Custom Computers – How to Select Components

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Custom Computers
How to Select Components
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Introductions
The objective for building a custom computer is
to select a set of components that when assembled
produces a system for your particular use with
your personal best tradeoffs among performance,
quality, physical size, aesthetics, power
consumption, ability to adapt to the future, and
of course, cost. Here, we will focus on
selecting components for gaming custom computers
because they constitute the vast majority. The
principles and methods for other custom computers
are very similar.
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ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS
Customs are built from the following components
1 CPU 6 CPU Cooler
2 Graphics Card 7 Power Supply Unit
3 Motherboard 8 Case and Fans
4 RAM 9 Operating System
5 Storage 10 RGB
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CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
Intel and AMD compete in the CPU market, and the
lead switches back and forth fairly often. AMD
CPUs provide slightly better price/performance
for high-end gaming, but the situation could
change quickly.
For Intel

• Current generation i5 CPUs are the minimum
• If the games you want to play recommend i7 or i9
  CPUs, then that is the requirement.

For AMD

• Current generation Ryzen 5 CPUs are the minimum
• If the games you want to play recommend a Ryzen 7
  or 9, then that is your requirement.

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GRAPHICS CARD
Graphics cards are responsible for generating the
images for your monitors. Different games are
capable of different resolutions, image detail
levels, and frame rates.
There are four graphic card decisions

• Nvidia versus AMD Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
  chip,
• 2. Graphics Card Brand,
• 3. Performance level, and
• 4. Monitor connector types.

Gigabyte, XFX, MSI, and ASUS make the quality
Nvidia-based graphics cards. AMD manufactures its
own cards.
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MOTHERBOARD
Of all the components required to build a custom
computer, the motherboard has the most
specifications to consider.

• Form Factor (Motherboard size and shape. Should
  be ATX and Micro-ATX)
• CPU Socket and Compatibility
• Chipset
• RAM Slots (DDR 4 or 5 slots)

• PCIe Slots
• M.2 NVME Drive Slots
• Ports (Be sure the motherboard you select has
  enough of the right types of ports for your
  intended use)
• Networking (select a motherboard that supports
  both Ethernet and WiFi 6).

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RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)
Compatibility RAM must be compatible with your
CPU and motherboard. The motherboard will specify
the RAM type, typically DDR4 or DDR5, the speed
in Millions of Transfers per Second (MT/s) and
will have a list of qualified RAM by manufacturer
and model.
Capacity A minimum of 16GB for gaming computers,
but you may need more for certain games that
depend less on graphics card performance.
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STORAGE
All modern gaming motherboards support M.2 NVMe
SSDs, and they are significantly faster than 2.5
SSDs. NVMe SSDs are available from 256GB up to
4TB. For performance and durability reasons, SSDs
should never get anywhere close to full. Not all
NVMe SSD brands and models are built with the
same quality, and relative quality changes
through time. You can check out your
possibilities on the internet or ask ClickAway
for our opinion.
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CPU COOLER
Compatibility The coolers baseplate must cover
the CPUs Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS), and the
mounting bracket must be designed for the
motherboard. Type There are two types of CPU
coolers Air and Liquid. Noctua makes the best
air coolers, and Lian Li, Cooler Master, and
Corsair make the best liquid coolers. Cooling
Capacity Each CPU has a specified maximum
temperature measured in degrees Celsius (C)
typically around 90. Select a CPU cooler that can
maintain the temperature below the maximum.
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POWER SUPPLY UNIT (PSU)
Your custom computer will need an ATX power
supply that has sufficient capacity measured in
watts (w) to power all the system components.
CPUs and graphics cards consume the most power,
but the other components requirements must be
satisfied too.

• Other Recommendations
• Add about 200w as a safety margin and to
  future-proof.
• Go for a fully modular power supplies to minimize
  bulk and cable routing work.
• Power supplies come with various efficiency
  ratings we recommend at least go for a 80 Plus
  Gold.

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CASE AND FANS

• The case decision is about size, air flow, and
  features.
• Size The case must be capable of mounting and
  have room for all of the components.
• It must have mounts for the motherboard ATX or
  micro-ATX.
• Must be long enough from front to back to mount
  the graphics card.
• Air Flow To keep all of the custom computers
  components cool, the case must provide good air
  flow.The best cases allow air to flow straight in
  the front, through the case, and out the back
  with a minimum of obstacles.

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RGB LIGHTS
While RGB is not a component unto itself, it is a
possible feature on several components. If you
want RGB and want sophisticated control
functionality, you should be aware that
motherboard, CPU cooler, graphic card, and RAM
manufacturers have not agreed on a standard way
to control RGB. Therefore, you may want to
consider selecting as many of those components as
possible from the same manufacturer.
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CONCLUSION
Frequently, customers come into ClickAway with a
collection of parts that they were trying to
assemble into a custom computer, but they hit one
or more brick walls because the parts were not
compatible or were not well chosen. ClickAway
would be happy to consult with you to assure you
end up with a custom computer that is best for
you. If you have never built a custom computer,
its not as simple as it looks. If you dont know
the correct order of assembly and some of the
tricks, it can become extremely frustrating.
ClickAway also offers assembly services.
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Information Source-
https//clickaway.com/custom-computers-how-to-sele
ct-components/