The Building blocks

Processor

Central to a computer is its processing power, which means how fast it can process your inputs. Today, computers do stuff from speeds anywhere between 300 MHz to 1 GHz (1 megahertz =1 million instructions per second and 1 gigahertz = 1000 megahertz). So, if you need computers to do raw stuff like write reports and send e-mail, an entry level Intel Celeron would do the trick. Whereas, if you want it for heavy gaming and other entertainment purposes, higher end chips like an Intel Pentium III or an AMD K7 would be a better choice.

Motherboard

It is a large circuit board where most of the components are fitted. Your choice largely depends upon the processor you are going for, as different processors need differently sized slots to fit in. If you are on a budget, then you could settle for a motherboard based on the Intel 810 or the Intel 815 chipset, which have built-in sound and graphics cards. There are two variations of the 810-one which only supports Celerons and another which can support Celeron as well as PIII. The big difference between the 810 and 815 is that 810 has only onboard video with no AGP slot, while the 815 gives you a choice between onboard video and an external graphics card. If you can afford to splurge, then definitely go in for a motherboard where you get a lot of space for additions and changes you would want to make later on. For example, you could make do with the built-in graphics card for now but may like to go for a top-of-the-line graphics card at a later date. So, you must buy a motherboard which has extra slots to fit in all the cards you want in your machine.

Memory

The amount of Random Access Memory (RAM) in your comp can affect its performance depending upon what you use your PC for. Most programs tend to be memory hungry these days. So, look around and check the requirements of the programs you intend to use. 64 megabytes of memory are the entry level norm these days, and would do well if you are to do the basic tasks of word processing and browsing. But suppose you need to use some heavy graphics, you'll need more than that-something like 128 MB. And with memory chips going at dirt-cheap prices, you could even consider going for 256 MB soon. That would be the right move for aspiring DJs and scientists. All you'd have to do is buy a second 128 MB chip and insert it in another memory slot.

Hard disks

For permanent storage, 20 gigabyte hard disks are the best bet these days. By the time this article reaches your hands, it may even move on to 40 GB. Though you would find hard disks of 4 to 8 GB after some search, 20 GB would be appropriate for you even if you were to do nothing fancy. You'll realize the importance later when you find half the space cornered by the huge pile of MP3s you have.

Display cards

Display cards are a critical hardware component as they affect the quality of your picture. Many motherboards come with onboard displays, which suffice for most everyday needs. External graphics cards are also available, from Rs 1000 to over 30K. The amount of VRAM (video memory) present is critical in determining the performance of a graphics card. The video memory determines the maximum resolution, colour depth and various other parameters. On an average, 8 to 16 MB of video memory is what people get these days. On comps with onboard cards, this memory is shared with the PC's RAM. So, if you have 128 MB memory and 16 MB video memory, it means that the actual memory for other applications is just 112 MB. Also, support for 3D is an important aspect. All cards, onboard or external, have some support for 3D, but high-end external cards give better animation and 3D graphics needed for games and other high resolution stuff.

CD/DVD Drives

To play games, consult multimedia encyclopaedias and watch movies, you definitely need a CD ROM drive. The speed of a CD Drive is measured in multiples of the speed of the first CD Drive that was made long ago. So, a 50x drive signifies it can rotate the CD 50 times faster and read the data at that speed. If you can afford it, you can even watch DVD movies on it, on a DVD drive.

Sound

Nothing would sound great if you don't have a good soundcard. Fit in the best speakers and all you will get is some lousy sound. Similarly, you don't get the best output with a top-of-the-line soundcard and dumb speakers. For the ones who choose an Intel 810 motherboard, there is a pretty decent soundcard built in and would do great for most things you'd like to do. If your motherboard doesn't come with a soundcard, you could go in for a Yamaha soundcard, which is very nominally priced and works well. But if you sold off your audio deck sporting a 5-CD changer to allow you to buy a computer, you can double it up as a big music powerhouse by going in for a Creative SoundBlaster Live! It costs big money, but is worth it. And yeah, do check your speakers before you buy them -make sure they don't crack on raising the volume.

UPS

The Uninterrupted Power Supply is a small piece of equipment which regulates the power supply and doubles up as a backup power source for 15-20 minutes. Fitted with a battery, it is a very essential external component. If you have frequent power cuts, you risk a lot of troubles like a hard disk crash. It's an add-on, and you could do well with a voltage stabilizer, but the stabilizer will be unable to give you the backup power needed to save your work and shut down the comp. ¨