actual advice on what parts to buy, wait until you're ready to buy before asking.

I'd also like if it had a CD burner.

You'll be happy to know that DVD Rewriters can be had really cheaply these days, as you can see here.

Freakazoid

You say you don't have the money for another 4 months, that makes things different because things do change rapidly, someone comes out with a new standard or innovation and the game changes completely. For actual advice on what parts to buy, wait until you're ready to buy before asking.

I figured as much, but no problem. Gives me plenty of time to read up on all this stuff.

I have one last question before I begin reading up on things some more, if you dont mind. It's the other half of specs for the mobo I posted in the last screenshot. The thing is I have no clue what this half means or whats important and whats not. If you could just give me a general idea of what means what I'd appreciate it.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/Fr34k4z01cl/untitled2.jpg

RED: I assume the Onboard Audio means I won't need a sound card? Also, whats Onboard Video? Is it something I should look for when buying a mobo in the future?
BLUE: Since I dont attend LAN parties or anything of that sort, is this of any importance?
GREEN: Onboard USB I assume means the number of USB ports it has, but whats the deal with "2x 1394b(3 ports)"?
YELLOW & PURPLE: I'm not gonna lie.. I dont understand much of either part...

There is also one thing not in the picture, its:
Features
Power Pin 24 Pin

If thats of any importance.

Thanks for having the patience to explain this stuff to me, its helped a lot.

generalmiaow

RED: I assume the Onboard Audio means I won't need a sound card?

Yes, unless you want really really good sound. I don't know whether others here use add in sound cards, but I get along fine with onboard sound.

Also, whats Onboard Video? Is it something I should look for when buying a mobo in the future?

It's a video card built into the motherboard. I'm pretty sure it will be useless in most cases, especially if you're playing games. You'll want an add-in video card of the type discussed above.

BLUE: Since I dont attend LAN parties or anything of that sort, is this of any importance?

I suppose, but having a network port is very important for me and I don't go to LANs, but it'd be hard to find a motherboard without built in ethernet these days.

GREEN: Onboard USB I assume means the number of USB ports it has, but whats the deal with "2x 1394b(3 ports)"?

They are firewire ports, for connecting to camcorders and things. I personally don't own any firewire peripherals, but they do exist.

YELLOW & PURPLE: I'm not gonna lie.. I dont understand much of either part...

The ps/2 port is for your keyboard and mouse (though you will probably get a USB mouse I imagine) COM and LPT are serial and parallel ports, you probably won't be using them, but all motherboards have them. SP/DIF is optical audio, for connecting to high-end audio equipment and minidisc players and the audio ports are for your speakers. I gather from the 6 audio ports that it's 5.1 (surround sound), giving you the option of rear speakers, side speakers, front speakers, etc, and a microphone.

The ATX form factor was covered above and the Dimensions are the size of the motherboard, they seem standard enough to fit in any ATX ase I own anyway.

The 24 pin power connector is the new standard for connecting the power supply to your motherboard.

zilog_jones

SeanW wrote:

...SATA is a newer drive controller architecture, Serial ATA, completely different to IDE...

Sorry to confuse things for the new guy, but both Parallel and Serial ATA are both IDE. It's just a lot of people only seem to use "IDE" when refering to PATA.

SeanW

Ok zilog now we're just getting pedantic

OP: Re: your latest pic:

Red: No you don't need a soundcard, virtually all boards have sound and LAN onboard these days so there's no need to buy either sound or LAN cards. Unless, as I mentioned, you have unusual requirements.

Onboard video is usually rubbish, generally the onboard video chips, where provided, are about 1 or 2 years behind the current crop of cards, e.g. Radeon X300SE or Nvidia GeForce 6200 or 6600. They also draw from the system for RAM. They're ok I suppose if you need them, e.g. if you're on a tight budget but spending loads on system RAM, but generally speaking you're better to get a good graphics card whether or not you have to. That board doesn't have video, so you'd have to buy a card anyway.

Yellow: These are the external ports at the backplate that allow you to plug things into your computer, like PS2 ports for keyboard and mouse, an LPT (Parelell) port which would allow you to use an old printer or zip drive, the COM port for an old mouse or something, the rest of that is to do with the onboard audio.

Green: You're going to like this:
I think that's for things you can connect to the front panel of your case, an ATX case will have some of these ports at the front, and will have wires that connect those ports to the mainboard, bringing them to life. The 4 pin USB onboard can also be used to connect an internal flash card reader, something I personally consider a nice 'finishing touch.'

Purple: Confirms that the board is ATX standard. Just one of those minor things you check.

Freakazoid

Thanks guys for all the help, I think I have the general idea of whats what now. Appreciate you all taking the time to explain it to me!