Build your own computer:

Building your own computer is not nearly as hard as it seems. Just takes some planning, mainly to ensure that all the parts you buy are indeed compatible (read: It works together).

Choosing your Parts:

The first choice you should make is how much your willing to spend. Depending on a few factors, an economy computer can be put together for around 300, mid-grade for around 500 and a premium for 700 and up (a computer can cost over 2000 if you buy the best parts available). You can go to a local parts distributor, but most of the best deals are found online at websites like:

Newegg.com (My favorite)

Tigerdirect.com

etc. etc. (Can't think of any others since I personally don't use any others...)

Choosing a Processor:

Depending on the budget or your own personal preference, you choose either Intel or AMD.

They're the main players in the processor manufacturing industry, AMD tends to be less expensive, although Intel is the performance leader (with prices being higher obviously). That's not to say that AMD isn't a performer...just that Intel is in the lead in performance, but both will work great.

If you go with AMD, the prices for a Dual Core(2 processors in 1) range anywhere from around $60 and up..

Intel on the other hand starts around $75 for a dual core...

You may want to try finding the best possible processor you can fit into your budget, but the most important factors to note are:

Socket Type: Basically the type of plug the processor will fit in. Different socket types can only work with specific processors of that type.

Bus Speed: AMD Bus speeds are usually around 1000 MHz(Works as double that with HyperTransport). Intel Has 1066,800,667...blah blah blah, and the higher the Bus speeds the quicker your computer will communicate with parts, which means an overall faster computer.

Actual Speed in GHz or MHz: 1000 MHz = 1 GHz so don't get confused. Higher = better usually, although lately more Cores = better. Usually a slightly slower Dual-Core processor can run better and faster than a faster speed single-core.

Core Count: Processors come in 1 core, dual core, or quad-core (not counting xbox 360's triple core or the PS3's pseudo-8or so core)

L2 or L3 Cache Size: L2 is the most commonly used cache(or memory) for the processors, and higher amounts of memory results in higher performance.

The important thing is to balance the best of these specifications when selecting a processor with your budget.

Once you have an idea of which processor you want you need to pick a motherboard...

Choosing a Motherboard:

The motherboard should be picked based on which processor you would like to use. When selecting a motherboard you must match 2 main things with the processor which are:

1. The socket type is the same
2. The bus speeds match

The socket types have to match:

AMD Processor:

• Socket AM2 (The latest and greatest socket for the common user)
• Socket 939 (Last generation of socket, but still great. Socket 939 Processors will not work with any other motherboard socket type. 939 processors will no longer be produced unfortunately since they're being replaced by newer AM2 processors.)
  
• Socket 754 (Not such a good choice because the processors and motherboards are pretty much either run out or running out... so there is not too much future for computers with this type)

Intel Processor:

• Socket 775 - Socket T (Same thing, just different names) Pretty much all new Intel Processors go with Socket 775.
• Socket 478 - Older than 775, most processors and motherboards are being phased out and can be harder to find.

The Bus Speeds have to match:

The bus speeds on the motherboard should be equal to the speed of the processor, otherwise, if the processor has a higher speed than the motherboard, the processor will either run at the slower speed, or not run at all.

After that you can pretty much select any motherboard that has the features you want. Some have built in wireless adapters, bluetooth, more USB ports, High Definition Sound, etc. Some have SLI (2 NVIdia Graphics Cards can be used if they're SLI Capable to make them work together) or CrossFire (2 ATi Graphics cards used together to make them work together). SLI isn't the same as CrossFire, even though they do the same thing, but are from competing Graphics Card companies so they don't work together. You can also choose a motherboard with a specific number of memory slots so you can add more memory later.

If you do decide on a motherboard, make a note of the type of memory that is compatible with that motherboard... it will probably be either DDR, DDR2, or DDR3, and depending on that, you will need to look for memory for your computer that fits that type and the speed specifications... more on that soon as I have time to write some more...