Introduction

Introduction

Building a computer is for everyone! In this book, we break up the process into manageable, easyto-follow steps to make the building experience less frightening, frustrating, and intimidating. There are many benefits to learning about how to build a computer. It not only teaches you a great skill but also allows you to pick the parts that meet your needs while sticking to your budget. Whether you have no building experience at all or have a prebuilt computer you are looking to change parts in, don’t worry, this book is here to help! First, let’s go over the prepping stages to make sure that you have everything you need to start building!

Tools

First, you want to make sure you have all the necessary tools, so your building process goes smoothly. You will need to make sure that your workspace is clean, in a well-lit area, and spacious. It is important to know that working on an uncarpeted surface helps prevent any static discharge which can damage sensitive parts. Now, here are the tools that you will need:

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Screwdrivers - A Philips-head screwdriver will work for the screws you will be using. You can also use magnetic screwdrivers, so the screws don’t drop as you are building. Don’t worry, the magnetic part is not strong enough to damage anything.

Organization tray - This is to make it easier to find what you need and keep you from getting your items get mixed up while you are working. Some parts come with optional or additional pieces that you may not need, so organizing them all in a tray is helpful when deciding what is important to add and what isn’t. You can also use it to place things like screws, zip ties, and other assorted pieces.

Zip Ties - These are great to use for cable management to help make your computer look nice and clean inside. Most of the time, the parts you buy will come with zip ties or Velcro straps, but having extra is also good. Anti-static strap - This can be useful to help prevent any accidental static which can damage some components of the computer. It is always better to be on the safe side just in case.

Scissors - You will need these to cut zip ties and to help you open packaging.

Next, we will talk about the case for the computer. The case is what will house all the parts and provide areas for system cooling. Some cases have a glass side that allows you to look inside while the computer is on, and some even come with colorful lighting options known as RGB.

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Cases

Shopping around for cases can be overwhelming with so many different styles and size options to choose from. Make sure to choose a case that suits your space and style before moving on to the rest of the build. The sizes include:

Full Tower - A full tower case fits extended and standard full-size Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX) motherboards. This case size is great if you want to put in an extensive cooling system like water cooling. However, these cases tend to be the most expensive.

Mid tower - These cases are the most common size and fit standard full-size ATX motherboards. This is a great budgetfriendly size and has enough room to house gaming parts with a nice cooling system if you are building for gaming.

Mini tower - This size case is also known as small form factor (SFF) and fits mini Information Technology eXtended (ITX) motherboards. These cases require careful planning when building due to their compact size. They will only work with parts of a specific size and need a well-thought-out cooling system. This size is recommended for builders who have a good amount of experience.specific size parts and cooling. This size is recommend for builders who have a good amount of experience.

If you are struggling to decide which size case you want to use, just remember that it’s better to go bigger. Bigger cases make building and upgrading a little bit easier. However, keep in mind that bigger cases need more cooling.

Be careful when handling tempered glass side panel cases. This is part is very fragile and can be broken easily if handled incorrectly.

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Let’s move on to the parts you’ll need as you build your computer. This chapter shows the different parts within a computer and why each part is necessary. It is also a guide to show you what to look for when considering purchasing a certain part. Make sure to create a list of all your choices so it’s easier for you to plan your build. Or, if you have a prebuilt computer and would like to upgrade or replace parts, you can start looking through this section to see what fits your needs.

Parts

It is also helpful to have a budget plan before buying parts. Use the list you create and your budget to come up with a plan for what works best for you. Remember, one of the most vital things to do as you choose computer parts is to make sure that they are all compatible with each other! Once you have purchased all the parts, it’s time to start building. CPU - This part is called the Central Processing Unit (CPU). This is the “brain” of the computer, and it lets other parts know when to start doing the things you tell it to do. Your CPU should have at least four cores, but we will go more into that later.

Motherboard - The motherboard connects all of your computer parts. None of the other components of the computer will work without your motherboard. You want to be sure that everything that you put into the computer is compatible with the motherboard. The sizes of motherboards are ATX, Extended ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini-ITX.

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RAM - Random Access Memory (RAM) plays the role of the computer’s short-term memory. It is very important to remember that when buying RAM you make sure it is compatible with your motherboard and CPU. 8-16GB is usually enough to get started. However, it’s better to have too much storage space in your RAM than too little.

GPU - Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) allows you to have a picture on your monitor. The two types of GPUs are: integrated and discrete. Discrete GPUs are more powerful, larger, have higher frame rates, and have an active cooling system. We will go over the two types in more detail later in the book. Storage - When choosing a storage device for your computer there are two main types, Solid State Drives (SSD) and Hard Disk Drives (HDD). SSDs are much faster but can be more expensive. HDDs are much more affordable for lots of storage space. Sometimes people have both storage devices in their computer, but the choice here is completely up to you.

06 // How to Build a Computer PSU - The Power Supply Unit (PSU) is critical as it sends power to all your computer parts. Without it, your computer would not turn on. There are different types of PSUs that we will discuss later, but for now, you must find a good, reliable PSU that is strong and has enough strength to power your computer.

System cooling - Cooling your system is crucial so that your components don’t overheat. There are two types: air and liquid cooling. You will need to have cooling for your CPU and inside your case. For now, it is important to know that liquid cooling is much more expensive than air cooling systems. Be sure to look at both options to see what is right for your build. These are all the main parts that go into building a computer, but there are some other parts that you need to consider too. You will have to consider an Operating System (OS) which is software that is needed for your computer to manage communication between the computer’s hardware and programs. Your computer can’t be complete without a keyboard, mouse, monitor, headset, speakers, or whatever other accessories you plan on using for your computer. However, we will cover those areas in a little more detail at the end of the book.

Again, remember that every part you consider buying needs to be compatible with your motherboard, CPU, and other components. Next, we will start installing parts and building your computer one step at a time.

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