Buying Your Computer Components

Select the Best Parts for Your Computer Build:
Use CPU Benchmarks Data, Motherboard Reviews and More.

Buying your computer components to build a computer? How to pick the right parts? From expensive to cheap computer parts, each has benefits. E.G. review CPU benchmarks data; or use Antec computer case reviews to help you choose the best component for your needs.

You've decided on the type of computer you want, now you need to pick out your computer components.

I have outlined below five of the most common types of computers.

These are by no means set in stone. You can mix and match parts from the different builds.

I have also included comments on different modifications to each build. These will allow you to decrease the cost of a build, or increase, say the cpu's speed or computer memory amount.

Each build will have links to places where you can buy the components. Again, these are not set in stone either. I search the web to find the lowest prices I can on the different components, but I may miss a good deal here or there. If you find a good deal on the web, (or one that's better than listed here) let me know and I'll get it added in.

Note that none of these builds include an operating system. If you do not already have one, these are the cheapest prices I could find:

• Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade - $69.95
• Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade - $79.99
• Windows 7 Home Premium Edition - $110.00
• Windows 8 Professional - $139.95

You can even still find Windows XP at some retail outlets. However, whichever version you buy make sure you shop around for the best price (I haven't listed the online stores that I looked at because the prices change too rapidly to keep up).

Want to run Crysis full bore? Need every ounce of speed for WoW or BF2142? This build is designed for people who are into a lot of 'heavy duty' computer gaming. This build will also work for someone who does heavy video rendering and editing or computer animation.

High End Gaming Computer Build

If you do some gaming, and still want nice graphics, but don't need the cutting edge, this build is for you. This build will also work for video and image editing.

Mid Level Gaming Build

Looking to do some gaming but don't want to pay top dollar to do so? This build will play todays games at medium settings. To get the most out of games on this machine, you will want to do some overclocking, but even without, you'll be able to play just fine.

$500 Gaming Computer

If you have a small business or home office, with the need to run multiple office application for financial use, word processing, or editing graphics for your business, this build is for you.

Office Computer Build

I have had quite a few people ask me for the cheapest build I can do, while still using quality computer components and cheap computer parts. This is that build. I have tried to keep the price as low as possible. This build is great for word processing, email, and web surfing. It would also work well for your child's first computer.

Cheap Computer Build

Once you've identifed your needs (high end, mid level, cheap, or one of the other builds), you need to make a checklist of the computer components you need to buy. Then assess what each of those computer parts has to offer.

For example, I always start with my CPU; and to do that I like to review CPU benchmarks data. Once I've selected the CPU, I select the motherboard, and on from there. For the periperals and the non-operating parts (like cases or towers), I check reviews. For example, the Antec computer case got good reviews for a solid product, with good silence, good design and good price. Use review and benchmark data as much as possible to select the best computer components for your build.

 

If you are going through the step by step process to build your own computer, continue on to Step Three - Computer Tools

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