How To Build Your Very Own Computer

Personal computers are wonderful in that you can assemble them yourself and you don't need a degree in engineering to do it. Of course it's much safer and more convenient to simply buy a pre-built branded computer. But with such PC units, you're not really sure what's inside that casing and you don't always get the features you want. If all you need a computer for is to check emails, browse some websites and write the occasional document, then maybe pre-built is the way to go. But if you're going to need the PC for some specialized tasks like film editing for example or music recording, you might want to try building it yourself. This way you'll know you have a system customized and optimized with the right hardware for the work you plan to do on it.

1. Figure out the necessary components. The basic parts of a personal computer would be the central processing unit (CPU), the motherboard, random access memory (RAM) cards, the hard disk, the optical drive, the video and sound cards, the network interface card (NIC), the power supply, the casing, the monitor and the keyboard and mouse. Each of these major parts has specifications, and it is necessary that you choose the ones that are compatible with each other because these components are inter-dependent. Having one that doesn't fit well with the rest of the system will certainly cause trouble later on. So before you rush to the shop, do some extensive research on each part starting with the CPU and motherboard. These two components will significantly define what the other parts will be.
2. Get the casing ready. After you've done the required reading and purchased the correct parts, its now time to put them all together. Most of the components will be either screwed in with a Philips screwdriver (so have one ready) or plugged into a specific socket. Hardware plugs and sockets are matched so you know you're putting it in the wrong place or connecting it in the wrong orientation if it doesn't fit. You should begin with the casing and power supply. Remove the casing's side panel to open it up and tightly screw the power supply in. The bay or shelf for this component is usually found at the back and upper part of the casing. You should also remove the detachable coverings on the front part of the casing where the optical drive will be placed and those on the back part where the input jacks of the sound and video card will need to be exposed.
3. Get the motherboard ready. Line up the CPU microprocessor chip on the motherboard's CPU socket. There will usually be an indicator that will show the right orientation. You can let the CPU drop in place once you're certain of its proper alignment, and then lock it in with the lever. Afterwards place the heat sink on the processor. Check your CPU's manual for this procedure as CPU's have different attachment surfaces. With the CPU and its heat sink installed you can now proceed to placing the RAM cards, the NIC and the video and sound cards in their designated slots.
4. Mount the motherboard in the casing. The motherboard is usually screwed into the holders on one of the casing's side panels. The input jacks of the sound and video cards will be lined up on a plate that can be screwed to their specific slots on the back end of the casing. With the motherboard in place, place the power supply's cable in the designated socket on the motherboard and then connect the power ON switch wire (which came with the casing) to the motherboard.
5. Install the hard disk and optical drive. Slide the hard disk into position in its designated bay located at the front of the casing and then screw it in place. Afterwards slide the optical drive into its own shelf, which is usually on top of the hard disk's shelf. Connect the optical hard drive and hard disk together with the cables it came with and then plug it into their specific sockets on the motherboard. Finally connect the power supply cables to the hard disk and optical drive.
6. Connect the monitor, keyboard and mouse. With your PC's internal components physically installed, you can now close the casing's side panel and attach the external components, which are the monitor, keyboard and mouse. Their plugs will be located in the back of the casing.

With the hardware components assembled, you can now plug the PC into the electrical socket and begin configuring the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) which is the fundamental program that came with your motherboard and controls most of its functions, and then install your preferred operating system. Once you're done with the software, you'll have built your very own personal computer.