The Right PC for You

1. The Right PC for You

2. Building Your First PC • We have done a lot of parts-ordering; I hope you checked that you had some place to plug in the monitor and the network cable • Likely you will make some mistakes along the way – I still do on occasion; the last one cost me $55 for the wrong sized optical drive

3. Evaluating Parts • Often it is far more than price – need to keep in mind the intended use of the system • PCMag.com, extremetech.com, Newegg.com are good places for information • Google part(s) with “review” in the search box • Read the fine print for specs and warranty info • We are lucky to have Fry’s close by

4. Thick Client • ComTIA’s term for general-purpose SOHO system • Not the best, nor the cheapest parts • Start with the OS requirements • Mike recommends 64-bit OS editions – why limit yourself?

5. Case • Not the first part I would pick • Mike recommends mid-tower • Lots to choose from as you have seen • A rather personal choice

6. Motherboard/CPU • This one comes as a set since you can’t put Intel chip on AMD motherboard • Try to get a modern socket; allows for expansion (for a little while) • Avoid both the low-end and the high-end for most applications – price is easy way to tell • Do some research on chipset – or look at the input and output ports on the motherboard • Buy known brand motherboard unless you just can’t pass up the deal

7. Video • Often the on-board video is good enough, but make sure motherboard has x16 slot for upgrade • Tomshardware.com does monthly review of video cards – cool! • Most applications work just fine with mid-range video card (mid-priced)

8. Monitors • Personal choice – I really stay away from picking a monitor if I can • Mike thinks a 20-inch widescreen is a good idea – I have not made that transition yet

9. Storage • Lots of space costs not very much • Solid-state drives still coming down but still continue to have price gap with mechanical drives • Need space for applications and data • I am running just fine on 160GB drive with 62 GB free and two virtuals

10. The Thin Client • Designed to handle very basic applications with minimum hardware • Student systems, point-of-sale • Usually small in size to be unobtrusive • MS Office does not demand that much from a system

11. Virtualization Station • Lots of RAM, hard disk space and CPU power • Saves power, floor space and running around

12. Graphics Workstation • Primary need is for a high-quality, large monitor • Ideally you want a fast, multicore 64-bit CPU and lots of RAM • Big hard drive as CAD and CAM take up lots of space • External drive to backup work • Consider a professional graphics card ($$$)

13. Audio Workstation • Same fast CPU, RAM, large monitor and big hard drive; also high-quality audio interface • Audio interface connects microphones and instruments • Really a high-end sound card with inputs • Add (expensive) high-quality speakers • Control surfaces – specialized input devices

14. Video Workstation • Combines graphics and audio workstations • Can use two monitors to track input and output • Powerful CPU, lots of RAM and big hard drive(s) • Professional level graphics card • Similar audio interfaces and control surfaces • Might even have custom keyboard set to video editing software

15. Home Server • As more devices move into the home, need centralized storage space • Microsoft’s idea; Mac uses the cloud • Media streaming, file sharing and print sharing • Fast network connection and lots of storage (fault tolerant) • Can use Win 7 or OS X

16. More Home Server • Network speed (gigabit ethernet – wired) • Large hard drive to hold media – at RAID 1 • RAM important to active server • Network Attached Storage (NAS) for multiple drives for multiple access

17. Home Theater PC • Monitor, television or projector • HDMI connector on video card • HDMI to stereo receiver to television • DVI and DisplayPort support 1080p HDTV • Surround sound speakers • S/PDIF to receiver • Stereo receiver • Home theater PC • HTPC case to look like other components • Network connectivity (cable box or ethernet)

18. Software for Playback • Windows Media Center, XBMC or Plex • “Skins” for XBMC • Plex is not flashy, but free!

19. Gaming PC • Most games have pretty low system requirements (on the box); ported from game stations • Same components, just taken to next level • Future-proofing – keeping PC relevant for a few years

20. Internals • Mike thinks quad-core Intel best way to go; next step: AMD – either at 3GHz or better • First place you want to splurge a little • 4-Gig RAM is ok; only enough hard drive to store game; single monitor • Graphics card is the other big-bucks item • Tomshardware.com for reviews • Sound cards: 5.1-7.1 • Make sure system stays cool – case fans

21. Externals • Speakers or headphones • Monitor with 1920x1080 at 24 inches • Fancy keyboard and mouse • Mike likes plain black case with no windows or lights

22. Big Dollars • 6- or 8-core CPU; no game needs it, but future-proof • NVIDIA and Scalable Link Interface; AMD and CrossFire; link up to four cards… • Motherboard has to handle all this, and case and power supply • 16 GB RAM, Blu-ray Disc, 7.1 sound card and Gigabit networking

23. Externals • Two or three monitors • How about 3-D monitor (and glasses) • Home theater speakers • Gamepad • Good chair for long hours

24. Picking Parts • Make sure socket on motherboard and CPU are the same size – can get embarrassing • Make sure video card will fit – pretty easy with x16 slot(s) • Make sure you get the right memory for the motherboard