Originally posted by Petrus
I have no idea what that means, lol.
RAM = random-access memory. It determines the multi tasking workload of your PC. Anything with less than 4 GB of RAM should be burned downwind.
GPU = Graphic processing unit. Basically, like a CPU only it focuses specifically on graphics rendering. For gaming, this is essential. Onboard "integrated" graphics chips, usually sold by Intel, are rubbish and work less efficiently than stand-alone cards. You can use websites like this to measure products against each other, from CPU to GPU. The most expensive part is not always the best, and if you are ever considering assembling your own PC, I recommend spending weeks if not months studying and preparing, and making sure someone with more know-how checks off your planned purchases as compatible.
Also relevant:
CPU = central processing unit. The workhorse of the PC. Everything comes through here, so even if all else exceeds standards, a slow CPU can bottleneck the rest.
PSU= Power supply unit. More powerful parts require more power respectively. For a decent gaming rig, you want a PSU with 750W +, and preferably Silver or Gold for efficiency; if those are outside of your price range, Bronze is still viable and usually under 120 bucks.
MOBO = motherboard. It's the foundation of everything, where everything interconnects. Mobos can determine the CPU to be used (they are NOT universal), how much RAM can fit in, GPUs available (if you intend to use more than one, you over-achiever) and how easy it is to plug stuff in. Any mobo that has sideways SATA* connecting ports should be burned downwind.
* SATA is a cable connector, usually used for CD/DVD drives and HDD/Hard drives (your permanent storage) and are at this point so common as to be universal. If your PC does not support SATA, you should draw a summoning circle to contain the evil within and burn it downwind.
HDD = hard drive. This is storage. If you store a lot of high quality videos, movies (which I don't ever recommend, they waste tremendous space), and especially games, you need a lot of this. 1 TB will hold maybe 20-30 large games, if that. Old games may be as little as 0.5 GB -7 GB (Think Xbox Disc size) while others (Most MMOs, anything with a ton of DLC, a Bethesda game with DLC, Max Payne 3) can be up to 20-30 GB apiece. This means size is a premium and ideally 3 TB will future-proof your rig, at least until a Steam summer sale rapes your wallet.
On the previous page, I listed my specs up to and including my mouse. My keyboard is a very basic Gateway keyboard from like circa 2001, and my mouse doesn't have more than two buttons and a wheel, so I am very old skool in this regard.
Vista, ouch.
Well, look up your Control Panel under the Start menu, then go to System which may be under the heading System and Settings or some such. That should give you some idea of what you're working with. Also of note, 64-bit operating system is better than 32 for games.
Below is a snip of the specs on this work PC. I wouldn't game anything on this. Even browser Minecraft on lowest settings runs at like 5 frames per second.
Originally posted by UltimateAnomaly
Double post buuuut...Running Operations on TOR, gotta love them commendations. Nomnom, gimme all the gear!
Wicked jelly.
Originally posted by Petrus
I will, because I'm tired of the 'very low' standard of graphics. Stupid dumbshit computer.
tigerdirect.com or newegg.com are were I get my parts from. Usually newegg is the cheaper of the two, but tigderdirect sometimes surprises me.