Building your own PC is a brilliant way to get a deeper understanding of how computers work. Not only is it an economical approach to getting a system that’s custom-made for your exact needs, but it also allows you to take full ownership of something you’ll use every day. You’ll finish the project with a sense of satisfaction and pride, and a loyal connection to your creation.
A self-built PC is a better long-term investment than a pre-built one, because you can replace individual parts as required. Once you’ve performed the initial assembly, you’ll feel much more confident about upgrading your hardware than you would in a ready-made computer, and you’ll know precisely which components to buy.
The process of building a PC from scratch is undoubtedly daunting the first time you do it, with so many bits to fit together to make everything work properly. Without the right parts in the right places, there’s a risk the whole venture could prove a waste of money and time.
To ensure that doesn’t happen, we’ve compiled a complete guide to assembling your own computer, including every component you need, how to install each part and the simplest way to get your new system up and running. Much of the advice you find online is for constructing powerful gaming machines, but we’ve tailored our advice and instructions to suit anyone who wants to build their ideal desktop PC.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT COMPONENTS FOR YOUR PC
Before you can build your own PC it’s essential to ensure you have all the right parts and that they’re compatible with each other. Components come in many varieties from different manufacturers, and not all of them work well together. For example, you will hit a major stumbling block if you discover your motherboard doesn’t have the right type of socket for your CPU or an M.2 slot for your speedy SSD.
For this reason, it’s wise to start with the most important component for your new PC and work your way down. This will also help you calculate your budget, so you don’t overspend on a high-end part that leaves you short of money for all the other hardware you need. Here are the main components you have to buy, and the best-value models to look for.
CPU
The CPU (central processing unit – or processor for short) is what makes your PC run, so choosing the right one is a very important decision. Do your research on which processor has the power and specifications you need for your ideal computer, but don’t blow your entire budget on it. Intel and AMD are the two main CPU manufacturers, and you can’t go wrong with either brand, but the model you choose will determine what kind of motherboard you can get.
For a great balance between value and processing power, consider the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 (pictured above), which you can currently buy from Amazon for just £63 (www.snipca.com/45914). This four-core CPU has a clock speed of 4GHz and has integrated graphics so you won’t need a separate GPU. Alternatively, the Intel Core i3-10100 (www.snipca.com/45915) has similar specs and is priced at £95.
Both of these processors are a few years old, hence their comparatively low prices. You can find a regularly updated guide to the latest budget CPUs on our sister site Tom’s Hardware (www.snipca.com/45916).
Motherboard
The motherboard is the platform that all the hardware in your computer connects to, directly or indirectly. The most important thing about a motherboard is its compatibility with the components you choose, so if you buy
