Processor

The processor will likely be the most expensive component of your computer. It is what does most of the raw computing in the computer, so it is important for things such as video editing, drafting, or gaming. Your first choice when deciding on a processor is to pick which brand you want to go with; AMD or Intel. This is a battle that has been raging for years and isn't likely to clear up anytime soon, so ask 50 people and you might be no more ahead than before asking them. Intel generally tends to be a bit more expensive, and at this time is winning hands down in the performance category with their Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and Core i7 processors. AMD is still a great option for a more economical build and has some great quality processors for someone on a budget.

For a comparison of processor performance a great resource is the Tom's Hardware's CPU performance charts. They have a wide range of benchmarks for a huge range of processors that can help your decision making process. Another website option that might be somewhat simpler to navigate, but not quite as information dense, is PassMark's benchmark data.

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/processors,6.html

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

You really can't go wrong selecting a processor because they are all built by a reliable manufacturer; either AMD or Intel. Most processors on the market will have plenty of processing power for everyday applications. Having said that though, some processors will give you a lot more bang for your buck. That is where the performance chart comes in. You can compare the overall performance of the processor to its price and try and get a great deal using these tools. In addition, keep reviews in mind. Processors with thousands of positive reviews are most likely that way for a reason and will provide a solid option.

Another element of processors to keep in mind is the heatsink. The heatsink is essentially a large chunk of metal that helps remove heat from the processor, somewhat like a radiator in a car. Heatsinks for processors will almost always have a fan attached on them to help dissipate the heat faster. For most practical purposes the heatsink that comes with the processor you purchase will be perfectly sufficient. Unless you live in an environment where your house is extremely hot, or plan on modifying your hardware in any extreme way, you will be perfectly fine with the stock AMD or Intel heatsink. Bear in mind though that you can purchase the processor without its stock heatsink if you're not careful. It will usually be listed as OEM, so make sure you check carefully before making your final decision.