Building a computer is not cheap, do not be mislead. What you do not get from buying a retail computer is the ability to pick every single computer component out. Picking your components out is the main benefit of building a computer, especially if you are building a gaming computer.
The Internet gives you the ability to shop around at so many different vendors. Two of my key vendors online are Tigerdirect and Newegg. These two vendors offer a huge selection of computer parts to pick from.
One might ask, how do you keep up with the latest technology? Browsing computer magazines will give you new great ideas for future builds. Doing a little research and familiarizing yourself with the computer technology will give you a greater advantage before building, your next awesome system. This is how one truly becomes aware of the current market. Go to your local store, pick a computer magazine up, and start reading. For more of a variety you could look through a few computer magazine tittles.
Before buying your new computer components, write everything out on paper. This will allow you to visualize your project. Make sure all component technology you are about to buy is supported by your chosen motherboard. This will save time and a headache later. Mailing items back to these two vendors is allowed. They allow the normal thirty day from purchase return policy. This is something to keep in mind if buying things slowly. You might wave your return option. Knowing this you might opt to save your money, and build when your ready to.
Now we will shift into gear an install the computer semiconductor boards. You will need to wear a grounded wrist strap, to prevent static electricity from smoking the semiconductor boards you are going to install. If you do not own one, then you will need to buy one at your local computer parts store like a Radio Shack. Grounding yourself will eliminate static charge, and reduce component failure. Static is the main cause of component failure. Do this and do not take any chances on damaging any components. Trust me, I have been on the side that lost several hundred dollars to static electricity, it really gets your goat, when new to building computers.
Once you have received all your new components, it is time to build. First open the computer case, unwrap the motherboard, line the motherboard up with the wholes in the case were the motherboard goes, and locate the screw wholes below the motherboard. You will need to install shoulder nut screws into the case were the motherboard will rest. Now take out the motherboard and place the shoulder nut screws in the locations that you just identified. The motherboard will rest on these shoulder nut screws, and will be bolted down to them. Once you finish installing the shoulder nut screws, install the motherboard onto of the shoulder nut screws, and screw the motherboard down with the correct screws. This secures the motherboard to the case, but leaves a gap between the back of the motherboard, and the back of the case were the shoulder nut screws are located.
Install the floppy, hard drive, CD-ROM, and DVD drive and connect the corresponding data and power wires to them. The DVD and CD-ROM drives will also have an audio cable connection for running audio to the motherboard.
If you bought a case without a power supply, now is the time to install the power supply. Use your motherboard manual and device manuals to hook up the power leads from the power supply to your devices and motherboard.
Now connect your video card, if installing one and any other cards at this time.
Install your memory and or RAM into the motherboard. Make sure you seat the memory correctly. Install your CPU (Central Processor Unit) and heat sink into the motherboard socket. Follow the instructions that came with the motherboard or memory for correct installation of memory modules. Follow the install instructions for the CPU and heat sink.
Connect all fans to either the power supply or motherboard fan connectors if supplied.
Now install the case wires (Hard Drive LED Light, Power Switch, Power Switch LED, Reset, et cetera) to the motherboard. You will need the manual that came with your motherboard. If you do not have this, go online and download it from the manufactures website. You will also need the most recent set of motherboard drivers for your motherboard. The drivers that shipped with your motherboard are most likely out of date. Download new ones off the manufactures webpage. New drivers will have a host of new fixes in them.
Hook up your monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the computer. Close your case and add power to the computer. Your computer should boot and show the bios on the monitor screen and say it can not find an “Operating System”. Awesome job so far.
Next install your operating system and your computer is finished. Motherboard drivers are installed after the operating system is installed.
Install your motherboard drivers now.
Do a defragment to clean the hard drive of fragmented sectors.
Install virus software, like AVG.