Resources

Type 'Computer Build' into Google search. Go ahead. Doing that today I came up with 451,000,000 results. Damn that's a lot of results. However, it led me to one site that looked promising and then another.

First up is: 

http://lifehacker.com/#!5151369/the-first+timers-guide-to-building-a-computer-from-scratch

This article spoke directly to me.It makes it clear that building will be no picnic, possibly more expensive than buying ready made, but damn worth the experience. It also led me to:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/guides/2010/09/the-ars-system-guide-september-2010-edition.ars

This guide hand picks all the components for three different computers, the Budget Box, the Hot Rod, and the God Box. It walks you through the whys of each selection, and comparable options you may choose to opt for instead. I considered building the Hot Rod verbatim, however, after plugging in the different components at:

http://www.newegg.com/

I read some reviews and wasn't all that thrilled with some of the products.

At this point I felt I was going to have to learn more, because sadly you can't just pick any parts you want and hope they'll work. Much like you can't put an HD DVD (not like they exist anymore) in a Blue Ray player, some components just aren't compatible with other components. Also, as familiar I may have been with components I was already using, turns out there are better options for what I want to do.

Meandering in Barns and Noble one day I came across:

Building a PC, 2nd Edition, by Stuart Yarnald

Now, I'll admit right off the bat, this book is dated, but, and it's a big but, it was still very useful. It helped lay out everything from figuring out what you want your computer to do, to making sure you understand how all the parts work together and fit together. It covers everything from the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and peripherals (i.e. printers and web cams) to piecing them together and trouble shooting. The book is very easily laid out (the chapters are color coded) and doesn't get too caught up in technical jargon, making it possible for a newb like me to follow along.


When it comes time to making purchases i'll be shopping at:

Best Buy, MPC Computers (also know as Milwaukee PC) and NewEgg.com

As much as I would prefer to buy in store, there is just not enough selection to do what I want to do. I've also been recommended to check out:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/

They offer some 'bare bones kits' to help a newb or pro get started with some saving by buying a bundle over buying each part separately. 

If you're on the west coast you may be lucky to have a Fry's Electronics nearby.

For my first time out I think these few resources have been a great start for me.