Making a Computer

I'm looking to build my own pc, and I need to know a few things, since I'm not exactly a profesional. In fact I'm pretty new to starting from scratch.

I know the basic needs for a computer
CPU
Motherboard
Video Card
Sound Card
Power Supply
Etc.

Anyone willing to give me important advice for builing my own PC?

Also recomendations for new technology to make sure to include would be nice.
(IE: don't buy a Motherboard w/o PCI Express, or try for SATA cables.)

Thanks in advance.

1. Goto Ars Technica
2. Read their build guides
3. Use those as a template and order your parts online.
4. Wait 2~3 weeks for your parts
5. Goto a nice, static free place and assemble your PC
6. ???
7. BETTAR PR0N!

Or, if you're looking for some better advice, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! Really, read the installation instructions for the CPU before plugging it in. On my first build, I destroyed a 200$ CPU by missing a critical, non-obvious step in the instructions, thinking that I knew enough to do it without them.

Also, you might want to buy your monitor used or just locally. I bought a 21~ inch CRT for 15$ by visiting my uni's surplus sale.

I have a 19" that's great, don't need a monitor so far, but I'm having trouble deciding which motherboard
I'm looking for an AMD Athlon X2 because I want the dual core, and I can't afford the 64 FX dual core.
What's a good brand for motherboards?

Also I will be sure to read the build guides. My brother killed a $300 CPU too, and I'm looking to avoid that.

Thanks for the help.

Okay, got narrowed my Selection for CPU's down
AMD X2 4200+ 4400+ or 4800+, price will be the biggest factor, hopefully I'll get the 4400+, the 4800+ seems out of my range.

And for my motherboard: ABIT AN8 32X NVidia Socket

Now on to Power Supply info and Video Card hunting.

>>4
Antec makes fairly good power supplies. Cases too, if you still need one.

>>4
Whenever you have a choice between the A, B, or C models of a series of a single product; it usually works like this: C is for assholes or rich people, B is for people who believe they're settling, A is for smart people.

I'm trying to generalize here, but what I'm saying is that there's little difference between A, B, and C right now. What you're better off doing is buying A since it's a top of the line CPU, and then buying F in 2 years when it's a top-top of the line CPU for half the price.

>>5
Antec of Vantec? Also need to know a recomended power for the computer.
I plan to have 2 hard drives, 2 DVD/CD-roms, an ATI x1600 Pro graphics card etc. I know the type of each of these changes the amount needed. Probably 400 watt should do it right?

Buy a Pentium 133.. that's like, 133 GHz of speed... and man, that's A LOT. The people don't know what they're talking about.
I mean, sure, it'll go too fast for everything else on your computer to run it to it's maximum ability, but soon, you'll have everything you need and your computer will be a dream. And absolutely beatiful machine.

seasonic for nice efficient and quiet power supplies, a 6600 gt or wait for 7600 gs for a good frames/$ ratio

hmm, I got confused here, nVidia just makes the GPU's and not the boards?

>>10
yep

I have so far these -> Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe - AMD 3200+ - Antec TruePower 2.0(430 watts)

Need these -> 2x512MB PC3200 RAM sticks - Nvidia GeForce 6600 - Antec Case (one like my old PlusView1000AMG)

AM I DOING IT RITE?

>>12

i'll sell you the ram.

im scared............should i give you my email? or would i be spammed by 4CHANNERZ!

>>13
kthnx for the offer but i ran out of money ;_;
and never post your email addy anywhere on 4chan unless you want scat/fetish/gay/shemales/pedo/drugs/freeshitoffers/viruses mail

>>14
I posted mine on /b/, and I don't get much of anything.

Mind you, I don't think anyone belived that it was a real email address.

>>14 I made one and posted it on /b/, /. and k5

didn't get shit either; maybe you're just an asshole? ^_^

lolz, well anyone else want 2 512's or 2 gig sticks of ram?