Confused guy building a PC
After reading all of the "101" topics, here, I am still very confused on what is necessary to build a valuable PC. I'm not saying that they are terribly written, but all the terms like "SATA" and "FSB" still confuse me. I still have absolutely no clue as to what features a good Motherboard includes.
I'm looking to build a computer for school (word processing), music (lots of MP3's), and some good gaming. I would like to be able to run a game like Oblivion with great if not maximum graphical output. I don't think I need a fancy network card since I'm won't be playing games like World of Warcraft, but I will be using the internet often.
Right now, I know that this is what I need:
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
2 GB of RAM
256 MB ATI Graphics card (PCI express?)
Windows XP (do I upgrade to Vista in January?)
LCD Moniter w/ DVI (at least 1280 x 1024 Resolution?)
60 GB or more Hard Drive
10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN?
At least 4 USB 2.0 Ports?
Audigy Sound Card?
I have about $1000 for the CPU itself. I already have a Monitor and other equipment.
I know there are many other threads like this one, but I wasn't sure if I should just copy their builds because they may not be using equipment that I need, or be paying for equipment that won't be of any advantage to me.
Thankyou to any who help.
After reading all of the "101" topics, here, I am still very confused on what is necessary to build a valuable PC. I'm not saying that they are terribly written, but all the terms like "SATA" and "FSB" still confuse me. I still have absolutely no clue as to what features a good Motherboard includes.
I'm looking to build a computer for school (word processing), music (lots of MP3's), and some good gaming. I would like to be able to run a game like Oblivion with great if not maximum graphical output. I don't think I need a fancy network card since I'm won't be playing games like World of Warcraft, but I will be using the internet often.
Right now, I know that this is what I need:
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
2 GB of RAM
256 MB ATI Graphics card (PCI express?)
Windows XP (do I upgrade to Vista in January?)
LCD Moniter w/ DVI (at least 1280 x 1024 Resolution?)
60 GB or more Hard Drive
10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN?
At least 4 USB 2.0 Ports?
Audigy Sound Card?
I have about $1000 for the CPU itself. I already have a Monitor and other equipment.
I know there are many other threads like this one, but I wasn't sure if I should just copy their builds because they may not be using equipment that I need, or be paying for equipment that won't be of any advantage to me.
Thankyou to any who help.
Last edited:
