Show Notes - Episode 32
SERIES: Lab Rats
EPISODE #: 32
RELEASE DATE: July 3, 2006
TITLE: Build or Buy a PC
RUN TIME: 17:46:17
HOSTS: Andy Walker and Sean Carruthers
PRODUCER: Matt Harris
EDITOR: Sean Carruthers
SOURCE: www.labrats.tv/episodes/ep32.html
NOTES:
- When shopping for a computer, answering the age old question...Buy or Built.
- Benefits of Purchasing a Pre-Built Computer:
Components are designed to work togeather
- Windows systems can run on mix-and-match "open architecture" hardware configurations.
- Unfortunately, that means that some hardware will conflict with other hardware, driver-wise.
- For more information on Understanding Drivers, see episode 22.
Cost maybe a little bit more.
Dell Corporation - Custom-Built Computers, Dell.
Limited customized parts.
Normally offers some sort of technical support.
Low stress environment.
- Easy
-- Building your Computer from Scratch:
Reasonable Cost = $1500.00 US
Computer Case:
- Prices = $60.00 and up.
Most cases come with a power supply.
At least 350 watts [Most important part of the computer].
Under-powering the inside of your computer can lead to internal brownouts, and damaged components.
No-name power supplies often can't deliver the full power promised by the wattage rating, consistently.
A power supply calculator can help to make sure you have enough power for your components:
For power supply's stick with a name brand:
Motherboard:
Processor:
- Sean recommends you purchase a seperate power supply.
- Large ciruit board when you open your computer case.
- Buy a name brand motherboard:
- Make sure you match your power supply with your motherboard.
- For more information on Motherboard Anatomy, see episode 13.
- Choices:
- Processor and Motherboard must be compatiable.
- Can't mix and match.
- Look into getting a additional CPU cooling fan from: [Espically if your over-clocking]
- For more information on Keeping Your PC Cool, see episode 27.
- For more information on Dual-Core Processors, see episode 25.
- MIPS - Millions of Instructions Per Second.
Memory [RAM]:
- Memroy must be matched to the motherboard.
- Choices:
- Different types of memory might be needed, example: SDRAM, DDR, and DDR2 are the most common types.
- You can check what RAM your motherboard takes using Crucial's Memory Advisor.
Additional Components Needed:
- Hard Drive - Seagate.
- For more information on Hard Drives, see episode 5.
- CD-DVD Drive - Plextor
- Cables - ComputerPlug
- Interview with Nathan Wood, BestByte Computers.
- Tom's Hardware, http://www.tomshardware.com.
- An And Tech, http://www.anandtech.com.
- Andy's Forgotten Book Plug - Absolute Beginners Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware, & Viruses
- Sean Carruthers Forgotten Flickr Account at - click here.
Recorded live on location at BestByte Computers in Whitby, ON
CREDITS
Theme Music by Dee Long
Title Graphics by Steve Huntriss (AKA ‘Tackie’)
Web Master:
Mike Britton
Systems Manager:
Ted Gallardo
Cameras Courtesy of:
Special Thanks To:
Nathan Wood
Eileen
Next episode: Andy saves up box
tops from eight packs of cereal and
sends away for his very own
propellor beanie, only to break
it in a fit of pique when he
discovers it doesn't actully
help him fly anywhere.
Email Us At:
Show Notes by Michael Britton
(c) 2006 Labrats Media
