Buying a new computer too expensive? Want complete control over the parts used in your computer? Need something super specific in your computer?
There are many reasons to build a PC, but just because one might want to build a PC doesn't mean they know how. Well, unless they watch the videos below.
Step 1: Learn About Hardware
What's the use of building a PC if you don't know what parts to get for it? The first step in building a PC is learning what each part is and what it does. While the video below is a few years old, it still gives a good introduction to each part that you're going to need.
Step 2: Choosing Which Parts to Buy
Building your own PC is all about being able to pick and choose which parts you want in your computer, making it work to your specifications. For this reason, the choosing your own parts step is one of the more important ones. There are a lot of parts to get, so it would be useful to make a list. And check it twice.
Step 3: Install the Motherboard
Now we get into the actual building of the computer. The first step in the actual building process is to mount the motherboard, which is the main circuit board in the computer.
Step 4: Install the Processor
The processor is the overall power of the computer. Everything that happens goes through the processor, making it very important in the PC-building process.
Step 5: Install the RAM
In a nutshell, RAM is basically the "short-term memory" of your computer. It stores apps and programs while they're in use. Of course it's a little more complex than that, but that's for another article. Thankfully, installing RAM is not complex at all.
Step 6: Install the PCI Cards
PCI cards basically control components for peripheral devices. So if you want USB ports and the ability to plug in a monitor so you can actually see what you're doing, you're probably going to want PCI cards.
Step 7: Install the Hard Drive
The next step in building your PC is installing the hard drive. The hard drive is ultimately where everything is stored, so if you plan on consuming a lot of media and installing a number of games onto your computer, then a hard drive with more storage is probably the best choice for you.
Step 8: Install the Optical Drive
The optical drive is the part of the computer that can read CDs, DVDs and so on. Many newer laptops don't even have optical drives, with streaming and downloading becoming the norm, but optical drives can still be very practical for many people. Thankfully, they aren't too hard to install.
Step 9: Install the Power Supply
While an optical drive might be optional, a power supply definitely is not. This step can also get a little dangerous. Remember to always finish wiring all the parts and close the computer case before you plug your new computer into a power outlet.
Step 10: Plug In All The Parts
Once all the separate parts are installed it's time to make sure they can communicate with each other. Wiring everything together can get a little confusing, so it's important to practice good cable management and color-code wires. The video below gives an in-depth look at how to wire all these parts together.
Step 11: Install the Operating System
Once the hardware of your new computer is taken care of, it's time to install the software. Most people are going to be installing a Windows operating system on a computer that they have built. Installing the operating system is straightforward and is the last step to building your new computer.
Conclusion
You have now built your very own computer. Whether it be for gaming, media production or simply for everyday use, this computer should be built exactly to your specifications. Not only that, but there's nothing like putting hard work into something that you can actually use!
