Building PCs - How do you Choose Your Components?

ATP asks: "It's been a few years since I built my current system by ordering parts from the cheapest vendors I could find. Everything went smoothly with very little research, and my system is still running great today. I'm now looking into building another desktop system, but I've become quickly overwhelmed by how complex components have become. In particular, motherboard/CPU compatibility are confusing (think: single/dual, socket 478/604/754/939/939pciExpress/940/LGA775, OS compatibility, memory types, etc). Is there a guide to the not-so-novice PC guru somewhere that would help me catch up on the developments in the last couple years?"

Comments

Build Your Own is So Passe

[the eric conspiracy]

I used to buld my systems from loose parts, and had fun doing it. Now though I find I like to save some time buy going to an ala cart shop like Monarch Computer. Using them I can pick out the system components I want and let them assemble/test the system. Monarch does a good job putting together a list of options and is pretty helpful with suggestions. It's much better than buying some off the shelf thing without knowing what is in it plus you get some help picking out a good combination of stuff.

Re:Narrow Down at the Start

[Jeff DeMaagd]

Multiple CPU sockets gives an upgrade path, I don't see it as relevant to even a high-end desktop now that multicore CPUs are available.