Building Computers: Your First Try

Building Computers: Your First Try 

If this is your first try at building a computer, there's some things you should know that will make the build less hard, and the computer run better one time you’ve done.

First, don’t worry about tools. The only items you absolutely have to get are a couple of screwdrivers, a flat tip, and a Phillips. The odds are you’ve already got those lying around the house somewhere. A set of retractors, the two fingered kind that look like a syringe, are nice to pick up screws with when they fall in to corners, but you don’t have to have them.

Second, everybody designs their computers around the CPU. If you’re editing video, or doing other demanding chores, you may require a dual core system. A basic web and home work PC can be built around a bargain CPU.

One time you pick your processor, logically you can move on to the motherboard, because you’ve settled on a slot type. Keep in mind the savings to be had by purchasing a motherboard/CPU combo.

Prioritize your needs. Are you a gamer? Do you require a twin graphics card system? Then set that as your top priority, and let the decisions you make follow. Receive a motherboard that can handle two cards, or whatever special needs you have.

, get all the RAM you can afford. Nothing improves computer speed like extra RAM. There’s less waiting for programs to load, and applications that use huge files run more efficiently, without relying on virtual memory.

An all often overlooked item is the power supply. People usually go with the 300 or 350 watt supply that comes with a case. But, depending on the system they build, they could be risking a catastrophic system failure. Look at it this way, a top finish CPU requires 100 watts all by itself. A 256MB graphics card is another 100 watts. A Crossfire system doubles that.

Finally, I advise that you read and save every piece of paper documentation that comes with the parts you buy. This stuff always winds up in the trash, yet it carries valuable information, often about tricky tasks like connecting the case wires.


Yes, you can design a power miser, but you have to carefully consider every part. A basic PC can be built that only requires about 200 to 230 watts. It means using a slower CPU, and a modest graphics card.