Building a computer can be fun. You usually save money and end up with a better computer by building one yourself. Although building your own computer is easier than you might think, it does take a little more time than picking up a PC from one of the big vendors. I will discuss some serious time-savers that make the process a lot smoother than it would be without them. And once you gain some experience, it won’t take you much time at all to put together a new machine.
Expect to spend a few hours designing your computer as well as an hour or two assembling it. You will also need about an hour for installing your operating system (e.g., Windows or Linux).
Ready? Let’s get started…
Step 1: Write down what you want the computer to do.
DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. If you do, you could easily waste a lot of money on a computer with too many whiz-bang features you will never use. Conversely, you could end up with a frustratingly inadequate PC that can’t handle half the things you need it to do.
This is one of the best reasons to build your own computer. Most computers from Mr. Dell and friends are one-size-fits-all. Plus they will cut a lot of corners just to save a dime.
The first thing you do when designing a new computer (or even before shopping for one) is to list some requirements. A requirement is simply something the computer should be able to do for you. For example, if you like to play the latest 3D video games, you would list that as a requirement. Other examples include word-processing, budgeting, chat and e-mail, Internet browsing, playing movies and/or music, editing photos and home movies, reading e-books, and even writing computer programs.
Take a minute right now and make a list for yourself. You should write it down because you will refer to it often while working on your new computer system. Planning will always pay of when building your own computer, and you will have something to reference the next time around.
Step 2: Choose a Reference System (And Save Tons of Time)
Go to http://arstechnica.com/guides.ars and click on the latest Ars System Guide. Ars Technica has already done a lot of work for you in putting together up-to-date guides depending on your general needs. Pick one that seems most likely to handle all your requirements from Step 1, and make a list of all the parts in a spreadsheet.
Bonus: Here is a reference system for a home theater PC , and one for a developer workstation.
Step 3: Choose the Processor (CPU)
Depending on your needs, you may want to get a slightly faster (and more expensive) processor than the reference system uses, or you may be able to get away with a slightly slower (and much less expensive) CPU. In either case, stick with similar models to your reference system so that you do not have to switch motherboards (different processors may require different motherboards). For example, if the reference system uses an Intel Core 2 Duo, stick with the Duo model and choose an edition with the right speed for you. Visit Intel or AMD’s website to see all your options, and search on the Internet for benchmarks and reviews that have already done a lot of the work for you as far as comparing different processors.
Write down your choice on your spreadsheet (don’t worry about filling in the price yet).
Step 4: Choose the Case
You have many, many, many cases to choose from. First and foremost you will want to choose one with a quality power supply. Cheap off-brand cases usually come with shoddy power supplies that won’t give your computer enough power and can easily fail before your computer’s first birthday.
My personal favorite cases are made by Antec. The have lots of different types of cases, and all come with reliable power supplies. Another good brand is Thermaltake.
As for what your case will look like, that depends on the requirements you wrote down earlier (you did write them down, didn’t you?) Make sure the case:
- Is the right size and weight for where you will be using it (some cases are even portable making them easy to take to LAN parties)
- Is designed to make your computer quieter (for offices, libraries, etc.)
- Looks nice if it is on display (living room home theater PCs, LAN parties)
- Has USB and other useful ports on the front where you can get to them easily
- Has enough room for all the different parts you want to put into it (small cases don’t have a lot of room for extra video capture cards, disc drives, etc.)
If you plan on build a high-performance workstation or gaming rig, be sure to get a case that advertises excellent cooling (this is a good idea anyway). You may need to order extra fans for it if you are going to put in a lot of high-performance components. Be warned: the more fans you use, the noisier your computer will be (but that may be worth having a faster system).
Step 5: Choose the Video Displays
Next decide how big of screens you need, and whether you want 1 or two of them. For basic computer use, like surfing the Internet and word processing, a single 19” display should be fine. For serious graphics work and gaming, you will probably want a little bit bigger display. Having two displays is very useful for heavy multitasking (having lots of programs open at once – common in office environments), but you will need a video card capable of handling two screens.
Whatever you choose, I would recommend LCD screens over CRTs. They give off less radiation, usually look better (and are easier on your eyes), and are a lot easier to move around.
And if you plan on using the computer as a media center in your family room, you may want to get a digital projector instead of/in addition to the traditional desktop display.
Step 6: Choose the Video Cards
If you only have one display and won’t be playing a lot of games, you will be fine with using a motherboard with built-in video (see below). For multiple displays, graphics or video editing, and games, you will want a standalone Video card that plugs into one of the PCI-express slots on your motherboard.
Start with what your reference system has, and adjust up/down to meet your requirements. The fastest/newest cards cost more and generally only help you if you play a lot of games or edit complex 3D animations. If you need multiple video displays, look for a card with two outputs (such as VGA + DVI or 2x VGA or 2x DVI). Sometimes you have to order an adapter to convert DVI to VGA if that is all your LCD or CRT supports.
If you are into extreme gaming, consider buying two video cards (read about SLI at www.nvidia.com). You will need to pay extra for a motherboard that supports it, but it may be worth it to you.
Step 7: Choose the Sound Card
For most people, using a motherboard with built-in sound is enough. You only need a separate sound card for premier gaming or home theater integration. For either of those, Creative is one of the best sound card makers around. Make sure you get a PCI or PCI-express card, and that your motherboard has an extra PCI or PCI-express slot you can use.
Step 8: Choose the Motherboard
Using your reference computer as a guide, look for a similar motherboard (or just use the reference board). Each motherboard has a list of supported CPUs you will want to check to make sure yours is on the list. If you are using an extra-small case, you will need to look for a motherboard that will fit while still letting you add any extra cards (sound, video, tv capture, etc.) you need.
Many motherboards have on-board sound and video cards. This lets you save some money if you don’t need high-end graphics and sound. If you do need high-end graphics, make sure the motherboard can support your graphics card(s).
In general, you want to stick with a high-profile manufacturer to avoid an unstable system. Asus, MSI, and Intel are all good choices. Make sure whatever you get has Ethernet built in for easy connection to high-speed networks and Internet.
Step 9: Choose the System Memory (RAM)
Poor quality RAM can cause a lot of mysterious computer crashes, and has a significant impact on how fast your computer runs.
Often you can get a faster computer by saving a little on the CPU and putting it towards buying extra RAM. Software is hungry these days, so use at least what your reference system recommends. Stick with name-brand memory such as Crucial, Corsair, or Super Talent. If buying from a local computer store, make sure you ask for name-brand RAM. Finally, double-check your motherboard can support the type (DDR, DDR2, etc.) and the speed (533, 800, etc.) of your RAM. Some motherboards do not support the faster speeds of RAM you can buy (although I would recommend getting one that does).
Step 10: Choose the Hard Drive
Most of the time, you will want large hard drives so you are never worried about running out of space. For specialized disk-intensive activities, such as computer programming, you may wish to get smaller, faster drives for the same money as a larger, slower drives. Start with the reference system’s hard drive and adjust per your requirements. You can even use RAID to combine multiple hard drives for large data and/or high speed requirements (search www.wikipedia.com or www.howstuffworks.com to learn more about RAID configurations).
Step 11: Choose other Drives
Do you want to make DVD movies or CDs? Get a DVD burner. Do you plan on copying a lot of discs? Pick up a second DVD/CD reader. Like watching shows on your PC? You will need at least a basic DVD drive. Again, check your reference system for recommendations.
No matter what, you will want at least one DVD drive to handle installing software. Beyond that, you may choose a floppy disc drive (if you still use floppies instead of USB thumb drives) and 7-in-1 or 13-in-1 flash card readers (useful for reading PDA and digital camera cards).
If you have a ton of data to backup regularly, consider getting a tape drive rather than simply relying on your DVD burner.
Step 12: Choose your Peripherals
Pick a keyboard and mouse set that is easy on your hands (such as Microsoft Natural model). Go to a computer store and just put your hands on the things until you find one that feels right (you don’t have to actually buy anything). The basic keyboards and mice are pretty cheap, but will make your hands and wrists sore after using them for any reasonable length of time.
Also look for some speakers that fit your requirements. For office work, you probably don’t need a surround-sound system. However, a beefier setup will make you happier when playing games are listening to music around the house. In some cases you may be plugging you system into a home stereo and you won’t need any computer speakers at all.
Something else to grab is a good-quality surge suppressor. In addition, you may consider game pads, TV capture cards, a modem (if you use dial-up internet), a web-cam, a wireless internet card, etc. All of this of course depends on the requirements you originally wrote down.
Step 13: Choose your OS (Operating System)
If you plan on using the computer in your living room, or as a way of streaming TV, movies, and music to your living room, you will want to consider Windows Vista Ultimate. Even if you don’t plan on streaming, but just want a one-stop-shop PC and entertainment center (including TiVo-like functionality) for, say, your apartment, then Windows MCE is a good bet.
Otherwise, Windows Vista Home is probably what you want unless you are setting up a business computer network (in which case you will need Vista Business Edition). And, if you are fairly computer-savvy and like to tinker, look into Linux (I recommend Ubuntu) or FreeBSD.
Step 14: Trim to Meet your Budget
By now you should have your spreadsheet filled out with all the parts you want for your dream computer. Head on over to www.newegg.com or www.zipzoomfly.com and find the prices for all your parts. If your part isn’t listed, then try a shopping search engine such as arstechnica.shopping.com.
Once you have all your prices, total them up. If you are over-budget, simply go back and tweak your parts until you can meet your budget. Compare this to Dell or HP and you should have either (a) a better system for the same price or (b) a comparable system for a better price (don’t forget to factor in shipping costs).
Step 15: Order and Build
Order you parts online or buy them from a local computer store. If you buy online, try to use only one or two dealers to save on shipping and make returning problem items a lot easier. Be sure your CPU is bundled with a heat sink and fan to keep it cool (some OEM versions do not).
Once they come, it is pretty easy to put everything together using the instruction manuals that come with the parts. If you buy from a local computer store you can usually have them build the computer for you for a small fee. If you need help building it yourself, check out http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/index.htm or other similar resources on the web.
Installing your operating system should be pretty easy, especially if you choose Windows Vista. Be sure to turn on automatic system updates, and enable the system firewall to keep bad guys from hacking into your computer. If you choose a Linux operating system, I recommend Ubuntu for it’s ease of use.
WARNING: To get rid of any static electricity in your body, be sure you touch something such as a plugged-in metal lamp before you touch any computer parts,. If you accidentally shock a computer part it can ruin it instantly. Many computer stores also carry anti-static wrist bands that serve the same purpose.
Appendix - List of Parts
- Processor (CPU)
- Case and Fans
- Video Display(s)
- Video Card(s)
- Sound Card
- Motherboard
- Memory (RAM)
- Hard Drive(s)
- CD/DVD Burner
- Other Drives
- Mouse
- Keyboard
- Speakers
- Other Peripherals
- Operating System
