Assembling a PC (How to Build a Computer)

build a computer

Assembling your very own PC might look hard, but with the determination and patience, you can customize your very own computer.

Create your own personal computer, according to your own specifications and requirements by assembling your very own PC. Sure, it helps to have somewhat of an IT background, but if you have the determination to learn and the patience to do it, you can build yourself your very own computer with everything you want it to personally include. You can check out our A+ certification training video courses on how to build computer for companies.

Reasons why people want to build their own computers include: the ability to create a custom machine that exactly matches your needs; it's often much easier to upgrade your machine in the future because you will understand it completely; and you might even be able to save money doing it yourself than buying an already built one. If you have never really attempted to do this before, you will totally learn a lot about computers and have a newfound appreciation for IT-related things. People from all walks of life today build their own PCs. Executives, engineers, students, housewives, they all do it today.

The first question to ask yourself is: What type of computer do you want to build? The possibilities are endless, and the type of machine you want to build will control many of the decisions you make down the line. Therefore, it is important to know exactly what you want the machine to accomplish from the start.

Choosing the Parts

The first step to building a computer is acquiring the parts. A computer is made up of a case, also called a chassis, which houses several internal components, and the external components, including peripherals. Choosing a motherboard is the most interesting part of any building project. You need to decide whether you are building a "cheap machine," a "high-end machine" or a "tricked-out super machine" and then choose your motherboard accordingly.

Besides the motherboard, you will also need to get the CPU that's the right brand and the right pin configuration to fit your motherboard. Pick whichever CPU clock speed fits your budget and intentions. Then you need the RAM with the correct pin configuration that will match your motherboard. If your motherboard is using a specialty RAM configuration (normally to improve performance), make sure the RAM you buy matches its requirements. If the case does not come with a power supply, you'll need to choose one. Make sure its connectors match the motherboard. Three hundred watts are enough for most machines, but if you are building a gaming machine with multiple video cards or a machine with lots of disks, you may want to consider something bigger.

Choose a video card if you are not using the onboard video on the motherboard. If you are building a cheap machine, get the cheapest CD-ROM drive you can find. If you want to burn DVDs and CDs, make sure the drive can handle it. Choose a hard disk, making sure that it matches the PATA/SATA status of your motherboard. Lastly, buy an operating system: Windows XP (which comes in home, professional and media center editions) or Linux in its hundreds of different forms.

The Build

After you have bought all the parts, it is now time to build the machine. First, you'll need to unwrap the motherboard and the microprocessor chip. The chip will have one marked corner that aligns with another marked corner of its socket on the motherboard. Align the corners and drop the microprocessor into the socket. Now, you need to install the heat sink. The CPU box will contain a manual that tells you how to do it. The heat sink will contain either a heat sink sticker or heat sink grease to use when mounting the heat sink on the CPU. Follow the instructions closely to install it.

Next, you'll install the RAM. Look on the motherboard for the slot marked "one" and firmly press the RAM module into it. It will probably take more pressure than you'd think to get the RAM into place. Now, you'll build the case. You'll need to install the power supply, the motherboard, a faceplate and standoffs to hold the motherboard in place. You'll also need to connect some wires to the motherboard.

After the case is assembled, it's time to both the hard drive and the CD-ROM drive. Once those two are installed, you can close up the case and add a monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers.

The final step is to boot up the computer to make sure everything works and you've assembled your own personal PC.

CBT Planet offer a variety of cbt training videos that show you how to build computers, pass IT certification exams, work with desktop applications and lots more. Their computer training courses are self-paced and self-guided, allowing you the convenience of learning on your own free time.