Building a custom computer is something most people won't even consider
when it's time to replace the old one. While there is wide variety of
off the shelf computers available today, a custom computer system offers
several advantages over their store bought counterparts.
The biggest advantage of a custom built computer is that it can be
created specifically to suite your needs. For example, a computer being
used to design buildings with a CAD program is much different than a
computer managing inventories at a warehouse.
Another bonus is that, every part on a custom computer can be upgraded
if needed. In the end you will not only have a better computer, but you
will also have saved a lot of money in the process.
To build a computer you will need several parts. The basic parts you will need are a...
- Case
- Power Supply
- Motherboard
- Processor/CPU
- RAM/Memory
- Hard Drive
- Video Card
- Sound Card
- CD/DVD Drive
- Mouse, keyboard, speakers and monitor.
- An Operating System. (Any newer version of Windows)
Along with the parts that will make up the computer, you will need...
- A couple small screwdrivers
- A decent sized work area work area (a desk will work)
- A pair of gentle hands
- Some Patience
As mentioned before, the biggest advantage of a custom computer is the
fact that it can be made to suite your requirements. To meet these
requirements you will need to buy an array of parts that will work
together. Without getting too nitty gritty, here is a basic explanation
of the parts that make up a computer.
Computer Case:
A computer case is what holds all of your computers components together
and protects them from the elements. All cases do pretty much the same
thing but there are several things to look for when buying a case. Aside
from the color and styling, there are different sizes to choose from.
Bigger cases have room for more components whereas a smaller case will
only limit you to the basic necessities. Also, some cases have "luxury
features" like built in headphone jacks or USB ports that are in easily
assessable areas.
Power Supply:
The power supply converts 120 volt ac power from your wall into various
dc voltages needed to run the components. The biggest factor when
choosing a power supply is choosing the correct wattage. More components
require more power, so a computer with lots of components will need a
power supply that supports a higher wattage. Wattages usually range from
300watts to 800watts.
MotherBoard:
The heart of any computer system is the motherboard. The motherboard is a
giant circuit board that connects all of your computers components
together, similar to the veins, arteries and nerves of the human body.
The motherboard is the most critical part of your computer system and a
lot of time and extensive research should be put into choosing the
correct motherboard for your system. Lots of computer companies have
their own standards for parts, so it is important to choose a
motherboard that will be compatible with the rest of your components.
The CPU:
The Central Processing Unit or CPU chip is the brain behind your whole
computer system. It performs all the calculations and executes all the
computers processes. CPU chips are rated in GHz. The higher the GHz
rating equates to a faster and more responsive computer. In the end, the
speed of your CPU will dictate the maximum level of performance your
computer can offer. It is recommended that you buy a CPU chip that is a
little faster than needed, so that you can leave room for upgrades in
the future.
The RAM:
Random Access Memory or RAM comes in the form of a memory stick and fits
into a slot on the motherboard. Having more RAM helps maintain the
speed at which your computer is operating when multiple processes are
happening simultaneously. This in turn reduces the amount of time your
computer has to load. (Adding more RAM is like adding additional lanes
onto a highway so that traffic will keep moving during rush hour.)
Upgrading your RAM is very easy and cost effective since you just have
to install additional memory sticks instead of replacing the existing
ones.
The HDD:
The hard drive is what stores all of the computers data. A larger hard
drive or multiple hard drives will be able to store more data. Movies,
songs, games and programs take up lots of space, so if you intend on
storing these on your computer, it would be a good idea to get a hard
drive with more capacity or multiple hard drives. A backup hard drive
could also be a good form of insurance if you intend on storing a lot of
important data on your computer. Hard drives are usually one of the
first components of a computer to fail, and when they do you usually
lose everything that had been stored on your computer.
Video Card:
The video card is the device which creates the image on your monitor. A
computer used for multimedia videos, gaming, or photo editing will
greatly benefit from a faster and higher performance video card. It will
be able to create sharper images and it will be able to process images
quicker for smoother transitions.
Sound Card:
The sound card is the device which translates numerical codes into
pulses that your speakers use to create different sounds. A quality
sound card along with a good set of speakers will help to create better
sound quality, which is ideal for a computer that will be used for
entertainment.
Once you have done your research and have bought your parts, it's time
to start the building process. Before any building begins though, you
need to discharge yourself of any static electricity. A static shock can
easily destroy computer parts, so before you touch any bare computer
parts, find something that is made of metal and is grounded to touch. A
door handle should work just fine. (This will cause the negative
electrons from your body to go back into the earth like lightning does)
Building Custom Computer from Scratch
The first step in building a computer begins with the assembly of the
motherboard. This includes the CPU and memory sticks. The CPU chip will
have a notched corner that will align perfectly with another notched
corner on the motherboard.
Once you have the chip positioned, you simply drop it right in place
without using any pressure. Once seated, you can then slide the lever
arm that's on the motherboard to lock the CPU in place.
After that, you'll need to install the heat sink, which is done by
peeling off the tape off of the back of the heat sink and sticking on
top of the CPU.
Next you will need to install the RAM memory sticks.
On the motherboard there will several slots marked channel 1, channel 2
and so on. The memory sticks need to be pressed into the slots very
gently, and then they need to latched in place with the clamps that are
located on each side of the slots.
Now it is time to start assembling the case. After removing the case's
cover (some cases are different, but most case covers slide right off)
you can then begin to install the power supply.
The case will already have a space cut out at the top rear where the
power supply fits into place. To mount the power supply, you will need
to locate the four screws that came with it, and insert them through the
pre drill holes at the back of the case.
It's a good idea, to support the power supply with one hand and insert
the screws with the other hand. Once all four screws are loosely fitted
you can then grab a screwdriver and tighten them up. After the power
supply is secured, it is time to put the mother board in.
The mother board will be positioned vertically beneath the power supply
and will be mounted to the left side of the case. Like the power supply,
the motherboard will align with holes that have been predrilled into
the case. The only difference with this is that you will need to install
a set of spacers in-between the case and motherboard, so that the
motherboard has about a quarter inch air gap.
Once the motherboard is mounted, you can then connect the power leads
from the power supply to the mother board. There will be one small
connector and one large connector that fit into matching slots on the
motherboard.
After installing the motherboard you can proceed on to installing the
hard drive. Inside the case you will find a bracket that is wide enough
to accept a hard drive. Simply slide the hard drive into the bracket,
and use the 4 screws that are provided to lock it in place. The hard
drive will come with a ribbon cable (long flat cable) that attaches the
hard drive to the motherboard.
You will also need to grab another power lead from the power supply and
plug it into the hard drive. The CD/DVD-rom drive installs very
similarly to the hard drive. It slides into a bracket, is held in by
four screws, and requires a ribbon cable to be connected to the
motherboard and a power lead to the power supply. The only difference is
you will need to pop out a faceplate in the front of the case so the
CD/DVD drive can open.
This completes the basic setup to get a computer running. You can now
connect your, mouse, keyboard and monitor and turn the computer on for
the first time. A screen will pop up asking you to put in the correct
date and time. You will then insert your copy of Windows into the CD
drive and it will automatically install itself.
Adding other components such as a video card, sound card, or
router/modem for internet use is pretty easy. Accessories like these can
be installed with minimal effort. They simply plug right into the
motherboard without any wires, and only require one screw that is
mounted at the back of the case to secure it.
I currently use a custom built computer that I built myself, and I have
been 100% satisfied with it. I have a special video card that allows me
to use two monitors instead of just one. It's a great feature and it
allows me to do work much more efficiently. This is a feature I could
only have with a custom computer.
Building a custom computer from scratch is actually a pretty easy
process. It doesn't require any fabrication, soldering or any special
tools. Once you have learned the basics, it's really just a plug and
play job. The cost of a custom built computer will be less than a store
bought counterpart version and the possibilities for upgrades are
endless.
