Purchasing your Parts
 
When building a PC the most important componant has to be the processor, quickly followed by the graphics card! However each component is crucial and, when purchasing your components you must ensure all your pieces are compatiable with each other! Lets begin with the CPU.
 
Central processing unit, better known as a processor. The difficulties of choosing a processor doesn't end with the decision between AMD or intel. You must ensure that your processor fits into your motherboard. CPU's have a socket type, for example, an AMD processor might have a socket type AM2, or AM3. Whereas the intels i7 socket type is 1366, always check your processors socket type is compatiable with your motherboard. Usually when searching for motherboards online they will be categorised under the type of processor they support! The motherboard below is a Asus M4A79T deluxe.
 
  Asus M4A79T deluxe. ATX AM3 motherboard.

AMD Socket AM3
AMD 790FX + SB750 Chipsets, Crossfire Support

Up To 16GB of 1066/1333MHz DDR3 Memory

x4 PCI-e x16, x2 PCI Slots

x6 USB 2.0 Ports, x5 SATA II Ports, RAID
7.1 Audio, 10/100/1000 Ethernet 

 
Notice the AM3 socket type, this means it will support AM3 processors.
 
You must then ensure that the motherboard fits inside you PC case, notice the ATX, this is the PC case type the motherboard fits into, i will assume your PC case will be a tower, most towers are ATX but always double check before buying.
 
RAM - always check the type of RAM your motherboard supports, this board supports upto 16GB of DDR3 RAM, this means the board will support all DDR3 RAM upto 16GB, RAM is best bought as dual sticks, for example 2x 2GB for a PC with a total of 4GB RAM.
 
Next notice the PCI-e x16, this is the PCI express slot, here is where you would install your graphics card, when choosing your GPU you will have to ensure it is compatiable with your motherboard, most GPU's are now PCI-e.
 
The SATA II ports are what you will use to insert your SATA II cables from your HDD and optical drives, when purchasing your drives ensure they are compatiable with your board. Ordinary PCI may include sound cards and wireless networking cards etc.
 
You will also want to check if the motherboard you choose supports HDMI for HD gaming.
 
So basically when purchasing parts, just ensure you shop around for price and check then double check the compatiability of your components. once you have chosen all your parts you can begin to assemble, starting with the Case prep and PSU.
 
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