I feel like this is a safe place to admit that I am way into the Dewey Decimal Classification system. In fact, I get so into it that I have to mentally wave a hand in front of my face in order to move on to other things. The Dewey Blog is a great place for me to get lost in, and when the blog touches on personality theory, I pretty much have to hang the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door.
First determine:
(1) What type of PC it will be(gaming, casual use, graphic design, video-editing, server etc)
(2) The quality of components(/PC) you want or need which relates to...
(3) Your budget
You'll need*:
o Motherboard (must be same as CPU)
o CPU/Processor
o Video/Graphics Card(unnecessary for casual use)
o Memory/RAM
o Storage Drive
o Optical Drive
o Display
o Fans(ones included in the case may be sufficient)
o Case/Tower
o PSU
o Mouse & Keyboard
o Operating System
o Sound System
o Internet (for updating drivers)
Choosing your components After the type of PC is decided, what quality of parts you need and what budget you are working with, you can begin to choose the parts.
Parts:
Motherboard
If you go with an Intel motherboard you'll need an Intel processor, likewise for AMD; the main thing to check for when choosing specific CPUs and mobos is socket type compatibility(a list can be found on respective company websites). Common motherboards come in sizes of Mini ATX, Micro ATX, and standard ATX; the larger a board is the more features you can work with, although many features can be found on all three sizes. Also important is the supported memory type to house compatible RAM sticks.
CPU/Processor
A wide range of CPUs are sufficient for casual use and a medium-low quality one will generally suffice, however for video/photo editing, and especially gaming, you'll need higher quality processors. High-end gaming demands technology such as quad-core processors and higher processing speeds(some hobbyists employ a method called overclocking to increase operating speeds).
Video/Graphics Card
Unlike the motherboard and processor, it doesn't matter whether your video card is Intel or AMD. Almost all commercial computers' motherboards come fit with integrated(internal) graphics. If you plan to only use your computer casually(web browsing, chatting, media, office work etc), most likely you don't need a separate graphics card. If you're going to be gaming, designing, or editing you'll need a certain quality of graphics card to handle what you will be working with. It's best to choose based on performance tests done by others, or by testimonials of people who are able to run certain programs/games with theirs. This will largely determine the output resolution(1920x1080, 1024x768 etc) your computer can handle, and other graphical settings. Check whether your card has DVI-I, VGA, and/or HDMI ports, and what your monitor or TV will use.
Memory/RAM
Memory is relatively cheap so there would be nothing wrong with going for 4GB(2x2GB sticks) of RAM for any planned usage. Though like with other components, you will need higher quality for high-end usage—4GB and up. Memory comes in laptop and desktop sizes, and different types & speed, make sure you are getting the right one for your motherboard(compatibility information available on respective websites).
Storage Drive
Older motherboards and HDDs support IDE connections while most modern ones use SATA connections. For casual use, an internal 500GB may more or less be sufficient depending on your media entertainment habits(), 250GB might do fine. However, with the implementation of HD quality in movies & television, large sizes of games & lossless media, a larger HDD(or multiple HDDs) will serve as future proofed storage. You might also want to consider an SSD(for gaming) or an External USB HDD for extra storage or portability. Desktop HDDs are 3.5".
Optical Drive
Newer optical drives also come with SATA interface connections. The main thing here is to determine whether you will be using CD, DVD, and/or Blu-ray and whether you require a burner, re-writable or just need a disc reader.
Display
As technology moves into the future, more and more people are using higher resolutions on their monitors. Currently the most common resolutions are 1024x768 and above[1], notably 1920x1080 for full 1080p HD. Casual use will do fine with 1024x768, however you may want to opt with the latest HD technology, in that case a 720p or 1080p display resolutionis what you want. As for size, 19"-26" is a good range, gamers may or may not want larger screens, photo and video editors will want the larger resolutions and sizes however. You have the option to choose between CRT( older & virtually obsolete), LCD, LCD-LED monitors(/TVs) & Plasma TVs. LED mainly denote a different lighting system than standard LCD, giving a different picture and consumes less power. Monitors are optimized for computers, unlike TVs, though if you decide to use a TV you can. Alternatively you can get a monitor and use it for console gaming and watching digital television(requires HDCP, and a tuner for cable television). Check the input of your monitor and output of your computer to make sure they are compatible.
Fans
Cases may come with or without a fan, either way you may want to upgrade or add.
Case/Tower
There are a wide variety of cases you can choose, from stripped down basic cases to creative enthusiast cases. The important thing here is to consider what size you need to house your components and especially your motherboard, otherwise this is a very personal choice in terms of case appearance and shape.
PSU
With all that technology you'll need a power supply unit with enough wattage to handle your needs. For the most part you can use this calculator: click me.
To save money on power consumption costs, go for an 80 Plus certified PSU.
Mouse/Keyboard
Chances are you have an extra keyboard or mouse laying around somewhere, if not, either way make sure the connection interfaces are compatible with the motherboard(USB or PS/2). Higher-end keyboards and mice offer better ergonomic handling.
OS
Most likely you will be installing Windows, OS X or a *nix operating system, however it's mostly personal choice. Legally, you would most likely have to purchase a new copy of licensed OSs. Once your PC build is put together you would install the OS and update drivers, the most hassle-free method is to use a bootable disc of your OS and internet for the drivers.
Sound System
As for the sound system it is mostly personal choice. You can go with any variation of speakers or headphones. Check your motherboard for S/PDIF connectivity if you want to use speakers for high definition audio.
Internet
To get the most out of your PC you will want internet, but it is up to you. Virtually all motherboards will allow ethernet connectivity, however you can also go for internal WiFi adapter or a USB dongle. Gaming is best with a wired connection.
* Of course you don't need everything listed, namely: mouse or keyboard, optical drive, hard drive, and graphics card.
If you're considering building your own rig, I recommend reading more detailed guides than this one, I don't consider myself an expert and it's possible I'm off on a couple things. Also you want to watch a video to learn how to install the components onto the motherboard and into the case.
First determine:
(1) What type of PC it will be(gaming, casual use, graphic design, video-editing, server etc)
(2) The quality of components(/PC) you want or need which relates to...
(3) Your budget
You'll need*:
o Motherboard (must be same as CPU)
o CPU/Processor
o Video/Graphics Card(unnecessary for casual use)
o Memory/RAM
o Storage Drive
o Optical Drive
o Display
o Fans(ones included in the case may be sufficient)
o Case/Tower
o PSU
o Mouse & Keyboard
o Operating System
o Sound System
o Internet (for updating drivers)
Choosing your components After the type of PC is decided, what quality of parts you need and what budget you are working with, you can begin to choose the parts.
Parts:
Motherboard
If you go with an Intel motherboard you'll need an Intel processor, likewise for AMD; the main thing to check for when choosing specific CPUs and mobos is socket type compatibility(a list can be found on respective company websites). Common motherboards come in sizes of Mini ATX, Micro ATX, and standard ATX; the larger a board is the more features you can work with, although many features can be found on all three sizes. Also important is the supported memory type to house compatible RAM sticks.
CPU/Processor
A wide range of CPUs are sufficient for casual use and a medium-low quality one will generally suffice, however for video/photo editing, and especially gaming, you'll need higher quality processors. High-end gaming demands technology such as quad-core processors and higher processing speeds(some hobbyists employ a method called overclocking to increase operating speeds).
Video/Graphics Card
Unlike the motherboard and processor, it doesn't matter whether your video card is Intel or AMD. Almost all commercial computers' motherboards come fit with integrated(internal) graphics. If you plan to only use your computer casually(web browsing, chatting, media, office work etc), most likely you don't need a separate graphics card. If you're going to be gaming, designing, or editing you'll need a certain quality of graphics card to handle what you will be working with. It's best to choose based on performance tests done by others, or by testimonials of people who are able to run certain programs/games with theirs. This will largely determine the output resolution(1920x1080, 1024x768 etc) your computer can handle, and other graphical settings. Check whether your card has DVI-I, VGA, and/or HDMI ports, and what your monitor or TV will use.
Memory/RAM
Memory is relatively cheap so there would be nothing wrong with going for 4GB(2x2GB sticks) of RAM for any planned usage. Though like with other components, you will need higher quality for high-end usage—4GB and up. Memory comes in laptop and desktop sizes, and different types & speed, make sure you are getting the right one for your motherboard(compatibility information available on respective websites).
Storage Drive
Older motherboards and HDDs support IDE connections while most modern ones use SATA connections. For casual use, an internal 500GB may more or less be sufficient depending on your media entertainment habits(), 250GB might do fine. However, with the implementation of HD quality in movies & television, large sizes of games & lossless media, a larger HDD(or multiple HDDs) will serve as future proofed storage. You might also want to consider an SSD(for gaming) or an External USB HDD for extra storage or portability. Desktop HDDs are 3.5".
Optical Drive
Newer optical drives also come with SATA interface connections. The main thing here is to determine whether you will be using CD, DVD, and/or Blu-ray and whether you require a burner, re-writable or just need a disc reader.
Display
As technology moves into the future, more and more people are using higher resolutions on their monitors. Currently the most common resolutions are 1024x768 and above[1], notably 1920x1080 for full 1080p HD. Casual use will do fine with 1024x768, however you may want to opt with the latest HD technology, in that case a 720p or 1080p display resolutionis what you want. As for size, 19"-26" is a good range, gamers may or may not want larger screens, photo and video editors will want the larger resolutions and sizes however. You have the option to choose between CRT( older & virtually obsolete), LCD, LCD-LED monitors(/TVs) & Plasma TVs. LED mainly denote a different lighting system than standard LCD, giving a different picture and consumes less power. Monitors are optimized for computers, unlike TVs, though if you decide to use a TV you can. Alternatively you can get a monitor and use it for console gaming and watching digital television(requires HDCP, and a tuner for cable television). Check the input of your monitor and output of your computer to make sure they are compatible.
Fans
Cases may come with or without a fan, either way you may want to upgrade or add.
Case/Tower
There are a wide variety of cases you can choose, from stripped down basic cases to creative enthusiast cases. The important thing here is to consider what size you need to house your components and especially your motherboard, otherwise this is a very personal choice in terms of case appearance and shape.
PSU
With all that technology you'll need a power supply unit with enough wattage to handle your needs. For the most part you can use this calculator: click me.
To save money on power consumption costs, go for an 80 Plus certified PSU.
Mouse/Keyboard
Chances are you have an extra keyboard or mouse laying around somewhere, if not, either way make sure the connection interfaces are compatible with the motherboard(USB or PS/2). Higher-end keyboards and mice offer better ergonomic handling.
OS
Most likely you will be installing Windows, OS X or a *nix operating system, however it's mostly personal choice. Legally, you would most likely have to purchase a new copy of licensed OSs. Once your PC build is put together you would install the OS and update drivers, the most hassle-free method is to use a bootable disc of your OS and internet for the drivers.
Sound System
As for the sound system it is mostly personal choice. You can go with any variation of speakers or headphones. Check your motherboard for S/PDIF connectivity if you want to use speakers for high definition audio.
Internet
To get the most out of your PC you will want internet, but it is up to you. Virtually all motherboards will allow ethernet connectivity, however you can also go for internal WiFi adapter or a USB dongle. Gaming is best with a wired connection.
* Of course you don't need everything listed, namely: mouse or keyboard, optical drive, hard drive, and graphics card.
If you're considering building your own rig, I recommend reading more detailed guides than this one, I don't consider myself an expert and it's possible I'm off on a couple things. Also you want to watch a video to learn how to install the components onto the motherboard and into the case.
Did you have a bad experience or something? Boxed CPUs include thermal compound and a cooling fan+heatsink. If you're going with unboxed as in OEM or used(which most probably won't on first try), it'll be a learning experience, if you don't already know what you're doing.
I learned about PSU sufficiency and mobo/CPU compatibility the hard way.
Did you have a bad experience or something? Boxed CPUs include thermal compound and a cooling fan+heatsink. If you're going with unboxed as in OEM or used(which most probably won't on first try), it'll be a learning experience, if you don't already know what you're doing.
I learned about PSU sufficiency and mobo/CPU compatibility the hard way.
No, to be quite truthful I've never actually built a computer, though technically I've been in the process of building one for many months and will be in the process of building it for many more months. I just remember that some guides I've seen stress the importance of thermal compound, but I never knew it came with most CPUs.
No, to be quite truthful I've never actually built a computer, though technically I've been in the process of building one for many months and will be in the process of building it for many more months. I just remember that some guides I've seen stress the importance of thermal compound, but I never knew it came with most CPUs.
If nothing's stopping you but initiative don't hesitate. It turned out to be kind of cool and surprisingly easy.
Since you bring up caution, I realize I forgot to mention the risk of electrostatic discharge, which is apparently a pretty big deal, enough to FUBAR your main components.
I saw another thread about dreams and realized that I know a pretty good amount about them and I have made lucid dreaming a pretty serious hobby.
The first step toward achieving a lucid dream is to remember as much as possible about your dreams. The best way to do this is to start a dream journal. Keep it by your bed, ready to write, as the more you do once you wake up the less you will remember. At first you will probably only be able to write a few lines about the dream you had, but with practice you will be able to write pages. I grew so serious about journaling that when I woke up in the middle of the night during the dream I would grab my notebook and write it down.
Once you have been consistently writing down your dreams you may notice that they take place in odd situations or feature people and things that were once in your life but have since moved on. Write yourself notes. I had a dream where I saw an old red Mini Cooper that my dad had had a while back, so when I woke up I told myself to watch out for it the next time I dreamt. Other people suggest attempting to read clocks or text or focus on pictures, because these will swirl around and make you realize you are dreaming. I know some people who have done this and it has worked for them, but it's never worked for me.
Eventually, you should be able to enter a lucid state when you realize the absurdity of a dream (just like in Inception!). One of my friends was having a dream where she was talking to someone who was shirtless and wearing a backpack, and then put on a shirt that magically appeared under the backpack even though they had kept it on the entire time. For me, my first lucid dream was the result of several improbably circumstances.
To begin with, I was at church, which I don't attend anymore. Next I saw a girl I had known in high school who had moved several hours away. These things made me suspicious, and I asked her if I was in a dream, and she smiled and said, "Yes."
Once you achieve a lucid state it is easy to get too excited and lose it. This has happened to me a few times and some people I know as well. There are a few things you can do to remind yourself you are dreaming, such as waving your arms or spinning around. Just keep practicing, and be patient. It took me a few months before my first lucid dream, and I have had many since then.
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), 250GB might do fine. However, with the implementation of HD quality in movies & television, large sizes of games & lossless media, a larger HDD(or multiple HDDs) will serve as future proofed storage. You might also want to consider an SSD(for gaming) or an External USB HDD for extra storage or portability. Desktop HDDs are 3.5".
