Computer 101 Idea Thread

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Rit

Rit

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Ok... so one of the complaints on the forum is that our 101s are out of date or some information is non-existent. So as I built my second computer and questions came up, I kind of kept an on going 'noobish' question txt file on my desktop and anytime I'm curious about something, I just add it to the list. So below is my list (and then some) and if anyone is willing to help contribute to the list, feel free to post it. Also if there is an established 101 already, mention it and I'll add it to the list as well. Once an established list is made, then we well need people to construct the 101s, so if you have a 'expertize' in a certain area and and to contribute, feel free to write it.

All that I ask is for CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. If you don't like it, SIMPLY say that you don't and why.

Motherboard
Brands
Socket Type
mATX Vs. ATX
Motherboard care
How to identify upgrades

Memory
Brands
Identifying different types
DDR2 Vs. DDR3
How to identify upgrades
How to test memory stability
Tri-channel vs dual channel
How much do you actually need

Harddrives
Brands
IDE Vs. SATA
SATA Vs. SATA II
Add, SSDs vs Raptors vs 15k vs 7.2k vs 5.4k
Something about RAID
Form factors, 2.5 and 3.5
Cache

Processor
Intel Vs. AMD
Cooling
Liquid Cooling Vs. Heatsink/Fan
How to identify a processor
Processor care
How to identify upgrades
Cache, L1 vs L2 vs L3 (might be getting too in-depth here, dunno)

GPU
Brands
ATI Vs. Nvidia
Subcategory to ATI/Nvidia: Something about the proprietary software Nvidia and ATI have.
SLI Vs. Crossfire
How to identify upgrades

PSU
Brands
Identify what PSU is correct for your rig
Modular Vs. Traditional
Connectors

Cases
Brands
Material
Cooling
Cable Management
Noise Dampening

Monitors
Brands
Response Time
DVI Vs. VGA Vs. HDMI
Everyday use Vs. Gaming
Selecting the right monitor for your GPU

Operating Systems
Windows 7 Vs. Windows XP Vs. Ubuntu Vs. Linux
Dual Booting

Peripherals
Mice
Keyboards
Headsets/Microphones
Speakers

Overclocking
CPU
Memeory
GPU
Stability Testing

Macs
?

Networking section
?

General Questions
How to build a computer
Reputable Online Companies
Shipping of computer parts
Viruses/malware/spyware


Couple Guidelines
- Make sure you answer a specific question and try not to go on tangents.
- Include ALLLLLLLLL references
- Do not use "I, Me, etc..." It doesn't matter what you think, it's the facts that are important.
- If you can't find certain information, just make it bold and highlight it and keep going. Maybe someone else can help you with it.


More guidelines to come as I think of them
 
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Thanks for posting this. It is nice to have it all in one place.

I was looking over the oc 101 and the vast majority of the information is still useful. I was hoping to update the building an oc system section. Just to update the hardware for what is available today and to stay current with the newer features of the motherboards. Do you think that it might be beneficial to have a stability testing section tacked on to the end of the oc 101?

I might be able to contribute to some sort of Ubuntu / Linux thread as well but I will have to do quite a bit of research on that.
 
To hard drive section:
Add, SSDs vs Raptors vs 15k vs 7.2k vs 5.4k
Something about RAID
Form factors, 2.5 and 3.5
Cache

To CPU:
Cache, L1 vs L2 vs L3 (might be getting too in-depth here, dunno)

To memory:
How to test memory stability
Tri-channel vs dual channel
How much do you actually need

To GPUs:
Something about the proprietary software Nvidia and ATI have. Like Nvidia's PhysX and ATI's eye infinity perhaps. Suppose that would be included in the Nvidia vs ATI section though.

Add a section for something basic dealing with viruses/malware/spyware etc..

Networking section, I know someone mentioned something about a 101 for the networking section. Perhaps now is the time it comes to life?

Bout all I can think of for now.

Edit: Please, please, please, mention something in the monitor and/or GPU section about how a computer can only be used to its full potential based on its monitor's resolution, or something to that effect. I have a friend with a 4890 and he's using an old CRT monitor. I die a little every time I go over to his house.
 
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Unless you plan on updating this monthly, it may be best to try and limit what you put in that will become outdated quickly, such as the top components and exact prices. Don't forget about USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0Gbps, those will be hot topics soon. Thanks for taking the initial step!
 
salvage-this said:
Thanks for posting this. It is nice to have it all in one place.

I was looking over the oc 101 and the vast majority of the information is still useful. I was hoping to update the building an oc system section. Just to update the hardware for what is available today and to stay current with the newer features of the motherboards. Do you think that it might be beneficial to have a stability testing section tacked on to the end of the oc 101?

I might be able to contribute to some sort of Ubuntu / Linux thread as well but I will have to do quite a bit of research on that.
Click to expand...

I know nothing about OC'ing so you have to tell me :P Would it be best to put that as it's on category since you can OC more than just the CPU?

[-0MEGA- said:
Unless you plan on updating this monthly, it may be best to try and limit what you put in that will become outdated quickly, such as the top components and exact prices. Don't forget about USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0Gbps, those will be hot topics soon. Thanks for taking the initial step!
Click to expand...
As I was writing down the questions, I was thinking the exact thing to myself that this could be endless on the types of information we have. So maybe just have the basic information on the 'old technology' since some people still use it, and then more detailed on the 'current/upcoming'?

Bacon said:
Edit: Please, please, please, mention something in the monitor and/or GPU section about how a computer can only be used to its full potential based on its monitor's resolution, or something to that effect. I have a friend with a 4890 and he's using an old CRT monitor. I die a little every time I go over to his house.
Click to expand...

ROFL... will do.. and then you can send him the link when we complete this massive project :P Thanks for the ideas, I'll add them in there!:good:
 
I think it is a good idea to keep it in blog style where all the info is always kept at the top of the page, with all guides, pics, how tos, graphs and so forth

that way all collective data can only be edited, and published by the author doing it, and then have comments below of what else people want to see, other ideas, adding their 2 cents and so forth.
 
tlarkin said:
I think it is a good idea to keep it in blog style where all the info is always kept at the top of the page, with all guides, pics, how tos, graphs and so forth

that way all collective data can only be edited, and published by the author doing it, and then have comments below of what else people want to see, other ideas, adding their 2 cents and so forth.
Click to expand...

I would like to do that, but I'd just have to figure out who I'd have to talk to. Or do you know of just a cheap/freebie blog out there that we could start just to get them up and running?

Turbo10 said:
sounds good id be happy to do a topic , itll be fun would there be a deadline for them?
Click to expand...
There would be no deadline as people's 'outside life' is more important. I want this to be as casual but helpful/educational as it can be for people. I would rather have a 'newbie' do a part so they could learn about it and have a 'veteran' help correct them. Cause one of the 'complaints' I noticed is that the people that have done this before are burnt out and don't want to do it.
 
There are plenty of free CMS systems out there, like drupal, wordpress, joomla, and so forth. Depends on if they want a php, .net, java, or whatever language they prefer to use.

I personally use Drupal.
 
With Drupal do you just host it like a PHP? Guess I should get some webspace to host it then :S
 
Rit said:
With Drupal do you just host it like a PHP? Guess I should get some webspace to host it then :S
Click to expand...

It is a content management system. Ian would have to add some sort of blogging tool with a wysiwyg so users could create blogs, and then a moderator or admin could promote them to the front page of the blogs section.

It would require recoding of this site. To install drupal you need to just have the requirements on a web server handy and then copy the core files, hit up your domain and install it over the web. Pretty easy really.
 
In a few weeks I'll be putting together a help doc on how to set up software raid 0 with Ubuntu. If anyone wants it posted here I can do that.
 
^ sounds like a good idea. i was thinking of picking up a second caviar blue 250gb for RAID so that would help. :)
 
i have a few ideas, just checking on the network section, looks like we need some 101s in setting up home networks for sharing internet connections and files/folders id say we would need two one to show how to do it with a router showing both wireless and wired, and one for sharing files/folders and possibly internet via a crossover cable/wireless without a router, ive answered a few questions on this one.
it may also be an idea to get some kind of 101 or information about remote desktop use, what programs are good and how to use, ive seen many questions asking about basic remote access.

looking at the psu and case's section there seems to be no guide for liquid cooling or any cooling and a guide on how to set these up which may be of use to people
 
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