Friday, April 8th - Computer Building

Steps to Build a Computer:

Key terms:

• Ghz - gigahertz (the higher the better)
• Cores - number of "brains" (dual = 2, quad = 4)
• GB - gigabytes (1,000 megabytes of storage)
• DDR4, DDR3 - types of Ram

1. Pick a CPU (the brain)
1. AMD (cheaper, hotter)
2. Intel (more expensive, more efficient)
2. Pick a Motherboard (the spine)
1. ASRock, Gigabyte - cheaper
2. ASUS - higher end/gaming
3. Pick a Hard Drive
1. HDD - hard disk drive (a spinning disk)
1. Western Digital
1. Black - higher end, more reliable
2. Blue - cheaper, used for storage
2. 7500rpm = fast
2. SSD - solid state drive (like a bunch of memory sticks)
1. Intel, Samsung, Crucial (check failure rates)
3. Hybrid - SSD + HDD combined
4. Optional - Video Card
5. Optional - Sound Card
6. Optional - Network Card
7. Power Supply
1. Use this link to figure it out:  http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator
2. Or enter your parts into https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/
3. Then select a power supply that has MORE watts than suggested!
8. Case
1. Mini-Tower (smaller sized case, could be hard to fit in cooling and video cards)
2. Mid Tower (average sized case)
3. Full Tower (lots of space for expansion)

Blog Assignment : 3 Computer Builds

Build 3 computers from either build site:

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/

http://www.canadacomputers.com/

Type 1 : High End

-build the most expensive computer you can find that will actually work

-include things like:

• liquid cooling
• fans and colors for your case
• fancy keyboards
• speakers and sound card
• dual graphics cards
• GO NUTS!

Take a screenshot of the shopping cart or parts list and post it on your blog entry.

Explain how you made the decision to pick each component.

Type 2 : Cheap End-build a computer for under $400 for your parents.

-remember that video, sound and network cards are built into most motherboards!

-no, your Mom does not need a fancy keyboard but they will need something to type and a mouse!

Take a screenshot of the shopping cart or parts list and post it on your blog entry.

Explain how you made the decision to pick each component.

Type 3 : Your ideal computer for under $1500

-build a computer that suits your own needs

-justify each part and explain why you picked it.  It should not be the same as the parts above!

Take a screenshot of the shopping cart or parts list and post it on your blog entry.

Explain how you made the decision to pick each component.

If you want to learn more about PC builds, please look at the Build Guide on PCpartpicker:

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/guide/#page=1&sort=a2