How to Build Your Own PC - Save A Buck And Learn A Lot  9  Chapter 2: Component Overview

I/O, I/O, it’s Into or Out of the Computer We Go 1 CPU

The mainboard and CPU are the key components of your computer. Your mainboard provides connections to all other components that must attach to it (see Figure 15). The mainboard and CPU serve as the main computational and processing source of your PC.

Your mainboard will determine the maximum number of expansion PCI cards and the amount of memory (RAM, random access memory) which can be installed. The mainboard will also determine the type of CPU you can use because each mainboard is designed to seat a particular CPU. For example, a mainboard designed to seat a Pentium 4 CPU won’t seat an AMD Athlon CPU.

Be sure your mainboard has a 4x AGP video slot or better. Once you’ve selected a mainboard, follow the advice in the chapter about purchasing components. Search for reviews of that mainboard on google.com. You can also visit the manufacturer’s website and download a full mainboard manual to read about its capabilities.

I/O, I/O, it’s Into or Out of the Computer We Go 1 CPU