Newb Getting into Custom Computers

S

supermohawk

New Member
Hello CF,

I have been thinking about building my own PC for the past couple years but, I now am finally "in it to win it" as it were. I have now spent at least 80 hours pouring over Internet spec articles and opinions on different hardware, builds, and the AMD vs Intel dilemma. But there are still questions unanswered.

Does brand congruency lead to better results?
e.g. Intel MOBO and Intel Processor

Do certain company's hardware play better together?
e.g Nvidia and Intel or Gigabyte and AMD

I do know that simple compatibility is not always the case. I'm talking harmonization, when everything clicks.

Sorry if im asking stupid questions I couldnt find the noobie tank :P
 
As far as I know if you stick to well know brands you'll be ok. It comes down to chance really and with well known brands you know someone before you will have tested that build before. Intel are best for processors atm, gigabyte/asus for MB and as for GPU I think AMD are slightly ahead for cost/performance. Important you go for a well know PSU brand like corsair for example.

When performance is concerned I don't think it makes all that much difference compared to the actual specifications of the parts.
 
Many people will tell you:

1) Brands for CPUs (Intel vs. AMD) really suits your budget, and needs. Intel can be powerful but comes at a much higher cost. AMD CPUs are proven to be sufficient for normal gaming needs (I've experienced both Intel and AMD)
2) Brands for GPUs can vary in terms of which OEM can offer you better features/softwares or additional support and stuff like that. I've used MSI Radeon 6950, EVGA GTX 670, Powercolor Radeon 5770, they all worked great, but some outpaces one another (aside from the obvious performance difference)
3) Different motherboards support different features. If you need to use more than 1 GPU for Radeon series, there are MOBOs for that, vice versa with Nvidia Cards. It also has different configurations depending on how many slots you need, etc.......
 
AMD vs Intel is an age old debate that rages on this forum almost daily. Overall Intel has better performance and more higher end processors. If you've got the money they're great. If your on a smaller budget an AMD choice is a much better option. They're still great processors and for gaming they are all you're going to need.

You can use Intel CPU with an AMD card and an AMD card with AMD CPU. However some motherboards will only support SLI or CrossFire. (Using two cards of the same type at once).

Many different manufacturers make nVidia and AMD cards. A few companies would be EVGA, Gigabyte, ASUS, Sapphire, Powercolor, MSI, etc. Same goes for motherboards. Intel and AMD CPUs are made by only those two companies.

Also obviously you need an Intel CPU with the corresponding Intel Socket Motherboard. Same for AMD.
 
I have built many computers over the last 8 years, 99% of them being desktops, so I cant speak much for laptops.

1. AMD and Intel both make good products, I have used many different models from each although I went almost AMD exclusive a couple years ago. AMD has price/performance market nailed down. Intel cant touch them there. If you were to break out a program that had pure optimization for up to 8 cores, AMD would murder Intel. Intel doesn't even make 8 core processors yet. Their 6-core is about $560 with AMD FX-8350 being $189. Intel has speed where it counts for programs that are only dual and quad core threaded but AMD was a little ahead of its time to start with 8 cores.

2. I have used Intel CPU and ATI(before AMD bought them) GPU, AMD CPU and Nvidia GPU, etc, and have never had issues. It ultimately comes down to driver support.

As for building your own PC, it isnt really that hard once you get the steps down. I built my first PC by reading a magazine about it. :D It took three hours from unboxing all the parts till I pushed the power button but I was pretty damn impressed that I did it without blowing anything up. As far as knowing a lot about the many different models and specs of GPUs, CPUs, etc, it take many hours of looking at reviews and benchmarks which I dont do a lot of anymore, unless Im working on mine or a clients PC.
 
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