First off, you ask, “Why should I build my own PC if I can just buy one at the stores already built?”

For many reasons:

1) You can choose and customize what kind of hardware goes into your computer.

2) Building your own PC can be less expensive because you are assembling it yourself.

3) The components you buy for your PC can be far more superior to those at a retail store bought computer at a similar price tag.

4) Troubleshooting is easier since you built it, so you know where things may go wrong, rather than staying on hold for hours and getting the runaround at manufacturer technical support!

Let’s get started

Let’s begin with the components we will need to assemble our new PC.

Necessary:

Case or tower – look for a tower that fits your preferences whether you want it to be a small space saver or big that can hold a lot of storage, front USB ports, it really is up to you.  The selection is huge.

Power supply – usually towers come with power supplys but if not you can look for some that have enough plugs for all the devices you’ll have in your tower.  Make sure the power supply will have enough watts to run everything you’ll have.

CD-ROM – you’ll need this to boot off to install the operating system.  You can also upgrade this to a combo drive which plays DVDs and burn CDs (CDRW/DVD). They have burner drives to play and burn CDs and DVDs (CD/DVD RW).  These are becoming the standard

*Note: Usually you can go to your local computer hardware store (Fry’s electronics) and get these parts at a good price.  For example they may have a CPU and motherboard combo package for around $100. 

Motherboard – must be compatible with the type of processor you are to buy.  You can also choose different sizes depending on how many devices and peripherals you are going to add. There are micro boards that are standard for simple computers and there are ATX boards that have a full size that can expand much more than the micro ATX.

CPU/Processor – AMD or Intel. We won’t get into which is better.

CPU Heatsink/fan- Usually these come with the processor. If it doesn’t, look for something quiet and cool.

Hard Drive – IDE or SATA.  Bigger the better.

Memory – DDR and DDR2. Faster frequency is always better. This is the quickest way to speed up your computer.

Video Adapter – Usually built on the motherboard but if not you can buy these separate. AGP adapters are usually better than PCI. I recommend Nvidia or ATI.

Sound Adapter – Usually built on the motherboard as well.  Some are now 6.1 channels.  If you’re really are into sound you can get a better on that can be added to one of your PCI expansion slots.

Optional:

Floppy drive – it may be ancient but still is an option

Media Card Reader – for today’s new technology of flash media such as digital cameras, mp3 players, PDAs use all flash memory and you can plug these straight into these card readers and show up on your computer.

These are just a few upgrade, but the list can go on forever.

Lets begin assembly:

1) Lay down your assembly flat on a cloth so it won’t scratch the case during assembly.

2) Mount board onto pre-drilled holes in the case to fit your hole pattern of the motherboard.

3) Mount optical drive(s) into slot.  There will be screw holes revealed on the side of the optical drive once inserted into the slot. Secure these but putting 4 screws.

4) Mount the hard drive the same way you did the optical drive.  There is a designated place where hard drives go.  There usually located under the floppy drive area. 2 screws should do the trick here.

5) Plug the hard drive cable (SATA or IDE) from the motherboard to the hard drive. IDE is usually blue colored and there only one way to go in. BUT if you still can’t get it in snugly look at the pins on the cable and match it onto the hard drive.  BE CAREFUL NOT TO BEND THE PINS.  For SATA, there is only one way to connect it to the motherboard.  The motherboard will have connectors labeled; look for SATA.

6) Plug the IDE cable from the optical drive to the motherboard.  The connector is usually next to the hard drive one.  Some are colored yellow, if not its black.  It will be labeled IDE0 or IDE1 on the motherboard.

7) Install the memory sticks onto the motherboard.  It will fit like a key into a lock in the slots on the board.  Push down firmly until you hear the two latches on both sides "click."  There is only one way to fit the ram in.  Make sure you match the teeth at the bottom of the memory stick to the teeth on the motherboard.

8) Connect the power supply to motherboard.  You will be plugging the connector that has the most teeth from the power supply. It will connect to a connector to match these teeth.

9) We then have to connect the front panel connectors.  Your case will came with these loose wires that will be coming from the front of your case.  Each motherboard is different so the manual will have to be used for this step. Don’t worry if you plug them in the wrong place.  It won’t blow up or anything. 

10) Once all connected, plug the power cord, the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and turn the computer on.  If it doesn’t turn on, check your front panel connecters and make sure they are installed correctly. Refer to the motherboard manual.

11) hit the DEL key to get into bios to boot to the CD-ROM first.  Put your Windows CD in the CD tray.  Save changes and exit.  It will reboot your computer.

12) Once your computer boots to the CD-ROM.  Just follow the onscreen instructions and you’re good to GO.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask on the forums or comment below. More details will be added soon enough.

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