Summary

• Cost
• Form Factor
• Speed
• Redundancy

Cost

The foremost concern for basically everybody, but cost really depends on what you intend to use the computer for. For example, gaming has a much higher cost than a word processing computer as games usually rely on the newest of components, while word processing relies on having the very basics. In spite of this, budget gaming computers are possible, but cheaper components are just eseentially just short termpatch-fixes.

Form Factor

Although this isn't the case inside every computer, lots of components are made for maximum compatibility with certain types of other computer components. For example, it is crucial that the form factors of both processors and motherboards be the same, or else the computer will not function. There are three components that rely on form factor:

1. Motherboard
2. RAM (Random Access Memory)
3. CPU, or the "Processor".

Speed

Just because your GPU (Graphics Processing Unit, or "Video Card") has 1024 megabytes of memory, this does not necessarily that the video card is fast, it all depends on the frequency that the video card is running as. For example, a 1024 megabyte card running at 133 mega hertz is going about as fast as a 256 megabyte card running at 500+ megahertz.

Redundancy

How important is your computer? Vital? Then you better investigate your components before you buy them. Check forums and ask around about the reliability of a certain component if you have doubts, and make sure you know where you can buy a replacement if you think there may be issues in the future.