Hi everyone! I’ve never built a desktop and I was wondering what type of things I should take into consideration. I also have some mains questions on how wattage works, the CPU sockets and Graphics card (do motherboards come with integrated graphics like laptops?) and what about cooling?
If its a general build computer what would you recommend as specs?

Thank you in advance!

  • ZoëOP
    1·
    3 years ago

    I wanna learn on how to build a desktop. As for now I don’t have the intention to build one my self yet but I wanna know how to. My main questions are:

    • about the CPU sockets bcs on my researching I found that there are different types of it, maybe it has to do with either the CPU or motherboard having pins?
    • the GPU. as u just mentioned hybrid CPUs exist, and from what I could also understand there are not integrated GPUs like in laptops. This confuses me, so if I build a desktop and dont put a GPU in it am I still be able to use a UI one the OS?
    • and how do I choose the right PSU? This for a general use computer, so basic browsing and maybe some light use of editing software like Kdenlive/GIMP, Libre office work and light gamming.

    As I mentioned I just wanna learn on how to choose the right parts, what I have to take into consideration to case and things…

    • pinknoise
      3·
      3 years ago

      about the CPU sockets

      Ofc. the socket type has to match with the motherboard. Usually you find a CPU you want to use (fitting your usecase) look up the socket name and find a matching motherboard. But: even if you have the right socket you might not be able to use your CPU with the motherboard, because it might not have recent enough firmware or an unsupported chipset. @lps@lemmy.ml already pointed to pcpartpicker, where you can select a list of parts you want to use and it will tell you about their compatibility, so you can quickly check it. They also have a parametric search to help you find the right parts. You should still read the manufacturers recommendations to be sure.

      the GPU

      There are Desktop CPUs with integrated graphics, you can also use a dedicated one. For the use case you mentioned you will probably be fine with (somewhat recent) integrated graphics. Kdenlive is the most graphics-heavy of the programs you mentioned, but unless you do editing with insane resolutions or need very quick rendering you don’t need a fancy graphics card. If you decide that you need a dedicated card and want to use Linux you might not want an nvidia card because the driver is closed source and not especially stable. The only real argument for nvidia is when you need cuda.

      how do I choose the right PSU

      You look up how much power your components need and pick one with a slightly higher rating that isn’t stupidly cheap. You can use also use this calculator.

      I just wanna learn on how to choose the right parts

      Phoronix is a good resource for (Linux/Free Software) benchmarks which will help you compare similiar parts.

      • ZoëOP
        1·
        3 years ago

        Thx a lot for the information and for the websites!