Here's A Quick Guide For Understanding How To Shop For Computer Parts

here's a quick guide for understanding how to shop for computer parts

_____

CPU - This is your computer's brain. More advanced brains mean more complex things can be done, but CPUs have gotten so advanced in general that you don't actually need a top of the line CPU for most PC functions, even for playing graphically intensive video games (with some exceptions).

GPU - This thing is what makes the graphics on anything you run on your PC. You also don't need a top end one for most PC functions, but if you want to crank that video game to max settings and see the pores on your fave's face, you will need a good GPU. GPUs used to be cheaper many years ago, but when crypto became a thing, people bought GPUs to mine cryptocurrency which drove the prices up like crazy. (In the rare case a video game is said to be "CPU-bound", it means it doesn't matter how good your GPU is, that game's performance is going to be more affected by how good your CPU is instead. )

RAM - This is your computer's attention span. The more RAM you have, the more (or bigger) things your computer can do at once. Programs that ask your computer to calculate a ton of stuff at once have higher RAM demands. Nowadays, you want to have a minimum of 12 gigabytes of RAM if your computer is purely for work, and 16 if it's for gaming. Even mere internet browsers are heavy on RAM usage nowadays.

Storage - Your computer's memory. The bigger your storage, the more files and programs you can save. These come in two types. 1) HDDs are cheap, stable, and slow due to being old tech. Perfect for storing all your files. 2) SSDs are more expensive, not as stable (if they fail it's a lot harder to recover the contents as opposed to an HDD), and way WAAY faster than HDDs. It's better to install your programs on SSDs if you want them to load like lightning.

Power supply - Your uh, your computer's power supply. Plug it into a wall and your computer can turn on.

Motherboard - All of these parts have to combine to form a computer right? The motherboard is the big circuit board you attach all these parts to, the skeleton of your PC. Not every computer part can fit on every motherboard, so make sure yours fits!

Fans - Fans attached to your computer to prevent your precious and expensive equipment from melting into a sad puddle because you decided to play Monster Hunter Wilds. Some are loud, some are quiet, as long as it keeps your parts cool, you're good. Some PCs dont use fans and instead have complex liquid cooling systems (and some people stuff their motherboard into an open freezer).

____

If you don't know what you're looking at with all the long numbers and weird names, simply find out what part it is, google that name + review, and you'll get nerds on the internet telling you if it's worth the price.

For example, a thing says 'RTX 5090'. That thing is a GPU. Just google the exact model's name + review and nerds on the internet will tell you if it's worth it (it's not, don't buy a 5090).

If it's your very first time and you've got a tight budget, google "PC build for under X dollars" where X is your budget. You'll find many suggestions, sometimes with builds tailored for specific purposes (video editing, office work, PC gaming, rendering 3D, etc)

___