The guide to building your PC

Shadow Gamer · July 22, 2015

This is a tutorial/starting point for beginners who want to get into building their own PC. Down below, I'll be posting helpful articles, documents, channels, and videos where you can get great information.

Step 1: Learning what's inside a computer

The parts inside a computer are super important, as that's what you'll be purchasing and building. I'd recommend my presentation on PC parts for starting out, and then you can look up individual components if you want to learn more. In addition, you'll need to learn more about Operating Systems, which is the software that drives your computer. LinusTechTips also has a video about Operating Systems. While it is necessary, don't dwell on this step too much, the Newegg videos in the next step will fill in the gaps.

Step 2: Learning how to build a computer

Newegg has a great series about building your computer, but you'll need to look at a variety of channels and videos to fully understand how to build a computer properly and safely.

Important PC Building Tips

Old LinusTechTips Build Guide(For learning how to build because it's more indepth)

New LinusTechTips Guide(For learning about buying parts)

Channels to watch:

LinusTechTips

Newegg

NCIX

JayzTwoCents

Tech of Tommorow

Awesomesauce Network

Paul's Hardware

Step 3: Choosing your parts

There are two very important things to do before you start choosing parts: Find a budget(It can grow or shrink), and identify the purpose you want your computer for. Then, go look up PCPartPicker, and learn how to use it. It is the most powerful tool for choosing components and everybody, from beginners to experts, uses it. It also can help you calculate the amount of watts your PC will use, how much it will cost, and shows the costs from a variety of merchants.

For this step, you'll want to look up some more videos from the channels I recommended above about choosing your component. You can also go to this forum right here to get help.

Step 4: Ordering your parts

You have to be fairly committed at this point, because getting the money for your PC and going through with buying it can be tough. From my experience, I only use Newegg and Amazon, and I prefer using Newegg because it has no tax. The best ways to gain money are to get it from birthdays, Holidays, and if your family pays you for it, doing chores. If you're 14 or over and in the States, you can get a job at a local fast food restaurant. My friend works at a fast food chain to pay for his parts and games. Just do some research on getting a job before you do that.

Step 5: Building your computer

Try to get a knowledgeable computer buddy to help you out with your first build. Remember to be extra cautious, and don't be afraid to look at the manual.

Good luck, future PC builders!