Hello all. I have never built a custom PC before, and I would like to. The problem is, I don't exactly know how to match up motherboards and processors etc correctly. Could someone please e-mail me a few websites that help with matching up hardware components, and/or give *good* guides on how to build a custom PC? I plan on using this computer primarily for gaming, downloading, and other internet-related tasks. Thanks.

Best thing to do is find the motherboard that supports all the things you want and supports the kind of cpu you want (which usually has varying ranges) and start from there. A motherboard book which comes with a board will tell you what will work on your board as far as cpu,ram,and whether you have onboard sound and video or how many slots you have for additions. What im trying to say is shop for the motherboard and go from there. Personal favorites for motherboards for me are asus and abit. You can check out any mainboard manufactors boards online.

Heres you a website,

http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/index.htm

Well it's veryyyy eassyy...the hardest part to me is getting all the correct parts together (compatibility). I'm not gonna really tell you how on here because I'm bad at explaining things but if you have AOL/AIM I can show/Tell you..sorry..

To try and make matching CPU/motherboard really simple:

Socket A motherboard for AMD
Socket 478 motherboard for Intel Pentium 4
Socket 370 motherboard for Intel Celeron

try using the configurator at micropro.com which will only allow you to select compatible items.

Assuming you are getting an amd xp or an intel p4 cpu, compatibility comes down to:

- getting a motherboard built for one or the other

- getting a heatsink/fan made for one or the other

- getting a motherboard that takes ddr-sdram memory, not lame standard sdram memory

- that's about it. Everthing should be compatible with either mobo.

Hi
Try these sites for some good reading and watch the bottom 2 links.

http://www.all-about-pc.de/english/buildpc/buildpc/buildpc1_intro.asp

http://www.buildorbuy.org/index.html

http://www.extremetech.com/category2/0

http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/step/1/

http://www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com/videos/13thvideo.asp

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/guides/build_computer/

http://www.corsairmicro.com/memory_basics/153707/index.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/

http://www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com/videos/index.asp

and if you get stuck:-

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/community/

Follow this link:-
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/9276/

It depends on your budget and what you will eventually want your PC for but you need to future proof it so if you want to upgrade to a faster processor later you wont need to buy a new mobo.

Best bang for your buck is AMD so a Socket A motherboard is needed with a suitable sized processor.

If everyone else is link dropping then I guess it's ok for me to as well.

Jimi_l's Computing.net members link

Email me and I will personally help you with any questions you may have. I will guarantee you great prices on brand name parts that are proven to work together and the best service around.

Jimi_l

You can also buy Motherboard & CPU combos. So you know that the CPU is compatible with the Motherboard. www.pricewatch.com is a good site, check it out.