First you must decide what it is that you want to do with your computer. Is it hardcore gaming? Will be a home server? Is it just general usage or intensive video editing? Each of these different uses requires different components. A server would require large amounts of storage and a decent processor (CPU) whilst a gaming rig would need a very fast graphics card so make shore you no what your doing with your computer so you don’t buy useless equipment and waste money.
The next step is choosing your components. This requires vast amounts of research. Not just asking in local shops as they will try and sell you old hardware that they have left over and need to move. Look around on the net, join forums and ask members on there is the best way, I found. Once you have sourced all your components you need to purchase them. The fastest way is through your local shop but that’s more expensive so it depends on how long you want to wait. Next thing would be to build it. The best way and easiest to do this would be to start with your motherboard, explanations of equipment later. The things that will plug into your motherboard that you can do out of the case is your ram, your CPU and your CPU cooler. Now when building the most important thing you need to consider before you touch anything is static electricity. A shock so small you cannot feel it could be enough to fry some sensitive electronics so purchasing an antistatic mat and wristband is essential. And earthing them is good. If you have a spare computer clip it to the case whilst it’s plugged in as then it will all be earthed. Start with the CPU this is the most delicate part of your rig so handle it by the edges with clean fingers and do not touch the little prongs at the bottom. Motherboards all have different socket types for CPUS as new speeds come around with new tech but they all have one thing in common, a little flat end on one corner. This is there to mean you put your CPU in the right way as its square in shape. To put it in your motherboard you need to remove the cap then lift a little lever next to the socket. Put the CPU in the place the lever firmly back down. This lever holds it in place. Next would be the fan. CPU’s are very VERY hot components and require a special cooler. They just click in the four holes located around the CPU socket. Make shore you plug the fan in also. Lastly is the RAM. Again as tech advances the way these connect to your motherboard changes so make shore everything is compatible with each other. There will be thin but long slots on your motherboard. Insert the RAM into these and press firmly. Little levers on either side lock them into place. Next thing is to put all this into the case. Its easiest to put in your PSU (Power supply Unit). PSU’s have a fan on one side, this goes outside the case. Screw it in place with four screws then you can put in your motherboard. Your Mobo (Motherboard) cannot touch your case or you will short circuit it. So its held up by little stand-offs. They screw into the correct holes in your case then screw your mobo onto them. Then you connect all the power connectors to your mobo. Your manual will describe where they are. Next thing is your DVD and HDD (hard drive) Drives. There is always a bay on the front of your case to screw these in. Insert them and fix them into place. Next you need to plug in your graphics or sound card. They have very special slots so they cannot be confused. Once pushed in and secure there’s a little hole of the side near the case edge to screw them in place, do so now. This is everything plugged in. You need to connect the wires together. DVD and HDD Drives require special connections. The wires plug in the back and you can locate where to put them on your mobo in the manual. Some more powerful GPU’s require extra power so if yours does plug it in now. Lastly the on buttons plug into the mobo to but these are again located in the manual. When your happy put the case door on, hook up your keyboard, mouse and monitor and turn it on. The very last thing and most time consuming is to install an operating system. Windows is the most common. If you put the disk into your DVD drive and then turn it on all you need to do is follow the onscreen instructions and then your done.
Part descriptions.
Motherboard.
This is the part that everything else plugs into, hence the name. Some newer ones have built in audio and video but this is nowhere near as good as separate devices but depends on the user’s needs.
RAM
Random Access Memory or RAM is the short term memory of a computer, there’s many different sizes from 1gig to 8gig, and this all depends on what you use your computer for. When you turn it on all the things your computer needs to remember to run programs is stored here, but deleted when its turned off.
HDD
Hard drives are the long-term storage of data. Everything needed to run is stored here as well as you photos music etc. It’s not as fast as RAM that’s why it’s not used for short term memory.
CPU
Central Processing Unit or CPU is the brain of the computer. Every task is sent through is it processes it and tells everything else what to do. You can get different speeds, as wells as single, dual and quad cores. Which is 2 and 4 processors in one. Yet again which one you choose depends on your needs.
Graphics Card
The GPU controls all the visuals. It is required in most games and video editing. This and the CPU are the most expensive part.
PSU
The PSU sends power to everything else. It is the most important part as it gets hit by power surges first; a good one will stop the surge and protect the rest of your equipment.
Sound Card
This controls your audio. A better one produces better results.
