How can i tell what computer parts are compatible?

Robert G: How can i tell what computer parts are compatible?
I am trying to build my own computer, and im not computer dumb at all. I know how the parts go togeather and all that jaz, and to ground my self so i dont static shock the boards and stuff… but i dont know how to tell whats compatible. I took two years of computer programing witch you may say “what does that have to do with computer hardware” well my teacher made us ready for our A+ certification. Eather way its i just want to know how to make sure i have compatible parts.
Furthermore, to help you out, i am trying to build a gaming system, with atleast 2 gig ram, a nice but not over price graphics card. So any suggestions on what might be good to get?
Also my price limite would be between 1300-1500 dollars

Answers and Views:

Answer by zzzz
Computer hardware compatibililty is not a difficult issue.
First of all, you need to choose a motherboard which will provide you with the necessary functions that you need. After that, look at the features of the motherboard. Certain motherboard can only support a certain type of ram. For example, older motherboard will not be able to support ddr2, so no point getting those. And also if the motherboard can support up to ddr2700, no pt getting those faster than the specific speed as it will only run at the maximun specified speed.
Next is the graphics card. Currently there are two types namely PCI express and AGP. PCI express is the newer technology and is more expensive than AGP. Older motherboard runs on AGP and therefore you need to see the type of graphics card that your motherboard supports. No way can a PCI express card be slotted into a AGP slot.
Sound card is pretty easy as most if not all sound cards run on PCI slot. Do note that PCI express and PCI slots are not the same.
As for harddisk, there are two types and they are SATA and IDE. Most modern motherboard will come with both SATA and IDE and bother uses different connectors. Older motherboards will only have IDE. Besides that, there are two versions of SATA – SATA 1 and SATA 2(DIfference between the two is just the speed).
As for the dvd/cd roms, it is fairly easy to get as mostly still run on IDE cable. Floppy disc is also quite easy as there has not been any new development on the floopy disc.

Answer by InspectorBudget
Your question is very broad, as it covers many areas.

One area of compatibility is the type of interface boards – AGP, PCI, PCI-E, etc.

Then there are types of storage devices: SATA, PATA, IDE, EIDE.

And, there are different connection interfaces – parallel, serial, 1394, USB, Firewire, etc.

And even memory types are complicated: ECC. non-ecc, sdram, dimm, simm , buffered, etc.

I suggest you take these areas one at a time, and learn them slowly. Sorry I can’t suggest anything easier.

Answer by tapoxi
Start with choosing a motherboard. From there, choose a CPU that’s compatible with the socket on the motherboard, a case that fits it, RAM that isn’t too fast or too slow, hard drive/DVD drive at the correct transfer speed, and a power supply powerful enough to feed the whole system.

I just built my first computer last year, and I had the same fear that nothing would work properly. But it did, and I’m using it now.

Answer by Joseph
Well your first step would be to decide on what kind of motherboard you want, that will then tell you what kind of RAM, and CPU you’ll need, When you buy the motherboard it will tell you what type of RAM you need such as DIMM, SDRAM, or DDR RAM. The Video card well it can be basically any kind you want as long as it’s fits in a PCI slot. And also if you want a fast hard drive get a motherboard with the cable plug in’s for like a Sata Harddrive etc. Anything else I can help you with?

Answer by Chickster
Previous posters have given some very good advice, I would just like to add some websites to help you with the edification process of building a computer that meets YOUR needs. Plus one little tip from me. Whatever kind of motherboard you choose will be the ‘building block’ of your computer. I would advise this choice based upon what you can do to upgrade your system in the future. Say for now that finances dictate a large, fast SINGLE cpu,(i.e. P4-3.6GHZ, 1066MHz FSB), try to choose a ‘mobo’ that will accept a single cpu, or dual. Look at the Ram capability, how much MAXIMUM ram, how many slots, what kind,DDR?, DDR2?
Websites:
Hardwaresecrets.com
Extremetech.com
Sysopt.com
Motherboards.org
Tomshardware.com
Newegg.com
Geeks.com
Zipzoomfly.com
Tigerdirect.com
Hey, you go programmer! (Write us gamers somethin’ kick A!)

Answer by gil.baca
Visit a puter store or call tigerdirect or newegg customer service and ask them to help you put one together. Phone a friend or ask the audience.

Usually you pick out the motherboard and then find the parts that are compatible with the mobo. Processor, RAM, graphics card, power supply ranges will show up in the motherboard Specs or Specifications tabs at the above vendors website for the motherboard.

Do a little research, not that tough really. Look at some of the barebones kits that are there too, those will give you a good idea of some compatible components.

Either Intel or AMD mobo/processor combos and go from there.