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Equipment at Competitive Prices		 Tel: 01737 833254
 Fax: 01737 833915
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Lower Kingswood,
Surrey. KT20 6RD

 

Self Build or get us to Build To Order.
Let this step by step checklist help you select your components.

 

Before you start to select individual components you may find that one our barebone systems will be suitable as a basis for your project. Note carefully though, which additional components you will need. You can still use this checklist but just add the required additional items.
1

Motherboards
Select the motherboard to give you the facilities you want at a price that will suit. Note the socket reference number because that will determine the type and cost of the cpu, also the form factor (size ATX MATX etc) as that will determine the case you need. Virtually all motherboards now have excellent onboard audio. Some have onboard VGA but this will not usually be sufficient for fast gaming or intensive video playback. See also the Motherboard comparison table in this section. It is a big table so allow a few seconds for it to download.
 
2

CPUs & Coolers
CPU's will be marked as OEM or Retail. The difference is that the Retail versions will be boxed but more importantly will come with a CPU cooler. If you pick an OEM version remember to order a suitable cooler as well.

Select your CPU socket type to match that on the motherboard you have selected. Modern CPU's will automatically interact with motherboards to set speed settings. Motherboard jumpers are not usually used for these settings any more.
 
 
3

Computer Memory
Select the memory type you need with reference to the motherboard requirements. There is good advice about how much you need on the memory product pages.
 
4

Graphics Cards
There are a wide range of cards available to fit AGP, PCI or PCI Express slots. It is important to select the type which will fit your motherboard. If your motherboard has onboard graphics you will not need a graphics card unless you require more performance than the onboard card can provide. If this is the case then it may be better to select a motherboard without a graphics card.
 
5

  

PC Cases
 There are several case layouts you can choose from depending on where you plan to locate the computer and the size of the motherboard you plan to fit. Powerful systems require good cooling so avoid trying to build such a system into a very small case. It is also worth adding more hard drives for larger storage and data backup so make sure the case will provide this space so later upgrades are straightforward and additional drives will also be adequately cooled. Some cases are supplied with PSU's and some are not. Either way ensure that if you are building a power system you have an adequate power supply fitted.
 
6

Hard Drives
Most Hard Drives were IDE. Now SATA drives are popular and should be your first choice, given that your motherboard supports SATA drives. The small SATA cable is very easy to accommodate in a crowded case and does not interfere with cooling in the way a badly placed IDE ribbon cable can.

With storage more is usually better but you may need fast writing and reading for video applications so also check the cache sizes being offered.
 
7

Optical Drives
The choice you have here is CD/DVD Replay only, Combo, which is CD Read and Write plus DVD Read, and DVD Burner which will read and write CD's and DVD's. The later versions can cope with dual level CD'd so check the specifications to ensure you select a model with the capabilities you want. Colour is important if you want the drive to match the case. Some drives offer chamelon front panels. That is beige, black and silver are supplied and the correct front panel and tray front is clipped on. The retail packs normally include software and that can be very good value and will also get your CD burning up and away very quickly.
 
8

Floppy Drives
Floppy drives are less essential than they used to be but can be vital if you need to upgrade the motherboard bios at some time in the future. They are also quite useful for storing small files that are needed away from base. As they are very cheap there's not a lot to be saved by omitting one.
 
9

Media Card Reader
A built in reader is an optional extra but one most easily fitted as part of the original build. This neat reader will fit in a 3.5" slot the same as the Floppy Drive. It will let you put your camera, phone or pda flash cards straight into the computer. They will come up on Explorer as another disk drive and will be a very fast way of transferring your files. You also won't run your camera battery flat while the transfer is in progress. The built in reader, available in beige, silver or black will fit on a USB header on the motherboard. Check you selected motherboard has plenty of USB capability. The media card reader will also provide a front USB socket which can also be quite useful.
 
10

Software
The operating system is an essential part of the package. There are several systems to choose from depending on the use to which the computer will be put.

Also consider additional office software which will be needed for simple letter writing and accounts. Microsoft Works is very good value for the home user, and the Educational version of Microsoft Office is good value to users whose educational status entitles them to that package. www.microsoft.com will give full details of these packages.
 

 ESSENTIAL EXTRAS FOR A NEW SYSTEM
If not upgrading from an existing system you will also need  the following:
 
11

Keyboards & Mice
The primary devices for controlling the computer. Available corded or wireless, as a pair or separately, with PS2 or USB connections. A modern motherboard will work with all these types. Some have quick launch buttons for popular applications and some mute and volume controls for the audio system.
 
 
12

Monitors & TVs
Flat screen monitors are now the favourite choice for most users. They are space savers, use lower power than crt's and look elegant. Some have speakers, some have VESA mountings. That means they have a standard pattern of fixing holes on the back for wall mounting brackets. Be sure to know what the native resolution is though. Normally 15" models will be 1024 x 768 pixels whilst 17" and 19" will be 1280 x 1024 pixels. With flat screen displays small text will have rough edges if the computer does not operate the monitor at its native resolution. This means that a 17" monitor will show quite small text and this may not be easy to see for many users. The 19" system shows the same amount of data but over a wider area. Some monitors also have built in TV tuners so they double as a TV set, but TV cards can also provide that functionality with recording and time shift facilities included.
 
13

Loudspeaker Systems
With a modern computer sound monitoring is very important. Stereo and surround systems are available. 2.1 systems are excellent value and give excellent results with a stereo pair and a base amplifier unit.
 
14

Microphones & Headsets
An inexpensive microphone added to the system can open up the capability of cheap, worldwide internet telephony using Skype or MSN Messenger.
 

 

15

 

Printers
Many printers are available, some excel at photographic printing some are very economical to run. Check the specs' carefully and if you expect to do a lot of printing check the size of the black ink cartridge and the replacement cost. If you plan to do a lot of colour printing a separate cartridge for each colour will be most economical, however it is not an ideal world so inevitably compromises will be made in the final choice.
 

 

16

 

Scanners
A useful tool for getting hard copy images into the computer. Some also have illuminated holder for scanning slides and negatives.
 

 

17

 

TV Tuners
The latest digital TV tuners provide excellent quality, remote control operation, electronic program guides to select programs for recording and time delayed viewing facilities. With these the computer can double as a TV and VCR.
 

 

18

 

Self Build or Build to Order.
If you have decided on the specification and wish us to build and test it for you just click the add to basket icon below. We will check that the parts are compatible and get back to you if you have made a mistake. You should allow up to seven days for delivery of a custom built computer.

Build and Test  £40.00 ex vat, £46.96 inc VAT   

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