Past, Present, Future

Justin_101 · January 30, 2013

I've never taken a class on Computer Hardware. Only a few Software clases. Everything I've learned has been from Forums & Youtube Vids.

My first build, I had my younger brother help, since he took hardware in High School (Vocational). I researched maybe a few weeks before building my 1st computer. (March 2010)

- AeroCool AeroEngine Plus Black Mid Tower ATX Case

- ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AMD 7850G Socket AM3 MB

- Silverstone Strider ST50F ATX 500W PSU

- Seagate 500GB Serial ATA HD 7200/16MB/SATA-3G

- AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition AM3 CPU

- Logitech MK300 Desktop (Mouse & Keyboard)

- Corsair XMS3 4GB PC10666 DDR3 Dual Channel 1333MHz

After we built it, I soon learned it's Onboard Graphics was not good. (Even thought I knew a little about hardware, when it came to Video Cards, I knew nothing. Hints...) My replacement for it was:)

- Biostar Radeon HD 4670 512MB DDR3 PCIe, HDMI

Yeah... It allowed me to play games, but...

So that's my computer. I still have it now. I only made 2 changes:

- Added a 2nd hard drive, 240Gb

- and one of the Memory Sticks died. So I got 2 more of the same, giving me 6Gb RAM.

It's been nearly 3 years now. I've spent a lot of my time researching and learning aout computer Hardware. A lot of my research was through "LinusTechTips" on Youtube. Sometime during my research I decided to start taking notes for my next build. This is what I have so far:

Monitor

- Glossy (glare) vs matte

- Difference of 20 fps from 720p > 1080p

- Screen tearing low tv refresh-rate

Latency

- Wired > Wireless

Keyboard

- Mechanical : Every key on the Razer BlackWidow has its own independent mechanical key switch mechanism, delivering crisp response and tactile feedback for a completely different feel with each key stroke.

- Blue- Clicky, strong feeling, fast typist, 50g

- Brown- Strong feeling, quiet, 45g

- White- Quiet, 55g

- *Black- Smooth, quiet, more force, 60g

- *Red- less force, quiet, 45g

(* Easier switch from membrane KB)

Backlight- Keys light up under them

Mouse

- fps: G9x, G500's (Logictech) mechanical, naos 500

PSU

+600 = single gpu, +750 SLI gpu,

+31A = 560ti

+42A = 560ti SLI

+35A = 570

+40A = 580

+46A = 590 (+700w)

What pci-e for sound card?

Sound Card & Headphones

Xonar STX

Closed headphone

3.3mm

Does the card need pci-e?

Higher Signal-to-noise (dB) = better quallity

Case

ATX Case, Power Supply vent on bottom , Fan on top and near gpu's, Where are the PCI-E located? Cable Management, Positive airflow, How big is the Video Card?

Case Airflow

- http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooling-air-pressure-heatsink,3058-5.html

- http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooling-airflow-heatsink,3053-4.html

Power Supply

1000W 80+ Gold Power Supply, Modular, Power case fans w/ PSU, What Case Power cables will I need? SLI =+12V rail 34A or higher

Amp=Watts gpu load / 12

-Motherboard

24-pin & 8-pin 12V 600W+ PSU ,75W 6-pins x2

Memory

16GB (4x4GB) RAM DDR3 1600 MHz, >= CAS 8, >= 1.5V, Dual Channel, Heat-dispersing shield, Check approval for Motherboard, Cas Latency & Voltage?

1. Change DRAM Frequency

2. Bus Voltage (lower than recommended)

3. 4 Latency's (most important).

Higher frequency is good.

Lower latency is good. = faster communication.

Lower Voltage is good. = Less heat.

Motherboard

ATX, Where are the PCI-E located? 1600 MHz Dual Channel, (P,H,Z68. Does not matter), LGA1155

CPU

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-performance-comparison,3370.html

Aftermarket fan

Hard Drive

1TB Hard Drive 7200rpm

Other

Zip Ties, Thermal paste, microfiber cloth

So... These are just guidlines for myself for when I decide to build my 2nd computer. I'm happy with 720p. (Words are bigger and easier to read.) I am planning to switch to Intel and Nvidia for my next build too.

That's been my PC Building Experience.

Jusitn_101