How to Build Your Own PC

By:lantzilla How To Build Your Own PC Outline the benefits you're seeking from building your own computer. Different configurations suit different purposes: Basic System. Nothing special, just some good parts from solid brands. Home System. More RAM and a slightly better CPU for that added boost. A Gamer's Rig. You'll need a killer graphics card, and a lot of RAM. Music Producer. Specialist sound cards offer lots of features and multi-channels. Video Editing Suite. Your processor, hard drive, and memory (some situations graphics card too) are used extensively. Server System. You need a really powerful rig that can shift large amounts of data 24/7. Choose your setup. The cost implications of choosing between these uses are huge. A cheap work computer might cost only two or three hundred. A server can reach tens of thousands. Take the advice of experienced users in your field. Spend no more than is required for your usage. Ignore salesmen or others who implore you to waste money on unneeded upgrades. Refer to the table below for guidelines. Select your hardware. Review the Things You'll Need section below to determine what to obtain for your computer. Consult the many forums on the Web for people who enjoy building their own computer systems. Post what you are planning on building, and ask for suggestions. Many people on forums are more than willing to make sure that you have chosen parts that are good, and that the overall computer will work. Make sure the parts you have selected will work together. Almost all good computer parts websites have detailed lists of specifications to view and check what type of connection the specific part uses. Usually this entails: CPU socket-Motherboard socket (ex. 775, AM2) Graphics card slot-Motherboard slot (ex. PCI-E, AGP) Hard drive type-Motherboard connections (ex. SATA, PATA, RAID 0) Case type-Motherboard type (ex. ATX, Micro-ATX) PSU type-Case type (ex. ATX, Micro-ATX) RAM type-Motherboard RAM supported (ex. DDR-400, PC-3200) Monitor-Graphics card connection (ex. VGA, DVI) Sound Card slot-Motherboard slot (ex. PCI) Know where each part will go and how they will connect and disconnect from the socket/slot. This is crucial as incorrect placement can ruin computer components. Connect your hardware according to the instructions that come with the motherboard. Don't leave the hardware on your floor for days while you figure out what you should do, as this may lead to electrostatic discharge which can damage or ruin computer components. When not attached to the motherboard and case, all components should be left in their anti-static bags. Generally, this entails: Attach the PSU (power supply unit) to the inside of the case, following the instructions included with the case (some cases might have this step completed). Place the motherboard on top of its antistatic bag. Insert the processor into the motherboard. This is done by opening the ZIF [zero insertion force] socket, and carefully inserting the processor (NO force needed, if it doesn't slip right in, or it feels like you have to push, something is probably not right). Then close the ZIF socket arm (little force needed). Apply good thermal paste to the CPU. Use a very small pea sized amount and spread it in a thin layer over the entire processor surface (or if this is an older Athlon series without the protective cover, only apply to the chip in the center of the processor board). Adding too much thermal paste will decrease the life of the processor. Attach the heat sink. This varies from heat sink to heat sink, so read the instructions. Insert the RAM in the proper slots by opening the slots and pushing the RAM in until the little handles can lock it into position. Screw the standoff screws (usually gold hexagonal screws) into the case at the proper points where the motherboard will be screwed in. If your motherboard came with an IO backplate, pop out the one that came with your case and snap in the new one. This sometimes takes a bit of force. If your motherboard has standard IO connectors, your case will already have an appropriate backplate. Just snap out the metal covers (by bending from side to side) for each IO port that your motherboard has. Insert the motherboard into the case (it helps to hold on to the heatsink), and secure it (fasten screws into the holes, which will go into the standoffs). Attach the video card (if you have one ) and any other PCI cards into the motherboard. Be sure to secure them into place via the proper screws. Insert the floppy drive, CD-ROM drives, and the hard drives. Connect them with the appropriate cables, either IDE or SATA. Attach the power supply cables to the appropriate connectors in the computer (motherboard, floppy drive, hard drive, fans, CD-ROM drive). Each cable will only fit in the correct orientation, but pressure will still be needed to push the cables in. Be sure to read the directions that came with each component. Use zip ties to carefully bundle all of the cables, and route them to prevent them from blocking the airflow. Connect front panel connectors to the motherboard (the layout is in the motherboard and/or case manuals). Plug in your computer. Turn on the computer and immediately open the CD drive. Put the CD for your operating system in the drive and close it. Restart your computer by pressing the power button until it shuts off and then push the power button again to turn the computer back on. Don't forget to turn your monitor on. Check your motherboard manual for keys to use to start the "boot sequence" or "CMOS settings", or sometimes "BIOS settings". Click this button when the motherboard splash screen appears. Set your computer's CD/DVD drive as the first boot option. You may have to reboot your computer for these settings to take affect. Follow the instructions to install your operating system. With most operating systems, this will include: Formatting the hard drive, configuring the boot loader, configuring the operating system, and finally installing the operating system. Once the operating system is installed, you're ready to go! Instructions provided by: Wikihow.com http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Computer