Common sense should guide your purchasing as well. For example, if the processor for which you budget is $100 but a nicer, newer model is discounted from $200 to $120 at your local tech store, spending the extra $20 is probably a better long-term investment.
Processor (CPU) — Acts as the “brain” of your computer. In most builds, the CPU is usually the most expensive component. Motherboard — Serves as an interface between all of your computer’s components and the processor. RAM — Random Access Memory. More RAM will provide more “workspace” to increase your computer’s performance. Think about the RAM as a table: more RAM gives you more room for doing things on that table. Less RAM is like having a smaller table! Storage Drive — Stores data. You can buy a traditional hard disk drive (HDD), or you can opt for a more expensive solid state drive (SSD) if you want an exceptionally fast drive. Power supply — Powers all of your computer’s individual components. The power supply is also the interface between your computer and the wall socket into which you plug your computer. Case — Necessary for storing and cooling your components. Graphics card — Used to render images on your computer. While most processors have a built-in graphics processing unit (GPU), you can buy a dedicated graphics card if you plan on gaming or using your computer for intensive editing. Cooling system — This includes case fans and coolers for specific parts and keeps the inside of your case at a safe temperature. Only necessary for gaming and editing PCs—regular PCs should be fine with a stock cooler.
Don’t write off used parts, especially if the parts are listed as “Like New” or are in new condition. You can often buy such parts at a heavily discounted price for little to no change in function. Waiting for sales (e. g. Black Friday Sales) can often pay off, as parts can be heavily discounted, allowing you to either save money or opt for better components for the same price. Some online retailers may offer a ‘free shipping’ deal if you spend a certain amount of money. Consider buying enough parts from those sites to save on shipping, which is often expensive. This doesn’t mean you should pay more for components cheaper elsewhere though!
A few relevant articles on wikiHow include How to Build a Cheap Gaming Computer, How to Choose Components for Building a Computer, and How to Build a Powerful Quiet Computer. Look for good reviews for your preferred product, both on the site from which you’re considering purchasing it and elsewhere. Stay away from marketing graphs or numbers - there is always some trickery to make the numbers seem better than they are. Some reputable hardware reviewers are Linus Tech Tips, Tom’s Hardware or Gamers Nexus. Once you’ve found a decently reviewed component, look for negative reviews of the component. You may find that the component is great for certain uses, but inappropriate for your own preferences. Many review sites will have filters you can use to exclude good reviews for this purpose.
The processor will usually entail a large part of your budget. Processors typically come in quad-core, hexa-core or higher. Unless you’re building an ultra-high-performance gaming PC, you should stick to around 6 cores. Intel and AMD are two of the main processor manufacturers. Research your specific CPU to find its alternative from the other brand, and read comparisons to find out which one will be better for your specific needs.
Onboard Wi-Fi (ensures that your computer will have wireless capabilities) Bluetooth Multiple RAM slots/high RAM capacity Support for graphics cards if necessary (PCIe x16 slot)
There is a limit to how much RAM your computer can use, and that limit is dictated by your processor’s capabilities (typically 128GB), and your applications. If a program stores only 1GB data in the RAM, more RAM won’t accelerate the task. 8GB tends to be the standard for RAM capacity, although the increasing needs of more complex programs is pushing this standard towards 16GB, although 8GB is plenty for basic word processing and non-demanding tasks. Depending on your motherboard, you’ll usually buy either DDR3 RAM or, more commonly, DDR4 RAM. The type of RAM that is supported by your motherboard will be noted in the motherboard’s documentation.
Your average HDD has a speed of 7200 RPM. HDDs can also use IDE instead of SATA as their connections, but SATA is newer and thus supported on all modern motherboards. The added benefits of an SSD also come with a higher price tag. Many PC users choose a relatively small capacity (200-500GB) SSD to use as their boot drive (the drive the operating system runs on), and then use a larger (500GB-1TB) HDD for their files. This makes the computer run much faster, as the operating system will benefit from the increased speeds of the SSD.
As with any other component, make sure that your graphics card is compatible with your motherboard. However, you are unlikely to get issues. After the CPU (or in some cases, before the CPU), the graphics card should be the most expensive component in your PC, depending on what you want to do with it. Graphics cards are also referred to as “video cards” or “GPU”.
It’s best to buy more watts than you need, as this will make future component upgrades easier, and switching your PSU out for a higher wattage one is a complex process.
The size of the case will be based on how many drives bays and card slots it has, as well as the size and type of your motherboard. Be sure to select a case which can fit all of your components, including your hard drive. Cases might obstruct air flow causing some higher-end components with larger power draw to overheat. If you’re looking to save money, this is one area where you can spend a little less and not compromise on performance.
The power supply will usually go near the top or the bottom rear of the case. You can determine where the power supply is supposed to sit by looking for a missing section on the back of the case.
Attach the processor to the motherboard by finding the processor port on the motherboard’s surface. There is a small, golden triangle on the corner of every CPU, which must be matched with a similar triangle on your motherboard. Attach your RAM to the motherboard by finding the RAM slots and inserting the RAM appropriately (they should only fit one way). Attach your power supply to the motherboard’s power connectors. Locate (but do not attach) the motherboard’s hard drive SATA port. You’ll use this to connect the hard drive to the motherboard later.
Most stock coolers attach directly over the processor and screw into the motherboard. Aftermarket coolers may have brackets that need to be attached underneath the motherboard.
If your case has separate shelving units to hold your hard drive, install the units using the included screws. You may need to install and wire your case’s fans before you can install any components. If so, follow your case’s fan installation instructions.
Use the screws provided to secure the motherboard to the standoffs through the shielded screw holes on the motherboard.
There is typically only one way that these connectors can attach to the motherboard. Don’t try to force anything to fit. The pins of these connectors are often very thin and delicate, so take extreme care not to bend or break any.
Remove any front panels on the case (if you’re installing an optical drive, you will usually install it near the top of the case). Insert the hard drive into its slot (again, usually near the top of the case). Tighten any screws needed to hold the drive in place. Plug the drive’s SATA cable into the SATA slot on the motherboard. If you’re using an M. 2 SSD, you’ll need to slot this into the motherboard, and screw it down to the small post on the end opposite to the slot. Many motherboards have heatsinks over M. 2 slots, so make sure you remove any plastic backing after installing your drive and replacing the heatsink.
Motherboard. This is connected with the largest plug: a (usually) 24 pin connector. Graphics card(s). These draw 75W of power from the PCIe slot on the motherboard, but may require additional power in the form of 6 or 8 pin connectors on the card. Storage devices. These connect with SATA cables to both the power supply and motherboard.
Many cases will have a panel which either slides back into place or screws onto the side of the case.
You may first have to attach the electrical cable to the power source input on the back of your computer’s case.
The output here is usually a DisplayPort or HDMI port.
If you don’t have an installation USB drive, you’ll need to create one on another computer before you can install your operating system.
Modern versions of Windows and Linux will install most drivers automatically when connected to the Internet.
