A Quick Run-Through on Building Your Own PC

by seamonkey420

Overview: This is not a step by step guide, rather more of an overall look at building a CHEAP and FAST computer.

1. Before you build:

Before you begin to build your system, first consider what you want to do with your PC. Do you want to game? Or do you do video/dvd ripping/authoring? Or do you just want to surf the net and make cds/mp3s?

After you figure that out, lets go through some basic hardware background.

A computer consists of the following components:

  • Motherboard/Mainboard:
  • Processor/CPU and heatsink
  • Memory (DDR or SDRAM depending on the motherboard)
  • Video Card (unless its integrated into the motherboard)
  • Sound Card (unless its integrated into the motherboard)
  • Hard Drives
  • CD/DVD Drives
  • Floppy Drive (matter of preference)
  • Other PCI Cards (add on cards such as USB ports, Capture devices, etc.. )
  • Case and Power Supply

Also, before you build your system, the another thing to think about is compatibility. Be sure that motherboard is for the type processor you have (eg. AMD boards are different than Pentium boards).

To save on costs for your system, instead of buying a sound card and ethernet card, just get a motherboard with the two features built-in (they will not be as of good quality as seperate pci cards, but it will save ya!).

AMD vs INTEL for processors: Which processor to choose? AMD (athlon)is known for being the best bang for the buck, while INTELS (pentiums) are known for high end speed demons. I personally use AMD Athlons since they are about $100 or more less than a P4. Also be sure to get a good heatsink and fan for your cpu; otherwise you can fry it! Another thing, be sure you have a P4 or Athlon Certified power supply.

Below is a quick run through of my latest cheap computer build.

 

1.a. Pre-install: Backpanel for motherboard.

Usually your motherboard will come with a panel that is specific for your motherboard, most cases the one that is in your case will work, but for my ASUS A7N-266VM i needed to use the one with the board. This board has built-in video (geforce 2), sounds (5.1), Ethernet.

1.b. Inserting Motherboard insets into case and mounting motherboard.

Before you can mount the motherboard into the case, you'll need to put in the motherboard standoffs. Just line them up to the motherboard screw holes (top image). Then mount the motherboard in the case and screw it in.

2.a. Installing the CPU and Heatsink

The next thing i install is the cpu/processor and heatsink, i used an Athlon XP 1800+ cpu. (again, my motherboard is made for an AMD processor).

Lift up the lever by the cpu slot to unlock the slot, then line up the corner to the motherboard's process slot.

Then pull the cpu securing level down.

 

2.b. Installing the Heatsink on on the processor.

This is probably the most dreaded part of building a computer. The heatsink will sit directly on top of the processor. If you want, you can put some thermal grease on the bottom of the heatsink. Then the hard and scary part of attaching the clamps. You'll see what i mean once you build your pc.

BE SURE TO HOOK UP THE CPU FAN TO THE MOTHERBOARD'S CPU FAN connector.

 

3. Installing Memory (DDR SDRAM)

Just line it up and push as so...

4. Installing the Drives (HD, DVD/CD, Floppy)

Just find a spot and screw in the holes.

Be sure to set the jumpers on the harddrive.

If you have only one harddrive, set is the primary. If you have two harddrives, keep them on the same IDE cable and set them both to CS or Cable Select, the order on the IDE cable will determine the primary/master and the secondary/slave. Do the same with your CD/DVD Drives. Be sure to hook up your harddrives to the main ide or IDE0. Also be sure to hook up the power cables too.

5. Hooking up the Front Panel connectors (power and reset button, led lights on the case).

To do this, you'll just have to use your motherboard manual and the case manual/wires to match them up. Trial and error works the best with this task. Also if you have front usb ports, you can hook them now. Also be sure to hook up the ATX power connector from the power supply to the motherboard.

6. PCI Cards/Video Cards.

Install the video card into the appropriate slot (AGP or PCI, most newer video cards are AGP)

If you have any additional PCI cards (ethernet card, modem card, etc). You can install them now or wait until your sure your system boots.

  

7. Boot Your New System!

Hopefully, your system will boot once you power it on. If you get a bunch of beeps and a blank screen, try to remove and reseat your video card. Also try the same with your memory. Another thing would be to check the motherboard makers website for POST beeps/errors.

Setting up an OS will be added later.

Hope that helps ya get an idea of what it takes to build a system.

Peace

seamonkey420

My Current System:

AMD Athlon XP Barton 2600+ CPU

Aopen Ak79D-400VN Motherboard

1GB PC2100 DDR Memory

100 GB and 80 GB Western Digital SE drives

NEC 4x DVD-R/RW +R/+RW CD-R/RW

Ati Radeon 9000 Pro 128MB

Antec Alienware case with Blue/Green Cathode and clear side panel with 400Watt AMD Approved Powersupply

-IBM Thinkpad T30

Mobile P4 1.8Ghz, 40GB, 256MB DDR, Wifi
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