|
Ok so you want to be a geek…….here’s some tips on how to build a computer…choose parts….and generally how to build a kick ass box that is a lot of bang for the buck….
Why should you build your own computer???? Well we will count all they ways imaginable.
It’s totally custom….any way you want it you can build it that way.
Every individual part has a warranty. Usually you can get parts with a 3 year warranty that don’t cost much more.
Sometimes its not cheaper than a Dell or a Gateway…but you can literally save about $1000 building you own systems if it is totally decked out.
First of all….find out what you want to build it for??? Is it gonna be a basic internet computer or are you gonna build a balls to the walls dvd burning….video gaming/video editing junkie.
First of all is choose your parts.
Pretty much for motherboards I recommend one that has only onboard sound, lan and raid controller, try to get one with an AGP slot…..no matter what you might have to upgrade you video card.
Otherwise if it’s a bare bones system that won’t do much than internet you can get some good boards with everything on it for about $60.
Motherboards comes in two sizes typically, Micro ATX and Full size ATX, you will need to know this to properly find a case that won’t be crammed.
Then pick what type of processor are you going to use.
Pick a processor for what type of board you want.
There are two types
Intel (Celeron, P4)
AMD (XP of all types of variations also known as Socket A)
Typically I choose AMD a lot of bang for the buck and if you buy them retail they come with a 3 year warranty.
Celerons are typically for you bare bones computer that will never see any heavy use (internet and email only)
P4 are expensive but some people want them so you can use them to.
Then chose a case, you can fit a micro ATX in a full size ATX case, but not the other way around.
You can spend anywhere from $50 on a case to $400. It all depends on what you want. Pick one with at least a 300watt power supply (400watt if you going to have lots of hard drives and other accessories like burners and a huge video card)
Then if you have a motherboard with an AGP slot. Pick out a card you can spend anywhere from $50 to $400 for a card……find one that suits your needs.
Then buy your accessories, you can have a DVD burner CD-RW Drive or CD-ROM or a DVD/CD-RW Drive. Usually for a computer I chose a DVD/CD-RW drive…it does too functions and provides a lot of bang for the buck. And always remember you can always upgrade later.
Then pick out a floppy drive if you need one.
Then is time to pick out a hard drive, I always buy the Western Digital Special Edition with the 8mb buffer. It’s faster and has a 3 year warranty and only costs about $10 more than the 1 year warranty 2mb buffer version.
Now your ready to finally assemble……..this is where the fun begins…
Clean off an area to work…a kitchen table works great…plus in a kitchen you probably won’t have to worry about static electricity problems often…that’s where I built most of the computers I’ve built for customers.
Get the case box and open it…pull the case out and set it aside…I use the case box to hold all the boxes for the components for warranty purposes if they need to be returned.
Grab yourself a garbage bag to start tossing stuff.
First grab your motherboard box. Open it and start making a pile of manuals and Driver CD’s
Save the static bag. I use the motherboard bag for storing all static bags.
Set the motherboard down on the kitchen table. We will now prepare it to be inserted in the case.
First grab your processor. Pull it out of the packaging and set it aside.
Lift up the lever on the motherboard and put the processor in (make sure it is going in the correct way it should go in with little effort) Then press the lever down. Ok your almost done with the processor. Now comes the heatsink. There are two types, the Intel type and the AMD type. Most likely the heatsink that came with your processor already has thermal grease on it.
Instructions for Intel Type
Press heatsink down until all four corners click.
Flip the two white plastic levers all the way.
Plug in the CPU fan.
Instructions for the AMD style
Put heatsink on with stepped side facing the plastic ledge on the cpu socket. (put it straight on doing it at an angle will mostly likely crack the cpu die)
Gently slide the one end of the metal retaining clip that does NOT have the screwdriver hook on it onto the edge of the socket.
Then take a screwdriver and gently clip the otherside.
Plug in the CPU fan.
Now put in the memory (make note of the orientation) and press firmly in until it “clicks”
Then look in your motherboard manual and see if there are any jumper setting for the buss speed you need to set. Some need to be set and some don’t
Now time to get the case ready for the motherboard first pull off the one side of the case.
If you have a different back panel swap them now while nothing is in the case.
Now you will get the little brass standoffs with your case….look at your board and thread the standoffs in to match with your motherboard. (screw them in tight, cause if you ever have to take the motherboard off the standoffs will come off with the board)
Now you should be ready to install the motherboard. Gently set the board inside the case and line it up with the jumpers…place all the required screws in needed to secure the board to the standoffs.
Next hook up all your switches, leds and front usb ports if you have them.
Now mount the drives. No need to get them super tight, they aren’t lug nuts.
Now hook up all the IDE cables. Remember that if the drive is on the end of the cable set the jumper on the back of the drive for master and if it’s in the middle of the cable set it as slave.
Then plug in power to all the accessories.
Then plug in power to the motherboard.
Now is the time to install your video card and all other cards you might have.
Now you should be ready to go J
Double check everything….jumpers…power….fan hookups…..
Don’t put the side of the case on yet though. Just in case you have to troubleshoot and plug and unplug stuff. Don’t put the side on until you know the computer is all ready.
Now you should be able to install your favorite OS and go…enjoy..
I might of forgot some stuff….feel free to correct me….
|