Want a Better PC? Try Building Your Own
MANY OF US make daily use of computers, but we rarely delve deeply into the inner workings of how they operate. Making something with your own two hands that you can put to use on a regular basis can be quite satisfying. This article will teach you how to construct a personal computer from the ground up.
Because of its high cost, its high level of complexity, and the potential for it to become messy, it may be very intimidating. But let me be clear: If you are capable of putting together a table, bookshelf, bed, or anything else that comes in more than one of those deceivingly heavy flat packs from Ikea, then you are capable of putting together a computer. The challenging thing is… I am unable to instruct you on how to construct your computer. To be honest, no. Not until I have complete knowledge of the hardware you are employing. On the other hand, I am able to explain what each component is responsible for and what my suggestions are for the various categories.
After you’ve finished putting together your brand new PC, it’s probably a good idea to look into some additional components and software that will allow you to further customise your computer. Be sure to have a look at our guides for the best gaming controllers, best gaming headsets, best gaming keyboards, and best gaming mouse if you’re looking to upgrade your gaming setup.
Advice has been updated, and new recommendations have been included across the board as of October 2022.
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To begin, let’s discuss the current shortages.
A shortage of computer hardware has been ongoing for the past few years now here in the United States. After bitcoin miners had purchased all of the available GPUs for the purpose of mining cryptocurrency, a worldwide shortage of silicon ensued, which was made worse by the pandemic. Now, thanks to something called the Merge, the price of GPUs has begun to fall again. What this implies for you, the potential PC builder, is that it is currently much simpler than it has been in the last few years to purchase all of the components that you need to put up a good computer for either work or gaming. That is incredibly uplifting information to hear.
Markup from a Third Party
Be sure to purchase your components from a reliable retailer when you’re out doing your component shopping. You might believe you are shopping at a major online retailer when you make a purchase from Amazon, Walmart, or Newegg; however, these websites also allow independent sellers to display their wares on their websites. Under the button that allows you to make the purchase, there is a small message that will typically provide you with this information.
If the component is transported and sold by a third party other than Amazon, Walmart, or Newegg, the price that you pay for it will almost certainly be higher than the component’s retail price. For example, our top recommendation for a motherboard has a suggested retail price of $130, but the price shown on Newegg at the time of this writing is $205. The markup can be attributed to the fact that it is shipped and sold from a different store. First-party sales, which occur when the product is supplied and sold by the store whose site you are visiting, typically feature better prices that are more consistent with the item’s real manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP).
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We have made every effort to stick to sales through first parties; nonetheless, there are situations when components are simply not available through anybody other than third parties. In that scenario, my recommendation is that you do not spend more than fifty percent more than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price on any of these components. Establish a strict budget for yourself, and please do not pay more than twice or three times the amount that any of these components are worth.
We have added buying advice to each category that is most affected by the shortage in order to speak more specifically about each component’s scarcity (or abundance now that prices are falling), but in general, just be aware that putting together a gaming PC, even as prices come down, might be a little more expensive than you anticipate. Be as patient as you possibly can. Take advantage of sales on components when they are available, store them away for later use, and keep an eye out for bargains on subsequent necessities. Every single one of my most budget-friendly personal computer builds has been a slow and steady one.
What Is It That You Require?
Utilizing PCPartPicker is recommended, regardless of the amount of expertise you possess, in order to compile a list of components quickly and easily. It not only sells everything you require, but it also enables you to construct your personal computer (PC) piece by piece directly on the website and ensures that all of your gear will function correctly with one another. It also includes a few example builds that you may modify to suit your own preferences. In addition, I suggest that you keep a list of what you desire, what you already have, and how much money you have available. This is done in the Notes app on my phone, with the title of each build placed in the very topmost position. When trying to keep tabs on everything, this comes in quite handy.
No matter what kind of personal computer you’re putting together—whether it’s for your home office or for gaming—the components you’ll need are going to be the same. In order to accomplish the goals of this guide, you are going to see a lot of acronyms; nonetheless, this section is intended to serve as your glossary.
To begin, you will require a mother board, a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device consisting of either a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disc drive (HDD), memory (RAM), a power supply (PSU), a case, and a monitor. Additionally, you will need a power supply (PSU). A graphics card, also known as a GPU, is the one component of a personal computer that you might not require if you plan to use it mostly for home-office duties. However, having a graphics card is essential for activities such as editing photographs or videos and playing computer games. That’s a lot of different things! The following is a brief explanation of what each component is responsible for, followed by some suggestions regarding the hardware.
Gigabyte’s Motherboard Motherboard Gigabyte
The normal feature set for a budget motherboard, this one includes two RAM slots and at least one M.2 slot. PHOTOGRAPH: GIGABYTE
This circuit board is the central hub for all of the other components. It serves as the conduit through which they interact with one another and work together. Although they are available in a variety of sizes and configurations, and though each one has a slightly unique appearance, they all perform the same job. Before you go out and get a motherboard, you need first determine which processor you intend to use.
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There are a few different varieties of motherboards, but the type of socket that a board contains is the most essential piece of information to have. LGA and AM are the two that are most commonly used. You may recognise them by the fact that there is always a number following the name, such as “LGA1150” or “AM3.” The precise numbers that follow the LGA and AM portions of these socket names will change over time to indicate which generation of Intel or AMD chips they support; however, the current standards as of the year 2022 (which are compatible with the most recent chips from either manufacturer) are LGA1700 for Intel and AM4 for AMD. These sockets are designed to work with the most recent chips from either manufacturer.
Additionally, motherboards are available in a few different sizes, the most common of which is known as ATX, which stands for “full size.” That is the general course of action that I propose, particularly if this is your very first build. Your computer case should specify the maximum size of the motherboard it can accommodate; check that the dimensions of both components are compatible. I have been guilty of making that error in the past, and let me tell you, it is always a pain to realise that your motherboard is too large for your cute tiny casing.
Purchasing guidance: Now, let’s face the facts: What characteristics distinguish an expensive motherboard from a more basic one? In point of fact, not very much. If you get a more expensive motherboard, such as the MSI MPG Z590, you will receive an increased number of ports, slots for internal components such as storage drives, and slots for RAM, as well as support for an increased amount of RAM. The fact that nicer boards often have more LEDs on them is another feature that is of critical significance for a computer designed for gaming.
To begin, make sure that your working space is tidy. This can be a desk that has been cleared off or a dining room table; it simply needs to be a surface that is large enough to accommodate your case laying flat on its side, with sufficient space around it for the rest of your components. You will also need a screwdriver with a Phillips head so that it can be used with the screws on your case. When you are putting these pieces together, make sure that any static electricity that has built up is discharged, and that you work on a surface that is not metallic, such as a wooden table. Alternately, you could simply assemble the motherboard while it is still sitting on top of the cardboard box it was shipped in.
Keep the user manuals that came with the majority of the components that you purchased nearby in case you need to refer to them. To begin, let’s get the motherboard out of the way. To do this, open the instruction manual to the page that describes how to install it. It is possible to feel overwhelmed because there is so much to take in, but try to picture everything as a large Lego set. Every part is interchangeable with every other part. Your first task with the motherboard will be to secure your central processing unit (CPU).
The Processor’s Installation
If you bought an Intel or an AMD central processing unit, the chip will either have little prongs on one side (don’t touch them) or little golden contacts on one side (don’t touch them). Neither of these should be touched. Do not, under any circumstances, touch that side of your chip. The oils on your fingertips have the potential to damage the contacts, or you could even bend a pin. If either of these things is done, your processor will be reduced to nothing more than an expensive chunk of silicon.
Putting your processor in its proper position is fairly simple. To begin, check that you have followed the instructions that came with your motherboard and that the processor socket has been unlocked. It will take the form of a large square with a number of small holes (or contacts), and next to it will be a lever or a button. The instructions that came with your motherboard will explain in detail how to unlock the socket so that you can install your processor without any complications.
Once you have verified that it is unlocked and ready to use, all you need to do is locate the corner of your processor that has a golden triangle and align it with the corresponding symbol on the processor socket of your motherboard. After doing so, flip the latch or locking mechanism while continuing to carefully lower the processor into the socket. It shouldn’t be necessary for you to put up a fight. If you have to press extremely hard, you should verify that the processor is installed in the socket correctly.
The thermal paste is the next thing you are going to need. For the next step, that teeny-tiny plastic syringe containing the silvery goo is going to be very important. Take a look at the glistening square of silicon that is located in the middle of your processor now that it is properly installed. That is going to be the location of your heat sink here. You should have received a heat sink along with your processor, and on one side of it there should be a copper circle. After we have applied the thermal paste, you are going to position the heat sink so that it is directly on top of the processor. The copper circle and the silicone square need to be in the exact same place for this to work properly.
Go ahead and do this, but be very careful as you squeeze a tiny ball of thermal paste onto the silicon square on your processor. The ball should be no bigger than a pea. You want to position it in the middle of the circle if at all possible.
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Now, position your heat sink so that its screws are aligned with those that surround your processor, and then carefully lower it into place. You are going to squeeze the thermal paste, and the objective here is to produce a very thin layer that completely covers the back of your processor. It is normal for there to be some seepage, but if it seeps all the way out to the side of the food processor, then you have used too much. To clean the processor and the heat sink, get some isopropyl alcohol, put some on a lint-free wipe, and then wipe them down. Try again after they have had a chance to completely dry out.
If everything appears to be in order, secure the heat sink with the screws. Turn the page in the instruction manual that came with your motherboard and locate the correct location near the processor socket to plug in the cooling fan that comes with your heat sink. It ought to be located very close to the socket for your processor. Once you’ve located it, all that’s left to do is plug it in; congrats, you’ve just installed a central processing unit. It’s finally over, and this was the most difficult part. Good job!
The Process of Installing Your Memory and Storage
Memory is possibly the most straightforward component to install. Do you see those small sockets that are vertically arranged next to the CPU? Put your RAM sticks in a row, and then begin inserting them one at a time, starting with the slot on the left. As soon as you have them positioned correctly, they will automatically lock into position. If you have two RAM sticks, you need to make sure that there is a slot free in between the two of them. The manual that came with your motherboard should tell you which slots to use.
Find a free bay in the front panel of your computer case to install your solid-state drive (SSD) or hard drive. Simply slide your drive in and then secure it with the screws. If you have an M.2 drive, which is a relatively small solid-state drive (SSD) about the size of a stick of gum, the motherboard should have a location where you can slot it in directly. If you are having trouble locating the M.2 slot on your motherboard, the user manual should be able to help you.
The Motherboard and Power Supply Installation Process
The rest of this is just a standard procedure. The first thing you need to do is install your motherboard into your case. Consult the instructions that came with your motherboard, position the screw holes in the case so that they align with the ones on the motherboard, and then get to work.
Next, you’ll want to make sure that your power supply is properly installed. There ought to be a location for it close to the top or bottom of the case, and it ought to be a large square location that is just right for your supply. Check the back of your case, where there will be a large empty square, in the event that you are having trouble locating it. That is where you should put the power supply, and it is also where you should plug in your personal computer when you are finished. After locating its proper location, you can then slot it in and secure it with screws.
Check to see that all of the tangled cables exiting the power supply will have enough space to reach the motherboard before you install them. Please refrain from plugging in anything just yet, as we will be returning to the power supply in a little while.
The Process of Installing Your Rtx 3080 Graphics Card
PHOTOGRAPH: NVIDIA
Your graphics processing unit (GPU) will be quite sizeable. When compared to your other components, even a GPU with a moderate amount of processing power, such as the GTX 1060, is quite large. That means it is important to consider how it fits into your case. After you have installed your GPU, you will notice that there is less room to move around.
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Try opening the instruction manual for your motherboard once more, and this time look for a PCIe slot. In the vicinity of the middle or the bottom of your motherboard, you will find a horizontal slot that has a small plastic latch attached to the side of it. There is where you should plug in the GPU. Simply locate the back of your graphics card (the side with the HDMI and DisplayPorts), align that with the back of your computer case, and then push the graphics card into the horizontal slot. It should click into place without much difficulty; if it doesn’t, check to see that you are inserting it in the right way.
Locate another one of those teeny-tiny screws, and use it to secure your graphics card to the case. On the same piece of metal as the HDMI ports, there is a tiny cutout for that specific purpose. It ought to be simple to discover.
Now look at the cables that are emerging from your power supply and see what you find. There ought to be a few that have the appearance of being able to fit into the square (or rectangular) socket that is located on the side of your GPU. It should have the appearance of six or eight smaller holes arranged in a rectangle. Take a look at this video, which was produced by the hardware manufacturer Asus, if you are having any issues. Although there will be some variance in the particulars, this provides an excellent overview of how to install a GPU.
Cables on a Ribbon
Your components must be connected to the motherboard before you can continue. Because it is what is known as “fully modular,” the power supply unit that I used in this build allows you to choose only the cables that you require and leave the rest disconnected, thereby reducing the amount of clutter. Otherwise, power supplies have a tonne of cables, and you’ll have to deal with the unused power connections dangling inside your case if you don’t disconnect them. You will need to connect the power supply unit (PSU) to both the solid-state drive (SSD) and the motherboard.
In addition to this, you will need to connect the motherboard to the case, which includes the power buttons, audio plugs, and USB ports that are located on the front of the case. Because there are unique headers for each variety of plug dispersed throughout the board, you will need to consult the user manual in order to determine the location of each grouping of pins and the purpose they serve. These incredibly minuscule pins have a specific order in which they must be plugged in, and the order is very specific. In the case that I used, there was only one header on the motherboard, but there were three fans already installed. In addition, there is a hookup for the fan of the case. Next, there is the SATA cable that connects your solid-state drive (SSD) to the motherboard of your computer.
This portion of your build is highly dependent on the hardware that you purchased; therefore, you should consult the manuals that come with each component to ensure that it has been plugged into your motherboard and power supply in the correct manner.
Turn the Computer On and Install Windows.
To complete your build, all that is left to do is press the button for the power supply. If the personal computer whirs to life, then you most likely assembled it correctly. If it doesn’t, don’t despair. There is a wide variety of potential issues, any one of which could prevent a personal computer from starting up for the very first time. If you are having trouble getting your computer to boot, you should watch this video from Kingston because it discusses some potential problems that could be causing the issue and then go back over your previous actions.
There is also the possibility that you have received components that are defective in some way. This video will walk you through some helpful hints and tips on how to check your parts. YouTube should be your go-to resource whenever you run into difficulties with any one of the game’s individual components. There are a great number of instructive PC-building tutorials available.
If everything went smoothly during the beginning of the process, the next step is very simple: Turn it off. Do you still have the Windows flash drive that you created earlier? Connect it to the computer, and start it up once more. If you have everything set up correctly, your computer should be able to do its own thing and begin installing Windows automatically. If this is not the case, you will need to open the BIOS on your computer (for instructions on how to do this, consult the manual that came with your motherboard) and configure the USB drive so that it is recognised as a “boot device.” The steps involved in that process are briefly outlined here (start at step 3).
You Have Done It!
I want to congratulate you on building your very first computer. Even though it’s a little bit of a hassle, spending the afternoon doing this is really fun. Or a couple of days, depending on how many unanticipated difficulties you run into along the way. Considering that the pandemic is still going strong and that there is even a fun new booster to get (yay), you can use your new personal computer to help you make the most of the time you spend trapped inside during the pandemic (or just grinding out loot in Destiny 2).