building a PC please help!

im thinking of building my own pc, coz all the one in the shops are crap and dont have everything i need!

i quite new to the hardware side of computers, although i have installed several parts before as, a hard disk, CDrw, ram (basicly the easy stuff!)

the question i have is, when using a new Motherboard and processer, do i have configure the bios settings are does it do itself, i honesly have no idea!

if there is any help you can give me befor i start buying the stuff i would be greatfull.

thanks

 

Depending on what system you choose the auto configs are different. Intel usually gets it right immediatly whereas AMD tends to need a little love.

My best tip for you is: Don't be greedy when it comes to choosing motherboard. Usually the more money you spend the less problems you'll get. Play it safe and go Asus or Gigabyte (for AMD) or Intel (for Intel). Basically, choose the card that looks good balancing specs and price. Somewhere in the middle of cheap and expensive usually is great. Also avoid using 'tomorrows technology' (I mean very new stuff) as it tends to be full of unforeseen problems.

You get the best result by getting a sort of 'even flow' throughout the system. Be sure the memory runs at same speed as your fsb and preferrably choose an fsb around 333-400mhz (at least). That'd give you a fast enough system.

More importantly: Choose a fast harddrive. The faster access time the faster your system feels. Harddrives are well underestimated unfortunally. Preferably don't go under 7200rpm.

Video cards are relatively easy. Just buy the most expensive one you can afford
Well, that's a good rule if you have money, but otherwise, by todays measurements choose between Nvidias 5000-series or ATI's Radeon 9000-series. The higher the value the better and also the more expensive.

Hope that gets you started!