[prophetik music]

current revision: pdf file.

first off, i build computers. if this doesn't make sense, just pm me and i'll tell you what works and what doesn't. i check often.

feel free to contribute, i'll link to your posts so people who know more than me about, say, macs or logic or something can contribute as well. i’m planning on including both articles and definitions for as many of these topics as possible. i would prefer this to be hardware only currently, not software. i’ll include some info on drivers, but as a whole this should be mainly hardware-related.

HOW TO COMPUTER
a collection of links, info, articles, and faqs to prevent my pm box from being flooded every time
someone realizes they don't know what a computer does besides torch their power bill

hardware
1. the computer as a whole

2. the cpu
-2.1. what is it?
-2.2. terminology
--2.2.1. clock speed or processor speed
--2.2.2. FSB, or front side bus
--2.2.3. cache
--2.2.4. socket
--2.2.5. single, dual, triple, quad, and six-core processors
--2.2.6. ht, sse, virt tech, manufacturing process, and other weird things you should probably ignore
--2.2.7. TDP, and why you can’t ignore it
--2.2.8. overclocking (DHSU) and why i’m not discussing it
-2.3. well-known developers
--2.3.1. intel and naming criterion
--2.3.2. amd and naming criterion
-2.4 main issues regarding cpus
--2.4.1. power consumption
--2.4.2. stock cooling vs. aftermarket cooling
--2.4.3. moore’s law

3. the motherboard
-3.1. what is it?
-3.2. terminology
--3.2.1. BIOS
--3.2.2. chipsets
--3.2.3. north bridge, south bridge, golden gate bridge, bridge over troubled waters...
--3.2.4. memory and associated issues
--3.2.5. sockets, compatibility, etc.
--3.2.6. expansion slots
---3.2.6.1. long live agp
---3.2.6.2. pci
---3.2.6.3. pci express x1
---3.2.6.4. pci express x16
--3.2.7. storage ports
--3.2.8. rear panel ports
---3.2.8.1. usb
---3.2.8.2. vga, s-video, hdmi, and dvi
---3.2.8.3. ps/2
---3.2.8.4. ieee 1394, firewire
---3.2.8.5. lpt, com, serial, etc.
---3.2.8.6. optical and coaxial audio
---3.2.8.7. e-sata and why it's the best of everything for externalcir storage
--3.2.9. onboard pinned expansion ports
--3.2.10. form factors
---3.2.10.1. atx
---3.2.10.2. micro-atx
---3.2.10.3. extended atx
---3.2.10.4. mini-itx
---3.2.10.5. proprietary and other strange formats you might encounter
--3.2.11. power compatibility and associated ports
---3.2.11.1. 20-pin vs. 24-pin
---3.2.11.2. 4-pin and 8-pin cpu connectors
-3.3. major manufacturers
--3.3.1. intel-based desktop mobo manufacturers
--3.3.2. amd-based desktop mobo manufacturers
--3.3.3. server mobo manufacturers
--3.3.4. all-in-one mobo manufacturers (ITX and installation motherboards)
-3.4. server vs. desktop motherboards
--3.4.1. multiple-socket motherboards
--3.4.2. things to consider

4. the graphics card
-4.1. what is it?
-4.2. terminology
--4.2.1. graphics memory
---4.2.1.1. ddr, ddr2, gddr3, gddr4, gddr5
---4.2.1.2. memory interface/bus
---4.2.1.3. memory size, and why you should never buy less than 512mb for games/256mb for office use
--4.2.2. clocks
---4.2.2.1. memory clocks
---4.2.2.2. core clocks
---4.2.2.3. shader clocks
--4.2.3. GPUs
---4.2.3.1. nvidia-based chipsets and naming criterion
---4.2.3.2. ati-based chipsets and naming criterion
---4.2.3.3. matrox, via, intel, ageia, and legacy graphics chipsets and processors
---4.2.3.4. stream processors
---4.2.3.5. pixel pipelines
---4.2.3.6. CUDA, GPGPU, and all of that other stuff
--4.2.4. 3D api stuff
---4.2.4.1. open gl.
---4.2.4.2. directx info
--4.2.5. general graphics terms that pop up a lot
---4.2.6.1. gpu coolers
---4.2.6.2. dual-link dvi
---4.2.6.3. maximum resolution and why it matters
---4.2.6.4. sli/crossfire/3way sli/quadfire
---4.2.6.5. power requirements for modern cards
---4.2.6.6. ramdac - what is it?
---4.2.6.7. operating system information
---4.2.6.8. refresh rate
--4.2.7. hdcp and why it matters
-4.3. interfaces and how they relate to graphics cards
--4.3.1. agp
--4.3.2. pci
--4.3.3. pci express x1
--4.3.4. pci express x16
--4.3.5. pci express 2.0 x16
--4.3.6. usb (external) video cards
-4.4. OMG HOW DO I GET TEH MOST FPS IN COUNTERSTRIKE
--4.4.1. go away
-4.5. adapters, gender changers, and what you should expect with your new video card
-4.6. drivers, drivers, drivers.
--4.6.1. well-known third-party driver releases

5. the sound card
-5.1. what is it?
-5.2. terminology
--5.2.1. channels
--5.2.2. sample rate
--5.2.3. digital audio quality
--5.2.4. chipsets
--5.2.5. SNR (signal-to-noise ratio)
--5.2.6. ports
--5.2.7. interfaces
---5.2.7.1. pci/pci express (internal cards)
---5.2.7.2. usb/firewire (external cards)
-5.3. major manufacturers
--5.3.1. creative labs
--5.3.2. m-audio
--5.3.3. turtle beach/voyetra
--5.3.4. a few other different names you might see
-5.4. interfaces
--5.4.1. 1/8th inch plugs in rainbow colors (analog stereo)
--5.4.2. s/pdif
--5.4.3. recording interfaces (xlr, 1/4 inch, etc)
--5.4.4. proprietary
-5.5. issues surrounding sound cards
--5.5.1. are you sure you want a card?
--5.5.2. what to avoid

6. the power supply
-6.1. what is it?
-6.2. terminology
--6.2.1 types of power supplies (form factors)
---6.2.1.1. atx, atx 12v
---6.2.1.2. eps, eps 12v
---6.2.1.3. microatx
---6.2.1.4. crossover power supplies and odd varieties (btx, sfx, tfx, at, etc)
--6.2.2. watts
---6.2.2.1. why you (almost) NEVER need more than 600 watts
---6.2.2.2. why you NEVER need four digits of wattage, for great justice!
--6.2.3. pfc
--6.2.4. psu designs
---6.2.4.1. linear
---6.2.4.2. switching-mode
--6.2.5. plugs
---6.2.5.1. molex
---6.2.5.2. floppy
---6.2.5.3. mobo
----6.2.5.3.1. legacy mobo connectors
----6.2.5.3.2. 20-pin
----6.2.5.3.3. 24-pin
----6.2.5.3.4. 20+4 pin
---6.2.5.4. p4 (atx12v)
---6.2.5.5. sata power
---6.2.5.6. peg plugs (6 and 8 pin)
---6.2.5.7. others you might see
---6.2.5.8. THE power plug
---6.2.5.9. modular plugs and how they work
--6.2.6. efficiency
---6.2.6.1. 80 PLUS certified (and bronze and silver certification)
---6.2.6.2. being green and running your computer
--6.2.7. voltage ranges and compatibility with local power
--6.2.8. peak vs. load vs. general power wattage
--6.2.9. rails/power distribution
---6.2.9.1. 3.3v
---6.2.9.2. 5v and varieties thereof
---6.2.9.3. 12v and varieties thereof
---6.2.9.4. over-current protection and why it’s important to keep track of it
--6.2.10. voltage stability, noise, and ripple
--6.2.11. protection WITHIN the power supply
---6.2.11.1. over-(and under-)voltage protection
---6.2.11.2. short-circuit protection
---6.2.11.3. over-current protection
---6.2.11.4. over-power protection/overload protection
---6.2.11.5. over-temperature protection
--6.2.12. redundant power supplies
--6.2.13. input voltage, current, and frequencies
--6.2.14. hold-up time
--6.2.15. power good signal
--6.2.16. multiple graphics card certifications
---6.2.16.1. crossfire
---6.2.16.2. SLI
--6.2.16 MTBF (mean time before failure)
-6.3. major manufacturers
--6.3.1. rosewill and why you should probably buy it for a home office computer
--6.3.2. Silverstone
--6.3.3. seasonic
--6.3.4. zalman and why you should probably buy it for a gaming computer
--6.3.5. thermaltake
--6.3.6. antec
--6.3.7. ocz and why you probably don’t need it
--6.3.8. Athena power
--6.3.9. apevia
--6.3.10. i-star computer company limited
--6.3.11. pc power and cooling
-6.4. external protection – UPS, inverters, surge suppressors, etc.
--6.4.1. UPS
--6.4.2. power inverters
--6.4.3. surge suppressors
--6.4.4. other things worth looking for
-6.5. things to watch out for
--6.5.1. why cooling is important
--6.5.2. why 10% of your computer costs should be put into the psu
-6.6. i have no idea what i just read! compress and condense plz kthnx

7. the hard drive
-7.1. what is it?
-7.2. terminology
--7.2.1. capacity, gigabytes, and why you always should buy up
--7.2.2. interfaces
---7.2.2.1. IDE (ATA100 and ATA133)
---7.2.2.2. SATA (I/1.5gb/s and II3gb/s)
---7.2.2.3. SCSI
----7.2.2.3.1. ultra320 and ultra640 scsi
----7.2.2.3.2. serial attached SCSI
---7.2.2.4. external interfaces (usb 1/1.1/2, firewire 4/6 pin, e-SATA)
--7.2.3. RPM
--7.2.4. cache
--7.2.5. average seek, read, write, and latency
--7.2.6. form factors
--7.2.7. why almost all of those special features don’t matter a dime
---7.2.7.1. why intellipower DOES matter, and why you should avoid it
--7.2.8. platter-based drives vs. ssd (solid state drives)
-7.3. major manufacturers
--7.3.1. western digital and why you should buy their products
--7.3.2. seagate
--7.3.3. samsung
--7.3.4. soshiba
--7.3.5. fujitsu
-7.4. external forms
--7.4.1. internal connection vs. external connection
--7.4.2. internal power vs. external power
--7.4.3. fans – do they matter?
-7.5. things to watch out for
-7.6. RAID and what it’s for
-7.7. pros and cons for single drive vs. separate OS and storage drives

8. memory
-8.1. what is it?
-8.2. terminology
--8.2.1. types of ram
---8.2.1.1. ddr
---8.2.1.2. ddr2
---8.2.1.3. ddr3
---8.2.1.4. dimm
---8.2.1.5. sdram
---8.2.1.6. so-dimm
---8.2.1.7. fb-dimm
---8.2.1.8. flash-based memory
---8.2.1.9. rdram
---8.2.1.10. micro dimm
---8.2.1.11. system specific ram and why that matters
---8.2.1.12. 64-bit vs. 32-bit
--8.2.2. capacity
--8.2.3. speed
--8.2.4. timing
---8.2.4.1. RAS
---8.2.4.2. CAS
---8.2.4.3. tRAS
---8.2.4.4. tRCD
---8.2.4.5. tCL
---8.2.4.6. tRP
---8.2.4.7. tCL
---8.2.4.8. command rate
---8.2.4.9. latency
---8.2.4.10. 5-4-5-13-T1? what does that all mean?
--8.2.5. voltage
---8.2.5.1. compatibility with major cpu standards
--8.2.6. heat spreader
--8.2.7. why recommended usage is usually a crapshoot
--8.2.8. buffered/unbuffered
--8.2.9. registered/unregistered
--8.2.10. ecc? what’s that?
--8.2.11. single-, dual-, and triple-channel
---8.2.11.1 compatibility with major cpu/mobo standards
-8.3. major manufacturers
--8.3.1. g.skill and why you should probably just buy it if you’re a desktop
--8.3.2. kingston and why you should probably just buy it if you’re not a desktop
--8.3.3. ocz
--8.3.4. corsair
--8.3.5. mushkin
--8.3.6. patriot
-8.4. things you should watch for
--8.4.1. why leds on your memory are a stupid idea
-8.5. why you should NEVER have less than 1 gig of ram for xp/2 gigs of ram for vista and w7

9. the input devices – mice, keyboards, webcams, tablets, controllers, and kvm equipment
-9.1. what is it?
-9.2. forms of input devices
-9.3. terminology
-9.4. when wireless/bluetooth is generally a bad idea
-9.5. major manufacturers and what they make
-9.6. things to watch out for

10. the output devices – speakers/headphones, printers, and monitors
-10.1. what is it?
-10.2. forms of output devices
-10.3. terminology
-10.4. why wireless/Bluetooth is always a bad idea
-10.5. major manufacturers and what they make
-10.6. things to watch out for

11. the case (yes, THAT case)
-11.1. why is this here?
-11.2. form factors/sizing terminology
--11.2.1. atx full tower and why your beast needs to be in one of these
--11.2.2. atx desktop
--11.2.3. atx mid tower and why it’s generally the best
--11.2.4. atx mini tower
--11.2.5. microatx mid and mini towers
--11.2.6. microatx desktop
--11.2.7. mini-itx tower
--11.2.8. htpc cases
-11.3. why the material matters
--11.3.1. steel
--11.3.2. aluminum
--11.3.3. acryclic
--11.3.4. plastic
-11.4. terminology
--11.4.1. mobo compatibility
--11.4.2. internal drive bays
--11.4.3. external drive bays
--11.4.4. expansion slots
--11.4.5. front ports and what should be there
--11.4.6. dimensions and weight, and why they matter
--11.4.7. toolless installation
--11.4.8. wiring ducts
-11.5. cooling, and why you MUST think about it
-11.6. major manufacturers
--11.6.1. apevia
--11.6.2. lian-li and why they’re so stupid expensive
--11.6.3. raidmax
--11.6.4. cooler master
--11.6.5. rosewill
--11.6.6. silverstone
--11.6.7. supermicro
--11.6.8. Athena power
--11.6.9. sunbeam
-11.7. things to watch out for
--11.7.1. why you should never use the psu that comes in a case (unless you’re an office person)
--11.7.2. why you should never go smaller than a mid tower (unless it’s an htpc)
--11.7.3. power supply location
--11.7.4. issues with toolless installations and screwless drive mounting
--11.7.5. when having a window with a fan on the side is a really good idea
-11.8. what you SHOULD get with your case purchase

12. cooling
-12.1. why cooling is possibly the most important thing to think about
-12.2. air cooling
--12.2.1. why you need an aftermarket cpu cooler
--12.2.2. fans, sizes, and why you need at least two in the end
---12.2.2.1. 40mm
---12.2.2.2. 60mm
---12.2.2.3. 80/90mm
---12.2.2.4. 120mm
---12.2.2.5. 200/250mm
---12.2.2.6. 360mm
---12.2.2.7. bearings and the like
---12.2.2.8. 3pin vs. 4pin
---12.2.2.9. fan controllers
---12.2.2.10. why to not buy SilenX, or trust dba or rpm readings on most websites
--12.2.3. companies to trust
--12.2.4. heatsinks and when they’re really useful
-12.2. liquid cooling
--12.2.1. why you don’t need water cooling
--12.2.2. why you do need water cooling
--12.2.3. why buying a market-made kit is a really bad idea
--12.2.4. blocks, pumps, etc.
---12.2.4.1. cpu blocks
---12.2.4.2. gpu blocks
---12.2.4.3. ram blocks
---12.2.4.4. chipset blocks
---12.2.4.5. hard drive cooling
---12.2.4.6. pumps
---12.2.4.7. radiators/radboxes
----12.2.4.7.1. bong cooling and when it might be for you
---12.2.4.8. reservoirs
---12.2.4.9. tubing
----12.2.4.9.1. knuckles, turns, and why a bend in your tubing can kill your computer
---12.2.4.10. fluids, additives and why you should be really careful
----12.2.4.10.1. water vs. distilled water vs. deionized water
----12.2.4.10.2. bleach
----12.2.4.10.3. mixes and why they’re REALLY dangerous
----12.2.4.10.4. purchased fluids
----12.2.4.10.5. antibacterials, antimicrobials, antifungals, herbicides, biocides, genocides, bioshock…
--12.2.5. major manufacturers
-12.3. oil immersion
--12.3.1. why it’s possibly the coolest (as in awesome) thing available
--12.3.2. why it’s actually a really good idea to build a computer in a fishtank
--12.3.3. where to buy a custom-built oil immersion pc
-12.4. extreme cooling
--12.4.1. phase change cooling
--12.4.2. LN (subzero) cooling
--12.4.3. peltier/TEC (thermoelectric cooling)
-12.7. why you can’t just stick your computer in your refrigerator or something equally stupid

[prophetik music]

here are some featured snippets. i write interesting stuff, and my main attempt was to make this nub-friendly. and funny, once in a while.

Originally Posted by Firewire article

Firewire, originally a contender with USB for most useful (and whored) connector ever, lost that battle after USB spread like herpes in a nudist colony through the Windows-based PC market.

Originally Posted by Terminology article about watts

Power supplies are rated in the output that they are able to…output…in watts. If you don’t know what watts are, go run over your computer with your car. Or finish 11th grade.

Originally Posted by Power Inverter article

A power inverter basically is the electrical equivalent of a goat. It eats whatever the heck you throw at it and spits out exactly the same thing no matter what – whatever electricity you need. I know goats don’t spit electricity, but you know what I mean.

Originally Posted by Hard drive connections

Hard drives connect to your computer through telepathy. No, really. Computer telepathy. Just watch AI and you’ll know.

Originally Posted by Cooling article

Your computer will not run if it overheats constantly. Without cool air blowing over it, your CPU will simply error out. Your graphics card will display weird blotches. Your ram will asplode. Your interwebs will be clogged. Bill Gates will die of a heart attack.

Do it for the children.

i am double posting for a reason - i want space to answer questions, but the previous post is about four characters away from being too many.

so, this post is for questions and additions.

things to add:
-info on BIOSes to mobo section (including passwords and common back-door passwords)
-thermal paste to cooling section/cpu cooler section
-AHCI (gawd i know nothing about macs)
-mini-itx, which i apparently forgot about even though i bloody love it.


things i'm not adding:
-info on overclocking

worklog:
-section 2 done, first post updated to current status.
-section 3 done, first post updated to current status.
-section 4 done, first post updated.
-sections 5 and 6 done, first post updated.
-7-12 are done. this is the end of the first stage. now, editing starts.
-general grammatical fixing done. now onto content editing.
-most content edited. final proofing started.

[Halt]

Looks like its allll there. If its not, thats enough of a guide to get a good idea,

You may want to include something about Thermal Paste, I didnt seem to find anything about that? It seems like a common question Though.

[prophetik music]

good point, that'd fit under cooling. i need to include info on BIOSes, for motherboards as well.

[Halt]

You might also want to include a section on OverClocking, Cause i dont think thats there either, and needed component wise when OverClocking, and/or if your PC is able to as well.

Over all, Awesome Guide

[prophetik music]

eh, there's so much to be said about overclocking that i didn't want to get into it. i'll do an overclocking guide someday, but the decision to not include it was purposeful.

[Skummel Maske]

This seems to be a project of some size, are you going to do it alone? I'm really looking forward to reading your finished version.

[DJ SymBiotiX]

This seems like a VERY nice idea. Im very intrigued by a few things you have up there, I cant wait until its done.

[prophetik music]

Originally Posted by Skummel Maske

This seems to be a project of some size, are you going to do it alone? I'm really looking forward to reading your finished version.

probably. most people who 'know' me on these boards know i have a certain sense of humor - it'd be weird to have someone else do, for example, 2.4.2.1, or 4.4. i just couldn't see it =)

it's not as long as it looks, either. if i had to research, it'd take forever, but i plan on fully taking advantage of sites like hardware secrets and the like. and i know most of this off the top of my head, anyways.

[Blue123]

Oil immersion? I remember reading about that a while ago... it was something along the lines of fill a fish tank with mineral oil and put everything inside it. Bar the case, that is.

Anyway, as it stands, the layout looks great. However, on the issue of the BIOS, are you going to mention passwords? If so, it could be worth mentioning common back-door passwords as well.