Learn How to Build a Computer With Tips They Don't Want You to Know

A lot of people have wondered how to build a computer. Yet it's something very few people will try.   With some training building the perfect PC is something anyone can do.  Whether you build a gaming computer, build a cheap computer or build video editing computer, all the basic practices are the same, the with a couple of changes you can build the computer to fit you exactly.

The best part of building your own computer is, by doing so you can pick out every piece of this computer to make it what you want.  You will get a better custom computer.  The manufacturer's computers are there to be put together, shipped out, with a profit made.  Trust your better judgement, you always get what you pay for.

Learning how to build a computer that you take the time to build is very rewarding, even if you run into a hickup.  Follow this page as a guide, click on the links that apply to the build you want as you read, then when you're done their, return to this page and let it be your road map.  When you reach the bottom, you'll have built your own computer.

Do you know your computer parts?  If not go to parts of a computer so you know the computer component names and find out what they do.  If you're still not sure that building a computer is the right thing for you, find out why I build my own computer, I'm sure it will help you decide.  Don't worry, if you get stuck, or run into problems I can help you with our online computer help.

Want to skip picking out your computer parts when you learn how to build a computer for the first time around?  Check out the computer kits section.  Choose which kit works for you, and just put it together.

Buying The Components

Any time you buy any computer parts, use the tips you learn in this section to help you pick out that parts that have exactly what you want.  If you are a computer gamer, our build a gaming computer page may be of interest to you.  If you want to learn to build a video editing computer you can find some more tips on that as well.

Don't skip benchmarks and reviews, teaching yourself how to build a computer is mostly picking out properly matched components and staying in a budget.  The smallest part is assembly.  The work you spend now picking out the right parts will pay off in the long run for both performance and reliability.

Benchmarks

Benchmarks give you a chart that is easy to compare as far as performance go.  Instead of trying to filter your way through the spec to see which parts are the best, just check the benchmark.  The better the score, the faster the component.

There are three computer parts you should check benchmarks for to see how they rate.  

The CPU can be checked here.  The Hard Drive can be checked here.  If you are going with an on board video card, don't bother checking that one.   Otherwise the video card can be checked here.  

If any of the components you have picked out is less than half way up the benchmark list, consider buying something else.  You can probably get something with much more performance for the same amount of money.  Only evaluate the video card if 3D applications are important for you.   

Reviews

Reviews will give you information about computer parts that you probably wouldn't have found out.  Even though a component has a great benchmark, if you see half of the users part burns out after two months, do you really still want to buy it?

I go to TigerDirect.com to check all of my items.   Just find the computer part and scroll to the bottom of the page to find out what other people think.   This is especially useful if you're sitting on the fence trying to decide between two items.

The best part is, if you check out the reviews, you won't end up buying a computer part if you see it's got many bad reviews.

Pick out your parts

Now that you know the tips to picking out the best computer parts, we'll have to find all the parts to build a computer.  Regardless of the end use of the computer, the parts will all stay the same, you'll still need the same parts, we'll just be spending money in different places to make this happen.

Assembly

To build a computer, you will need a flat screwdriver, a star screwdriver, a flashlight, and a 3/16 socket with a ratchet to build a computer. 

Personally, I like to add a cordless drill to make putting the screws in less tedious.   

Now with your parts in hand and the tools you need, I'll show you how to build a computer.  Follow the installation instructions on the pages listed below in the order listed to get all of your components connected.  As an alternative, if you want to learn how to assemble a computer on DVD click on this link.

• How to install a Motherboard and connect the computer case video or the picture guide on installing a motherboard.
• Computer Case
• CPU
• CPU Cooler
• RAM
• Hard Drive
• Video Card
• Sound Card
• DVD Rom
• If you have a Network Card, the installation is the same as installing a sound card.   
• Power Supply

Once you're done assembling your computer, you will need to set up your BIOS or CMOS.  If you're unsure about what the BIOS or CMOS is you can read more about it here.

Now for the last step install Windows.  Once you have that finished you're ready to use your custom computer, and you know everything you need to about how to build a computer.

Are you running into trouble learning how to build a computer?  If so, check out our online computer help.  When you're done building your computer, we'd love you hear your computer building story.

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