-=PCTechTalk=- Re: custom built computer
- From: Gman <gman.pctt@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:12:38 -0400
Cristy,
Your confusion is understandable. I sometimes think the CPU makers do
it intentionally to keep us on our toes. lol
You only listed a couple of each company's available chips, so I'll
quickly explain those and ignore the rest for now. Each of these CPU models
is available at various clock speeds and not all are created equally as far
as headroom (important to overclockers). You also included some terms that
don't apply to the CPU's at all. Intead, they refer to the memory used on
specific motherboards. I'll touch on those after the quick CPU comparison.
Intel offerings:
Core 2 Duo
-Relatively new dual-core architecture CPU
Quad Core (also called Core 2 Quad)
-4 core CPU based on Core 2 Duo specs
Core i7
-Intel's newest architecture CPU (i.e. expensive)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_cpus
AMD offerings:
Athlon X2
-dual core
Phenom II X4
-AMD's newest quad-core
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AMD_microprocessors
Memory Terminology:
DDR
-Double Data Rate RAM. This rates at twice the speed of standard SDRAM.
DDR2
-Doubles the clock frequency used with DDR memory
DDR3
-Quadruples the clock frequency used with DDR memory.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR_SDRAM
CPU sockets
(the place on the motherboard that holds the CPU)
AM3
-This is the newest socket used by certain AMD CPUs. Whether you're
building a custom system or just replacing the core parts (motherboard, CPU
& RAM) of an existing system, you MUST match the motherboard socket to the
CPU you select.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CPU_sockets
While I have tried to supply links to help you learn more about these
terms and concepts, little of the info they contain will be of much use to
you in selecting individual components for your new build. If you plan to
get into planning new builds as a serious hobby or business, I'll strongly
suggest that you learn all you can about these things. Otherwise, you will
be filling your head with a lot of stuff you'll rarely ever use.
The 'wizard' provided at any system building site should automatically
remove options that are not compatable with the selections you've already
made. In other words, if you choose a motherboard designed around the Intel
CPU specs, it should automatically remove any AMD chips from the CPU
selector since they will never work with that motherboard. The motherboard
selection also determines the types of RAM it will support, what type(s) of
storage drives can be attached, whether you'll have enough USB ports for
your needs, etc..
Peace,
Gman
http://www.bornagainamerican.org
"The only dumb questions are the ones we fail to ask"
----- Original Message -----
From: "cristy" <poppy0206@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2009 10:39 AM
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: custom built computer
> help..I need some help configuring my new computer that I want to
> purchase.
> I am looking at the IBUYPower site. But there is so much to configure ..
>
> I want a (not too heavy weight wise), (not too loud) gaming type system
> that
> will stay "cooled nicely" have a decent power supply and decent memory and
> large hard drive. I would like to be able to create dvds and CDs on it,
> floopy drive, Any help would be appreciated. Looking to keep cost
> moderate.
>
> In just looking at the start of the configuration, I am not really sure
> what
> the exact diff is between the first options, IntelCore 2 Duo, Quad Core,
> Core 2 Duo DDR3, Core i7 OR AMD Athlon X2 DDR2-800, AMD Phenom II X4,
> Phenom II AM3 DDR3. Ok, the Intel versus AMD is for processor right? I
> have always gone with Intel in the past. I am assuming as each gets more
> expensive, the power is greater? I was looking possibly at the one of the
> Intel ones.
>
> thanks,
> christy
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